Introduction

This application note evaluates the performance of a Thread network using the OpenThread stack through a series of controlled experiments. The study analyzed network behavior under differing operating conditions and traffic patterns, with a focus on key performance metrics such as latency, round-trip time, throughput, and Packet Error Rate (PER).

The experiments assess network performance across varying payload sizes, node distances, network joining time and multi-hop routing scenarios. Particular emphasis is placed on network stability during extended operation, child device commissioning and attachment, and the ability of the mesh topology to sustain reliable communication as the network grows.

The results show that the Thread protocol maintains a stable balance between throughput and latency across different payload sizes and transmission conditions. Even in large-scale, multi-hop deployments, the protocol effectively manages routing, congestion, and retransmissions. These results demonstrate the robustness of the mesh architecture and its ability to deliver reliable, predictable communication performance.