Application Layer

Application Layer represents the built-in FW modules (processing components), loadable FW modules and example templates with application libraries required for modules integration. Application layer content is assumed to be open source and only proprietary 3rd party components should remain private.

Modules in Application Layer

The built-in modules are built together with base firmware and they have direct access to all firmware drivers and service APIs. When built-in module is enabled in configuration, it is guaranteed to exist in firmware binary.

The loadable modules are built separately from base firmware and they are loaded dynamically as a separate binary, depending on the host audio configuration. To build, use LMDK(Loadable Module Development Kit) which is standalone kit containing all required files.

All the application layer module access base firmware services are via the System Services ABI.

NOTE: The built-in modules are utility components provided by the base firmware/kernel.

Examples of built-in modules:

Audio built-in components: Copiers, Mixers, Volume, SRC, etc.

Example how to build a loadable module:

Example Up-Down-Mixer build using Loadable modules build guide using LMDK

Probe

The probe module is special module in FW infrastructure that allows to inject or extract data from a specified probe point. The traditional client platforms use HDA DMAs to transfer data in and out of such module.

Loadable Modules

The loadable modules are build into separate binaries from the main SOF build. To communicate with them is used native system agent and to control is used module api Component & Module Interfaces.