Firmware refers to software permanently installed in a machine, device, or microchip, usually by its manufacturer. Without it, an electronic device will not work. Unlike standard software, it is meant to control, operate, or maintain hardware in the background, and not interact with human users.

Special equipment is usually required to embed firmware into a device, and you normally will not be able to alter or erase it without the manufacturer’s help. Because it is planted into the hardware, it is also called “embedded software” or “embedded system.”

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Read More about Firmware

While a device’s firmware hardly ever changes, there are at least two reasons for updating it. These are fixing bugs or adding features to a device.

Origin

The term was coined by Ascher Opler in a 1967 Datamation article. Datamation was a computer magazine published in printed form in the U.S. between 1957 and 1998. Back then, it pertained to the contents of a small specialized high-speed memory that houses a microcode that defines and implements the computer’s instruction set.

It differs from hardware and software. It is not made up of instructions for the central processing unit (CPU). Instead, it uses a lower-level microcode that implements machine instructions. It exists between hardware and software, hence its name.

Today, it refers to any computer program tightly linked to hardware, including processor machine instructions for simple electronic devices like microwave ovens, remote controls, or computer peripherals.

Devices That Use Firmware

A lot of devices found in most people’s homes use firmware, including the items listed below.

devices that use firmware

Personal Computers

A personal computer (PC)’s firmware components are just as important as its operating system (OS). But unlike an OS, embedded software cannot update itself automatically to fix issues detected after the unit gets shipped.

Consumer Products

Today’s portable music players like iPods get firmware upgrades. Some device manufacturers use these updates to add new playable file formats (codecs). Other features that such updates may change include graphical user interfaces (GUIs) or battery life. Almost all mobile phones have firmware over-the-air (OTA) upgrade capability these days.

Automobiles

Starting 1996, most vehicles began using onboard computers and various sensors to detect mechanical problems. By 2010, they also employed computer-controlled antilock braking systems (ABSs) and computer-operated transmission control units (TCUs). All these run because of firmware.

How Do Firmware Work?

In a traffic light, the embedded software tells it to change lights at regular intervals. A computer without it would not know how to detect its hard drive or video card. If a hard drive does not have firmware, it would not know how fast to spin or when to stop. If a wireless network card does not have the components, it would not know how to use a particular radio frequency to connect to Wi-Fi.

What Are the Types of Firmware?

Three types of firmware exist, namely:

  • Low-level: Stored on nonvolatile memory chips like read-only memory (ROM). As such, it cannot be rewritten or updated and is considered an intrinsic part of the hardware.
  • High-level : Used with flash memory chips to allow for updates. It often has more complex instructions than low-level embedded software, making it closer to software than hardware.
  • Subsystem: A device or unit that is a semi-independent part of a larger system. It has embedded microcode-like high-level firmware and so often resembles the system.
Types of Firmware

What Are Some Firmware Examples?

As mentioned above, embedded software comes in various forms, depending on what hardware it is part of.

In a PC, the basic input/output system (BIOS) is an example of the component. It lets the program that the microprocessor uses to start the device when you turn it on. It also lets the PC’s OS communicate with connected devices, such as your keyboard, mouse, printer, and other peripherals.

The programs embedded into heart defibrillators, light controls in a building, vehicles, and most household appliances sold today that tell them to turn on and off, run faster or slower, get brighter or dimmer, open or close, or give off more or less cold or heat with the flick of a switch are all examples.

What Is the Difference between Firmware and Drivers?

A driver interacts with a particular hardware. A mouse driver, for instance, tells the mouse how to work. On a desktop computer whose monitor has been replaced with a different brand, the monitor driver instructs the monitor how it should communicate with the other components (keyboard, mouse, and CPU), which originally came with the set.

Drivers allow most software to work with almost any kind of hardware. With their help, you don’t need to install a different software version each time you decide to change a specific hardware for whatever reason (e.g., your keyboard or mouse is broken or you purchased an additional hard drive). The simple act of plugging the hardware into the designated port on your computer will automatically make it run so long as it has the necessary driver installed.

Firmware Hacking: What Is It?

Firmware hacking occurs when third parties create unofficial or modified versions to provide new features or unlock hidden functionality. Such a hack uses a device’s embedded software update facility to install or run. Some, though, resort to exploits to run because the device’s manufacturer tried to lock the hardware to stop it from running unlicensed code. Most hacks come in the form of free software.

What Is Firmware Security?

Firmware security refers to protecting the software that is permanently or semi-permanently programmed into hardware. It is a type of software embedded in various electronic devices, including smartphones, computers, routers, Internet of Things (IoT) devices, and more. It plays a critical role in the functionality and operation of these devices, and its security is paramount to ensure their overall security and prevent potential vulnerabilities or attacks.

This security aspect is a critical component of overall device and system security. In today’s interconnected world, where many devices are part of IoT, vulnerabilities in embedded software can lead to significant security breaches. Thus, individuals, organizations, and manufacturers must prioritize and invest in security to protect against potential threats and vulnerabilities that could compromise the functionality and security of their devices.

What Is a Firmware Update ?

A firmware update comes from the device manufacturer. It is a piece of code that upgrades the device without requiring hardware modifications. It is meant to improve the way a system works with the addition of new features that enhance user experience.

Over time, updates or upgrades reduce the need for bug fixes and device repairs. They also lessen your system’s chances of getting hacked, as some manufacturers opt to release updates to fix huge vulnerability issues in their hardware. An example would be the replacement firmware update that Dell released in May 2021 to fix its earlier version.

This video tells you more about the importance of embedded software updates.

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A firmware makes computers work. Without it, the hardware would not know how to do its job.

Key Takeaways

  • Firmware is software that has been permanently installed in a machine, device, or microchip, usually by the manufacturer.
  • It is also called “embedded software” or “embedded system.”
  • Firmware is present in devices that we use daily, such as PCs, consumer products, and automobiles.
  • Firmware has three types—low-level, high-level, and subsystem.
  • For a device to continue working despite software upgrades, its embedded software needs corresponding updates that come from the device manufacturer.

Other interesting terms…