Matter: The Future of Smart Home Protocols

Imagine you have a smart home setup with various devices from different manufacturers. You’ve invested in a smart thermostat, security cameras, smart lights, and a voice assistant. However, each product is certified for a different smart home system—your thermostat works with Google Assistant, your cameras with Apple Home, and your lights with Philips. In essence, none of these devices and networks can “talk” to each other to work as a functioning smart home system. You're left juggling multiple apps and facing compatibility issues that complicate your smart home experience.

As shown above, the growing number of smart home control systems created various problems for consumers and smart device manufacturers who wanted their products certified for each individual smart home system. Recognizing these issues, the Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA) sought to create a unified solution: Matter.

Matter (formerly known as Project CHIP) is the smart home connectivity standard created by the Connectivity Standards Alliance (formerly the Zigbee Alliance). Matter aims to resolve connectivity issues among smart home devices to create a unified and secure protocol that can work seamlessly across different platforms and ecosystems. This means that with Matter, smart home devices can be controlled by a single system, regardless of the manufacturer.

Matter was officially launched in October 2022, with 190 devices certified at the time. With each update release, more and more devices become certified, adding to a quickly expanding product line. Major technology players such as Apple, Amazon, Google, Samsung, SmartThings, and Philips have all adopted the Matter protocol, joining a network of around 550 companies. Industry leaders predict Matter will become the benchmark for smart home connectivity in the coming years.

Matter leverages an open-source software development kit (SDK) using contributions and technologies from smart home industry leaders such as Google, Amazon, and the Connectivity Standards Alliance. To have their products certified with Matter, device manufacturers must incorporate and adopt the royalty-free development kit. This streamlines the certification process of devices that previously would have needed individual certification for multiple smart home platforms.

Additionally, the Matter protocol utilizes innovative, advanced networking technologies for robust connectivity. Matter is IP (Internet Protocol) based and runs on Thread and Wi-Fi networks for wireless control.

A Thread network is a low-power, wireless mesh networking protocol designed specifically to seamlessly interconnect IoT (Internet of Things) devices. In a Thread mesh network, IP-based devices communicate directly with each other, eliminating the need for a central hub. In other words, think of Matter as the language that devices use to speak to each other, and the Thread network as the means of communication.

Devices in a mesh network can relay messages to and from each other, even if some devices are out of range of the controller. When a device wants to send a message to a device that is not within its range, it sends the message to the nearest connected device, which then passes it along the network until it reaches the intended recipient. This makes mesh networks run faster and ensures there is no single point of failure. Also, even if your internet goes down, mesh networks will still continue to work. Low-bandwidth Matter devices utilize Thread mesh networks to create a secure, interconnected smart home environment.

With Matter, home automation and control have never been simpler. The Matter smart home standard has several major benefits for smart homes:

• Interoperability: The main benefit of Matter is increased interoperability among IoT devices. Device manufacturers can certify their products to one standard and be assured that their products will function properly on all certified smart home control systems. 
• Local control: With the Matter protocol, multiple smart home control systems can control the same device, resulting in streamlined local control. For example, if you have both an Apple and Amazon smart system in your home, you can ask Siri to turn on a light and have Alexa turn it off or dim it. 
• Simplified setup: Matter simplifies setting up and configuring smart home devices. Their unified protocol can discover and configure devices automatically without separate complex setup procedures.
• Increased security: The Matter protocol offers security and reliability with end-to-end encryption, support for secure boot and firmware updates, and strict security requirements that help prevent hacking and protect user data. These security features help to protect smart home devices and prevent them from being compromised by hackers.
• Future-proofing: Developers built the Matter protocol to be forward-compatible. It should support new smart home devices and features as they develop, helping ensure that smart homes remain up-to-date and can take advantage of new technologies as they become available.
• Easier shopping: Centralized control makes purchasing and using smart home devices easier—all you need to do is shop for products that are Matter-certified.

Smart devices cover a wide range of appliances, fixtures, and controls in a home. The exact functions you have control over will depend on the device, the Matter-certified controller you have, and the capabilities of the current Matter software version. As new technologies are developed, the functionality of Matter-connected devices is estimated to become increasingly robust.

The Matter protocol is compatible with a wide range of industries and products to create a fully functional smart home environment. Each new software update release adds new groups of devices. The current list of matter-certified products includes, but is not limited to, the following:

• Smart light bulbs
• Smart plugs
• Smart locks
• Smart speaker
• TVs
• Door locks
• Smart blinds and shades
• Thermostats
• Refrigerators
• Air conditioners
• Dishwashers
• Vehicle chargers
• Microwaves
• Ovens
• Cooktops

When shopping for smart devices for your home, make sure to look for the Matter certification. This will ensure maximum compatibility of your devices regardless of your home network setup now or in the future. In order to create your smart home ecosystem, you will need a Matter-certified controller. Any Matter controller can control a network of other Matter-certified devices, no matter which brand. This means you can choose the assistant or app you are most comfortable with to serve as the central control. 

We offer a Matter smart plug that offers control over most plug-in electronic devices. This is a great first step for those who wish to create a smart home environment but want to continue using their current non-smart home products, such as LED light fixtures and small appliances.

New technological advances continue to pave the way for more sophisticated smart home ecosystems. As more manufacturers adopt the Matter standard, consumers will enjoy a more seamless and integrated smart home experience. Additionally, the ongoing development and expansion of the Matter protocol will likely lead to the inclusion of new device types and capabilities. This unified approach promises a future where smart homes are more accessible, reliable, and secure for everyone.