Matter (standard)

Last updated

Matter
Matter smart home connectivity standard
Logo of Matter connectivity standard.svg
StatusPublished [1]
Year startedDecember 18, 2019;4 years ago (2019-12-18)
First publishedOctober 4, 2022;19 months ago (2022-10-04)
Latest version1.3
5 May 2024
Committee
AuthorsThe connectivity standards alliance and open source contributors
Base standards Internet Protocol (IP)
Related standards Zigbee, Z-Wave, Thread, Wi-Fi, Aliro
Domain
LicenseProprietary, by certification. Code and documentation published under the Apache License.
Website csa-iot.org/all-solutions/matter/ OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg

Matter is a freely available connectivity standard for smart home and IoT (Internet of Things) devices. [2] [3] [4] It aims to improve interoperability and compatibility between different manufacturer and security, and always allowing local control as an option. [5] [6] [7]

Contents

The standard is royalty-free, [8] though developers and manufacturers incur certification costs. [9] It originated in December 2019 as the "Project Connected Home over IP" (or "CHIP" for short) working group, founded by Amazon, Apple, Google and the Zigbee Alliance, now called the Connectivity Standards Alliance. [3] [5] Subsequent members include IKEA, Huawei, and Schneider. [10] [11] Version 1.0 of the specification was published on 4 October 2022. [1] [12] [13] The Matter software development kit is open-source under the Apache License. [14]

Matter-compatible software updates for many existing hubs became available in late 2022, [15] [16] [17] with Matter-enabled devices and software updates expected to be released during 2023.[ needs update ] [18]

Background

In December 2019, Amazon, Apple, Google, Samsung SmartThings and the Zigbee Alliance announced the collaboration and formation of the working group of Project Connected Home over IP. The goal of the project is to simplify development for smart home product brands and manufacturers while increasing the compatibility of the products for consumers. [19] [20]

The standard operates on Internet Protocol (IP) and functions via one or more "controllers" that connect and manage devices within your local network, eliminating the need for multiple proprietary hubs. Matter-certified products are engineered to operate locally and do not depend on an internet connection for their core functions. [21] Leveraging IPv6 addressing, [22] the standard facilitates seamless communication with cloud services. Its goal is to facilitate interoperability among smart home devices, mobile apps, and cloud services, employing a specific suite of IP-based networking technologies such as mDNS and IPv6. [23] By adhering to a network design that operates at the Application Layer of the OSI 7 layer model, Matter differs from protocols like Zigbee or Z-Wave and theoretically can function on any IPv6-enabled network. Presently, official support is limited to Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and the wireless mesh network Thread. [24]

Versions

Updates to the standard are planned to occur biannually. [25]

For future versions, the working group has been working on support for ambient motion and presence sensing, environmental sensing and controls, closure sensors, energy management, Wi-Fi access points, cameras, and major appliances. [25]

Supported devices

The Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA) maintains the official list of Matter certified products and restricts use of the Matter logo to certified devices. This list is available on the CSA's Certified Products Search. Matter product certification is also stored on the CSA's Distributed Compliance Ledger (DCL), [30] which publishes attestation information about certified devices.

Supported ecosystems and hubs

CompanyPlatformsDevice typesHub(s)
Google Android, Wear OS, iOS, iPadOSBridges, lights, locks, outlets, sensors (contact, flow, humidity, illuminance, motion, occupancy, pressure, & temperature), speakers, thermostats, and window coverings (except tilting) [31]
Samsung Android, Wear OS, iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, WindowsBridges, lights, locks, outlets, sensors (contact & motion), televisions, thermostats, and window coverings [34] [35]
  • Samsung SmartThings Hub v2 [36] [37]
  • Samsung Family Hub refrigerator (2017 and newer, can add Thread with a dongle)
  • Samsung Smart Monitors 2022 models
  • Samsung smart TVs 2022 models
  • Aeotec SmartThings Smart Home Hub*
  • Samsung SmartThings Station*
  • Samsung SmartThings Hub Dongle*
  • Samsung SmartThings Hub v3*
  • Samsung Smart TVs CU8000 and CU7000 (2023)*
  • Samsung MicroLED TV MNA89MS1BA (2023)*
  • Samsung Smart Monitor M80C (2023)*
  • Samsung Soundbar HW-Q990C (2023)*
  • Samsung NEO QLED 8k and 4K (2023)*
  • Family Hub refrigerator, model numbers RF29CB9900QKAA (US), RF23CB9900QKAA (US), RF85C9581APW (Korea)*
Apple iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOSAir conditioners, bridges, lights, locks, outlets, switches, blinds & shades, sensors (motion, ambient light, contact, temperature, and humidity), thermostats, and window coverings [38]
Amazon Android, iOS, iPadOSLights, locks, outlets, switches, sensors (contact), thermostats, and window coverings [39]
  • Amazon Echo smart speakers, Echo Pop, Echo Dot, and Echo Dot with Clock (third-gen and newer)
  • Echo Studio
  • Echo Show 5 and Echo Show 8 (second-gen and newer)
  • Echo Show 10 (third-gen)
  • Echo Input, Flex, and Plus (v2)
  • Echo (4th-gen)*
  • Eero Pro 6E, Pro 6, 6 Plus, 6, PoE 6, and PoE Gateway*
  • Echo Show 8 (third-gen)*
  • Eero Max 7*

* = Includes Thread support

Benefits

The primary goal of Matter is to improve interoperability for the current smart home ecosystem. The CSA and its members aim for the Matter logo to become ubiqituous and for consumers to instantly recognise it as a smart home device that will "just work". [40]

There are numerous other benefits that Matter brings when compared to the current smart home ecosystem:

See also

Related Research Articles

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The Internet of things (IoT) describes devices with sensors, processing ability, software and other technologies that connect and exchange data with other devices and systems over the Internet or other communications networks. The Internet of things encompasses electronics, communication, and computer science engineering. "Internet of things" has been considered a misnomer because devices do not need to be connected to the public internet; they only need to be connected to a network and be individually addressable.

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References

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Further reading