The Tridonic Thread Border Router is a compact, easy to install device to get Thread networks started.

It forms the link between the wireless, low-power Thread network and the rest of the building’s network infrastructure.

THE CHALLENGE

When Tridonic was in the process of developing itsnet4more integrated wireless lighting solution, Thread was selected as the primary wireless networking protocol due to its IP-based foundation and efficient mesh networking functionality.

In a Thread network, a Thread Border Router is required to forward data to and from cloud/other networks. For Tridonic’s net4more integrated wireless solution, it was essentialfor the Thread Border Routerto comply with Tridonic’s high demand needs and requirements. For example, in commercial lighting a common use case is that lighting devices are turned on at the same time via a circuit breaker. This involves significant Thread control traffic as well as application layer traffic, increasing the memory footprint – especially on the border router.

THE PROCESS

Tridonic decided to build its own Thread Border Router to meet their requirements and designed it to serve as a starting point to extend any corporate network environment with Thread functionality.

In order to ensure the Border Router was equipped with functionality to support requirements indifferent scenarios where a Thread network is deployed, Tridonic’s engineers conducted an extensive investigation process. This included verifyingthat their Border Router wouldintegrate with a wide variety of commercial and industrial networks to ensure compatibility with a wide range of devices. It was also critical for the device to beeasy to install, operate and maintain.

THE SOLUTION

The result is the Tridonic net4more borderROUTER PoE-Thread, a general-purpose Thread Border Router which can be used out of the box for any Thread based application.

Starting with an OpenThread foundation, Tridonic built an easy-to-use web-based interface that allows for configuration of the device.

For power delivery, the Border Router uses Power-over-Ethernet (PoE). This eliminates the need for a separate power supply, making it easier to install the device in a commercial environment.

The Border Router includes robust authentication and discovery features and can be used with all IP-based application protocols available for Thread. Since Thread is based on IP, the Border Router integrates with any IP-based Building Management System.

Competitive Advantage

The Thread Border Router from Tridonic offers a number of advantages:

• Cost-effective solution that easily extends a commercial network with low-power, wireless Thread devices
• Extensive authentication features
• Multicast discovery for lighting systems
• Power-over-Ethernet to guarantee stability and bandwidth