ProtoLink developed a comprehensive and robust software update system for a medical patient monitoring device and its connected measurement components.
This critical system ensures safe and reliable updates in a medical environment where software integrity and consistent functionality are essential.
ProtoLink solved this problem by introducing two main components that communicate with one another via gRPC:
- A C#/WPF software update application loaded from a USB drive or downloaded package. This frontend interface manages the update process and acts as a graphical user interface.
- An application installed directly on the medical device that facilitates the updates.
The solution delivered a number of other important functions for the client:
- Full byte-for-byte reimaging of the touchscreen panel’s Windows operating system, including the partition layout and master boot record, in a way that is safe to abort.
- Adaptations to Windows IOT Enterprise for an embedded platform, including UWF and Windows Shell customizations.
- Updates to the onboard audio firmware using the SUSI API.
- Assistance in generating updated OS images for use with the software update program via answer files.
- Detection of interruptions to the update process and corresponding coordination of rollbacks when necessary.
- Cryptographic file verification to ensure that files have not been tampered with or otherwise corrupted.