Thread Group — the multivendor body set up to promote a low-power wireless mesh networking protocol for extremely low power consumption and low latency, based on the IEEE 802.15.4 radio standard — has announced a new version of its protocol, Thread 1.2 that it says enhances power, security and scalability.
According to Thread Group, Thread 1.2 adds a series of performance benefits for battery-powered and otherwise-constrained devices including low power gains to extend battery life.
“Its optional Bluetooth Low Energy Extensions expand IP connectivity and end-to-end security for Bluetooth Low Energy devices, such as smartphones,” Thread Group says.
“It also standardises Thread out-of-band commissioning over Bluetooth and enables devices with only a Bluetooth Low Energy radio to be a native part of a Thread mesh network.”
Thread 1.2 is also equipped with commercial extensions that support enterprise-level security via more sophisticated information technology authentication, authorisation and accounting, as well as enterprise device lifecycle management integration.
Also, Thread Group says, organisations can consolidate multiple Thread networks into one large virtual Thread network with thousands of nodes—including predictable, stable addressing and management even as devices migrate within that virtual network—thanks to sitewide IPv6.
Thread Group has updated its FAQs with more information on the Thread 1.2 specification and has published a white paper Thread 1.2 Base Features that explains “how the Thread 1.2 base features are designed to improve the scalability of Thread networks, by making them more responsive, and capable of a higher network density.”
The paper claims to offer a link to the full Thread 1.2 technical specification. However that page carries the heading “Thread 1.1”.
