Thread (network protocol)

Thread is an IPv6-based, low-power mesh networking technology for IoT products, intended to be secure and future-proof.[1] The Thread protocol specification is available at no cost, however this requires agreement and continued adherence to an EULA which states that "Membership in Thread Group is necessary to implement, practice, and ship Thread technology and Thread Group specifications."[2] Membership of the Thread Group is subject to an annual membership fee except for the "Academic" tier.[3]

Thread
Developed byThread Group
IndustryHome automation

In July 2014, the "Thread Group" alliance was formed as a working group to aid Thread becoming an industry standard by providing Thread certification for products.[4] Initial members were ARM Holdings, Big Ass Solutions, NXP Semiconductors/Freescale, Google-subsidiary Nest Labs, OSRAM, Samsung, Silicon Labs, Somfy, Tyco International, Qualcomm, and lock company Yale. In August 2018 Apple joined the group,[5] releasing its first thread product in late 2020.

Thread uses 6LoWPAN, which in turn uses the IEEE 802.15.4 wireless protocol with mesh communication, as does Zigbee and other systems. Thread however is IP-addressable, with cloud access and AES encryption. A BSD licensed open-source implementation of Thread (called "OpenThread") has been released by Nest.[6]

In 2019, the Connected Home over IP project, led by Zigbee, 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 as well as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Low Energy.[7][8]

Selling points and key features

As mentioned above, Thread uses 6LoWPAN, which is based on the use of a connecting router, called an edge router (Thread calls their edge routers Border Routers). Unlike other proprietary networks, 6LoWPAN, like any network with edge routers, does not maintain any application layer state because such networks forward datagrams at the network layer. This means that 6LoWPAN remains unaware of application protocols and changes.[9] This lowers the processing power burden on edge routers. It also means that Thread does not need to maintain an application layer. Thread states that multiple application layers can be supported, as long as they are low-bandwidth and are able to operate over IPv6.[10]

Thread touts that there is no single point of failure in its system. However, if the network is only set up with one edge router, then this can serve as a single point of failure. The edge router or another router can assume the role of Leader for certain functions. If the Leader fails, another router or edge router will take its place. This is the main way that Thread guarantees no single point of failure.[10]

Thread promises a high level of security. Only devices that are specifically authenticated can join the network. All communications through the network are secured with a network key.[10]

Competing IoT protocols

Competing Internet of Things (IoT) protocols include Wi-Fi HaLow, Bluetooth 5, Zigbee, Z-Wave, Wirepas, MiraOS and VEmesh.[11]

See also

References
  1. "About". threadgroup.org. Thread Group. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
  2. Thread 1.1 Specification
  3. Thread Group
  4. Noel Randewich (Jul 15, 2014). "Google's Nest launches network technology for connected home". Reuters. Retrieved 18 July 2014.
  5. "Apple joins 'The Thread Group,' opening up the possibility of more advanced HomeKit tech". 9to5Mac. 2018-08-06. Retrieved 2018-08-23.
  6. OpenThread
  7. "Amazon, Apple, Google and Zigbee join forces for an open smart home standard". TechCrunch. Retrieved 2019-12-18.
  8. "Project Connected Home over IP". Project Connected Home over IP. Retrieved 2019-12-18.
  9. Olsson, Jonas (2013). "6LoWPAN Demystified" (PDF). Texas Instruments.
  10. "Thread Stack Fundamentals". Thread Group. 2015. Retrieved 1 April 2017
  11. "Samsung, ARM, and Nest launch Thread, a low-power network for the smart home". PC World. Retrieved 18 July 2014.
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