Remote software upgrades increasing possibilities in M2M communication

For M2M applications is increasingly important that software integrated communication modules can be renewed. One solution is to update firmware wirelessly, FOTA (English firmware over-the-air), which updates the software of the M2M modules safely and reliably.

Communication between systems or M2M (Machine English-to-Machine) allows machines, devices and vehicles to communicate with each other via mobile networks. As a result, M2M applications increase process efficiency by streamlining business processes, reducing costs and improving service. Businesses benefit from optimizing their productivity and may even gain competitive advantages. For example, connects M2M devices to each other even when production environments are far from a network. Vending machines, for example, report their status automatically load a central inventory system so that the service center is informed in real time. M2M applications are used in many industries and sectors especially in the fields of transport and logistics, fleet management, telemetry and location of goods and people. The automatic meter reading, AMR (automatic meter reading English) or applications in the security industry or the health care sector have also developed applications for M2M. Analysts ABI Research1, about 27 percent of the 17.8 million modules sold worldwide in 2006, were used in telematics applications. Based on this market, ABI Research forecasts growth of about 31 percent of the global M2M market between 2006 and 2012.


The keys to success: adaptability, maintenance and durability
Currently, M2M applications investments are profitable only if the applications are used over a long period of time. In general, this period is between five and ten years. For users of M2M applications is therefore important to keep updated for a long period of time the equipment they use in the field, this represents a special challenge since the rate of innovation in the wireless industry remains huge, This also affects the network infrastructure.
According to research from ABI Research, one of the greatest challenges of M2M is the dependence of the networks of mobile phone providers. Since the data are transmitted via mobile networks, devices, and M2M applications, for example, be able to adapt quickly to changing network configurations and software adjustments implemented by the network operator.

In addition, for users is also especially important to reduce or cut the costs associated with maintaining their M2M equipment, despite the fact that M2M applications are often used in remote and inaccessible.
The issue of mobile telephone costs continues to play an important role in M2M applications. Most applications use special rates M2M offered for years by network operators. However, cost savings in this area remains important.


The road ahead: remote software updates
For M2M applications is therefore increasingly important that software integrated communication modules can be updated. One solution is to update firmware wirelessly, FOTA (English firmware over-the-air), which updates the software of the M2M modules safely and reliably.
FOTA and takes some time to be a reality for mobile telephony. According to market research institute Ovum, nearly 34 percent of all mobile phones sold worldwide during the second half of 2007 were consistent with FOTA. This technology is also making progress in ever greater extent in the M2M sector, as FOTA to update or change wirelessly software module M2M modules. Changes in the mobile telephone network that may affect the operation of an M2M device therefore no longer pose a problem. AMR operators or toll applications can respond to changes in the legislation without having to resort to costly upgrades in situ. This helps companies extend the life cycle of your applications and improve reliability. With FOTA can optimize the value of mean time between failures, MTBF (mean time between English failures), integrated M2M modules and all the subsystems used in the application.
Thus significantly reducing the costs of maintaining an M2M application which in turn has a positive impact on overall operating costs of the application. The goal is that, in future, allow FOTA update both software module as the device software M2M application thereby further enhancing the profitability of the applications.


Reduce time and cost of transmission
Along with Red Bend's market-leading software management and FOTA update solutions for mobile phones, has developed the Telit Firmware Update Services Telit Firmware Update Services. These new services will be available to all customers of Telit in mid-2008, are based on the proven vCurrent ® Mobile software for Red Bend. According to market research institute Ovum, 49 percent of all FOTA-enabled mobile phones currently use Red Bend technology.
With Red Bend's technology, Telit Firmware Update Services to compare the firmware version implemented in the module with the latest version on a central server and identify all relevant changes. Only you synchronize your data that differ from existing software module and the updated version, which are compressed into a compact file (usually with a size less than 100 kb), thus reducing the file size to transmit to only five or Ten percent of the size of the original firmware file and providing a fast and efficient wireless transmission. The limited bandwidth of wireless networks thus can be used effectively. As a result, the costs of network usage can be reduced by 90 or even 95 percent.
The new method ensures that in the event that the connection is lost during transmission of data, the original software version is kept in the module to continue the update automatically from the moment of interruption. As a result, Telit Firmware Update Services are extremely safe against failure, even if interrupted power supply during the update. In many other services FOTA, updating often not be complete upon discontinuation of data transmission. Normally, this makes the module is no longer operational since first removes the original version. "With the introduction of the Telit Firmware Update Services significantly increases value for our customers because they are reduced to a minimum spot quotations or recall campaigns," explains Dominikus Hierl, President Telit Wireless Solutions.


Special Service Package
From the end of the second quarter of 2008, all Telit modules offer this software upgrade. Module software is updated via a special server firmware update that will handle the configuration of all modules worldwide.
It will support both the updates and changes to older software versions. Users of the Telit Firmware Update Services therefore need not maintain their own servers, which represents significant cost savings.

Author

Alexander Bufalino, VP Global Marketing, Telit Wireless Solutions