This application note explains how to setup Open Thread provides a step-by-step guide on how to set up an OpenThread Border Router on the NAVQ Plus platform.

1. Thread Protocol

The Thread protocol is a low-power, wireless mesh networking protocol designed for smart home and IoT (Internet of Things) applications. It is built on open standards and operates on IEEE 802.15.4 radio frequencies, providing reliable and secure communication between devices.

Key features of the Thread protocol include:

1. Mesh Networking: Thread enables devices to form a self-healing and self-configuring mesh network. Devices can communicate with each other directly or through neighboring nodes, ensuring robust connectivity and extended range.

2. Low Power Consumption: Thread is designed for low-power devices, allowing them to operate on battery power for extended periods. It incorporates power-saving mechanisms such as sleepy end devices and efficient routing protocols.

3. IPv6 Support: Thread utilizes IPv6 (Internet Protocol version 6), providing each device in the network with a unique IP address. This enables seamless integration with the internet and simplifies communication between Thread devices and other IPv6-enabled devices.

4. Security: Thread prioritizes security and employs strong encryption mechanisms to protect data transmitted over the network. It includes features like secure key exchange, secure network joining, and secure data communication.

5. Scalability: Thread networks can support hundreds of devices, allowing for the deployment of large-scale IoT applications. The protocol ensures efficient network management and resource utilization.

6. Interoperability: Thread is designed to be interoperable, allowing devices from different manufacturers to communicate and work together seamlessly within a Thread network.

Thread provides a reliable and efficient networking solution for smart home automation, industrial control, and other IoT applications. Its open standard nature and support from industry alliances make it an attractive choice for building connected and interoperable ecosystems.

2. Thread Border Router

A Thread Border Router (TBR) is a device that connects a Thread network to other IP-based networks, such as Wi-Fi or Ethernet. A Thread network requires a Border Router to connect to other networks.the internet or local area networks (LANs). It acts as a gateway, facilitating communication between Thread devices and devices or services outside the Thread network.

3. Thread Radio Co-Processor

A Thread Radio Co-Processor (RCP) is serves as the interface between the NAVQ Plus, where Open Thread the OpenThread Border Router (OTBR) runs under Linux, and the Thread radio communication. OpenThread Border Router supports a variety of adapters. The OTBR is compatible with various adapters, including the SONOFF Zigbee 3.0 USB Dongle Plus-E, usually referred to commonly known as ZBDongle-E (available for purchasing on Amazon).

The ZBDongle-E is a Zigbee 3.0 USB dongle that supports the Thread protocol in addition to Zigbee. It acts as the Thread Radio Co-Processor for the NAVQ Plus, facilitating communication with Thread-enabled devices in the network.

By utilizing the ZBDongle-E or a similar compatible adapter, the NAVQ Plus can function as an OpenThread Border Router, enabling connectivity between the Thread network and other IP-based networks. This setup allows seamless integration of Thread devices with external devices or services, expanding the capabilities of the NAVQ Plus in a Thread network environment.

4. Hardware Setup

Connect the ZBDongle-У E to the NAVQ Plus using an USB hub that is plugged into the USB1 port of the NAVQ Plus.

5. Flashing RCP Dongle

To use utilize the Thread network with the ZBDongle-E , and enable the Thread Radio Co-Processor firmware is required. To flash ZBDongle-E firmware, install , follow these steps to flash the firmware using the Silabs universal flasher on the NAVQ Plus:

1. Install the Silabs universal flasher on the NAVQ Plus running the command below:

user@imx8mpnavq:~$ pip3 install universal-silabs-flasher

Download the RCP firmware:

user@imx8mpnavq:~$ wget https://github.com/darkxst/silabs-firmware-builder/raw/main/firmware_builds/zbdonglee/ot-rcp-v2.3.1.0-zbdonglee-230400.gbl

Issue the below command to flash firmwareTo flash the firmware onto the ZBDongle-E, use the following command:

user@imx8mpnavq:~$ sudo universal-silabs-flasher --device /dev/ttyACM0 \
    flash --firmware ot-rcp-v2.3.1.0-zbdonglee-230400.gbl
    --allow-cross-flashing

Disconnect Unplug the dongle and connect plug it back. Run the below command to verify it is connected:

user@imx8mpnavq:~$ ls -la /dev/ttyACM0 
crw-rw---- 1 root dialout 166, 0 Oct 19 11:36 /dev/ttyACM0

6. Software Setup

For correct functioning To ensure the proper operation of the Thread network with the NAVQ Plus, use NAVQ+ BSP release Release 1.1.9 or higher is required.

Enable OTBR agent otbr-To enable the OTBR (OpenThread Border Router) agent service to start automatically when the system boots, run the following command:

user@imx8mpnavq:~$ sudo systemctl enable otbr-agent
Created symlink /etc/systemd/system/otbr-agent.service → /lib/systemd/system/otbr-agent.service.
Created symlink /etc/systemd/system/multi-user.target.wants/otbr-agent.service → /lib/systemd/system/otbr-agent.service.

Start otbr-Enter the following command to start the OTBR agent service by running:

user@imx8mpnavq:~$ sudo systemctl restart otbr-agent

Verify To verify if the OTBR agent has started successfully, use the following command:

● otbr-agent.service - OpenThread Border Router Agent
     Loaded: loaded (/lib/systemd/system/otbr-agent.service; enabled; vendor preset: disabled)
     Active: active (running) since Mon 2023-10-23 16:08:56 UTC; 6s ago
    Process: 2623 ExecStartPre=/usr/sbin/service mdns start (code=exited, status=0/SUCCESS)
   Main PID: 2642 (otbr-agent)
      Tasks: 1 (limit: 3198)
     Memory: 1.6M
        CPU: 82ms
     CGroup: /system.slice/otbr-agent.service
             └─2642 /usr/sbin/otbr-agent -I wpan0 -B mlan0 spinel+hdlc+uart:///dev/ttyACM0 trel://mlan0

Oct 23 16:08:57 imx8mpnavq otbr-agent[2642]: 00:00:00.855 [I] Platform------: [netif] ADD [M] ff03:0:0:0:0:0:0:fc (already subscribed, ignored)
Oct 23 16:08:57 imx8mpnavq otbr-agent[2642]: 00:00:00.856 [I] Platform------: [netif] ADD [M] ff03:0:0:0:0:0:0:1 (already subscribed, ignored)
Oct 23 16:08:57 imx8mpnavq otbr-agent[2642]: 00:00:00.856 [I] Platform------: [netif] ADD [M] ff02:0:0:0:0:0:0:16 (already subscribed, ignored)
Oct 23 16:09:00 imx8mpnavq otbr-agent[2642]: 00:00:03.798 [I] Platform------: [netif] Message dropped by Thread
Oct 23 16:09:01 imx8mpnavq otbr-agent[2642]: 00:00:05.340 [I] Mle-----------: Send Link Request (ff02:0:0:0:0:0:0:2)
Oct 23 16:09:02 imx8mpnavq otbr-agent[2642]: 00:00:05.580 [W] Platform------: Handle transmit done failed: ChannelAccessFailure
Oct 23 16:09:02 imx8mpnavq otbr-agent[2642]: 00:00:05.580 [I] Mac-----------: Frame tx attempt 16/16 failed, error:ChannelAccessFailure, len:61, seqnum:228, type:Data, src:6ae36605355389d5, dst:0xffff, sec:no, ackreq:no
Oct 23 16:09:02 imx8mpnavq otbr-agent[2642]: 00:00:05.580 [N] MeshForwarder-: Failed to send IPv6 UDP msg, len:82, chksum:002c, ecn:no, to:0xffff, sec:no, error:ChannelAccessFailure, prio:net
Oct 23 16:09:02 imx8mpnavq otbr-agent[2642]: 00:00:05.580 [N] MeshForwarder-:     src:[fe80:0:0:0:68e3:6605:3553:89d5]:19788
Oct 23 16:09:02 imx8mpnavq otbr-agent[2642]: 00:00:05.580 [N] MeshForwarder-:     dst:[ff02:0:0:0:0:0:0:2]:19788
~

7. Creating Dataset

Initialize a new dataset:

user@imx8mpnavq:~$ sudo ot-ctl dataset init new
Done

Issue the below commands to To set up network credentials (such as the Personal Area Network ID (PAN ID), Extended Personal Area Network ID (XPAN ID), Network Name, and Network key)Key, use the following commands:

user@imx8mpnavq:~$ sudo ot-ctl dataset panid 0xdaf7
Done
user@imx8mpnavq:~$ sudo ot-ctl dataset extpanid 1122334455667788
Done
user@imx8mpnavq:~$ sudo ot-ctl dataset networkname OpenThread
Done
user@imx8mpnavq:~$ sudo ot-ctl dataset networkkey 00112233445566778899aabbccddeeff
Done

Generate To generate the Pre-Shared Key (PSK) using pskc (Syntax is "pskc <PASSPHRASE> <EXTPANID> <NETWORK_NAME>")the pskc command, use the following syntax:

pskc <PASSPHRASE> <EXTPANID> <NETWORK_NAME>

Replace PASSPHRASE, EXTPANID, and NETWORK_NAME with the appropriate values for your network:

user@imx8mpnavq:~$ pskc 654321 1122334455667788 OpenThread
07708bf664c00858c19269cf10261e5b

Set pskc from using the output of the command abovebelow:

user@imx8mpnavq:~$ sudo ot-ctl dataset pskc 07708bf664c00858c19269cf10261e5b

...

user@imx8mpnavq:~$ sudo ot-ctl dataset commit active
Done

Add the on-mesh prefix:

user@imx8mpnavq:~$ sudo ot-ctl prefix add fd11:22::/64 pasor
Done

Issue the below commands to start the Thread network:

user@imx8mpnavq:~$ sudo ot-ctl ifconfig up
Done
user@imx8mpnavq:~$ sudo ot-ctl thread start
Done
user@imx8mpnavq:~$ sudo ot-ctl netdata register
Done

Wait for 10 seconds and verify the Thread network status:

user@imx8mpnavq:~$ sudo ot-ctl state
leader
Done

To get obtain the active dataset to for use with the chip-tool, issue the following command:

user@imx8mpnavq:~$ sudo ot-ctl dataset active -x
0e080000000000010000000300000b35060004001fffe00708fdebe98b055ed9440c0402a0f7f80102daf702081122334455667788030a4f70656e546872656164051000112233445566778899aabbccddeeff041007708bf664c00858c19269cf10261e5b
Done

The active dataset contains information such as network settings, security keys, and other configuration parameters.

Please refer to Using Connecting Eve Energy smart plug with NAVQ Plus using Matter Protocol page as an example of connecting to a Thread device using the Matter protocol. This page provides detailed instructions and guidance on how to establish a connection and integrate the Eve Energy smart plug with the NAVQ Plus using the Matter protocol.