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What is the Thread Group?

What is the Thread Group?

The Thread Group is an international organization that develops and promotes the Thread standard . This standard enables a reliable, secure, and energy-efficient mesh network for smart home devices and the Internet of Things (IoT). Founded by technology industry leaders, the Thread Group is committed to interoperability and easy implementation of the Thread protocol, which is specifically designed for the seamless integration of smart home devices.

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What does the Thread Group mean?

The Thread Group is a non-profit organization founded in 2014 with the goal of establishing the Thread protocol for smart home and IoT applications worldwide. It consists of leading technology companies, including Google, Apple, and Qualcomm, and is dedicated to the further development and dissemination of the open mesh network standard Thread. Unlike existing standards such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, Thread was developed specifically for the needs of IoT devices and relies on an IPv6-based mesh network that enables secure, power-efficient, and scalable communication.

Frequently asked questions

What is the purpose of the Thread Group?

The Thread Group's primary purpose is to develop, standardize, and promote the Thread protocol. This protocol ensures that smart home and IoT devices from different manufacturers can communicate seamlessly and securely with each other. By creating a robust and interoperable network, the Thread Group aims to lay the foundation for the smart home and future IoT applications.

Which companies are members of the Thread Group?

The Thread Group includes numerous prominent members, including Google, Apple, Amazon, Samsung, Qualcomm, and Nordic Semiconductor. The organization is open to new members and allows both large companies and startups and developers to join to contribute to the further development and adoption of the Thread standard.

How is Thread different from other smart home protocols?

Thread differs from other protocols such as Wi-Fi, Zigbee, or Bluetooth primarily in its network topology and efficiency. Thread uses a mesh network in which devices communicate directly with each other and automatically find alternative communication paths when needed. This leads to greater reliability and redundancy in the network. Furthermore, Thread is based on IPv6, which enables direct integration into the internet and makes it particularly scalable and future-proof. Because Thread is also power-efficient, it is ideal for battery-operated IoT devices.

What role does the Thread Group play in the Matter standard?

The Thread Group plays a central role in the Matter standard , which is also being developed by the Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA). Matter was created to ensure interoperability between smart home devices from different manufacturers. Thread acts as a network protocol for local communication, while Matter provides the application layer for communication between different devices and platforms. The combination of both standards enables stable, secure, and vendor-independent communication.

How can I join the Thread Group?

Companies and organizations interested in developing and distributing the Thread protocol can become members of the Thread Group. Membership offers benefits such as access to technical resources, development tools, and certification programs. There are different membership levels, each offering different privileges and access. Membership details can be found on the Thread Group's official website.

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