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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 (OT) is highly portable. It supports both System-on-Chip (SoC) and Co-Processor (RCP, NCP) designs.
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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
Co-Processor support
  • Spinel, a general purpose Co-Processor protocol
  • OT Daemon, a user-space Radio Co-Processor network interface driver/daemon
  • Sniffer support via 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 OT Daemon

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.
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
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
Check out our Porting Guide, which walks you through all the steps necessary to port OpenThread to a new hardware platform.
Porting guide
OpenThread can be used for certification by the Thread Group. As a Thread reference stack, OpenThread makes certification easy.
Certification

News

Archive
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
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 Daemon content added

Oct 9, 2020

We've added new content for OpenThread Daemon, an OpenThread POSIX build mode that runs OpenThread as a service for Radio Co-Processor designs.
Sep 8, 2020

We've released a new Codelab for testing a Thread Network using OpenThread Network Simulator and Silk, our automated test framework.
Aug 7, 2020

The nRF52833 general-purpose multiprotocol SoC from Nordic Semiconductor is now Thread Certified using OpenThread.

Who supports OpenThread?

What products use OpenThread?

The following products use OpenThread and support the core requirements of the Thread Specification.
Your not-so-basic smart lighting basics.
Flexible lighting to transform any room with 16M+ colors.
Thread Certified. Plugs into your modem and creates a network with a strong and reliable signal.
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.
Thread Certified. Get help, connect with those who matter most, and control your connected home in one view.
It's easy to save energy. Place it wherever you like in your home.
Connects to your heating system and works with the Google Nest Thermostat E to turn on and off or modulate the heat.
The Google Nest Secure alarm system, featuring Nest Guard and Nest Detect.
The doorbell that lets you know who's there.
A tamper‑proof, key‑free deadbolt that can be locked and unlocked from anywhere.
Connects the Nest x Yale Lock to the internet, and serves as a range extender for the Google Nest Secure system.
A best-in-class security camera with top-of-its-class brains.
A weatherproof and tamper-resistant outdoor security camera.
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Java is a registered trademark of Oracle and/or its affiliates. Thread is a registered trademark of the Thread Group, Inc.