AOSP Treble Compliance for Android Compatibility
This article is a synopsis of the requirements and advantages for OEMs for using AOSP Treble Compliance. It also covers the challenges and considerations associated with achieving compliance.
Android is used with a variety of devices and manufacturers. It isn’t easy to maintain Android consistency across devices. As a solution, Google introduced Project Treble. Android can be updated more easily with Project Treble, improving compatibility and reducing fragmentation. This article explores AOSP Treble Compliance and what it means for OEMs and Android users
What is Project Treble?
The Treble architecture is a significant change in the AOSP framework, which separates the Android OS framework from vendor-specific code.
OEMs can tightly incorporate their hardware-specific code into the Android framework, which certainly makes it challenging to update Android, as any changes require extensive modifications to the Android OS.
Project Treble addresses this problem by introducing a stable vendor interface (VNDK). VNDK acts as an abstraction layer between the AOSP and vendor-specific code.
The key components of Project Treble include the following!!
Treble Compliance Requirements
OEMs must achieve Treble Compliance, Requirements and guidelines they require to pursue:
Stable Vendor Interface (VNDK)
VNDK(Vendor Native Development Kit) contains the libraries or binaries used by other system components within a vendor or product partition on runtime for dlopen.
The Vendor NDK defines a stable interface separating Android OS from vendor-specific components, This separation enables Android updates to be applied more easily without affecting the vendor code. OEMs make sure that the implementation of vendor interface (VNDK) is stable and maintainable. This interface should not vary between Android versions and should be well-documented.
Partitioning
The treble guidelines are followed strictly for implementing the portions for specific hardware devices for separating system, vendor, and product partitions, and the partition scheme ensures that this separation allows Android updates to be applied to the system partition without affecting the vendor-specific code.
Treble requires devices to have a specific partitioning scheme. The storage is separated into system, vendor, and product partitions, keeping the vendor code separate from the Android framework.
The dynamic partitions are known as user-space partitions these partitions are flexible for creating, resizing or destroying during over-the-air updates.
These dynamic partitions share a common free space allocated in super and here they come with the benefit of unused empty space individually. So no longer need to allocate the free space to any dynamic partition individually.
Compatibility Testing
Devices must pass the Compatibility Test Suite(CTS) and Vendor Test Suite (VTS).
CTS — Compatibility Test Suite: CTS contains tests that ensure that the customization of the Android operating system is compatible with the Android platform. This is important to guarantee that Android apps can operate perfectly and unfailingly on a wide range of Android devices.
VTS — Vendor Test Suite: VTS is specific to Android vendors, which is OEM. VTS includes tests that vendors use to validate that their modifications to the Android platform does not violate compatibility with the Android OS. It is important for vendors to maintain consistency and execution of the Android system while customizing the AOSP source.
Update Mechanism
Treble is aligned with the requirement for over-the-air (OTA) that the devices support an update mechanism, permitting the delivery of the update patches over-the-air and guarantees that the Android system stays up-to-date, secure, and running.
OEMs must implement a mechanism for delivering OTA updates and security patches to devices. This ensures that devices stay up-to-date and secure.
Documentation
OEMs must furnish documentation outlining their compliance with Treble. This documentation should explain the partitioning schemes, the stability of the VNDK, and the update mechanism.
OEMs are welcome to upstream their kernel modifications to the mainline Linux kernel to lower fragmentation, which makes kernel maintenance easier.
Advantages of Treble Compliance
Satisfying Treble Compliance delivers several advantages for both OEMs and Android users →
Faster Android Updates: With the stable vendor interface and partitioning, updating the Android framework works faster, which means users can receive updates more promptly, including new features and security patches.
Reduced Fragmentation: Treble benefits to lower the fragmentation of the Android system. Devices can run a more consistent version of Android, making app development and support more leisurely.
Improved Security: Promising security updates are essential in the current digital terrain. Treble Compliance ensures that devices can receive security patches timely, safeguarding users from vulnerabilities.
Effortless Customization: Treble Compliance ensures harmony between customization and preserving compatibility. OEMs can still customize the Android experience, even after the separation of vendor-specific code.
Challenges and Considerations
While Treble Compliance offers noteworthy advantages, executing it can be a complex process. OEMs must invest in comprehending and implementing the needed modifications. Besides, ensuring that existing and forthcoming devices meet these measures is a continuous effort.
Summary
Project Treble is an essential step forward in enhancing the Android ecosystem’s compatibility and security.
It specifies a measure for device manufacturers to obey, guaranteeing that Android users can relish the latest features and security updates faster.
By adhering to Treble Compliance provisions, OEMs can supply a more satisfactory Android experience and support lower fragmentation in the Android ecosystem.
Thanks for reading!
Follow Make Android for Android Platform Related Technical and Informative blogs.
