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Overview 


We are excited to introduce RDK7, the first release of the newly restructured RDK stack that features a modular, three-layered design. This architectural enhancement represents a foundational shift aimed at improving development agility, portability, security, and ecosystem scalability.

This release includes the initial implementations of:

  • Vendor Hardware Abstraction Layer (HAL): Clean interface to hardware drivers and chipset integrations
  • Core RDK Layer: Refactored middleware and services, optimized for stability and performance
  • Application Layer: Isolated app runtime supporting independent development and deployment

This modular design empowers independent development and testing across layers, streamlines integration across multiple hardware platforms, and enables faster innovation cycles.


Please review the detailed change logs and migration guidelines included below. We welcome community feedback as we continue to evolve the stack in alignment with open standards and industry needs

Overview
Status
colourYellow
titleIn Progress

RDK7 is the newest open source software release, supporting both IP and Hybrid 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 hardware.

Key capabilities and benefits of RDK6 include:
  • 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 RDK6:

  • 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

    .


    In this page:

    Table of Contents
    maxLevel4

    Architecture Overview: StatuscolourGreentitleDONE 

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


    Image Modified


    For a deep dive to the architectural changes please refer RDK7 Architecture

    Build system Overview: StatuscolourGreentitleDONE 


    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.Image Removed


    Image Added



    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



    Note

    The session video linked below provides a technical overview of the layered build architecture designed for comprehensive RDK-E builds. This architecture is intended for future RDK releases and does not directly correspond to the current RDK7 release. The video is included as a supplementary technical resource to aid understanding of the build process.


    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 - RDK 7 StatuscolourYellowtitleIn Progress

    Supported 

    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 RDK 7 StatuscolourGreentitleDONE

    Features 


    Digital Assistant (Voice)
    CategorySub -categoryVersion details
    AVPlayerGstreamer, AAMPCaptions
    AV Pipeline RIALTO
    Application Support / PrerequisitesContainerOCI Runtime + Dobby
    Firebolt ImplementationRipple
    DRMPlayReady 4.64, Widevine v18v16
    ConnectivityEthernet & Wi-Fi
    BluetoothBluetooth Bluez 
    Remote Control, Voice
    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 , Vulkan
    CompositionWesteros  / ESSOS, Wayland
    Build & PlatformKernelACK 5.15 64-bit Kernel
    SOC SDKRealtek BSP  v1.2
    Amlogic BSP 6.16
    BCM SDK 25.1    BCM URSR25, RTK 7.X, AML 7.x
    SiliconBroadcom, Amlogic, Realtek
    Build FrameworkYocto 4.0 (Kirkstone)
    Logging support (Debugging)RDK Logger
    Firmware Upgrade
    ApplicationsNative Apps / Runtimes

    YouTube Cobalt 25

    Netflix 7, Cobalt 25,

    Amazon AVPK6

    Application Management / Composition RDKShell, Window manager
    Application BundleLISA
    App checkpoint/restore MemCRApplication Bundle EncryptionDMVerity
    Access ControlAppArmor
    Casting
    Secure Time Manager
    Device managementDevice ManagementWeb PA, XConf, Telemetry
    DebuggingGaming SupportCloud gaming, Game controller