Avnet Silica’s technology specialist wireless & mobility, Walter Puhl, discusses the impact of Matter on interoperability and security for smart environments.
In today’s world, where seamless connectivity and ease of use are paramount, the smart home concept has swiftly transitioned from an interesting idea to a living reality. However, the journey to a fully integrated smart home is often hindered by the challenge of device compatibility.
The Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA), formerly the Zigbee Alliance, has been at the forefront of addressing the complexities and barriers hindering the evolution of the Internet of Things (IoT). With a mission to streamline IoT adoption and foster innovation through open standards, the CSA has played a
pivotal role in enabling all devices to connect and communicate with each other securely. The introduction of Dotdot in 2019 marked a significant milestone,
laying the groundwork for the Matter standard, which promises to unify the smart home ecosystem.
Leading companies like Amazon, Google, Samsung and Apple, plus chip suppliers like Nordic Semiconductor, NXP Semiconductors and STMicroelectronics among others, drive the CSA’s efforts. The alliance’s commitment to developing and certifying standards has attracted over 6,100 members from 600 companies, underscoring the industry’s collective push towards interoperability and security.
At its core, Matter aims to eliminate compatibility headaches that have plagued smart home enthusiasts. By establishing a universal IP-based standard, Matter ensures devices from different manufacturers can work together seamlessly, fostering a more integrated and user-friendly smart home environment. This is supported by leveraging existing network technologies such as Wi-Fi, Ethernet and Thread, allowing effortless integration into existing home networks.
Matter’s IP-based nature facilitates a common application layer that simplifies the development of interoperable smart devices. This standard supports a range of device types, including lighting, HVAC controls, smart TVs and security systems, with the potential to expand into areas like healthcare and cities. By using familiar networking protocols and requiring minimal hardware resources, Matter paves the way for a more accessible and scalable smart home ecosystem.
In an age where privacy and digital security are crucial, Matter incorporates robust encryption and authentication mechanisms to protect user data. The standard’s emphasis on security, demonstrated through comprehensive cybersecurity requirements and the use of device attestation certificates, instils confidence in consumers and strengthens overall trust in smart home technology.
One component of security is device attestation which, in the Matter standard, requires that every device type has a device attestation certificate (DAC). This certification requires a Product Attestation Authority (PAA), which provides attestation services to Matter devices to confirm that each DAC is valid and meets the requirements of the Matter specification.
Attestation uses a public key infrastructure (PKI) that uses Root Certificate Authorities and Product Intermediate Certificates. This process is referred to as the Device Attestation Certificate Chain. During a product’s development and testing phases, the manufacturer can test the device without the full attestation process. However, once the device is in production, all attestation requirements are enforced.
Avnet Silica stands at the forefront of the Matter revolution, offering semiconductor solutions that align with Matter’s standards. Through collaborations with industry leaders like Nordic Semiconductor, NXP Semiconductors and STMicroelectronics, Avnet Silica facilitates the development and deployment of Matter-compliant devices, ensuring security and interoperability.
Nordic Semiconductor, one of the first firms to earn a Thread 1.3 certification badge, provides this badge to its customers for Thread devices and is required for Matter-over-Thread product developments. In addition, the manufacturer’s status as a major contributor to the OpenThread stack, combined with its knowledge and experience with Bluetooth LE, makes it a perfect partner for developing new applications. For example, the nRF54H20 SoC features a multiprotocol radio that supports Bluetooth LE, LE Audio, Bluetooth mesh, Thread and Matter. The nRF54L15 is Nordic Semiconductor’s next-generation multiprotocol SoC with advanced security capabilities.
NXP Semiconductors offers scalable, modular and secure platforms to support Matter’s broad use cases, ranging from end nodes to gateways, allowing device manufacturers to focus on product innovation and accelerating time to market. The NXP i.MX Linux board support package (BSP), for example, includes Matter, Thread and Border Router through a Yocto cross-compile recipe that is compatible with all NXP devices (i.MX 9, i.MX 8, and i.MX 6). These MPUs can be ideally combined with WiFi Chips eg IW612 or RW612 supporting three radios and modules using these wireless chips. In addition, EdgeLock 2GO is Matter’s CSA-approved PPA device attestation certificate issuer.
Many IoT devices that support Zigbee will likely now start to include Matter. Therefore, supporting this type of dual architecture requires a solution that can bridge communication between Matter-based and Zigbee-based devices. The bridge device often combines high-performance MCUs with Ethernet capabilities to connect the IoT device to the cloud. The dual-core STM32H7 MCU from STMicroelectronics has the necessary characteristics to do this function, as it can integrate the Matter layer and translate it into the Zigbee protocol, and vice versa. The STM32WB wireless MCU, on the other hand, is suitable for Matter networks because it can run Thread and Bluetooth LE concurrently, allowing for device commissioning. STMicroelectronics enables design engineers to see these MCUs’ capabilities through two example projects. The first shows how to build a Matter to no-Matter technology bridge using the STM32H7, while the second illustrates a Matter device over Thread and a gateway in radio co-processor (RCP) mode developed on the STM32WB.
Recognising the importance of backward compatibility, Matter also focuses on integrating legacy products into the new ecosystem, thereby extending their functionality and lifespan. The recent release of Matter 1.2 introduces support for additional device types and emphasises energy management, showcasing Matter’s potential to not only enhance smart homes but also contribute to energy efficiency and sustainability.
Many countries are uncertain about their future energy requirements and how to cut consumption. Connected technology, like Matter, could prove invaluable in resolving both these issues. As more gadgets become digitalised or electrified, energy demand may initially rise, but with better sensors, we may be able to detect when a room is unoccupied and switch off the lights and reduce the amount of heat or cooling required. There are numerous other use cases that can be implemented with a focus on energy management.