Electronics360 recently had an exchange with Jens Rosenberger, head of marketing at ProMik, a leader in flash programming and testing solutions for electronic manufacturing. ProMik GmbH provides solutions in the field of flashing and testing of electronic components up to entire electrical control units.
With a keen focus on innovation and customer engagement, Rosenberger drives ProMik's brand strategy, positioning the company as a comprehensive partner for programming, testing and cybersecurity solutions across the electronics industry. Rosenberger gave us an overview of the challenges related to programming components prior to assembly, and how ProMik is solving those problems with high-speed programming, including flash memory types. He also gives us his perspective on Electronica 2024.
How does the shift from pre-programming to on-board programming impact the overall efficiency of electronics manufacturing?
Traditionally, pre-programming required components to be programmed before they were mounted on the PCB, which could create bottlenecks and increase lead times, particularly as production scales up. On-board programming allows components to be programmed after they are placed on the board, which reduces overall assembly time and increases flexibility in the production process.
This approach also enables more dynamic software updates during manufacturing, making it easier to adjust the firmware as needed without significant downtime or rework. Additionally, on-board programming improves quality control, as it ensures that the software is directly integrated into the final product. The ability to address security concerns, such as integrating encryption and security keys during production, further enhances the value of on-board programming. Moreover, cost savings are realized through lower capital investment.
What are the key benefits and potential drawbacks of this transition?
Key benefits for electronics manufacturing include increased flexibility, cost savings and faster production times. By programming components directly on the board, manufacturers can execute software updates later in the process, reducing rework and enhancing adaptability. This also leads to cost reductions by eliminating the need for separate programming stations and streamlining the production line.
Additionally, on-board programming supports higher quality control and enhanced security, as it integrates software directly into the final product, allowing for the embedding of security features like encryption keys. Off-board programming also presents developers with the danger of latent damages through x-ray and soldering tests, because these can only be executed when the data is already written on the application. On-board programming solves this problem, since programming is carried out after the reflow and x-ray process. ProMik explained this issue thoroughly in one of its application notes.
However, the transition also presents some challenges. The initial setup requires in-depth knowhow about on-board programming processes which must be present in the company.
What role does advanced flash programming play in improving the scalability of manufacturing processes, particularly as the complexity of electronic devices continues to rise?
Traditional methods of programming, such as off-board programming, struggle to keep up with today’s technological advancements.
On-board flash programming, however, enables manufacturers to program components directly after they are mounted on the PCB, allowing for faster production cycles and greater flexibility. This becomes particularly important as devices grow more intricate. For instance, in industries like automotive electronics, where software needs frequent updates to meet evolving functionality and security standards, on-board flash programming enables real-time updates and easy modification without the need for time-consuming rework. This reduces downtime and makes production processes more adaptable to the changing complexity of electronic devices.
What are the specific technical challenges associated with programming devices that have substantial memory?
One major issue is the longer programming times required to flash large datasets, which can slow down the production process. Additionally, these devices can consume more power during the programming phase, which necessitates efficient power management. There are also increased risks of errors such as data corruption, meaning robust verification and error-checking protocols are essential to ensure accuracy. Moreover, security becomes more complex with larger memory devices, requiring secure encryption and access control during programming. Finally, managing memory partitioning and wear leveling becomes critical to ensure both proper data distribution and the long-term reliability of the memory.
How can high-speed programming technologies overcome these challenges?
Figure 1. XDM-USB
High-speed programming reduces programming times and optimizes algorithms, also allowing multiple memory regions to be written simultaneously. This speeds up production cycles and reduces power consumption. Additionally, high-speed systems incorporate real-time error-checking and verification, ensuring that data is written correctly, thus minimizing errors. Enhanced security features, such as embedded encryption, protect against unauthorized access. Furthermore, these technologies integrate wear leveling to ensure reliability by distributing write cycles evenly across the memory.
ProMik also obtains solutions for this obstacle in production: Our XDM-Series stands for maximum performance and highest productivity.
As cybersecurity threats evolve, what measures are being integrated into on-board programming solutions to protect against potential attacks during production?
One key method is the use of JTAG locks, which prevent unauthorized access to sensitive areas of a device's memory. Another measure is the integration of secure boot mechanisms and the embedding of cryptographic keys during the programming process. Furthermore, an increasing amount of on-board programming solutions use hardware security modules (HSM) to store encryption keys securely, making it significantly harder for attackers to tamper with the firmware or steal sensitive data during manufacturing. Lastly, manufacturers are increasingly employing secure firmware updates, where the device’s firmware is verified before it is written to the memory. This ensures that only legitimate, validated firmware is programmed onto the device.
What are the potential risks of inadequate cybersecurity measures during the programming phase, and how can these risks impact the long-term integrity of electronic products?
One significant risk is malicious code, with which attackers can introduce harmful software during programming, compromising the device’s functionality and opening it to future exploits. Without proper security, attackers can also modify the firmware, introducing vulnerabilities that affect the product's performance or make it susceptible to ongoing attacks. Lastly, weak cybersecurity during production can lead to supply chain attacks, where devices are tampered with before they reach consumers, causing long-term reputational damage and costly recalls. These risks not only impact the product’s security but also its trustworthiness and compliance, especially in industries like automotive where safety is critical.
What are you most looking forward to at Electronica2024?
Connecting directly with industry experts and potential partners is always a highlight for us. The show provides an ideal setting for discussing industry needs and sharing our vision of ProMik as a full-service partner for programming, testing and cybersecurity solutions.
What are your Electronica show tips and advice?
Electronica can be a huge event to find your way around. We recommend that you take a look at the hall plan and plan your visit to certain exhibitors well in advance to make the most of your time.
