Thread (network protocol)
 | |
| Developed by | Thread Group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Home automation |
| Website | threadgroup |
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]
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.[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]
Devices that function as Thread border routers
| Company | Device name | Release year | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon[12] | Echo | 2020 | 4th generation and newer |
| Echo Hub | 2024 | All models | |
| Echo Plus | 2018 | 2nd 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 Studio | 2019 | All models | |
| eero routers | 2017 | All eero Pro routers and eero Beacon
All third generation routers with Wi-Fi 6 and newer | |
| Apple[13] | Apple TV 4K | 2021 | 2nd generation
3rd generation with Ethernet |
| HomePod Mini | 2020 | All models | |
| HomePod | 2023 | 2nd generation | |
| Google[14] | Nest Hub | 2021 | 2nd generation |
| Nest Hub Max | 2019 | All models | |
| Nest Wifi | 2019 | All models | |
| Google TV Streamer 4K | 2024 | All models | |
| Samsung SmartThings[15] | SmartThings Hub | 2018 | Version 3 |
| SmartThings Station | 2023 | All models | |
| Aeotec Smart Home Hub | 2021 | All models |
See also
References
- ^ "What is Thread - Overview". Thread Group. Retrieved October 25, 2015.
- ^ "The Thread group - Thread 1.1 Specifications". Thread Group. Retrieved June 26, 2021.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Understand Smart Home Thread Support | Alexa Skills Kit". Amazon Alexa. Retrieved July 24, 2025.
- ^ "Set up your HomePod, HomePod mini, Apple TV, or iPad as a home hub". Apple Support. Retrieved July 24, 2025.
- ^ "Making your home more helpful with Matter and Thread". Google Store. Retrieved July 24, 2025.
- ^ "SmartThings x Matter Integration". SmartThings Support. January 19, 2023. Retrieved July 24, 2025.
