Thread Wireless Networking Protocol Now Available

Product Developers Can Start Building Simple, Secure, Low-Power Networks and Connected Products for the Home

SAN RAMON, Calif. , Jul. 14, 2015 – 

The Thread Group today announced the release of Thread, the new IP-based wireless networking protocol designed for low-power connected products in the home. Starting today, product developers who are members of the Thread Group can access Thread technical specifications and documentation to build Thread-compliant products.

"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. I'm excited to see what kinds of products and experiences Thread developers will build."

Qualcomm Incorporated, which has a long history of driving broad ecosystem initiatives, is joining the Thread Group Board of Directors. Qualcomm's subsidiary, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., 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 organizations. 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.

Thread: A Better Network for Connecting Products in the Home

Using proven standards like IPv6 and 6LoWPAN as its foundation, Thread offers product developers numerous technological advantages over existing wireless standards:

• Reliable networks: Thread offers robust self-healing mesh networks that scale to hundreds of devices with no single point of failure. Devices are ready when people need them.
• 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 -- no new hardware required. Thread is designed for quick implementation and deployment of devices throughout the home.

Availability

• 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 will be available to consumers in late 2015.

Companies interested in Thread Group membership can learn more at www.threadgroup.org/join.

About Thread
Designed for consumers and devices in and around the home, Thread easily and securely connects hundreds of devices to each other and directly to the cloud using real Internet Protocols in a low-power, wireless mesh network. The non-profit Thread Group is focused on making Thread the foundation for the Internet of Things in the home, educating product developers and consumers on the unique features and benefits of Thread and ensuring a great user experience through rigorous, meaningful product certification. Thread is backed by industry-leading companies including Arm, Big Ass Fans, Freescale Semiconductor, Nest Labs, Qualcomm, Samsung Electronics, Silicon Labs, Somfy, Tyco and Yale Security. Since opening its membership in October 2014, Thread has quickly grown to more than 160 members. For more information, please visit http://www.threadgroup.org.

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