Silicon Labs simplifies IoT connectivity with best-in-class Thread solutions

     Silicon Labs, a leading provider of microcontrollers, wireless connectivity, analog and sensor solutions in the Internet of Things (IoT), has introduced the highly anticipated Thread networking solution, which includes a software protocol stack built on years of mesh networking expertise and the industry's most advanced mesh networking software development tools. SiliconLabs' Thread solution provides developers with the fastest path to developing Thread-compliant IoT products, including thermostats, wireless sensor networks, smoke/carbon monoxide detectors, connectable lighting fixtures, control panels, wireless access points and gateways.

     Thread technology is the industry's first standards-based, IP-addressable, low-power mesh networking solution that provides reliable, secure, and scalable Internet connectivity for battery-powered devices in the smart home, filling a key link in the IoT ecosystem. As a founding member of ThreadGroup and chair of the Technical Committee, SiliconLabs has continued to participate in and drive the definition and development of the Thread standard specification.

     MarecaHatler, Director of research at ON World Inc., said: "Thread is poised to become one of the leading mesh networking technologies in the smart home, and with many device manufacturers adopting Thread technology this year, many Thread-enabled products are planned for 2016. "As the primary architect of ZigBee and Thread software and an industry leader in standards-based mesh networking, SiliconLabs will play a key role in Thread technology's entry into the connected home ecosystem."

     Silicon Labs is working closely with leading manufacturers of connected home products enabled by Thread, and the Thread protocol stack is already running on multi-node networks of key customers. SiliconLabs offers the industry's broadest line of mesh networking SoCs and a common development platform for ZigBee and Thread solutions. Silicon Labs' Thread stack, EM35xx wireless SoC platform, and combination of software and hardware tools provide developers with a seamless migration from ZigBee to Thread via over-the-air upgrades (OTA). In addition, SiliconLabs' hardware and software roadmap will also provide multi-protocol, multi-band 2.4GHz and sub-GHz wireless connectivity for IoT.

     "As a market leader in mesh networking, Silicon Labs has more than a decade of experience developing, certifying and delivering standards-based mesh networking solutions," said Skip Ashton, vice president of software engineering at Silicon Labs and vice president of technology at Thread Group. We have a deep understanding of mesh technology and its certification process. Working with customers and eco-partners, thousands of mesh networking products have been successfully certified using our industry-leading EM35xx wireless SoCs."

     Keith Brandon, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Kwikset, said: "We are pleased to have this opportunity to introduce Thread's specification features, as well as Silicon Labs' Thread protocol and development tools, which bring cutting-edge wireless mesh networking technology to the connected home market. SiliconLabs' standards-based Thread solution allows us to simplify and accelerate the development of Thread's connected lock product, which communicates seamlessly with other connected home devices, giving consumers bank-grade security features."

     Silicon Labs' Thread solution provides a simple, secure, and scalable approach to wireless connectivity, including the wireless interconnection of hundreds of connected devices in the home and seamless bridging of those devices to the Internet. Thread software provides a self-healing, ipv6-based mesh network that can scale to more than 250 nodes without a single point of failure. The protocol is easy to debug and provides extended support for "sleepy" end nodes, enabling low-power operation on a single battery for several years. Users can easily add nodes to the network from a smartphone or browser. SiliconLabs' Thread stack uses bank-level, end-to-end security as nodes join the network and provides AES-128 encryption in all network communications to ensure security.

     Tim Myers, Director of Intrusion Detection Product Management at Tyco Security Products, said, "We are excited to work with Silicon Labs on this effort as we leverage Thread technology to improve and make communication within the home more secure."