Overview#
Thread network layer is an IPv6-based, Low-Power Wide Area Network Mesh Network technology for Internet of Things (IoT) products.Thread network layer uses 6LoWPAN, which, in turn, uses the IEEE 802.15.4 wireless protocol with Mesh Network communication, as does Zigbee and other systems. Thread network layer is different in that it is IP-addressable, with cloud access and AES encryption.
A BSD-licensed Open Source implementation of Thread network layer, called "OpenThread", has been released by Google
Thread network layer (or really 6LoWPAN) is based on the use of a connecting router, called an edge router. Thread network layer calls their edge routers Border Routers. Unlike other proprietary networks, 6LoWPAN, like any network with edge routers, does not maintain any Application Layer state, because such networks forward datagrams at the Network Layer. This means that 6LoWPAN remains unaware of Application Layer protocols and changes. This lowers the processing power burden on edge routers. It also means that Thread does not need to maintain an Application Layer.
Thread network layer states that multiple Application Layers can be supported, as long as they are low-bandwidth and are able to operate over IPv6
Thread network layer is one of the Network Layers supported by Matter Standard
Thread network layer Radio layer it uses IEEE 802.15.4 MAC which is the same radio that Zigbee uses.
Thread network layer uses the IEEE 802.15.4 PHY which is 6LoWPAN
Thread network layer Scalability#
Thread network layer supports a Mesh Network and supports up to:- 32 Routers per network
- 511 End nodes per Router
- Routers perform a dynamic shortest path any to any routing Protocol. Similar to Routing Information Protocol
- Supports multiple Border Routers
Thread network layer Devices MUST use security which is uses AES-128. Thread network layer solves the secure device commissioning problem in a very user-friendly way. Via mobile device, they open a mobile app, and discover Thread border routers on their network using NDNS. Then establish a Secure connection with that border router, and then go over with their mobile device and scan the QR code of the device that they want to join, and obtain a short pairing code. The mobile device then establishes a secure DTLS session to authenticate the joining device
More Information#
There might be more information for this subject on one of the following:- [#1] - Thread_(network_protocol)
- based on information obtained 2022-01-04