OpenThread
OpenThread released by Nest is an open-source implementation of Thread®. Nest has released OpenThread to make the networking technology used in Nest products more broadly available to developers, in order to accelerate the development of products for the connected home.
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.
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.
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 applications.
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
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.
Develop applications on top of a Thread network
Use the API Reference as a guide to all application development. IPv6, UDP, CoAP, DHCPv6, DNSv6...it's all there.
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.
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.
News
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.
I/O guide to Nest and OpenThread
Take a look inside the Nest IoT Sandbox display at Google I/O 2018, where we showcased a number of OpenThread-supported developer platforms, the Thread Ready Nest Secure system, and other Nest products such as Nest Hello and the Nest x Yale Lock.
Support for TI CC1352 added
Aug 1, 2018
The Texas Instruments CC1352 device is part of the SimpleLink™ microcontroller (MCU) platform which consists of Wi-Fi®, Bluetooth® low energy, Sub-1 GHz, Thread, ZigBee, 802.15.4 and host MCUs.
The Texas Instruments CC1352 device is part of the SimpleLink™ microcontroller (MCU) platform which consists of Wi-Fi®, Bluetooth® low energy, Sub-1 GHz, Thread, ZigBee, 802.15.4 and host MCUs.
Enhanced Feature guides added
Jul 27, 2018
We've added guides for some of the Enhanced Features provided by OpenThread. These features—such as Child Supervision and Jam Detection—are unique to OpenThread and go above and beyond the Thread Specification, while maintaining full compatibility with Thread.
We've added guides for some of the Enhanced Features provided by OpenThread. These features—such as Child Supervision and Jam Detection—are unique to OpenThread and go above and beyond the Thread Specification, while maintaining full compatibility with Thread.
Zephyr RTOS adds support for OpenThread
Feb 26, 2018
The Zephyr™ Project, an open source collaborative effort to build a real-time operating system (RTOS) for the Internet of Things (IoT), today announced that OpenThread has become the first Thread protocol implementation to integrate with the Zephyr RTOS.
The Zephyr™ Project, an open source collaborative effort to build a real-time operating system (RTOS) for the Internet of Things (IoT), today announced that OpenThread has become the first Thread protocol implementation to integrate with the Zephyr RTOS.
Who supports OpenThread?
Led by Nest, the following companies are contributing to the ongoing development of OpenThread.
What products use OpenThread?
The following products use OpenThread and support the core requirements of the Thread Specification.
Nest Secure
The Nest Secure alarm system, featuring Nest Guard and Nest Detect. Thread Ready.
Nest Cam IQ Indoor
A best-in-class security camera with top-of-its-class brains.
Nest Cam IQ Outdoor
A weatherproof and tamper-resistant outdoor security camera.
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 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 Nest Secure system.
Nest Connect
Connects the Nest x Yale Lock to the internet, and serves as a range extender for the Nest Secure system.
Start using OpenThread today
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