LoRa Alliance working group led by Kerlink completes firmware update over the air (FUOTA) specifications covering multicast setup, fragmentation and time synchronization
Oct.12, 2018
LoRa AllianceTM working group led by Kerlink completes firmware update over the air (FUOTA) specifications covering multicast setup, fragmentation and time synchronization
The LoRa AllianceTM has released three specifications that address baseline needs for updating end devices deployed in LoRaWANTM networks. The specifications standardize the way members of the alliance perform this essential process that will improve interoperability between end-device providers and network providers.
“Standardizing the way providers and operators update their firmware paves the way for value-added services to ensure that connected devices perform optimally throughout their deployment on LoRaWAN-enabled LPWA networks,” said Julien Catalano, co-chair of the alliance’s FUOTA Working Group and editor of the specifications. “They also significantly strengthen LoRaWANTM technology’s ability to support day-to-day field operations, so users get maximum benefit from their IoT networks.”
The three specifications enable a multicast setup, which allows network operators to send data to multiple end devices with a single transmission; fragmentation, which allows sending large firmware files to end devices by splitting the files into multiple fragments, and time synchronization, which allows synchronizing end devices with network time.
Details of specifications
Remote Multicast Setup Specification v1.0.0 defines an application-layer messaging package running on LoRaWAN networks to perform the three operations on groups of end devices:
- Program a multicast distribution window into a group
- Have all end devices in the group switch to Class B or Class C temporarily at the beginning of the slot
- Close the distribution window and revert to normal operation
Fragmented Data Block Transport Specification v1.0.0 proposes an application-layer messaging package running over LoRaWAN networks to perform four key operations on a fleet of end devices:
- Setup, report and delete fragmentation transport sessions
- Support several fragmentation sessions simultaneously
- Allow fragmentation over multicast or unicast
- Send a fragmented block of data to one or many end devices
Application Layer Clock Synchronization Specification v1.0.0 proposes an application-layer messaging package running over LoRaWAN networks to synchronize the real-time clock of an end device to the network’s GPS clock with one-second accuracy.
Catalano is principal architect-head of standards at Kerlink, a co-founder and board member of the LoRa Alliance. He said the FUOTA Working Group of the Lora Alliance Technical Committee will continue working on standards for firmware management and multi-package access protocols.
“Kerlink has already integrated the value-add, enabling software layers of these three specifications in its end-to-end solutions portfolio, demonstrating the benefits of FUOTA and confirming the company’s commitment to innovation and industry leadership,” he said.
Kerlink, which led the FUOTA Working Group on the project, congratulates all partners and contributors on their significant joint achievement.