Build and Run a Thread Example

This section demonstrates how to build a Thread example (like OpenThread CLI) with the nRF5 SDK for Thread and run it.

Before you start building, remember to set up the Thread development environment first. See Setup the Thread SDK for details.

Building OpenThread CLI

You can find the source code and the project file of OpenThread CLI in the following folder: pitaya-go/examples/openthread/cli.

Navigate to the directory with the OpenThread Full Thread Device (FTD) CLI Makefile:

cd ./pitaya-go/examples/openthread/cli/ftd/armgcc

Run make to build the example:

make

Programming OpenThread CLI

If compiled successfully, the firmware is located in openthread/cli/ftd/armgcc/_build with the name nrf52840_xxaa.hex.

While pushing the USER button, press the RESET button to enter the DFU (Device Firmware Update) mode. Then program the firmware using the nRF Connect for Desktop tool.

Tip

See Programming section for details about how to program your Pitaya Go.

Testing

Perform the following steps to test the OpenThread CLI:

1. Run a terminal application like PuTTY or screen:

   screen /dev/cu.usbmodemD2E39D222D781 115200
   

2. Press Enter on the keyboard to bring up the OpenThread CLI > prompt.

3. Generate, view, and commit a new Active Operational Dataset:

   > dataset init new
   Done
   > dataset
   Active Timestamp: 1
   Channel: 24
   Channel Mask: 07fff800
   Ext PAN ID: 57a7486ff74c8538
   Mesh Local Prefix: fda9:4820:7a9c:66ba/64
   Master Key: aa8da3931ffcbcb26c8b4b7c9b4114c1
   Network Name: OpenThread-4d92
   PAN ID: 0x4d92
   PSKc: 22537a67d4040e34848d6d82ca2c313c
   Security Policy: 0, onrcb
   Done
   > dataset commit active
   Done
   

4. Bring up the IPv6 interface:

   > ifconfig up
   Done
   

5. Start Thread protocol operation. Observe that the GREEN LED is lit.

   > thread start
   Done
   

6. Wait a few seconds and verify that the device has become a Thread Leader:

   > state
   leader
   Done
   

7. View IPv6 addresses assigned to the Thread interface:

   > ipaddr
   fda9:4820:7a9c:66ba:0:ff:fe00:fc00
   fda9:4820:7a9c:66ba:0:ff:fe00:8800
   fda9:4820:7a9c:66ba:4d7b:9ef4:cbdf:8cd3
   fe80:0:0:0:3c1d:5115:ccc5:6ba7
   Done
   

Next Steps

• Check out more OpenThread examples.

• Build an OpenThread Border Router with Raspberry Pi

• Visualize Thread Network Topology

• Build an OpenThread Network Sniffer to sniff packets on a Thread network.

Create an Issue

Interested in contributing to this project? Want to report a bug? Feel free to click here:

Create an Issue