Firmwarebilden

Firmwarebilden, or firmware image, is the binary blob that contains the program code and data used to run a device’s firmware. It is intended to be written to non-volatile memory, such as flash, in embedded devices like microcontrollers, SoCs, routers, and other electronics. Unlike ordinary application software, firmware operates close to the hardware, controlling boot processes, peripherals, and low-level device behavior.

A firmware image may include a bootloader, the main firmware executable, device drivers, and configuration or calibration data. It is often organized into partitions or sectors and may be compressed or packaged to ease distribution. Common image formats include raw binary (.bin, .img), hexadecimal and S-record formats (Intel HEX, SREC), and vendor-specific packages. Some devices use formats like UF2, designed for straightforward flashing over USB.

Creation and updates: firmware images are produced by cross-compilation and packaging pipelines. Updates are delivered through mechanisms such as over-the-air (OTA) updates, USB, or SD cards, and may be installed via a bootloader. Updates are typically designed to be atomic and reversible, with rollback support in case of failure.

Security and reliability: protecting firmware images with cryptographic signatures and, when possible, encryption, helps prevent tampering. Secure boot enforces image integrity. A corrupted or incompatible image can brick a device, so compatibility checks, backups, and robust update procedures are standard.

Examples: routers, network devices, IoT sensors, automotive electronic control units (ECUs), and consumer electronics frequently rely on firmware images that are flashed during manufacturing or by end users.