Ultra-wideband

From Android 13, Android includes a default framework implementation for ultra-wideband (UWB) radio technology, a technology that enables highly secure, precise ranging between supported devices. The platform AOSP UWB stack is available as an optional module for device manufacturers. For more details on the module, see Module: UWB.

Architecture

The UWB stack consists of the UWB mainline module and the HAL implementation provided by a UWB chip vendor as shown in Figure 1.

UWB stack architecture

Figure 1. UWB stack architecture

AOSP stack

The AOSP UWB stack, packaged as an optional module, com.google.android.uwb, contains the following components:

  • UWB platform API surface
    • Code location: packages/modules/Uwb/framework
  • Support library
    • Code location: packages/modules/Uwb/service/support_lib
  • UwbService layer and Common Service Management Layer (CSML) defined components defined by FiRa
    • Code location: packages/modules/Uwb/service
  • Rust native UCI layer
    • Code location: external/uwb
  • UWB HAL interface based on the UWB command interface (UCI) specification defined by FiRa
    • Code location: hardware/interfaces/uwb

Vendor components

The vendor stack includes a UWB HAL vendor implementation, UWB driver, and a UWB device.

API surfaces for UWB

The UWB stack includes API surfaces for system apps and third-party apps.

System apps

Device manufacturers use the android.uwb.UwbManager system API surface to allow low-level access for system apps. To use this API surface, system apps must use the support library (packages/modules/Uwb/service/support_lib).

Third-party apps

Third-party apps use the Jetpack UWB public API surface, androidx.core.uwb. For more information, see Ultra-wide band communication.

Verification

To verify your implementation of UWB, ensure that your device passes the CTS tests located under /cts/tests/uwb.