Development of Bootloader for Protection Relay in Embedded Applications

In embedded applications, bootloaders play a critical role in loading and initializing system software, as well as facilitating software and firmware updates in the field. This significance is especially pronounced in protection relays, where bootloaders ensure the reliability and security of firmware, preventing unauthorized alterations and ensuring the authentication of updates. The methodology outlined here involves requirements identification, bootloader design, C code development, simulation-based testing, binary file generation, target device flashing, functionality verification, and integration testing to ensure seamless operation with protection relay firmware. This comprehensive approach guarantees the safe and secure firmware upgrade for protection relays, minimizing the risk of malfunctions and enhancing device reliability. The key contributions of this work lie in the development of a meticulously crafted bootloader, implemented within MCUXpresso IDE, integrating tools like J-Flash, and employing secure provisioning for debugging and code transfer. Rigorous integration testing confirmed fault-detection capabilities and significantly reduced boot-up times to around 2.5 minutes. These achievements underscore the broader applicability of the bootloader, marking a significant advancement in the field of protection relay systems.