Thread wireless networking protocol released
"Thread was designed to be the foundation of the Internet of Things in the home by allowing developers and consumers to easily and securely connect hundreds of devices within a low-power, wireless mesh network," said Chris Boross, president, Thread Group. "In the nine months since opening membership, more than 160 companies have joined the Thread Group, and now the group is launching the Thread technical specification, which has now completed extensive interoperability testing. Today’s announcement means that Thread products are on the way and will be in customers’ hands very shortly."
Qualcomm is joining the Thread Group Board of Directors. Qualcomm’s subsidiary, Qualcomm Technologies, says it has, "established a solid framework for interoperable connectivity and communications. The company is committed to delivering standards-based IP technologies and supporting open platforms that coexist and interoperate with a broad range of solutions."
"When it comes to easily and securely connecting the smart home, the work of industry alliances like the Thread Group are essential," said Raj Talluri, senior vice president, product management, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. "Collaborating with the Thread Group allows for the integration of this technology into the world’s leading brands of household appliances, and to thereby speed innovation and market transformation."
The Thread Group also announced today that it retained Thomas Sciorilli to lead the Thread product certification program launching in September. Thomas joins the Thread Group as director of product certification with more than 15 years of experience leading and growing technical organisations. In his role, Thomas will oversee testing to ensure that Thread products work together effortlessly and securely right out of the box. Thread-certified products can bear the Thread logo, indicating they have been certified for quality, security and interoperability – and to help consumers identify them on the market.
Using proven standards such as IPv6 and 6LoWPAN as its foundation, Thread claims technological advantages over existing wireless standards including:
• Reliable networks: Thread offers robust self-healing mesh networks that scale to hundreds of devices with no single point of failure.
• Secure networks: Thread networks feature secure, banking-class encryption. Thread closes identified security holes found in other wireless protocols and provides "worry-free operation". • Simple connectivity: Thread devices are simple to install with a smartphone, tablet or computer. Consumers can securely connect Thread devices in the home to each other and to the cloud for easy control and access from anywhere.
• Low power: Thread supports battery-operated devices as part of a home network. This allows the devices that people use every day – including thermostats, lighting controls, safety and security products – to be a part of the network without requiring constant charging or frequent battery changes.
Millions of existing 802.15.4 wireless devices already on the market can run Thread with just a software enhancement, says the Group – no new hardware required. Thread is designed for quick implementation and deployment of devices throughout the home.
Thread technical specification and documentation are available today to all Thread Group members. Non-member companies and developers can access Thread technical white papers and learn more at www.threadgroup.org/downloads.aspx
The Thread product certification program will launch in September, when testing will begin for Thread-compliant products. At this time, Thread compliant chips and software stacks will be available from ARM, Freescale and Silicon Labs to allow end product development. The first Thread-certified products are expected to reach consumers in late 2015.
Thread Group: www.threadgroup.org
If you enjoyed this article, you will like the following ones: don't miss them by subscribing to :