Thread (network protocol)
Thread is an IPv6-based, closed-documentation (paid membership required for access to specifications[1]) royalty-free[2] networking protocol for Internet of Things (IoT) "smart" home automation devices to communicate on a local wireless mesh network.[3]
In July 2014, the "Thread Group" alliance was announced, which today is a working group with the companies Nest Labs (a subsidiary of Alphabet/Google), Samsung, ARM Holdings, Qualcomm, NXP Semiconductors/Freescale, Silicon Labs, Big Ass Solutions, Somfy, OSRAM, Tyco International, and the lock company Yale in an attempt to have Thread become the industry standard by providing Thread certification for products.[4]
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. It currently supports up to 250 devices in one local network mesh.[5]
An "AS IS" BSD licensed free and open-source implementation of Thread (called "OpenThread") has also been released by Nest.[6]
Competing IoT protocols
Other competing Internet of Things (IoT) protocols currently already in wide use globally include ZigBee, Z-Wave, and Bluetooth LE (also known as Bluetooth Smart).[7]
See also
References
- ↑ "Thread Wireless Networking Protocol Now Available". threadgroup.org. Thread Group. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
- ↑ "About". threadgroup.org. Thread Group. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
- ↑ Simon Rockman, 15 Jul 2014. "Google Nest, ARM, Samsung pull out Thread to strangle ZigBee". The Register. Retrieved 18 July 2014.
- ↑ Noel Randewich (Jul 15, 2014). "Google's Nest launches network technology for connected home". Reuters. Retrieved 18 July 2014.
- ↑ "Introducing Thread". SI Labs. Retrieved 21 October 2014.
- ↑ OpenThread
- ↑ "Samsung, ARM, and Nest launch Thread, a low-power network for the smart home". PC World. Retrieved 18 July 2014.