OTA Updates - Technical Info

BMT1071

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Any insight into how long it takes to do the update??
Is there an SSM associated with the update? If so, they list the flat rate time in the bulletin. Assuming all goes well with the update process that should be close to the actual time your car needs to spend in the shop. Of course there are multiple variables that can increase that time exponentially.
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crownmountain

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Still at the dealer 8 hours later and have learned the the dealer WiFi network has a very material affect to this monster update I am getting. By the way it impacts nearly all if not all of the updatable modules. The network at my dealer sucks, bad. Took 6+ hours to pull down all the software. Tried to have a webex and a zoom meeting and the audio and video was not good. The actual installation of the software takes 2 to 3 hours. Then the mats for camera alignment have to be rolled out and then the car has to be driven to finish the job. Yes I will be lodging a complaint with the dealer and Ford. No excuse for such a bad network when it is material to servicing the car.

As to the discussion of OTA at home over wifi. Buy a cheap slow connection (assuming you have choices) and it will likely be just like at the dealership...forever slow. I worked for network equipment vendors for 30+ years. The network matters. And for our vehicles never more than now.

Sorry for the rant.
 

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As to the discussion of OTA at home over wifi. Buy a cheap slow connection (assuming you have choices) and it will likely be just like at the dealership...forever slow. I worked for network equipment vendors for 30+ years. The network matters. And for our vehicles never more than now.
Not much choice at my house. AT&T wired is 3/1 DSL (M not G), cable company won’t come this far, so it’s LTE either hot spots or phone … that’s the only “broadband“ here. I need the combined 30 G hotspots for work, that leaves the phone or maybe the iPad. I don’t trust an open network for an OTA. Fun times.
 

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Well, Verizon FiOS here so, at the router, I actually get close to the gigabit advertised speeds. Of course, once you’re on WiFi (even 5 GHz), speeds drastically drop due to distance and channel congestion (I live in a townhouse, so lots of nearby routers fighting for the same airwaves). I can still get up to about 300 Mbps in my garage according to SpeedTest.
 

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geeze the mobile truck PAAK update only took 15 minutes total. If the truck can do it, the dealer certainly should be able to.
 


crownmountain

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At the dealer and they are updating "Gateway Module A". Service writer just warned me to be prepared to be here all day. The update is going slow. I brought it in for the PAAK campaign and an issue where the cruise control was adjusting for a speed change from 55 mph to 65 mph except the system thought it was 85 mph. Now the dealer network is not the best so not sure what contribution that may be making to the slowness. But I was told it is writing blocks of memory VERY Slowly.

On my 2015 Mustang the APIM has taken 3+ hours to update.

While I get the issue of COGS (cost of goods sold) cheap silicon is actually never cheap

Also info on automotive 2 wire ethernet which is being standardized: 100BASE-T1 Ethernet: the evolution of automotive networking and from the IEEE

Got a loaner and drove home. Now next day. Waiting to hear.
 

crownmountain

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geeze the mobile truck PAAK update only took 15 minutes total. If the truck can do it, the dealer certainly should be able to.
The PAAK was fast. This other mega update that updates about everything is taking so long.
 

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I was doing some light reading in the WSM and wanted to share what I found about OTA updates. I'm marking general points of interest in bold then quoting those excerpts.

<<text deleted>>

Vehicle status and operational preconditions must be met for all over the air (OTA) update software installations to complete, scheduled or unscheduled. Battery state of charge is an important factor that is considered before an update is started. The GWM is aware of the length of time required to update a given module and compares this against the battery state of charge. If it determines that the battery state of charge is not high enough to support the update, the update is cancelled. Other preconditions that must be met before an OTA update is installed. The PTS software update dashboard displays the preconditions applicable to your vehicle. The preconditions can include but are not limited to, the following:

<<more text deleted>>

Parking brake is applied
This is the first I've seen this. I couldn't find it in the owner's manual. Since we have a garage sometimes I forget to do this, but it could explain why getting an update seemed to take forever.
 
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breeves002

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This is the first I've seen this. I couldn't find it in the owner's manual. Since we have a garage sometimes I forget to do this, but it could explain why getting an update seemed to take forever.
Note it does say "can include but are not limited to the following". So that doesn't mean all of those pre conditions have to be met if they decide it doesn't need to be met for the update they send out.
 

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Apparently the sequence of OTA’s doesn’t matter. I received 1.6 a couple weeks ago and just got 1.4 last Friday .
 

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I was doing some light reading in the WSM and wanted to share what I found about OTA updates. I'm marking general points of interest in bold then quoting those excerpts.

System Diagram:
4 modules use an 'ethernet' network (its a 2 wire custom bus) to communicate. Everything else communicates via CAN. There are 6 CAN networks in the MME. HS 1 to 4, FD-CAN (adjustable datarate) and MS. There are also some other FD CAN or local CAN/LIN networks to communicate direct between modules or modules that are not CAN networked but need to have a data stream for some various reason.
MME OTA1.jpg

Out of the 44 possible modules in the vehicle (depends on trim/options) 37 are able to be updated over the air. Here is the list:

MME Module List OTA.jpg

The modules that cannot be updated are the ACM (Audio Control Module), BCMC (Body Control Module C, or battery junction box/fuse box under hood), BECMB (Battery energy control module B), DSP (B&O), GSM (Gear shift module), OCS (occupant classification system/passenger seat airbag sensor), RGTM (rear gate/trunk module), and the WACM (wireless phone charger). I think this list of modules makes sense to not require updates considering what they do. The actual audio system/sirius receiver/DSP seem like an update should be available but they didn't implement it. Things like the BCMC are just a fusebox, and the BECMB/OCS are airbag system related modules separate from the main RCM.

Erase and replace vs ABA swap:
"Erase and Replace Modules
Many modules on the vehicle need to be erased before new data can be installed. The software installation process can take up to 40 minutes to complete. Updates to these modules need to be scheduled and specific vehicle conditions must be met for the update to be initiated.

ABA Swap Configuration Modules
For modules that have an ABA swap configuration the update is applied to the B portion of the module while the vehicle continues to reference the data in the A portion. The module will reference the new data once a key cycle has completed."


A basic overview:
" Over The Air (OTA) module updates are released from the Ford cloud and received by the vehicle GWM over the vehicle cellular and WiFi connection. The TCU WiFi and cellular connection is used to connect the vehicle to the Ford data cloud and pass the data to the GWM over its Ethernet network connection. The download of OTA updates from the cloud to the GWM occurs seamlessly in the background. Once the download from the cloud to the GWM has completed, the GWM manages the software update installation to the receiving module(s). The module updates are communicated between the GWM and the receiving modules over the Ethernet network, for Ethernet connected modules and the controller area networks (CAN), for all other modules, dependent on the update protocols.

For vehicles capable of receiving over the air updates there are 2 general types of update; Scheduled updates and Non Scheduled updates. If it is determined the update installation to the module requires the vehicle to be disabled for the installation process to complete, an installation update icon will appear on the vehicle display screen to inform the user to schedule a convenient time for the update to take place.

Vehicle status and operational preconditions must be met for all over the air (OTA) update software installations to complete, scheduled or unscheduled. Battery state of charge is an important factor that is considered before an update is started. The GWM is aware of the length of time required to update a given module and compares this against the battery state of charge. If it determines that the battery state of charge is not high enough to support the update, the update is cancelled. Other preconditions that must be met before an OTA update is installed. The PTS software update dashboard displays the preconditions applicable to your vehicle. The preconditions can include but are not limited to, the following:
Electronic Steering Column Lock (ESCL) is engaged
Steering tension torque, no torque is applied to the steering wheel
A diagnostic self-test is not active
No Charging faults are reported
Ignition status, Ignition Off
Ignition status, Accessory functionality Off
The battery voltage is within the required range
The vehicle is stopped PRNDL in park
Parking brake is applied
Charging is not in Progress ( hybrid or EV high voltage battery charging/LIII
The hazard indicators are off
The alarm is not sounding
The engine is not running
All doors and liftgate are closed
The parking lights are off
Limp home mode is not active
Illuminated exit is not active
The brake pedal is not being pressed
The battery voltage is within the required range
The windows are closed and not operating
eCall is not active
Remote start is not active
Vehicle theft (SVS) is not active
Remote park assist is not active
Neutral tow is not active
4x4 high/Low is not active
A DTC requiring vehicle service, is not present in the module targeted for the update.

The vehicle must be off for a minimum of 5 minutes before the GWM will attempt the target module update, scheduled or unscheduled. The GWM confirms the 5 minute off condition is met, all other preconditions are met and the battery status can support the update process before initiating the module update(s).

Note: The GWM considers the battery life while the module programming action is active and the vehicle is off, to be a maximum of 40 minutes. With the deterioration of the state of charge increasing after the 5 minute period with the vehicle off before starting any update, the maximum download time allowable is approximately 10 minutes. "

Some other interesting snippets:
" All module software update files are downloaded from the Ford data cloud by the GWM to the GWM through the vehicle WiFi or cellular connection, expect for APIM SYNC software files, which are passed through the GWM to the APIM. Updates to the APIM module are driven by the GWM. "

It appears the gateway module (GWM) has a decent amount of on board storage to be able to download and then distribute updates. Some updates like the IPMA can be multiple gigabytes in size.

More info on Gateway Module:
"The GWM serves as the programming manager for over the air software updates completed for target modules. Depending on the modules involved the gateway module may store the update or just relay the update to the target module. The gateway module acts as a router or hub for the Ethernet networks and is also connected to the vehicle CAN. Software updates can be deployed from the GWM to target modules using either CAN or Ethernet networks."

The WSM also talks about signal strength for cellular downloads:
" The vehicle has 2 sources of connection to the Ford data cloud, vehicle WiFi and vehicle cellular data. The vehicle is required to have a minimum of 3 bars signal at the location where the vehicle is parked over night, to make sure OTA updates are completed without delays. "

There are 3 types of updates:
" There are a number of OTA update sub types as described below.
Simple: These are update releases that generally affect a single module.
Coordinated: These are update releases that may affect a number of modules and requires each module to be at a specific version.
Non Coordinated: update may include multiple modules in each update, however does not require all modules to be at a specific software version. "

Cancelling updates while installing:
" The customer does not have the direct ability to cancel an OTA system software update. There are a few reasons why an update may be canceled.

Ford Motor Company can cancel the update at any time before the installation of the update is complete.
If the automatic updates setting has been toggled to OFF, with the vehicle connectivity selection still enabled, the update will expire after a period of time if a manual update icon is not available from the vehicle display screen determined based on currently installed software.
A master reset can cancel an ongoing update. "

Update history can be seen in PTS along with a ton of other info about previous software, etc. It says release notes will be available in PTS as well but I'm not sure if it is different than the public release notes. It will also show in progress updates."

USB Updates (applies to only APIM, IPMA, IPC, TCU, and maybe GWM):
"Updating Modules Using The Diagnostic Scan Tool
Modules with an Ethernet network connection can be updated through the diagnostic scan tool, using the USB flash method. A 32 GB USB drive formatted to exFAT can be used to transfer software to the Ethernet connected modules. Connect the appropriate exFAT format USB drive to the diagnostic scan tool and follow the on screen prompts to complete the software download."

There are a few more parts I left out. A large section on scheduled updates that we already know, and some other basic info we already know such as notifications and that you have to turn automatic updates on for them to be automatic...

All of the quoted information and images is copyright Ford Motor Company and I am providing it here for educational purposes for forum members.
Mention the PTS. What does the acronym stand for and how do I access PTS.
 
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Mention the PTS. What does the acronym stand for and how do I access PTS.
Professional Technicians Society. It’s Fords back end for dealer service techs. You can access it partially by paying $2600/yr.
 
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Is there an SSM associated with the update? If so, they list the flat rate time in the bulletin. Assuming all goes well with the update process that should be close to the actual time your car needs to spend in the shop. Of course there are multiple variables that can increase that time exponentially.
Do not depend on TSB published time as a guide for how long an update takes. Ford sometimes considers a calibration/software update to not require technician oversight during the process. For instance, published update time for Sync 3 is either .2 or .3 hrs depending on particular bulletin. These updates usually take 30-45 minutes if the process does not fail and you have to restart. Updating BCM's or TCU's that take several hours are almost never getting paid at full technician time.
After 25 years of programming and updating calibrations, I can guarantee that issues will arise simply because of the complexities involved that are much different than updating software on a i-phone.
 

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Do you think it is possible that an OTA update could improve and increase the current loading speed?
 
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breeves002

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Do you think it is possible that an OTA update could improve and increase the current loading speed?
Loading speed of what? But yes, a lot of improvements can be made with software.
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