[Technical Information] How Thread supplements Wi-Fi and Ethernet in Matter networks

As Matter becomes the new standard for IoT devices, supported by all major smart home platforms and hundreds of device and accessory manufacturers, its unique new qualities are becoming more and more popular with end users and manufacturers alike.

One of these qualities is that Matter is very flexible in the network technologies it supports. Unlike some other standards, it does not depend on a specific (wireless) network technology. Instead, because of its IP-based foundation, it can be used with a variety of network standards and physical layers, each with its own advantages.

• Ethernet - ideal for high-bandwidth, mains-powered equipment;
  

• Wi-Fi - ideal for high-bandwidth, mains-powered devices;

• Thread - ideal for reactive applications in low power and mains powered devices

Advantages of Wi-Fi and Ethernet

Ethernet and Wi-Fi are ubiquitous networking technologies in widespread use today. Ethernet is a reliable connectivity technology for applications that can connect network cables to every IoT device. Its high bandwidth also makes it ideal for applications and uses that require sending and receiving large amounts of data, such as security cameras. Likewise , Wi-Fi can be considered the wireless equivalent of Ethernet, enabling high-bandwidth data usage. This makes it ideal for situations where large amounts of data need to be transferred, especially in audio and video applications.

The complexities of Wi-Fi and Ethernet

In addition to these obvious benefits, both technologies have their complexities and limitations.

Ethernet requires extensive planning and complex installation, making it relatively difficult and expensive to deploy. Once installed, it provides little flexibility when the equipment needs to be moved to a different location. Ethernet also requires configuration and maintenance of routers and switches for setup and error resolution.

The reliability of a Wi-Fi network depends on several factors, especially the distance between the Wi-Fi access point and the wireless Wi-Fi devices connected to it. On phones and computers, users need to look at the signal strength indicator to identify possible slowdowns or interruptions in their connection. However, for IoT devices, such indication is often not available. In addition, Wi-Fi signals can be affected by interference from other devices, which is especially true when there is a lot of activity on the network and the number of devices on the Wi-Fi network increases. This will be more obvious in IoT applications where users expect immediate responses (such as turning on a light).

Additionally, there is the issue of configuring the device on a Wi-Fi network. Adding a new Wi-Fi-based IoT device to a network requires the device to obtain security credentials for the network. This means that the device either needs to have a Bluetooth connection for the smartphone to send this information, or the device needs to be set into hotspot mode, creating its own temporary Wi-Fi network. In either case, this means that if a user changes their network password (for example, when the user turns off their modem/router), all devices will need to be configured again with the new security credentials.

Where Thread comes in

Thread is a networking technology designed to specifically solve all of the above problems when connecting and using IoT devices, while providing the seamless IP-based connectivity and flexibility that users have come to expect.

Thread is a low-power, wireless, mesh technology. It's ideal for battery-powered devices (such as sensors or buttons that can run for years on a single battery) and mains-powered devices for low energy consumption. It is a mesh network technology, which means that each new mains-powered Thread device added does not slow down the network, but rather expands the coverage and reliability of the network because they automatically become routers. functional equipment. Because the Thread network can work independently of the rest of the home (Wi-Fi and Ethernet), the building network, and even the Internet, its mesh capabilities give it powerful performance and responsiveness that rivals wired networks.

Unlike many other wireless IoT technologies, Thread does not require a specific hub or gateway to operate. Because Thread is entirely IP-based, it can be viewed as a low-power and efficient extension of existing networks. All that is required is that one of the devices connected to the network has the Thread border router functionality, which can exist in multiple devices.

Adding Thread to Wifi devices provides additional reliability

For Wi-Fi (or Ethernet)-based IoT devices, adding Thread can bring a variety of benefits, making the device more reliable and the connection more robust. The Thread network can be used as a redundant data connection when the Wi-Fi signal is unreliable or unavailable. Because both Thread and Wi-Fi are transparent IP network technologies, IoT devices can simply send responses to the network that originally sent the application request. This is particularly useful when there is a lot of traffic going on over the Wi-Fi network, such as when multiple users are downloading at the same time, conducting video conferencing, or playing online games.

Use Thread to simplify management of Wifi devices

As mentioned above, Wi-Fi-based IoT devices need to know the user's current network security parameters and passwords. All these Wi-Fi IoT devices will need to be re-commissioned once these change, either periodically due to best security practices or due to replacement of access point or router equipment. Typically, users need to establish a Bluetooth connection with each device or put them into hotspot mode to re-upload new credentials.

If your Wi-Fi device is also Thread-equipped, you can use the Thread network connection to provide the device with new security information. All this without requiring individual physical access to each device. Or it doesn't even require a Wi-Fi network to work.

Equipping Thread on mobile devices further improves ease of use

Thread technology currently appears in phones such as Apple's iPhone 15 Pro, and the OpenThread software stack is an official part of the Android open source project. Following Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, Thread will become the standard network technology in mobile devices.

This makes it easier to install Thread-based IoT devices in homes or buildings . All of these configuration operations can be performed at the convenience of the user or installer using a Thread-enabled mobile device. It eliminates the complexity of the Bluetooth-based configuration process. This may even allow IoT device manufacturers to eventually not need to put Bluetooth hardware in their products, saving radio hardware, flash memory and RAM costs.

Thread is at home in the IP world

As shown in the example provided above, Thread, based on native IP network technology, is robust, reliable, low-power and mesh-capable, making it an ideal complement to existing IP network technology. Thread does not add new network or application technology, but simply extends the IP network. Thread can be used alone as the foundation for responsive IoT devices or as a complementary technology in Wi-Fi or Ethernet devices to significantly reduce setup and configuration complexity and significantly improve device robustness and performance.

This article is reproduced from the Thread Alliance WeChat public account, written by Vividh Siddha and Jorg Kennis . Original link: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/q5yc5BHLfjZoaG_eZzIoBg

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