Cascoda & Thread
Overview
Thread is a low-power wireless mesh networking protocol, based on the universally-supported Internet Protocol (IP), and built using open and proven standards. Thread enables device-to-device and device-to-cloud communications. It reliably connects hundreds (or thousands) of products and includes mandatory security features. Thread networks have no single point of failure, can self-heal and reconfigure when a device is added or removed, and are simple to setup and use.
Co-author of the open source stack, OpenThread & the Thread specification
Designed for homes & buildings
Highly secure network layer
Power-efficient features
IP from internet to end-devices
Linux Emulation environment for OpenThread
New Thread evaluation kits are available which, with the additional of a Raspberry Pi, create a border router and nodes. Software and instructions from the Cascoda Github guide the user in creating an image for the Raspberry Pi SD Card. On completion the user will be presented with an OpenThread Command Line Interface (CLI) for full evaluation of Thread and the Cascoda Chili2 modules.
Thread mesh networking guide
Node roles
Along with Routers and End-Devices, Thread introduces a new type of device, the Router Eligible End Device (REED). The REED is able to change its role between a Router and an End-device, based on the needs of the mesh network.
Downgrading and Upgrading
A REED can dynamically Downgrade itself to an End-node or Upgrade itself to a Router, dependant on the needs of the network. So, if a REED has no connection to an End-Device, it can Downgrade itself to an End-Device to minimize network overhead. Similarly, if a REED is the only node in reach of a new End-Device wishing to join the network, it can dynamically upgrade itself to a Router. This is done automatically, meaning that Thread self-optimises to decide which devices need to be Routers and which need to be End-Devices.
A Thread Leader
A Leader is a Thread Router that manages the network by circulating configuration information amongst all Routers in the network. Leaders are dynamically self-elected from any Router in a network. This behaviour allows for maximum network resilience.
A Thread Border Router
A Border Router is gateway device, responsible for connectivity between the Thread network & the internet. Multiple Border Routers are allowed, to improve redundancy, throughput and lower latency.
Network partitions
Thread networks are able to partition and self-heal. When network connectivity breaks down, each partition dynamically elects a new Thread Leader and connectivity continues uninterrupted.
