What if your lightbulb worked 9 out of 10 times you hit the switch? That wouldn't cut it! However, that's the reality of today's home automation solutions. Internet of Things developers are trying to overcome this challenge and develop smart home solutions that are reliable 100 percent of the time.

This need gave birth to mesh networking, which is the best solution for connecting low-power, wireless products in the home. Mesh networks provide a communications backbone so that a wide variety of devices, such as lightbulbs, switches, thermostats and sensors, can interoperate and become a truly “smart” system.  Mesh networks also provide a safety net.  If a device on the network fails, the network will heal itself and re-route traffic around the failed node. The goal of these networks is to provide the reliability of wired connectivity without wires!

Beyond accuracy, these devices must be long-lasting, secure, robust and scalable. With the launch of Thread today, this is now possible. Thread is a new mesh networking standard. It's poised to become one of the leading mesh networking technologies, with many device manufacturers rolling out Thread-enabled products in 2016. Thread is special because it enables small, resource-constrained, battery-backed “things” to not only operate together in a smart, self-healing mesh, but also become directly connected to the Internet. Every node in a Thread network has an IP address, just like our laptops and smartphones do today. This capability enables simpler user experiences. Home automation devices can now be controlled with your smartphone, and security is established through proven protocols.

To understand this new wireless standard, check out this video from wireless guru Greg Fyke.

If you're interested in learning more about how Thread helps solve the current power, security, reliability, and compatibility issues for connecting products around the home, download this white paper. 

Also, Silicon Labs now has solutions that leverage Thread. Our tools and hardware let you focus on building applications and networks that just work. You can rest assured that when you turn on a light, it works...every time.  Comment below with feedback, questions, and ideas!