Thread is an IPv6-based, low-power mesh networking technology for Internet of things (IoT) products.[2] Often used as a transport for the home automation connectivity standard Matter (the combination being known as Matter over Thread), the protocol has seen increased use for connecting low-power and battery-operated smart-home devices.[3]
Organization
In July 2014, the Thread Group alliance was formed as an industry group to develop, maintain and drive adoption of Thread as an industry networking standard for IoT applications.[4] Thread Group provides certification for components and products to ensure adherence to the spec. Initial members were ARM Holdings, Big Ass Solutions, NXP Semiconductors/Freescale, Google-subsidiary Nest Labs, OSRAM, Samsung, Silicon Labs, Somfy, Tyco International, Qualcomm, and the Yale lock company. In August 2018, Apple joined the group,[5] and released its first Thread product, the HomePod Mini, in late 2020.[6]
The Thread protocol specification is available at no cost. It requires agreement and continued adherence to an end-user license agreement (EULA), which states "Membership in Thread Group is necessary to implement, practice, and ship Thread technology and Thread Group specifications."[7]
Characteristics
Thread uses IPv6 over Low-Power Wireless Personal Area Networks (6LoWPAN), which, in turn, uses LR-WPAN as defined by the IEEE 802.15.4 wireless protocol with mesh communication (in the 2.4 GHz spectrum), as do Zigbee and other systems. However, Thread is IP-addressable, with cloud access and AES encryption. A BSD-licensed open-source implementation of Thread called OpenThread is available from and managed by Google.[8]
The OpenThread network simulator, a part of the OpenThread implementation, simulates Thread networks using OpenThread POSIX instances.[9] The simulator utilises discrete-event simulation and allows for visualisation of communications through a web interface.[relevant?][10]
Use cases
In 2019, the Connected Home over IP (CHIP) project, subsequently renamed to Matter, led by the Zigbee Alliance, now the Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA), Google, Amazon, and Apple, announced a broad collaboration to create a royalty-free standard and open-source code base to promote interoperability in home connectivity, leveraging Thread, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth Low Energy.[11][12]
Border routers
A Thread border router is a device that provides bidirectional Internet Protocol connectivity between a Thread network and another physical network, such as Wi-Fi or Ethernet. It enables communication between Thread devices and other local networks or the Internet. A Thread network is a low-power mesh network using the IEEE 802.15.4 protocol in the 2.4 GHz ISM radio band, and a border router translates between such a network another physical network, allows for service discovery across network boundaries, and enables external commissioning of Thread devices. Without a border router, Thread devices would be isolated from other networks and the Internet.[13]
2024
2021
2023
Echo Show 15 (2nd generation)
Echo Show 10 (3rd generation)
Echo Show 8 (3rd generation)
All third-generation routers with Wi-Fi 6 and newer
3rd generation with Ethernet
See also
References
- ^ "Introducing Thread: A New Wireless Networking Protocol for the Home > Thread Group" (Press release). Thread Group. July 15, 2014. Retrieved May 20, 2026.
- ^ "What is Thread - Overview". Thread Group. Retrieved October 25, 2015.
- ^ Tuohy, Jennifer Pattison (July 29, 2022). "What is Thread and how will it help your smart home?". The Verge. Retrieved April 22, 2024.
- ^ Noel Randewich (July 15, 2014). "Google's Nest launches network technology for connected home". Reuters. Retrieved July 18, 2014.
- ^ "Apple joins 'The Thread Group,' opening up the possibility of more advanced HomeKit tech". 9to5Mac. August 6, 2018. Retrieved August 23, 2018.
- ^ "Apple introduces HomePod mini: A powerful smart speaker with amazing sound". Apple (Press release). October 13, 2020.
- ^ "The Thread group - Thread 1.1 Specifications". Thread Group. Retrieved June 26, 2021.
- ^ "OpenThread". 2024. Retrieved July 13, 2024.
- ^ openthread/ot-ns, OpenThread, April 18, 2024, retrieved April 22, 2024
- ^ "Simulate Thread Networks using OTNS". OpenThread. Retrieved April 22, 2024.
- ^ "Amazon, Apple, Google, and Zigbee join forces for an open smart home standard". TechCrunch. December 18, 2019. Retrieved December 18, 2019.
- ^ "Project Connected Home over IP". Project Connected Home over IP. Archived from the original on June 6, 2020. Retrieved December 18, 2019.
- ^ "Thread Border Router - Bidirectional IPv6 Connectivity and DNS-Based Service Discovery". OpenThread. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
- ^ "Understand Smart Home Thread Support | Alexa Skills Kit". Amazon Alexa. Retrieved July 24, 2025.
- ^ "If you see a 'Thread Border Router Required' or 'Needs Thread Network' alert on your iPhone or iPad". Apple Support. Retrieved September 28, 2025.
- ^ "Making your home more helpful with Matter and Thread". Google Store. Retrieved July 24, 2025.
- ^ "Google Home Speaker Specs & Compatibility". Google Store. Retrieved June 17, 2026.
- ^ "hAP be³ Media | MikroTik". mikrotik.com.
- ^ "SmartThings x Matter Integration". SmartThings Support. January 19, 2023. Retrieved July 24, 2025.
External links
Data from Wikidata
