Thread Border Router
Before going to deep dive into the Thread Border Router we suggest first taking a look at the following explainers: Understanding Thread and Matter.
What is a Thread Border Router?
Thread Border Router is a very crucial component that you might need in your smart home Integration before you can set up a Thread network.
To make a Thread network work, you must have at least one Thread Border Router. A Thread Border Router connects to your network and acts as a gateway between Thread devices and other IPv6 networks, such as Wi-Fi or Ethernet. It uses its RF radio to communicate with the Thread mesh network and provides access to the internet.
The Thread end devices use Thread border routers to communicate outside the mesh with any IPv6-capable device.
You can have multiple Thread Border Routers in your home network. This improves wireless coverage and reduces the risk of a single point of failure. It’s ideal for home automation, where many devices may be spread across a large area. If one Border Router stops working, another can take over, and the Thread mesh network will automatically reconfigure itself.
The image above was created by the Thread Group. It illustrates the landscape of Thread, Matter and Border Routers.
OpenThread Border Router
OpenThread’s is an open source implementation of a Border Router is called an OpenThread Border Router (OTBR), originally released by Google. It supports a mesh interface using an RCP model.
Today mostly all Thread Border Routers (TBRs) avaliable on the market are based on the open source implementation. However, the Thread standard doesn’t define how TBRs should be set up or configured. So, companies like Google, Amazon, Sumsung and Apple use their own methods to set up and manage their TBRs within their own ecosystems.
Here is a list of companies and brands that offer Thread Border Routers avaliable on the market.
| Company | Thread Border Router Products |
| Amazon | Echo (4th Gen), Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen), Echo Hub, Echo Studio, Echo Studio (2nd Gen), Echo Plus (2nd Gen), Echo Show 10 (3rd Gen), Echo Show 15 (2nd Gen), Echo Show 21, Eero Beacon, Eero Pro, Eero 6, Eero 6+, Eero Pro 6, Eero Pro 6E, Eero PoE 6, Eero PoE Gateway, Eero 7, Eero Pro 7, Eero Max 7, Eero Outdoor 7 |
| Nest Hub (2nd Gen), Nest Hub Max, Nest WiFi, Nest WiFi Pro, Google TV Streamer 4K | |
| Apple | HomePod (mini/2nd Gen), Apple TV 4K (2nd and 3rd Gen) |
| Aqara | Hub M3, Hub M100, Camera Hub G5 Pro Wi-Fi/PoE |
| Nanoleaf | Lines, Shapes, Elements smart lighting |
| Tado | Bridge X, Heat Pump Optimizer, Wireless Receiver X |
| GL.iNet | GL-S200, GL-S20 Thread Routers |
| D-Link | DSH-G300-TBR Thread Border Router |
| Espressif | ESP Thread BR-Zigbee GW development board |
| Home Assistant | Connect ZBT-1, Home Assistant Yellow |
| Homey | Homey Pro, Homey Pro mini |
| Tridonic | net4more borderROUTER PoE-Thread (industrial/commercial applications) |
| LG ThinQ | ON Smart Speaker HMAK4W, SIGNATURE Smart InstaView Microwave Oven |
| Samsung | Smart TVs (OLED/QLED/Neo QLED/Lifestyle), Smart Monitors, Soundbars, Smart Signage, Smart Signage QPD-5K |
| Siemens | OCT110.BR Thread Border Router |
| MMB Networks | OpenThread Border Router |
| NXP | MCX W71 and RW612 boards |
| Delta | DA-Q60T-222 TV |
| SmartThings | SmartThings Hub (v3), SmartThings Station, Aeotec Smart Home Hub |
Additionally, you can also create own custom Thread Border Router boards using OpenThread implementations running on compatible boards or development boards from companies like Espressif, NXP, Silicon Labs, Nordic Semiconductor, Raspberry Pi and Arduino.
Also Read: Understanding Thread and Matter: The Future of Secure IoT Connectivity
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