Voice over Thread

[Albert]

Hi,

I have a newbie question. Is it possible to implement a POTS voice quality like an intercom system using Thread (assuming all the end points are using nrf52840 SOC)?.

Thank you.

[ovrebekk]

Hi Albert

It depends on the data rate you need, as thread is not really designed for streaming applications.

Theoretically you should be able to go up to about 128kbps between two thread nodes, but once you need to do multi hopping that drops by a factor of 2 or more.
Secondly, we have yet to do any bench marking of our own implementation, so we can not guarantee at this point that the practice will meet the theory ;)

In other words I am a bit uncertain if thread is suitable for reliable audio transfer.

Best regards
Torbjørn

[Albert]

Thanks for the answer. May I know the following which I could not find doing web search.

1. is the 250kb throughput dropped by half for every hop.
2. is the 250kb duplex or simplex speed,?
3. what's the max hop support by thread?

Regards, Albert.

[ovrebekk]

Hi Albert

1. 250kbps is the on-air bitrate, not the data throughput. In a wireless system the throughput will always be lower than the on-air bitrate, which is why it is approximately 128kbps for thread. I was told the first additional hop would reduce the throughput by a factor of 2, and that additional hops would reduce the throughput a bit more (but not by a factor of 2 for each one).

2. Like most RF systems thread is simplex, you can only transmit one way at any one time.

3. The maximum number of router hops is 16. If you include a child node at each end you could get 17 hops in total.

Best regards
Torbjørn

[Albert]

Hi Torbjørn,

Thanks of all the answers.

Regards, Albert.

[ovrebekk]

Hi Albert

I am happy to help :)
Feel free to accept my answer if you consider the case closed.