Created on January 25, 2021, Last modified on February 07, 2024

Firebolt™ Application Platform comprises WPE browser to build Web/HTML5 apps. WPE is a modern browser for embedded devices to provide rich media elements, graphics and animations. Web/HTML5 apps are cross-platform applications and are the best approach for webpages. For the development environment build the apps for Raspberry-Pi platform and they are easily portable across multiple RDK powered connected home devices.

step 1 Download

Download requires Login

step 2 Install on Raspberry Pi

Minimum requirements for support of Raspberry Pi models for Firebolt™ App Platform:

HDMI
Cable
USB2
MOUSE
100/G
ETHERNET
USB2
KEYBOARD
USB
DRIVE

Supported Raspberry Pi models for Firebolt™ App Platform:

  • Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+
  • Raspberry Pi 3 Model A+
  • Raspberry Pi 3 Model B

Flash the image on Raspberry-Pi using etcher.

Download — Etcher

Etcher provides easy way to flash the image on SD card across all the platforms, Windows, Mac, and Linux. Flash the image on Raspberry-Pi using Etcher.


step 3 Input/Output Access to Raspberry Pi

...

Your setup should resemble the one in the picture on the left.

  • Connect HDMI.
  • Connect Ethernet.
  • Connect USB Keyboard.
  • Connect USB Mouse.
  • Insert the SD card with the Firebolt™ image flashed.
  • Power on the Raspberry-Pi.

step 4 Getting to know Raspberry Pi

A USB keyboard or remote control (on supported systems) can be used on the device to launch an app on Raspberry-Pi.

The following actions are supported:

  • Pressing the up and down keyboard arrow keys (or remote arrows) moves between the apps.
  • Pressing Enter (or OK button remote) will launch or switch to a selected app.
  • Pressing left or right arrow keys (or remote arrows) will select one of three options (Launch/Suspend/Stop).
    • Launch will launch the selected application, if an app is already launched it will be switched to.
    • Suspend will put an application in suspend state if it supports.
    • If an app is suspended this option will become Resume, which when pressed will resume the application.
    • Stop will stop the application.
  • When an application is taking up the whole screen Pressing Ctrl-m will bring you back to the app manager.
  • To reload the app manager (if the contents of the usb key were changed) press Ctrl-e (or Exit key on the remote).

step 5 Access our GitHub for Sample Apps

View all of samples apps on our Github page. Copy anyone of them to get started.

View — Github

step 6 Add New App to the Configuration file

{
	“applications”:
	[{
			“displayName”: “Youtube”,
			“uri”: “https://www.youtube.com/“,
			“applicationType”: “WebApp”
		}, {
			“displayName”: “RNE Video Player”,
			“cmdName”: “rne_player”,
			“uri”: “/usb/partnerapps/rne-player/rne_player”,
			“applicationType”: “native”,
			“version”: “1.0”
		}, {
			“displayName”: “Fancy.js”,
			“uri”: “http: //www.pxscene.org/examples/px-reference/gallery/fancy.js”,
			“applicationType”: “pxscene”
		}, {
			“displayName”: “Partner App”,
			“cmdName”: “sampleapp”,
			“uri”: “/usb/partnerapps/partnerapp”,
			“applicationType”: “native”
		}
	]
}

appmanagerregistry.conf (Code above)

The appmanagerregistry.conf is a simple json file that the app manager reads to find the apps it can launch:

  • Download the appmanagerregistry.conf file from the Github link above.
  • Open the file appmanagerregistry.conf, add all the new app details such as, uri, displayName, applicationType(pxscene, WebApp, native), cmdName(The app name), version, etc.
  • Create a folder “partnerapps” in the root directory of USB drive.
  • Copy the updated file appmanagerregistry.conf to the “partnerapps” folder in the USB drive.

step 7 Launch Sample Apps on Raspberry Pi

  • Plug in the USB drive with appmanagerregistry.conf file to the Raspberry-Pi.
  • Press Ctrl+e to refresh app manager UI.
  • New app is displayed on the launch menu of Raspberry-Pi.
  • Go to the app on launch Menu and Press Launch to start the application.
  • New app successfully launched.
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