The Internet of Things (IoT) aims to transform people's lives through smart homes and businesses. In the home, the goal is to make life easier by creating new experiences and reimagining old ones through a network of connected appliances, lights, climate controls, security, entertainment systems, and a host of innovative products and services. In commercial buildings, IoT improves efficiency, functionality, automation, comfort, and safety - from offices and healthcare facilities to hotels and schools.

Built for IoT

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Flexible & Future Proof

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Convergence &
Coexistence

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Global Solution

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Built for the Internet of Things

Thread is a low-power and low-latency wireless mesh networking protocol built using open and proven standards. Thread solves the complexities of the IoT, addressing challenges such as interoperability, range, security, energy, and reliability. Thread networks have no single point of failure and include the ability to self-heal. 

The Internet runs on IP. From phones, to routers, to connections across the globe, IP is how devices communicate directly with each other, regardless of what connectivity technologies they use (i.e. Ethernet, Wi-Fi, 5G and LTE). Thread brings the Internet to the Internet of Things by using the Internet’s proven, open standards to create an Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) based mesh network.

Thread devices seamlessly integrate with larger IP networks and don’t need proprietary gateways or translators. This reduces infrastructure investment and complexity, removes potential points of failure and reduces maintenance burdens. Thread also securely connects devices to the cloud, making it easier to control IoT products and systems from devices such as mobile phones and tablets.

Convergence and Coexistence on Thread

Thread’s IP foundation is application layer agnostic, offering product manufacturers the flexibility to choose one (or multiple) app layers for their use case to connect devices across multiple networks. With growing demand for interoperability and coexistence, Thread’s cross-industry membership believes in networking technologies that support IP as a point of convergence for the IoT industry.

For instance, a single application layer -- such as Matter, the forthcoming new smart home standard -- could run on devices connected via both Thread and Wi-Fi. This creates a seamless network of interoperable products, while allowing device manufacturers to choose the right networking technology for their application.

Or, commercial buildings may have a variety of Thread devices, all on the same Thread network and all forming part of the mesh, yet have devices running different or even multiple application layers, offering product and systems vendors flexibility on how to integrate Thread devices into existing architectures.

Thread is Flexible and Future Proof

With Thread, developers can bring their apps, devices, systems and services to market faster because they’re using the same rich set of tools available for the Internet. What’s more, application layer and cloud services in Thread devices can be changed over time, because Thread is application-layer agnostic.  And since Thread is IP-based, manufacturers can maintain a direct connection to their products and their users, while enabling interoperability across a broad range of connected devices.

Global Solution

Thread is based on existing technologies in all its layers: from routing, packeting, and security to its wireless radio technology. Similar to Wi-Fi, with its broad range of devices, Thread is an open standard that is not tied to a specific manufacturer, which minimizes the risk of incompatibilities. It leverages proven technologies to ensure seamless integration with existing infrastructure and is not restricted to one particular set of applications or usage protocols. Thread uses IEEE 802.15.4 radio technology on the 2.4 GHz spectrum, which can be deployed worldwide. This enables large scale production and ease of installation, as the same devices and network technologies can be used in all regions. 


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Smart Home

Smart Buildings