Thread (network protocol)

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Thread
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Developed byThread Group
Industry Home automation
Website threadgroup.org OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg

Thread is an IPv6-based, low-power mesh networking technology for Internet of things (IoT) products. [1] The Thread protocol specification is available at no cost; however, this 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." [2]

Contents

Often used as a transport for 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]

Characteristics

Thread uses 6LoWPAN, which, in turn, uses 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. [7]

The OpenThread network simulator, a part of the OpenThread implementation, simulates Thread networks using OpenThread POSIX instances. [8] The simulator utilises discrete-event simulation and allows for visualisation of communications through a web interface.[ relevant? ] [9]

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. [10] [11]

Border routers

Thread border routers are devices that provide bidirectional connectivity between a Thread network and other IP-based networks such as Wi-Fi or Ethernet. They enable communication between Thread devices and the internet or other local networks, which is essential for Thread networks since Thread devices operate on a low-power mesh network using IEEE 802.15.4 protocol in the 2.4 GHz spectrum. Border routers translate between these networks, allow for service discovery across network boundaries, and enable external commissioning of Thread devices. Without a border router, Thread devices would be isolated from other networks and the Internet. [12]

CompanyDevice nameRelease yearAvailability
Amazon [13] Echo 20204th generation and newer
Echo Hub2024All models
Echo Plus20182nd generation
Echo Show 2024

2024

2021

2023

Echo Show 21

Echo Show 15 (2nd generation)

Echo Show 10 (3rd generation)

Echo Show 8 (3rd generation)

Echo Studio2019All models
eero routers2017All eero Pro routers and eero Beacon

All third generation routers with Wi-Fi 6 and newer

Apple [14] Apple TV 4K 20212nd generation

3rd generation with Ethernet

HomePod Mini 2020All models
HomePod 20232nd generation
iPhone 15 Pro 2023All models
iPhone 16 2024All models
iPhone 16 Pro 2024All models
iPhone 17 2025All models
iPhone 17 Pro 2025All models
iPhone Air 2025All models
Google [15] Nest Hub 20212nd generation
Nest Hub Max2019All models
Nest Wifi 2019All models
Google TV Streamer 4K2024All models
Samsung SmartThings [16] SmartThings Hub2018Version 3
SmartThings Station2023All models
Aeotec Smart Home Hub2021All models

See also

References

  1. ↑ "What is Thread - Overview". Thread Group. Retrieved October 25, 2015.
  2. ↑ "The Thread group - Thread 1.1 Specifications". Thread Group. Retrieved June 26, 2021.
  3. ↑ Tuohy, Jennifer Pattison (July 29, 2022). "What is Thread and how will it help your smart home?". The Verge. Retrieved April 22, 2024.
  4. ↑ Noel Randewich (July 15, 2014). "Google's Nest launches network technology for connected home". Reuters . Retrieved July 18, 2014.
  5. ↑ "Apple joins 'The Thread Group,' opening up the possibility of more advanced HomeKit tech". 9to5Mac. August 6, 2018. Retrieved August 23, 2018.
  6. ↑ "Apple introduces HomePod mini: A powerful smart speaker with amazing sound". Apple (Press release). October 13, 2020.
  7. ↑ "OpenThread". 2024. Retrieved July 13, 2024.
  8. ↑ openthread/ot-ns, OpenThread, April 18, 2024, retrieved April 22, 2024
  9. ↑ "Simulate Thread Networks using OTNS". OpenThread. Retrieved April 22, 2024.
  10. ↑ "Amazon, Apple, Google, and Zigbee join forces for an open smart home standard". TechCrunch. December 18, 2019. Retrieved December 18, 2019.
  11. ↑ "Project Connected Home over IP". Project Connected Home over IP. Archived from the original on June 6, 2020. Retrieved December 18, 2019.
  12. ↑ "Thread Border Router - Bidirectional IPv6 Connectivity and DNS-Based Service Discovery". OpenThread. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
  13. ↑ "Understand Smart Home Thread Support | Alexa Skills Kit". Amazon Alexa. Retrieved July 24, 2025.
  14. ↑ "If you see a 'Thread Border Router Required' or 'Needs Thread Network' alert on your iPhone or iPad". Apple Support. Retrieved September 28, 2025.
  15. ↑ "Making your home more helpful with Matter and Thread". Google Store. Retrieved July 24, 2025.
  16. ↑ "SmartThings x Matter Integration". SmartThings Support. January 19, 2023. Retrieved July 24, 2025.
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