Why IoT Devices are Increasingly Hanging on by a Thread
Thread is rapidly becoming a major player in IoT, with over 1,100 certified products from 240 companies at the end of 2025. It’s not the first wireless mesh technology for home, industrial, health care, and other IoT applications, and that’s one of its strengths: Learning from the drawbacks of predecessors such as Zigbee and Z-Wave and providing an alternative.
The Thread protocol is built on IEEE 802.15.4 and uses the 2.4 GHz band globally, as well as 868 MHz in Europe and 915 MHz in North America and Australia. Device OEMs can add the Thread protocol stack to their existing 802.15.4 silicon to reduce time to market as well as cost, which is a major plus for price-sensitive applications. Thread uses IPv6 to enable seamless integration with existing IP networks and to facilitate device-to-device connections.
Backers include Amazon, Apple, Bosch, Comcast, Google, Lutron, Qualcomm, Siemens, Texas Instruments, and T-Mobile, a diverse lineup that highlights the diverse use cases. Some examples:
- Smart homes: Lighting, thermostats, security, and audio-video systems, including by providing the mesh connectivity for Matter devices.
- Commercial and industrial: Building automation, energy management.
- Health care: Patient monitoring devices.
- Smart cities: Connected infrastructure and air quality sensors.
Advantages of Thread
Border routers connect Thread networks to other networks. For example, Google Nest Hub and Apple HomePod Mini have built-in Thread border routers to support connection to a home’s existing Wi-Fi or Ethernet network. This helps spur Thread adoption because many consumers already own what they need, unlike Zigbee, which requires buying a smart home hub first.
Thread was created with low power consumption as a top priority. That extends the life of battery-powered IoT devices such as industrial sensors and light switches and thus saves money because users don’t have to replace them as often — a major benefit for applications with dozens or hundreds of Thread nodes.
Thread also is designed to be resilient. Its decentralized architecture eliminates the risk of a single point of failure taking down the whole mesh.
Thread includes a variety of cybersecurity capabilities, including AES-128 for encrypting traffic. Its border routers serve as firewalls to protect devices from internet threats.
How to Thread-Enable Your IoT Devices
Thread is a wireless technology, which means a great antenna is critical for maximizing its reliability and performance. Taoglas has a broad, deep selection of 2.4 GHz, 915 MHz, and 868 MHz antennas that are ideal for Thread devices that will be sold globally or regionally.
Taoglas also provides device OEMs with design guidance, custom engineering, certification support, and testing services to ensure that their Thread devices provide consistently great performance right out of the box. Finally, Taoglas has a global network to provide localized engineering and rapid delivery.
Get in touch for orders or any queries: sales@rfdesign.co.za / +27 21 555 8400
Courtesy of Taoglas
