OpenThread

OpenThread released by Google is an open-source implementation of Thread®. Google has released OpenThread to make the networking technology used in Google Nest products more broadly available to developers, in order to accelerate the development of products for the connected home and commercial buildings.

With a narrow platform abstraction layer and a small memory footprint, OpenThread is highly portable. It supports both system-on-chip (SoC) and network co-processor (NCP) designs.
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Thread Certified component

OpenThread implements all features defined in the Thread 1.1.1 Specification. This specification defines an IPv6-based reliable, secure, and low-power wireless device-to-device communication protocol for home and commercial building applications.
Get the specification

Features

OpenThread implements all Thread networking layers (IPv6, 6LoWPAN, IEEE 802.15.4 with MAC security, Mesh Link Establishment, Mesh Routing) and device roles, as well as Border Router support.

Application services
  • IPv6 configuration and raw data interface
  • UDP sockets
  • CoAP client and server
  • DHCPv6 client and server
  • DNSv6 client
Enhanced Features
  • Child Supervision
  • Inform Previous Parent on Reattach
  • Jam Detection
  • Periodic Parent Search
NCP support
  • Spinel, a general purpose NCP protocol
  • wpantund, a user-space NCP network interface driver/daemon
  • Sniffer support via NCP Spinel nodes
Border Router
  • Web UI for configuration and management
  • Thread Border Agent to support an External Commissioner
  • NAT64 for connecting to IPv4 networks
  • Thread interface driver using wpantund

How will you use OpenThread?

If you're interested in contributing to the ongoing development of OpenThread, then the OpenThread GitHub repository is for you. There you will find all the code, including information on how to contribute, our style guide, code of conduct, licensing, and much more.

If you want to use OpenThread in your own products or for personal deployment, check the options below.

Deploy a Thread network

Determine the hardware and platform design you wish to use to build and deploy your own Thread network. Add a Border Router to connect your Thread network to other network layers, such as Wi-Fi or Ethernet, or use OpenThread RTOS, a single platform solution using LwIP, FreeRTOS, and mbed TLS. And use OpenThread Commissioner to easily commission devices onto a Thread network.
Platforms Border Router RTOS Commissioner

Develop applications on top of a Thread network

Try out our API Codelab and use our API Reference as a guide to application development. IPv6, UDP, CoAP, ICMPv6, DNSv6...it's all there.
API codelab API reference

Port OpenThread to a new hardware platform

Check out our Porting Guide, which walks you through all the steps necessary to port OpenThread to a new hardware platform.
Porting guide

Get Thread Certification for your OpenThread product

OpenThread can be used for certification by the Thread Group. As a Thread reference stack, OpenThread makes certification easy.
Certification

News

Archive

Connect Thread Devices to the Cloud with IoT Core

OpenThread partnered with Cloud IoT Core at Google I/O 2019 for a session on enabling CoAP and MQTT, building and deploying code to embedded devices running the OpenThread stack, and creating a simple application to view data and control the devices. Watch the video to learn more and check out the related Codelab.
Google I/O 2019 Cloud IoT Core Codelab

Bringing the internet to low-power IoT devices

OpenThread was at Google I/O 2018! Check out the video to watch our session, which gives a brief overview of Thread and how developers can quickly build IoT solutions using OpenThread.
Google I/O 2018 Guides

OpenThread Network Simulator released!

May 9, 2020

We've released OpenThread Network Simulator (OTNS), a new tool that provides visualization and management of simulated Thread networks. OTNS provides both an interactive CLI and a web interface. See the OTNS Codelab to get started.
GitHub Repository OTNS Codelab

Support for NXP JN5189 added

Mar 16, 2020

The JN5189 portfolio is designed to power the next generation of very low current wireless devices, supporting Zigbee 3.0, Thread, and IEEE 802.15.4.
NXP JN5189

Support for Silicon Labs EFR32MG13 added

Mar 9, 2020

The EFR32MG13 SoC is ideal for designing battery powered energy friendly Zigbee and Thread IoT devices. EFR32MG13 devices also include Bluetooth low energy and sub-GHz proprietary protocol support.
Silicon Labs EFR32MG13

Who supports OpenThread?

What products use OpenThread?

The following products use OpenThread and support the core requirements of the Thread Specification.

Google Nest Wifi router
Thread Certified. Plugs into your modem and creates a network with a strong and reliable signal.

Google Nest Wifi point
Thread Certified. Each point works with the router to expand coverage and keep Wi‑Fi fast in every room. Plus it's a smart speaker that you can play music on, find answers, and more.

Google Nest Hub Max
Thread Certified. Get help, connect with those who matter most, and control your connected home in one view.

Google Nest Thermostat E (EU)
It's easy to save energy. Place it wherever you like in your home.

Google Nest Heat Link E (EU)
Connects to your heating system and works with the Google Nest Thermostat E to turn on and off or modulate the heat.

Google Nest Secure
The Google Nest Secure alarm system, featuring Nest Guard and Nest Detect.

Google Nest Hello
The doorbell that lets you know who's there.

Nest x Yale Lock
A tamper‑proof, key‑free deadbolt that can be locked and unlocked from anywhere.

Nest Connect
Connects the Nest x Yale Lock to the internet, and serves as a range extender for the Google Nest Secure system.

Google Nest Cam IQ Indoor
A best-in-class security camera with top-of-its-class brains.

Google Nest Cam IQ Outdoor
A weatherproof and tamper-resistant outdoor security camera.

Start using OpenThread today

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