> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://dragonwingdocs.qualcomm.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Platform architecture

> Understand the main layers of the Ubuntu on Qualcomm® IoT platforms software stack.

Ubuntu on Qualcomm® IoT platforms brings together a familiar Ubuntu userspace and Qualcomm platform enablement for Dragonwing hardware. The stack is designed so teams can start with prebuilt images and then move into application development, validation, and system integration.

## Architecture layers

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Boot and firmware" icon="power-off">
    Board firmware, boot configuration, and platform initialization bring up the SoC and hand off to Linux.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Linux kernel enablement" icon="microchip">
    Qualcomm-maintained kernel enablement provides support for board-specific devices, buses, accelerators, memory, and power features.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Ubuntu userspace" icon="ubuntu" iconType="brands">
    Ubuntu packages provide the development environment, system services, tools, libraries, and package-management workflow.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Acceleration and SDKs" icon="bolt">
    AI, multimedia, GPU, DSP, camera, and robotics workflows use platform runtimes and APIs exposed above the kernel and firmware layers.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## What this means for developers

* **Faster bring-up:** Start from validated images and documented setup steps instead of building a complete board support package first.
* **Ubuntu-native workflow:** Use familiar package, shell, Python, container, and remote-development workflows on target hardware.
* **Hardware-aware enablement:** Exercise Qualcomm-specific peripherals and accelerators through documented device and workflow guides.
* **Path to customization:** Use the device guides to validate hardware, then layer your applications, services, models, and update process on top.

## Related pages

* [Supported hardware](ubuntu-supported-hardware)
* [Development workflows](ubuntu-development-workflows)
* [Tools and acceleration](ubuntu-tools-and-acceleration)