Nordic Semiconductor has announced the nRF5 SDK (Software Development Kit) for its Thread networking solution. This solution is an open-source Thread networking protocol that supports the development of smart homes and home IoT. Major home IoT applications based on Thread include home automation, home appliances, access control, thermostats, safety, lighting, healthcare, and security systems.

It can be designed using the IEEE 802.15.4 PHY supported by Nordic’s latest nRF52840 multi-protocol Bluetooth Low Energy SoC. In addition, a unique thread network-based DFU function has been added, similar to the OTA (Over-The-Air) DFU (Device-Firmware-Update) applied to Nordic’s existing SDKs and chips.

Nordic Semiconductor’s nRF52840 SoC, which provides 256kb of RAM and 1mb of flash memory, can run both Thread and Bluetooth Low Energy protocol stacks on the same single chip. Security functions execute Thread security algorithms using the ARM CryptoCell-310 cryptographic accelerator integrated into the Cortex-M-based Bluetooth Low Energy SoC. All of these features are implemented based on developer-friendly IP-based (6LoWPAN-supported IPv6) mesh networks.

The non-profit Thread Group is dedicated to making Thread the foundation for IoT products inside and outside the home, educating product developers, manufacturers, and consumers on Thread's unique features and benefits, and ensuring reliable usage through objective product certification.

In addition, it includes the OpenThread stack pre-implemented for Nordic’s nRF52840 SoC, examples of all different thread functions, OpenThread network co-processor support, CoAP application layer examples, border router and cloud connectivity examples, and various PC tools including a thread topology monitor.

Geir Langeland, Sales and Marketing Director at Nordic Semiconductor, stated, “Thread is currently one of the leading emerging wireless technologies in the home IoT sector,” and added, “Nordic will continue to strategically invest in the development and advancement of the OpenThread software stack.”

Nordic’s nRF5 SDK for Threads is currently available in Alpha version, and the full version is scheduled to be released in the fourth quarter of 2017 to coincide with the mass production of Nordic’s nRF52840 SoC.