What Is Thread? Matter’s Smart Home Network Protocol, Explained Leave a comment
- Amazon Echo (4th Gen)
- Amazon Eero 6, 6 Plus, Professional 6E, Eero 7, Professional 7, Max 7, PoE 6, and PoE Gateway
- Amazon Echo Present 8 (third Gen), Echo Present 15 (second-gen), Echo Present 21 (second-gen), and Echo Hub
- Apple HomePod (2nd Gen)
- Apple HomePod Mini
- Apple TV 4K (2nd Gen and third Gen with Wi-Fi + Ethernet)
- Google Nest Hub (2nd Gen)
- Google Nest Hub Max
- Google Nest Wifi and Nest Wifi Professional
- Google TV Streamer 4K
- Samsung SmartThings Station, Hub v3, and Hub Dongle
- Samsung Good TVs (CU8000, CU7000, NEO QLED 8K and 4K)
- Aqara Good Hub M3
- Homey Professional
A Transient Historical past of Thread
Initially developed by Nest (earlier than the Google acquisition), Thread has existed since 2011. Devised as a power-efficient mesh networking expertise for internet-of-things (IoT) merchandise, Thread gathered tempo after the 2014 formation of the Thread Group, which develops the expertise and drives its adoption as an trade commonplace. Founding members like ARM, Samsung, Google, and Qualcomm have been joined by Apple, Amazon, and lots of different massive corporations over time.
The Thread specification is out there free of charge, however there’s an end-user license settlement (EULA) for adopters. Thread has advanced, with new variations and options rolling out each couple of years. New variations are backward suitable, so new gadgets can work alongside older ones. Typically older Thread gadgets may be upgraded to the newest model, however not at all times.
The newest model, Thread 1.4, landed in 2024, bringing credential sharing, which permits for networks fashioned in several ecosystems (resembling Apple House, Google House, Amazon Alexa) and totally different Thread Border Routers to kind one massive mesh, as a substitute of a number of separate meshes. Sadly, though the Thread 1.4 specification is out there, it takes some time for producers to undertake it and undergo certification.
To be taught extra about Thread, try the official Thread Group web site.
How Does Thread Work With Matter?
Thread is what allows gadgets to attach to one another, and Matter is the language they use to speak. Thread truly helps varied utility layers, like Matter, that sit on prime. It may well even help a number of utility layers concurrently. Matter makes use of Thread, Wi-Fi, and Ethernet for machine connectivity. If the machine is battery-powered and bandwidth necessities are low, it should choose Thread. For prime-bandwidth and always-on (plugged-in) gadgets (like safety cameras), it should select Wi-Fi. Matter additionally makes use of Bluetooth LE for the preliminary setup of some gadgets. Yow will discover out extra in my Matter information.
Thread vs. Zigbee
Zigbee has been round longer than Thread and relies on the identical wi-fi expertise. It may well additionally create strong mesh networks, options safe encryption, and is nice for low-power gadgets. As a result of Zigbee has its personal utility and community layers, it requires a proprietary hub that acts as a gateway for connections, whereas Thread is IPv6, so it could seamlessly combine with present IP-based networks by any Thread Border Router. Thread can be decrease latency than Zigbee, so good residence gadgets reply extra shortly.
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