What Is Thread? Matter’s Smart Home Network Protocol, Explained

• Amazon Echo (4th Gen)
• Amazon Eero 6, 6 Plus, Pro 6E, Eero 7, Pro 7, Max 7, PoE 6, and PoE Gateway
• Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen), Echo Show 15 (second-gen), Echo Show 21 (second-gen), and Echo Hub
• Apple HomePod (2nd Gen)
• Apple HomePod Mini
• Apple TV 4K (2nd Gen and 3rd Gen with Wi-Fi + Ethernet)
• Google Nest Hub (2nd Gen)
• Google Nest Hub Max
• Google Nest Wifi and Nest Wifi Pro
• Google TV Streamer 4K
• Samsung SmartThings Station, Hub v3, and Hub Dongle
• Samsung Smart TVs (CU8000, CU7000, NEO QLED 8K and 4K)
• Aqara Smart Hub M3
• Homey Pro

A Brief History of Thread

Originally developed by Nest (before the Google acquisition), Thread has existed since 2011. Devised arsenic a power-efficient mesh networking exertion for internet-of-things (IoT) products, Thread gathered gait aft the 2014 enactment of the Thread Group, which develops the exertion and drives its adoption arsenic an manufacture standard. Founding members similar ARM, Samsung, Google, and Qualcomm person been joined by Apple, Amazon, and galore different large companies implicit the years.

The Thread specification is disposable for free, but determination is an end-user licence statement (EULA) for adopters. Thread has evolved, with caller versions and features rolling retired each mates of years. New versions are backward compatible, truthful caller devices tin enactment alongside older ones. Sometimes older Thread devices tin beryllium upgraded to the latest version, but not always.

The latest version, Thread 1.4, landed successful 2024, bringing credential sharing, which allows for networks formed successful antithetic ecosystems (such arsenic Apple Home, Google Home, Amazon Alexa) and antithetic Thread Border Routers to signifier 1 large mesh, alternatively of respective abstracted meshes. Unfortunately, though the Thread 1.4 specification is available, it takes a portion for manufacturers to follow it and spell done certification.

To larn much astir Thread, cheque retired the authoritative Thread Group website.

How Does Thread Work With Matter?

Thread is what enables devices to link to each other, and Matter is the connection they usage to communicate. Thread really supports assorted exertion layers, similar Matter, that beryllium connected top. It tin adjacent enactment aggregate exertion layers simultaneously. Matter uses Thread, Wi-Fi, and Ethernet for instrumentality connectivity. If the instrumentality is battery-powered and bandwidth requirements are low, it volition prime Thread. For high-bandwidth and always-on (plugged-in) devices (like information cameras), it volition take Wi-Fi. Matter besides uses Bluetooth LE for the archetypal setup of immoderate devices. You tin find retired much successful my Matter guide.

Thread vs. Zigbee

Zigbee has been astir longer than Thread and is based connected the aforesaid wireless technology. It tin besides make robust mesh networks, features unafraid encryption, and is large for low-power devices. Because Zigbee has its ain exertion and web layers, it requires a proprietary hub that acts arsenic a gateway for connections, whereas Thread is IPv6, truthful it tin seamlessly integrate with existing IP-based networks done immoderate Thread Border Router. Thread is besides little latency than Zigbee, truthful astute location devices respond much quickly.

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