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PIC Bootloader and encryption possible?

 
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valemike
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PIC Bootloader and encryption possible?
PostPosted: Thu Jun 10, 2004 9:37 am     Reply with quote
Hi,

The convenience of a bootloader is good in that you don't have to make an onsite service call just to patch or upgrade the PIC firmware. Just send the .hex file to them via email and let them upgrade themselves.

However, what if I don't want the customer to have a freely readable .hex file? Is it feasible and/or possible to encrypt the .hex file, let the bootloader app decrypt it. Perhaps i can even use the serial number of the particular unit (saved in EEPROM) as one of the decryption keys.

Or is such a concept too much for a PIC to handle?
Looks like this requires me to learn MS Windows programming, and leave the encryption/decryption up to the windows app.
Ttelmah
Guest
Re: PIC Bootloader and encryption possible?
PostPosted: Thu Jun 10, 2004 10:15 am     Reply with quote
valemike wrote:
Hi,

The convenience of a bootloader is good in that you don't have to make an onsite service call just to patch or upgrade the PIC firmware. Just send the .hex file to them via email and let them upgrade themselves.

However, what if I don't want the customer to have a freely readable .hex file? Is it feasible and/or possible to encrypt the .hex file, let the bootloader app decrypt it. Perhaps i can even use the serial number of the particular unit (saved in EEPROM) as one of the decryption keys.

Or is such a concept too much for a PIC to handle?
Looks like this requires me to learn MS Windows programming, and leave the encryption/decryption up to the windows app.

Do a search on the forum. There was a thread about this only a few weeks ago. Simple encryption is emminently achievable, but truly hard to crack encryption, is likely to use a lot of real estate on the chip.

Best Wishes
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