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The “Matter” ecosystem for home-connected devices and appliances continues to grow as OEMs now have more options for SoCs and system boards with WiFi 6, BL 5.3, and Thread (IEEE 802.15.4). Also, the new Matter 1.2 version is prepared to roll out, including video support.
Matter 1.2 will be the protocol’s second update, formally launched in December 2022. The first revision, Matter 1.1, was released in May, and it was mostly a maintenance update and bug fixing. It enhanced support for a category of devices that apply to many smart home products — Intermittent Connected Devices (ICDs), commonly called “sleepy devices.”
The working group has been working on support for robotic vacuum cleaners, ambient motion and presence sensing, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, environmental sensing, and controls, closure sensors, energy management, WiFi access points, cameras, and major appliances.
Matter 1.2 will not offer significant new features but enables support for video devices, especially surveillance cameras, necessary for connected security systems and monitoring devices.
Most major manufacturers are launching Matter controllers, appliances, and applications
The Matter standard provides a simple platform and design for smart home devices. It only supports a few types of devices, and only specific features are available for each of those types — depending on which platform you operate on, you may have access to better features on top of the Matter integration.
Matter now has a number of devices you can actually buy, from smart speakers to smart TVs, and a series of appliances such as coffee makers, light bulbs, thermostats, and security systems — a huge achievement in less than a year. There is also a complete rollout of support on the major platforms, including Google, Apple, Samsung, and Amazon.
Every major smart home platform has updated its existing hubs and smart speakers to make them Matter controllers. A device that is always in your home, always powered, and has a WiFi or ethernet connection to your home network is required as a Matter controller. A smartphone won’t work as a Matter controller.
Once a device is enrolled in one platform, users can add it to other apps and platforms using Matter’s multi-admin feature. The process of sharing is similar to onboarding, but you don’t have to have the device in hand.
New chipsets and services offer advanced security and many other features
NXP, as a Matter founding partner, is one of the first semiconductor manufacturers to have been granted trusted Product Attestation Authority status by the CSA, with its EdgeLock 2GO service providing a flexible platform for securely provisioning IoT devices. EdgeLock 2GO, combined with EdgeLock SE051H, can pre-inject credentials directly into silicon at silicon manufacturing or can deliver the credentials securely over-the-air (OTA) with end-to-end security to simplify supply chain management and in compliance with the Matter standard.
Texas Instruments offers its SimpleLink portfolio, a series of chips with high-quality wireless hardware and software and ultra-low power capabilities for Matter-enabled devices running on Thread. The SOCs feature Arm Cortex MCUs supporting 2.4 GHz WiFi, BlueTooth 5.2 Low Energy, Thread, and Zigbee 3.0.
Infineon, another Matter founder, offers its AIROC WiFi & combos portfolio, integrating IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax WiFi and Bluetooth 5.2 in a single-chip solution to enable small-form-factor IoT designs. The SOCs include on-chip MCUs, memory, and the networking protocols required for customers to create their applications easily.
(Courtesy of Nordic Semiconductor)
Nordic Semiconductor, a Norwegian fabless semiconductor company specializing in wireless communication technology, launched its nRF54H20, the first SoC in the nRF54H Series. It is a compact ultra-low power SoC with superior processing power, a generous amount of memory, and excellent efficiency. It has a new best-in-class multiprotocol radio and state-of-the-art security features. Its unique combination of features, all integrated into a compact SoC, will enable developers to build innovative IoT products that haven’t been possible before.
A growing ecosystem for the future of the smart home
With its upcoming version 1.2, the Matter smart home protocol represents a significant advancement in the realm of connected home devices and appliances. The growing ecosystem surrounding Matter, which includes a wide range of compatible hardware components and the support of major manufacturers, underscores its importance in shaping the future of smart homes.
Moreover, the Matter standard serves as a unifying language for smart home devices, bridging the gap between various platforms and applications. The multi-admin feature simplifies device management and integration across different apps and platforms, making it easier for users to customize their smart homes.
The availability of advanced chipsets and services from companies like NXP, Texas Instruments, Infineon, and Nordic Semiconductor further bolsters Matter-enabled devices’ security, functionality, and power efficiency. These innovations enhance the user experience and offer the potential for developing innovative IoT products.
Matter and its growing ecosystem are pivotal in shaping tomorrow’s smart homes. With its commitment to interoperability, security, and expanding device support, Matter continues to lay the foundation for a more connected, efficient, and user-friendly home environment. As more manufacturers adopt the Matter standard and new devices and applications emerge, the future of smart homes looks promising and increasingly accessible to a broader range of consumers.
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