First determine the root cause and then correct the issue.

Identify root cause

Proceed as follows in the event of failure or performance issues on the Thread network:

  1. Check the heartbeat interval of the SEDs:
    Check whether the SEDs are in sleep mode. To save energy, battery powered end devices are in sleep mode most of the time. Even if they wake up every 10 minutes to measure values, they do not always send them to the superposed system. If the values do not change, the SEDs go back to sleep mode, without sending data.
  2. Check if the SEDs are connected and registered at the TBR.
    SEDs and TBR must be paired and have the correct credentials (on both ends).
  3. Check the SED battery status:
    Replace the battery if drained.
  4. Check TBR or TME status:
    Check that the TBR or TME devices are connected to the mains supply and turned on. Also check the network cable on the TBR and the IP settings for the local network.
  5. Check the signal strength between SEDs and TMEs or TBRs:
    Reliable communication is not possible if the signal strength is too weak. Weak signal strength may be caused by obstacles, poor mounting position, crowded areas, signal interference or other reasons. Use the Siemens Thread range testing app to test signal strength. For more information on the Siemens Thread range testing app, see 'Related documentation'.
  6. Check for signal interference:
    Other wireless signals may interfere with Thread wireless communication, including WLAN networks, Zigbee networks, Thread networks, mobile networks, or other electronic devices, such as microwaves.
  7. Check whether operations have changed over time:
    Operational conditions may change over time. For example, everything works perfectly after mounting a wireless system in a new building and the SAT, but then starts to deteriorate once the building is operational: Furniture, such as shelves, may be added, vending machines or fridges, may be installed, more people in the building cause interference with their body and mobile devices, open doors may be closed, shelves filled with more goods, etc. All these changes may deteriorate signal quality or interfere with the wireless signals.

Measures to improve system performance or fixing root cause

  1. Adapt the mounting location of SEDs, TMEs or TBRs:
    Slight changes in the mounting location of wireless devices can significantly improve the wireless signal strength (clear line of sight is the key).
  2. Change location or remove obstacles:
    Obstacles, such as vending machines, cause interference. Changing the location or removing the obstacle may help to improve signal strength.
  3. Optimize the WLAN network:
    WLAN network infrastructures may be quite chaotic. Optimizing WLAN networks by managing the WLAN channels on 2.4 GHz band or even moving some WLAN networks to the 5 GHz band frees up bandwidth for Thread wireless networks (more bandwidth means more data).
  4. Optimize Thread channel selection:
    By default, the wireless Thread system uses Thread channel 26. However, in certain applications this channel might be already blocked by other wireless systems. Change the Thread network channel in this case.
  5. Install additional TBR or TME devices:
    Install additional TBR or TME devices to create a more powerful Thread mesh network.

Contact our global support team if you are unable to troubleshoot network performance.