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[on:]

Hi,
From what I know, most AVR chips for more-or-less professional use ( in a security systems, for example ) are programmed in AVR Studio.
The funny part is that I don't know much about avr studio, yet know my way around in arduino.
So I wanted to ask if there might be any downsides and would it be a generally good idea to use arduino bootloader on an avr chip that would be intended to work for, say, a security system?

Thanks! 

[Reply #1 on:]

Imho it will work quite well for profi tasks, there are many examples. But be aware that you need extensive testing, CE labels etc for profi products. But don't try to control a nuke reactor with it (this was explicitly mentioned in one of the big OS's user license some years ago, maybe still)

Depending on what kind of security system, It can definitely be made with an Arduino.
See - http://grathio.com/2009/11/secret_knock_detecting_door_lock/ -

But you better not post the code here to keep it secure 

Rob

[Reply #2 on:]

One issue with the Arduino bootloader that might matter in some cases is the start-up delay (the bootloader listens on the serial pins for an upload after reset, and this uses a second or so).   In an application where instant-on is needed this is undesirable.

[Reply #3 on:]

Keep the bootloader so people can easilly steal your code lol.

[Reply #4 on:]

Thanks for your answers, guys!

In an application where instant-on is needed this is undesirable.

Guess in my case it won't be a problem, as it would be an always-on device, such as a door lock, waiting for a code to be pressed in or a card swiped or even a command coming from the ethernet and such.

Keep the bootloader so people can easilly steal your code lol.

You mean I can remove the bootloader, so that people won't be able to get my code or install their own, and the chip would still work without it?

Thanks!

[Reply #5 on:]

You mean I can remove the bootloader, so that people won't be able to get my code or install their own, and the chip would still work without it?

You can but there is no point. Once the system is installed people will no have access to the physical pins like the reset and serial lines. If they have then the system is already compromised so there is little you can do about it. Anyway you can't get code out with a bootloader only in.

[Reply #6 on:]

You can certainly extract code (binary) through the Arduino boot loader as this is a fundamental requirement used for verification (program, extract and compare). Note also that it is possible to extract code using an external programmer irrespective of the chip being boot loaded or not. The extracted code will be in a binary/hex format that can be converted to assembly. This is not the same as reading your commented source code, but still all that is needed for someone with sufficient motivation to reengineer your code.

If this is a concern (as may be for some applications), the AVR chip itself can be protected through programming relevant fuses (external programmer required).

Using a boot loader is practical during proto typing as we can instantly switch between programming and serial debugging through a single cable. For a final product however it doesn’t really add value. Arduino is a prototyping platform and so using a boot loader is the natural choice whereas production issues and concerns are left for the brave.