Android BSP Engineering for Embedded Systems

Q: What is an Android BSP?

An Android Board Support Package (BSP) is a specialized collection of source code and software layers designed to make the Android operating system compatible with a specific hardware platform. While the Android Open Source Project (AOSP) provides the generic framework, the BSP provides the hardware-specific modifications required to build and run the OS on a particular device. In the embedded world, Android BSPs are typically provided by silicon, board, or SoM (System on Module) vendors. These packages allow developers to evaluate Android on standard boards, but companies building custom devices usually require a tailored version to match their unique hardware design. A complete Android BSP essentially "slots" into the standard Google source tree and includes several critical components: Boot Loaders: The first code to run upon power-up, responsible for initializing the CPU and memory and loading the kernel into the system. Linux Kernel: A version of the kernel specifically patched with device drivers to support the unique components of the target hardware. Hardware Abstraction Layer (HAL): A set of standardized interfaces that allow the high-level Android framework to communicate with low-level device drivers and hardware peripherals. Configuration Files: Specific build targets and parameters that define how the operating system interacts with the physical hardware. By integrating these specific code repositories into the standard Android build procedure, developers can select their target hardware and generate a custom OS image. This foundational layer is what ensures that the software can fully access the capabilities of the CPU, memory, and peripherals, providing the stability required for professional-grade embedded systems.

Q: Is Android the best choice?

Android is a powerful operating system for devices requiring rich UIs or compatibility with a vast ecosystem of third-party apps. However, it is resource-intensive. For certain embedded systems with limited power or a single-purpose interface, a lightweight Linux build (via Yocto) or an RTOS might be more appropriate. We help you choose the best fit for your product goals.

Q: How to Optimize Development Costs and Time-to-Market?

The key to efficiency lies in your target hardware selection. The more your custom design aligns with the Silicon vendor’s reference design, the faster the BSP adaptation will be. We provide design-review services to ensure your hardware choices minimize the software complexity needed for your specific hardware platform.

Maximize your hardware’s potential with an optimized Android BSP. Witekio tailors the operating system to your specific hardware platform to guarantee performance, security, and industrial-grade stability.

Our Android BSP Service Offerings

Full System Bring-up & Migration

Complete OS Bring-up: We handle everything from the boot loaders to the application framework on your new hardware.

Legacy Migration: Seamlessly transition your existing products from older Linux versions or proprietary OSs to a modern Android environment.

OS Lifecycle Management: We update Android to newer versions on existing hardware, even when the original SoC vendor has dropped support.

Specialized Hardware & Software Engineering

Custom Device Drivers: We develop and integrate drivers for specialized peripherals (medical sensors, industrial CAN buses, unique displays).

OS Customization: Removing unnecessary bloatware or changing standard OS behaviors to fit your specific use case.

Security & Compliance: Implementing Secure Boot, performing CVE scanning (SBoM), and ensuring your device is ready for OTA (Over-The-Air) updates.

GMS & CTS Support: We assist in getting your Android port approved through the Compatibility Test Suite (CTS) to enable Google Mobile Services.

Critical Questions for Your Android Deployment

Is Android the best choice?

Android is a powerful operating system for devices requiring rich UIs or compatibility with a vast ecosystem of third-party apps. However, it is resource-intensive. For certain embedded systems with limited power or a single-purpose interface, a lightweight Linux build (via Yocto) or an RTOS might be more appropriate. We help you choose the best fit for your product goals.

Why Outsource Your Android BSP Development?

Developing a custom BSP in-house is a complex task that demands highly specialized skills in kernel development and hardware integration. These “niche” skills are often required only during the intensive bring-up phase. By partnering with Witekio, you gain immediate access to senior engineers, saving you the time and overhead of building and maintaining an internal team for a short-term development peak.

How to Optimize Development Costs and Time-to-Market?

The key to efficiency lies in your target hardware selection. The more your custom design aligns with the Silicon vendor’s reference design, the faster the BSP adaptation will be. We provide design-review services to ensure your hardware choices minimize the software complexity needed for your specific hardware platform.

SUCCESS STORY

Precor Fitness device architecture and full stack development

Precor, a leading fitness equipment manufacturer, enhanced its P80 fitness console with the new Android-based P82, released in March 2016.
The P82 features faster processing, embedded WiFi, Bluetooth, and NFC, providing an immersive user experience.
A smaller-screen version was introduced in Q4 2016. Using the Variscite System-on-Module with an NXP i.MX6Quad core Cortex-A9 processor, Precor required a system software integrator to meet their technical needs, ensuring reliability and performance.

The challenges and requirements included expertise in NXP ARM MCUs and MPUs, support across embedded software and user interfaces, and product reliability and performance optimization. Witekio provided:

Android BSP adaptation and integration
System integration on NXP i.MX based Variscite SOM-MX6
Development on Linux and Android
High-level software and multimedia support

Android vs. Linux + Qt: Choosing the Right OS for Your Embedded Project

Selecting the software foundation for your next device is a critical crossroads. Should you leverage the massive ecosystem of an Android BSP, or opt for the streamlined efficiency of Linux and Qt?
In this technical deep dive, we compare these two powerhouses to help you decide which operating system best fits your target hardware.

Android BSP FAQ

What is an Android BSP?

An Android Board Support Package (BSP) is a specialized collection of source code and software layers designed to make the Android operating system compatible with a specific hardware platform. While the Android Open Source Project (AOSP) provides the generic framework, the BSP provides the hardware-specific modifications required to build and run the OS on a particular device.

In the embedded world, Android BSPs are typically provided by silicon, board, or SoM (System on Module) vendors. These packages allow developers to evaluate Android on standard boards, but companies building custom devices usually require a tailored version to match their unique hardware design.

A complete Android BSP essentially “slots” into the standard Google source tree and includes several critical components:

Boot Loaders: The first code to run upon power-up, responsible for initializing the CPU and memory and loading the kernel into the system.

Linux Kernel: A version of the kernel specifically patched with device drivers to support the unique components of the target hardware.

Hardware Abstraction Layer (HAL): A set of standardized interfaces that allow the high-level Android framework to communicate with low-level device drivers and hardware peripherals.

Configuration Files: Specific build targets and parameters that define how the operating system interacts with the physical hardware.

By integrating these specific code repositories into the standard Android build procedure, developers can select their target hardware and generate a custom OS image. This foundational layer is what ensures that the software can fully access the capabilities of the CPU, memory, and peripherals, providing the stability required for professional-grade embedded systems.

What are the main components of an Android BSP?

A standard BSP includes the boot loaders, the Linux kernel, the Hardware Abstraction Layer (HAL), and the necessary device drivers to manage the target hardware. It ensures that the CPU, memory, and peripherals are correctly recognized by the Android framework.

Why can't I just use the BSP provided by my SoC vendor?

Silicon vendor BSPs are designed for their own evaluation boards. When you create a custom PCB with different peripherals or power requirements, the vendor BSP will not work out-of-the-box. It requires professional adaptation to match your specific hardware platform.

How does Witekio ensure the security of a custom Android BSP?

Security is integrated at every level. We implement Secure Boot at the boot loader level, perform regular CVE scanning, and provide SBoM (Software Bill of Materials) reports to ensure your embedded system remains compliant with modern security standards.

Does a custom BSP affect the ability to run Android apps?

No. In fact, a well-engineered BSP ensures better app performance. By optimizing how the operating system manages the target hardware, we ensure that your apps run faster and more reliably without crashing due to underlying driver issues.