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Overview
Status
colourYellow
titleIn Progress

RDK7 is the newest open source software release, supporting both IP STB and Hybrid IP TV video platforms. It integrates over-the-top (OTT) video apps through the FireboltTM framework, standardizing interfaces for video playback, digital rights management (DRM), graphics, and security. RDK6 builds upon previous RDK releases to further simplify app development, enhance security, and standardize functionality across diverse set-top box hardwareRDK7 represents a significant architectural shift by increasing modularity through a layered design, which increases efficiency and pushes RDK towards acceptance as the platform of choice. This new architecture makes it easier for third party integrations; simplifies the contribution process; and provides greater standardization, ecosystem cohesion, and enhanced visibility.

Key capabilities and benefits of RDK7 include:

StatuscolourRedtitleTODO
  • Support for various DRM solutions, video security integrations, and the WebKit browser
  • Improved efficiency of video app integration and core video functionality management across chipsets and device manufacturers
  • An updated certification suite to ensure consistency and performance of your devices
  • Device-agnostic downloadable application containers for native video apps and AppArmor-based access control
  • Containerized browser instances for LightningTM or HTML5 streaming apps
    • Unified Application Interface with Firebolt
    Key features of RDK7: StatuscolourRedtitleTODO
    • Pre-certified apps package - includes pre-installed apps such as YouTube, Amazon Prime, and Alexa
    • Voice search and pre-integrated voice remotes  
    • Updated RDK Reference UI - Lightning-based interface for RDK Reference devices and video accelerators
    • Firebolt - Standardized specification for integrating Native and web applications
    • Unified player interface for IP, OTT, and hybrid devices
    • Security enhancement using app sandboxing (Containerization)  and access control (AppArmor)
    • Device management using firmware upgrade, Telemetry, WebPA.
    • Layer Modularity: Distributed layer ownership and independent testing of versioned layers accelerate development and deployment cycles
    • Contribution Transparency: Enhanced visibility into how contributions are processed and accepted encourages collaboration and strengthens community engagement
    • Streamlined Workflows: Transition to Github workflows and open source best practices provide developers with familiar tools to expedite innovation
    • Enhanced Reliability: Component-level testing and clear dependencies ensure prompt response from component owners, increasing quality and reliability at scale



    In this page:

    Table of Contents
    maxLevel4

    Architecture Overview:

    Status
    colourGreen
    titleDONE

    A quick architecture overview of RDK7 to help associate the capabilities with the software stack is given below



    Build system Overview:

    Status
    colourGreen
    titleDONE


    Compared to previous releases, RDK7 follows a layered build approach. The build setup is now divided into a set of independent Stack layer projects, each comprising components that are developed separately and delivered as binary packages(ipk). These stack layers are then assembled into the final image using the Image Assembler tool. The build setup maintains a Reference OSS layer, which serves as a reference Yocto distribution layer( which also includes CVE patches ), a vendor layer that contains the vendor specific code, an RDK middleware layer that contains the core RDK middleware components, and finally an application layer that contains the applications.



    The build system introduced in RDK7 is comprehensively covered in the technical session held during the RDK Tech Summit in May 2025

    PDF
    nameRDK-stack-layering.pdf



    HTML
    <script src=https://fast.wistia.com/player.js async></script><script src=https://fast.wistia.com/embed/3jfmbg3zlo.js async type="module"></script><style>wistia-player[media-id='3jfmbg3zlo']:not(:defined) { background: center / contain no-repeat url('https://fast.wistia.com/embed/medias/3jfmbg3zlo/swatch'); display: block; filter: blur(5px); padding-top:56.25%; }</style> <wistia-player media-id="3jfmbg3zlo" aspect="1.7777777777777777"></wistia-player>


    Note
    titleAccess restrictions

    Links to individual platforms are access restricted. Please login for better user experience. If you do not have an account, please signup at https://wiki.rdkcentral.com/signup.action . If you have logged in but not able to view the page, please contact support@rdkcentral.com

    Platforms Supported
    Status
    colourGreen
    titleDONE

    Info

    For details of how to get the source code, test coverage & test report and known issues in each platform, please click the hyper link. If you do not have an account, please signup at https://wiki.rdkcentral.com/signup.action . If you are logged in but not able to view the page, please contact support@rdkcentral.com

    PlatformTypeSOCOEM

    Raspberry Pi 4

    		Generic Reference deviceBroadcomRaspberry Pi Foundation

    IP STB BCM 72126

    		SOC Reference deviceBroadcomNA

    IP STB AH 212

    		SOC Reference deviceAmlogicNA

    IP TV AT 301

    		SOC Reference deviceAmlogicNA

    IP STB 1319 Hank

    		SOC Reference deviceRealtekNA


    New Features
    Status
    colour

    Red

    Green
    title

    TODO

    DONE


    CategorySub -categoryVersion details
    AVPlayerGstreamer, AAMP
    AV Pipeline RIALTO
    Application Support / PrerequisitesContainerOCI Runtime + Dobby
    Firebolt ImplementationRipple
    DRMPlayReady 4.4, Widevine v16
    ConnectivityEthernet & Wi-Fi
    BluetoothBluetooth Bluez 
    Remote Control
    CastingDIAL, Wi-Fi Direct (Miracast)
    Peripherals/PortsHDMI, USB, Optical
    FrameworkThunderThunder 4.4
    BrowserWPE Webkit 2.38
    Interfaces /IPCApplication InterfacesFirebolt
    Hardware / SOC interfacesRDK HAL
    Inter Process CommunicationIARM, RBUS, DBUS
    Protocol - Device Management TR69hostif
    AV Driver interface V4l2
    Graphics and RenderingGraphics & RenderingOpenGL 3.2
    CompositionWesteros  / ESSOS, Wayland
    Build & PlatformKernelACK 5.15 64-bit Kernel
    SOC SDKBCM URSR25, RTK 7.X, AML 7.x
    SiliconBroadcom, Amlogic, Realtek
    Build FrameworkYocto 4.0 (Kirkstone)
    Logging support (Debugging)RDK Logger
    Firmware Upgrade
    ApplicationsNative Apps / RuntimesNetflix 7, Cobalt 25, Amazon AVPK6
    Application Management / Composition RDKShell
    Application BundleLISA
    App checkpoint/restore MemCR
    Access ControlAppArmor
    Casting
    Secure Time Manager
    Device managementDevice ManagementWeb PA, XConf, Telemetry
    Debugging