"NFC technology provides a straightforward, intuitive and secure way to install and configure devices to a Thread network by ‘tapping’ an IoT device directly to an NFC-enabled gateway or registered NFC smartphone,” says Sujata Neidig, vice president of marketing, Thread Group. “NFC is included in many smartphone platforms today, providing a direct out-of-band commissioning mechanism for smart home and smart building uses.”
Thread is a low-power wireless mesh networking protocol, based on the universally supported Internet Protocol (IP), and built using open and proven standards that can advance and accelerate adoption of IoT.
Thread enables direct, end-to-end, secure and scalable connectivity between IoT devices, mobile devices and the Internet in smart homes and smart buildings. Thread was designed to support a wide variety of applications in homes and buildings, such as appliances, access control, climate control, energy management, lighting, safety, and security.
NFC technology complements Thread by providing consumers easy, secure two-way wireless interactions between electronic devices, access to digital content and the ability to perform contactless transactions with a single tap of a smartphone.
“NFC technology is a key enabler allowing for the connectivity, commissioning and control of devices while providing the most intuitive, easy-to-use consumer interface,” says Paula Hunter, executive director, NFC Forum. “The NFC Forum’s IoT Special Interest Group will be working closely with the Thread Group to deepen the relationship between the two organizations.”
Formed in 2013, the non-profit Thread Group is focused on making Thread the foundation for the internet of things in homes and commercial buildings. Built on open standards, Thread is a low power wireless networking protocol that enables direct, end-to-end, secure and scalable connectivity between IoT devices, mobile devices, and the internet. And, because Thread is IP-based, it seamlessly integrates with many environments, apps, devices and clouds. The Thread Group provides a rigorous certification program to ensure device interoperability and a positive user experience. Thread is backed by industry-leading companies including Apple, Arm, Google/Nest, Nordic Semiconductors, NXP Semiconductors, OSRAM, Qualcomm, Schneider Electric, Siemens, Silicon Labs, Somfy and Yale Security.
www.threadgroup.org
www.nfc-forum.org
