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Thread® Protocol Products

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Open, Adaptable and Secure Thread Modules and SoCs


If you develop products for connected environments, you know that seamless interoperability, robust security and reliable performance are essential for success. However, the popular, incumbent wireless protocols present challenges, including complex integration and limited scalability, as well as the need for secure, IP-based connectivity without the use of additional gateways.

Thread protocol products, built on open standards and a proven stack, provide a simple solution to these common challenges. Our Thread microcontrollers (MCUs) enable you to create secure, scalable mesh networks that connect effortlessly from sensor to cloud, making it easier than ever to deploy, manage and future-proof your smart home and building applications.

Thread MCUs


Our Thread modules and SoCs support variety of connectivity standards (including Bluetooth® LE and Thread) running on Arm® Cortex®-based cores. 

Why Choose Microchip Thread Protocol Products?


Robust Wireless Icon

Flexible Connectivity

Connect with confidence using Bluetooth LE, Thread, Matter, and proprietary protocols. Our products deliver seamless multiprotocol support all in a single IC.

Advanced Periperhals Icon

Versatile Peripherals

With up to 54 GPIOs, it’s easy to add features that set your application apart. Our multiprotocol MCUs supports a rich set of peripherals including touch, motor control, CAN FD and more.

Wireless Module Icon

Wireless Made Easy

Reduce risk and accelerate time to market with proven reference design packages, regulatory-certified RF-ready modules and support for MPLAB® and Zephyr® development environments.

Wireless Security Icon

Advanced Security

Safeguard your products with an immutable secure boot ROM and a hardware-based security engine, ensuring your application and intellectual property remain protected from evolving threats.

Key Markets and Applications


Thread’s low power consumption and mesh architecture make it a great choice for industrial automation, smart building and smart home applications.

Industrial Equipment

Industrial Equipment

  • Handheld equipment
  • Pump and motor connectivity
  • Meters and solar farms
  • Electric Vehicle (EV) chargers
Building and Refrigeration Systems Control

Building and Refrigeration Systems Control

  • Compressor groups
  • Condensers
  • Walk-ins
  • HVAC units
Home Automation

Home Automation

  • Windows, doors and motion and temperature sensors
  • System control and user interface panels
  • Pool and spa controls

Getting Started With Thread


Development Board Icon

Step 1

Get a Curiosity Board and any third-party hardware.

Development Environment Icon

Step 2

Set up your development environment.

Wireless Documentation Icon

Step 3

Explore the Thread documentation.

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Step 4

Jumpstart your project using a Thread application example.

Tools and Software


Part Number: Quantity: Price per Unit (in USD): Total Amt:
EV31U42A

PIC32-BZ6 Curiosity Board enables rapid prototyping with Bluetooth LE, Thread, CAN FD, Ethernet, motor control and touch for smart home, industrial and automotive designs.

EV79Y91A

The WBZ451HPE Curiosity board is an all-in-one development platform that you can use to evaluate WBZ451H high-power modules. 

EV22L65A

The PIC32CX-BZ2 and WBZ450 Curiosity board is an all-in-one development platform that you can use to evaluate PIC32CX-BZ2 SoCs and WBZ450 modules.

Part Number: Quantity: Price per Unit (in USD): Total Amt:
MPLAB-X-IDE

MPLAB X IDE is a highly configurable software platform that provides powerful, free tools for developing, debugging and qualifying embedded designs that use microcontrollers and digital signal controllers.

MPLAB-HARMONY-V3

MPLAB® Harmony is a modular framework that provides interoperable firmware libraries for application development on 32-bit microcontrollers and microprocessors.

Zephyr

Zephyr® is an open-source Real-Time Operating System (RTOS) designed to power a wide range of devices.

Design Resources


Smart Warehouse

Smart Warehouse

Harness the power of AI and IoT for industrial environments.  Follow this example to build an complete solution including a Thread gateway that connects various industrial IoT devices to the cloud.

Smart Building Demo

Smart Building

This project showcases the potential of smart environments. Follow this example to build an end-to-end solution including a Thread gateway that connects various IoT devices to the cloud.

Code Examples Icon

And Many More

Explore our growing library of application examples, documentation and videos available through MPLAB® Discover.

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Mobile App Source Code

We provide the Microchip Bluetooth Data (MBD) application and source code for iOS® and Android™ to use for prototyping or as a starting point for developing your mobile app.

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MCPRT3 Radio Test Tool

Use this Windows®-based software to test your RF configuration during development, certification and production.

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Design Check Service

Our MicroCHECK design service is available at no charge to customers who have selected our wireless devices for their applications.

Learn About Thread


What Is Thread?

With so many wireless connectivity protocols already available, you may wonder why Thread is necessary. Although there are many to choose from, none of them offer a solution that meets the unique demands of IoT design.

When working with most protocols, IoT projects are complex and riddled with challenges like interoperability, range, security, reliability and power usage. Because it is built on open and proven standards, Thread strives to solve these challenges and reduce the complexity of IoT development.

Built on open standards and IPv6 technology with the IEEE® 802.15.4 standard as its foundation, Thread is a mesh networking technology that offers many advantages over other protocols. Thread networks are secure, reliable, scalable and flexible.

With Thread, IoT developers can easily create applications that support large networks with many devices that need cloud access.

Thread Protocol Network Stack Diagram

Benefits of Thread Networks

Interoperability

Thread strives to solve the interconnectivity challenges present in current IoT solutions. It is based on Internet Protocol (IP), which is the underlying technology that allows devices to talk to each other over the Internet. Because it uses an established and universal standard, Thread devices can connect to each other and the Internet quickly without the need for complex configuration.

Scalability and Reliability

Thread operates using a scalable mesh architecture (supporting up to 250 devices), which means that each device in the network can act as a router to forward messages to other devices. This allows the network to cover a large area and enables devices to communicate even if they are not within range of a direct connection.

Security

In addition to IP-addressable and mesh capabilities, Thread is known for offering security at every layer of the stack. These strong security measures protect against unauthorized access and tampering, ensuring that IoT devices and the data they transmit are secure.

Thread Mesh Network Example

Thread Versus Zigbee®

When looking at capability, Thread and Zigbee appear to be interchangeable. They are both 802.15.4-based protocols that support a scalable mesh network architecture. Looking deeper at the underlying technology, you’ll find significant differences.

Open Standards Offer Seamless Interconnectivity

The primary difference between Thread and Zigbee is that Thread is IP based. Thread’s native IPv6 addressing simplifies the connection with other IP interfaces such as Wi-Fi® or Ethernet. Unlike Zigbee, Thread doesn’t require an additional “translator” device to communicate with other networks—Thread is built for effortless Internet connectivity.

Application Independence Future-Proofs Your Design

Thread’s independent application layer sets it apart from Zigbee and other 802.15.4-based protocols. Because Thread is application layer agnostic, IoT developers have the flexibility to change applications and cloud services without a major redesign.

User-Friendly Setup Makes It Easy to Add Security

Although both Zigbee and Thread offer robust security, Thread’s authentication and commissioning can be smartphone based, making it much easier and more user friendly than Zigbee for onboarding a new device.

Thread Network Stack Compared to Zigbee Network Stack