SmartHomeShop Docs

Connect via Thread

Pre-release documentation. WallSense has not been officially released yet. Design, specifications and firmware can still change before release. See smarthomeshop.io/wallsense for the current plans.

WallSense uses an ESP32-C6, which has a built-in Thread radio. With the Thread firmware it joins your existing Thread network and talks to Home Assistant over IPv6 through your Thread border router, with no WiFi and no Ethernet cable.

The Thread firmware will follow with release firmware. This page explains how it works and what you need. We add the configuration to install here at release.

Local only. The Thread firmware connects to Home Assistant directly and does not include the SmartHomeShop cloud. The SmartHomeShop app goes with the WiFi or Ethernet firmware.

Why Thread

  • No WiFi and no Ethernet cable. All you need at the WallSense location is power.
  • A stronger Thread network. WallSense is always powered and runs as a full Thread device, so it can pass on messages from other Thread devices.

What You Need

Requirement Notes
Thread border router For example Home Assistant with a Home Assistant Connect ZBT-1 / SkyConnect, or another OpenThread border router already set up.
An existing Thread network Visible under Settings > Devices & services > Thread in Home Assistant.
ESPHome Device Builder The ESPHome Device Builder app in Home Assistant, or a standalone ESPHome installation.
USB-C cable The first installation happens over USB-C, before WallSense goes into the wall.
Power in the wall 110 to 240 V mains, connected by a qualified installer. If an Ethernet cable is already in place, choose Ethernet with PoE.

Good to Know Before You Start

  • No SmartHomeShop cloud over Thread. The cloud and the SmartHomeShop app go with the WiFi and Ethernet firmware.
  • No setup network. The WiFi setup network does not exist in the Thread firmware. You put your network details in the firmware beforehand. If WallSense cannot join your Thread network, reflash it over USB-C.
  • Updates go through the ESPHome Device Builder. OTA over Thread works but is noticeably slower than WiFi.
  • The same entities, except the WiFi ones. You get the same sensors, radars, touch and LEDs as with the WiFi firmware. Only WiFi Signal, WiFi IP Address, Connected SSID and Connected BSSID are gone.
  • The radars go easy on your network. Presence comes through right away. Position, distance and the other radar values go to Home Assistant at most once per second per entity.

Step 1: Copy Your Thread Dataset

  1. In Home Assistant go to Settings > Devices & services > Thread.
  2. Click Configure (cogwheel).
  3. Click the information icon next to your preferred network.
  4. Copy the Active dataset TLVs string. This is what WallSense needs to join your network.

Step 2: Create the Device in the ESPHome Device Builder

  1. Open the ESPHome Device Builder and choose New device.
  2. Give it a name and skip the installation step for now.
  3. Open Edit on the new device and replace the YAML with the Thread configuration we add to this page at release.
  4. Paste your dataset TLVs from step 1 into thread_dataset:
substitutions:
  thread_dataset: "PASTE_YOUR_ACTIVE_DATASET_TLVS_HERE"

Step 3: First Installation over USB-C

Do this at a table, before WallSense goes into the wall. USB-C supplies enough power to flash, so you do not need PoE or mains for this.

Note: Never connect USB-C while WallSense is connected to mains. If WallSense is already in the wall, have a qualified installer disconnect it first.

  1. Connect WallSense with USB-C to the machine running the Device Builder. Connect nothing else.
  2. Choose Install > Plug into this computer and wait for the build and flash to finish.
  3. After booting, WallSense joins your Thread network. In the logs you should see OpenThread come up and an IPv6 address appear.

Step 4: Add It to Home Assistant

WallSense announces itself like any other ESPHome device. Home Assistant discovers it automatically under Settings > Devices & services > ESPHome. Check that the entities come in before you continue.

Step 5: Install WallSense

Follow the Installation guide. As soon as WallSense gets power, it joins your Thread network by itself and comes online in Home Assistant.

Switching Back to WiFi or Ethernet

Flash the WiFi or Ethernet firmware over USB-C. If WallSense is already in the wall, take it out first.

Troubleshooting

Problem Check
WallSense does not join the network Is thread_dataset the complete Active dataset TLVs string? Is your border router online?
Joins at the table, not in the wall Brick and concrete weaken the signal. Move your border router or another permanently powered Thread device closer.
Not discovered by Home Assistant Home Assistant and the border router must be on the same network. Check that the ESPHome integration is installed.
OTA update very slow Normal over Thread. Let the update finish.
Unreachable after a bad configuration Reflash over USB-C, this variant has no setup network.

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