Modern smart home accessories are starting to pop up with a new ed concept of the Internet of Things (IoT). In recent years, more devices have gained internet connectivity and smart home features — everything from thermostats to microwaves. The way all of these internet-connected devices communicate with each other is known as the Internet of Things, and it comes with positives and negatives. Namely, connecting more devices to the internet uses up more bandwidth, which can slow networking speeds down across the board.
With an abundance of internet-connected devices making their way into the home, there was a need for a new networking protocol that maximized efficiency. That led to the development of each internet-connected device communicating with a wireless router individually, Thread devices can work together to form that connection. Because having multiple Thread devices forms a pseudo mesh network, the entire network is more efficient, resulting in faster speeds and increased responsiveness.
How Thread Can Improve A Smart Home
People will likely start looking into Thread for the first time when they discover a smart home product that functions as a Thread Border Router. These products include Apple's second-generation HomePod and HomePod mini, Google's second-generation Nest Hub and Nest Hub Max, and Samsung's SmartThings Hub and SmartThings Station. Owning one of these devices, or any ed Thread Border Router, allows a to take advantage of Thread features.
Thread Border Routers are capable of connecting directly to a wireless router to connect to the internet. As seen in the diagram above, these devices get their name because they are the "border" between a wireless router and regular Thread products. When a ed Thread product or accessory needs to communicate with another, it can go through a Thread Border Router for increased efficiency. Thread devices operate in their own, low-power mesh network — and Thread Border Routers bridge the gap between the mesh network and the main network.
In simpler , the Thread networking protocol ensures that internet-connected devices are only using as much bandwidth as they need. A wouldn't want their internet-connect LED light strip getting the same amount of bandwidth as their laptop or their gaming console, for example. By operating devices like light strips or window blinds on a mesh network outside the main network, the home's network isn't overburdened by too many devices trying to connect all at once. Thread Border Routers are incorporated into common smart home devices already, and more accessories the standard, so s can get the benefits of Thread without too much extra effort.
Source: Thread