How to build a Thread 1.4 OpenThread border router
How to build a Thread 1.4 OpenThread border router
WIZnet - W5500
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1. 프로젝트 개요
“How to build a Thread 1.4 OpenThread border router” 글은 ESP Thread Border Router Development Board로 **Thread 1.4 OpenThread Border Router(OTBR)**를 만드는 전 과정을 다룹니다.
펌웨어 빌드
ESP32-H2: Thread RCP 펌웨어
ESP32-S3: esp-thread-br 예제(OTBR) 빌드
메뉴에서 Wi-Fi 또는 Ethernet(W5500) 중 선택
Thread 네트워크 & 플랫폼 연동
새 Thread 네트워크 생성 또는 기존 네트워크에 조인
Home Assistant, Google Home, SmartThings와 연동해 Matter-over-Thread 디바이스 제어
ESP Thread Border Router/Zigbee Gateway Board
이미지 출처 : https://www.espressif.com/
ESP Thread Border Router/Zigbee Gateway Sub-Ethernet
이미지 출처 : https://www.espressif.com/
참고: 본 글은 metter alpha의 “[How to build a Thread 1.4 OpenThread border router]” 내용을 요약한 것입니다. 자세한 내용 및 최신 업데이트는 metter alpha 원문을 확인해 주세요.
원문: https://www.matteralpha.com/how-to/how-to-build-a-thread-1-4-border-router
2. 왜 ESP Thread Border Router/Zigbee Gateway 보드인가?
이 보드는 개발자용 저가 Border Router + Zigbee 게이트웨이 플랫폼입니다.
ESP32-H2: Thread 1.4 라디오(RCP)
ESP32-S3: OTBR 실행, Wi-Fi 로 홈 네트워크 연결
(옵션) W5500 Sub-Ethernet 보드로 유선 이더넷 지원
구조 자체가 Matter 활용까지 염두에 둔 설계
처음에는 Wi-Fi로 간단히 테스트하고,
나중에 Sub-Ethernet을 추가해 안정적인 유선 Border Router로 확장하기 좋습니다.
이미지 출처 : AI 생성
3. Matter는 무엇이고, 누가 참여하나?
이미지 출처 : https://csa-iot.org
3-1. Matter 란
Matter는 스마트홈·IoT 기기 간 상호 호환성을 높이기 위한 IP 기반 표준입니다.
서로 다른 브랜드/플랫폼의 기기가 Wi-Fi, Ethernet, Thread 같은 공통 네트워크 위에서
같은 애플리케이션 프로토콜(Matter)을 사용해 통신하도록 만드는 것이 목적입니다.
3-2. 주요 참여 기업과 생태계 규모
Matter는 **Connectivity Standards Alliance(CSA)**가 주도하며,
CSA에는 500~600개 이상의 기업이 참여하고 있습니다.
초기 Project CHIP (Connected Home over IP) 시절부터 함께한 대표 기업은:
Amazon, Apple, Google, Samsung, SmartThings
(구) Zigbee Alliance, IKEA, Huawei 등
현재 Matter를 핵심 표준으로 채택한 주요 플랫폼은:
Apple Home / HomeKit
Google Home / Nest
Amazon Alexa / Echo
Samsung SmartThings
그리고 조명·플러그·센서·도어락·가전·에너지 관련 디바이스 등으로 지원 카테고리가 계속 추가되고 있습니다. Matter 1.4 이후에는 에너지·인프라·카메라 등으로 확장 중입니다.
즉, 이미 “미래 후보”가 아니라 현실적인 기본 규격에 가까운 단계까지 성장했다고 볼 수 있습니다.
5. ESP 보드를 Matter 게이트웨이로 보는 관점
시중 고가 상용 Matter 허브는 허브 1대 가격이 꽤 높고, 커스터마이징이 제한적인 반면
ESP Thread Border Router/Zigbee Gateway 보드는 보드 가격이 저렴해
ESP 보드 + (옵션) Sub-Ethernet만으로
저가 DIY Matter 게이트웨이를 구현할 수 있고
OpenThread·ESP-IDF·Home Assistant를 조합해
라우팅·로그·업데이트 전략을 개발자 입맛대로 제어할 수 있습니다.
즉, 이 보드는 단순한 OTBR를 넘어,
기존 고가 상용 Matter 허브 의존에서 벗어나
개발자·메이커가 직접 구축하는 저가 Matter 게이트웨이 플랫폼
1. Project Overview
The article “How to build a Thread 1.4 OpenThread border router” covers the entire process of building a Thread 1.4 OpenThread Border Router (OTBR) using the ESP Thread Border Router Development Board.
Firmware build
ESP32-H2: Thread RCP firmware
ESP32-S3: Build the esp-thread-br example (OTBR)
Select Wi-Fi or Ethernet (W5500) in the configuration menu
Thread network & platform integration
Create a new Thread network or join an existing Thread network
Integrate with Home Assistant, Google Home, and SmartThings to control Matter-over-Thread devices
ESP Thread Border Router/Zigbee Gateway Board
Image source: https://www.espressif.com/
ESP Thread Border Router/Zigbee Gateway Sub-Ethernet
Image source: https://www.espressif.com/
Note: This article is a summary of Matter Alpha’s “How to build a Thread 1.4 OpenThread border router.” For full details and the latest updates, please refer to the original on Matter Alpha.
Source: https://www.matteralpha.com/how-to/how-to-build-a-thread-1-4-border-router
2. Why the ESP Thread Border Router/Zigbee Gateway Board?
This board is a low-cost border router + Zigbee gateway platform for developers.
ESP32-H2: Thread 1.4 radio (RCP)
ESP32-S3: Runs OTBR and connects to the home network via Wi-Fi
(Optional) W5500 Sub-Ethernet board for wired Ethernet support
The overall architecture is designed with future Matter use in mind
You can start with a simple Wi-Fi setup,
and later add the Sub-Ethernet board to expand it into a stable wired border router.
Image source: AI-generated
3. What is Matter, and Who is Involved?
Logo and brand asset library – CSA-IOT
Image source: https://csa-iot.org
3-1. What is Matter?
Matter is an IP-based standard designed to improve interoperability between smart home and IoT devices.
Its goal is to allow devices from different brands and platforms to communicate over common networks such as Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and Thread,
using the same application protocol (Matter).
3-2. Major Participants and Ecosystem Size
Matter is led by the Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA),
with around 500–600+ companies participating.
Representative companies that have been involved since the early Project CHIP days include:
Amazon, Apple, Google, Samsung / SmartThings
The former Zigbee Alliance, IKEA, Huawei, and others
Today, major platforms that have adopted Matter as a core standard include:
Apple Home / HomeKit
Google Home / Nest
Amazon Alexa / Echo
Samsung SmartThings
Support categories continue to grow, covering lighting, plugs, sensors, door locks, home appliances, and energy-related devices, and since Matter 1.4, it has been expanding into energy, infrastructure, and cameras as well.
In other words, Matter is no longer just a “future candidate” but has grown into something very close to a practical default standard for smart home connectivity.
5. ESP Board as a Matter Gateway
Commercial Matter hubs on the market tend to be relatively expensive per hub,
and customization is often limited.
In contrast, the ESP Thread Border Router/Zigbee Gateway Board is inexpensive, so:
With just the ESP board + (optional) Sub-Ethernet board,
you can build a low-cost DIY Matter gateway
By combining OpenThread, ESP-IDF, and Home Assistant,
you can fine-tune routing, logging, and update strategies exactly the way you want as a developer
In short, this board is more than just an OTBR:
It lets you move away from relying solely on expensive commercial Matter hubs
and instead build a low-cost, developer- and maker-friendly Matter gateway platform.
