thread border router

[richelfla]

hello

i want to create for the need of my project a thread border router as simple and compact as possible.

i have seen the implementation using a raspberry pi 3B as the host processor and a nrf52840DK as ncp linked by  a spinel.  but i think a raspberry pi is too performant for my application.

in fact, i will not run any specific application on the host processor, i just want to enable the basics functions of the thread BR(Border Router).

can i just use a processor or a microcontroller running a RTOS instead of the raspberry pi? if it's,  what should be the minimal requirements for that processor in terms of power, frequency, RAM, ...?

is it possible to put a RF module based on nrf52840 and a processor on the same board in order to implement a BR?

[Edvin]

Hello,

This depends on what you want to do with your border router. Are you sure that a border router is what you are looking for at all?

Typically, the border router is the link between your openthread network and the internet, assigning IP addresses, and forwarding packets to and from your thread devices to the great big internet. 

Is that what you need? 

That would not be possible with the nRF52840, because it doesn't have WiFi or Ethernet.

If you are talking about a thread Leader, then all nodes can be the thread leader, making it possible to maintain the network without connecting it to the internet.

BR,

Edvin

[richelfla]

it's really a border router that i want. i've forgotten to say that i have a master card with wifi connection on which i want to plug the child board i have described.

[Edvin]

I see,

In that case, you should look into the NCP example from thread (the one that is usually connected to the border router). 

The border router repository that we use is found here. There are some parts missing, the NFC Daemon (which is not our property). 

Other than that (the repo) I don't know much in detail on how the border router works. You would need your wifi chip to do what the border router does today. 

The NCP use a standardized protocol. I suggest that you look into Openthread's border router repository and documentation.

[richelfla]

don't you have some ideas about host processors or microcontrollers that i can use?