Matter (standard) explained

Matter
Long Name:	Matter smart home connectivity standard
Status:	Published
Version:	1.3
Version Date:	5 May 2024
Base Standards:	Internet Protocol (IP)
Related Standards:	Zigbee, Z-Wave, Thread, Wi-Fi, Aliro
License:	Proprietary, by certification. Code and documentation published under the Apache License.
Authors:	The connectivity standards alliance and open source contributors

Matter is a freely available connectivity standard for smart home and IoT (Internet of Things) devices.^[1] It aims to improve interoperability and compatibility between different manufacturers and security, and always allowing local control as an option.^{[2] [3] [4]}

Matter 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 (CSA).^[2] Subsequent members include IKEA, Huawei, and Schneider. Version 1.0 of the specification was published on 4 October 2022. The Matter software development kit is open-source under the Apache License.

A software development kit (SDK) is provided royalty-free,^[5] though the ability to commission a finished product into a Matter network in the field mandates certification and membership fees,^{[6] [7]} entailing both one-time, recurring, and per-product costs.^[8] This is enforced using a public key infrastructure (PKI) and so-called device attestation certificates.

Matter-compatible software updates for many existing hubs became available in late 2022, with Matter-enabled devices and software updates starting to release in 2023.

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.

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.^[9] Leveraging IPv6 addressing,^[10] 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.^[11] 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.^[12]

Versions

Updates to the standard are planned to occur biannually.

• Version 1.0 of the specification was published on 4 October 2022.^[13] It introduced support for lighting products (such as mains power plugs, electric lights and switches), door locks, thermostats and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning controllers, blinds and shades, home security sensors (such as door, window and motion sensors), and televisions and streaming video players.^[14]
• Version 1.1 of the specification was published on 18 May 2023. Although a new version, it did not include any new categories, only bug fixes and enhancements to existing SDK, API and devices.^[15]
• Version 1.2 of the specification was published on 23 October 2023. This version added nine new device types (refrigerators, portable air conditioners, dishwashers, laundry washers, robotic vacuum cleaners, smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, air quality sensors, air purifiers, and fans). It also provides revisions and additions to existing categories, improvements to the specification and SDK, and certification and testing tools.^[16]
• Version 1.3 of the specification was published on 8 May 2024. This version added support for water and energy management devices as well as appliance support for microwave ovens, ovens, cooktops, extractor hoods, laundry dryers, and Matter-casting media players. Scenes and command-batching were also added.^[17]

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.

Supported devices

CSA maintains the official list of Matter-certified products, and restricts use of the Matter logo to certified devices. Matter product certification is also stored on the CSA's Distributed Compliance Ledger (DCL),^[18] which publishes attestation information about certified devices.

Supported ecosystems and hubs

!Company!Platforms!Device types!Hub(s)

Google	Android, Wear OS, iOS, iPadOS	Bridges, lights, locks, outlets, sensors (contact, flow, humidity, illuminance, motion, occupancy, pressure, & temperature), speakers, thermostats, and window coverings (except tilting)^[19]	Chromecast with Google TV (4K)^[20] Google Home speaker^[21] ^[22] Google Home mini Google TV Streamer* Nest Mini Nest Audio Nest Hub (first-gen) Nest Hub (second-gen)* Nest Hub Max* Nest Wifi Pro*
Samsung	Android, Wear OS, iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, Windows	Bridges, lights, locks, outlets, sensors (contact & motion), televisions, thermostats, and window coverings^[23] ^[24]	Samsung SmartThings Hub v2^[25] ^[26] 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, tvOS, watchOS	Air conditioners, bridges, lights, locks, outlets, switches, blinds & shades, sensors (motion, ambient light, contact, temperature, and humidity), thermostats, and window coverings^[27]	Apple HomePod (first-gen) Apple HomePod (second-gen)* Apple HomePod Mini* Apple TV 4K (2021 version)* Apple TV 4K Wi-Fi (2022 version) Apple TV 4K Wi-Fi + Ethernet (2022 version)*
Amazon	Android, iOS, iPadOS	Lights, locks, outlets, switches, sensors (contact), thermostats, and window coverings^[28]	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*

* denotes Thread support included

Benefits

The primary goal of Matter is to improve interoperability for the current smart home ecosystem. CSA and its members aim for the Matter logo to become ubiquitous and for consumers to instantly recognise it as a smart home device that will "just work".^[29]

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

• Local control
• Multi-admin control
• More competition among smart home manufacturers
• Lower technical overhead for IoT device developers

See also

• KNXan open standard (see EN 50090, ISO/IEC 14543) for commercial and residential building automation
• Threadlow-power mesh protocol designed for battery-powered devices, which Matter uses as one of its supported transport layers
• Zigbee and Z-Wavewireless mesh protocols for home automation, can be used with Matter and a compatible bridge
• Amazon AlexaAmazon's smart assistant and home control system
• HomeKitApple's smart home system
• Google NestGoogle's smart home system, formerly called Google Home

Further reading

• 10.1016/j.iot.2023.101005. Connectivity Standards Alliance Matter: State of the Art and Opportunities . Elsevier Internet of Things. 25. 2024. Belli. Dimitri. Barsocchi. Paolo. Palumbo. Filippo. free.
• Web site: Matter, Explained: What the New Standard Could Mean for Your Smart Home . Daniel . Wroclawski . 18 March 2022 . Consumer Reports . 2022-04-30 .

Notes and References

1. Web site: What Is Matter? The New Smart Home Standard, Explained . 2023-03-17 . PCMag . en.
2. Web site: With Amazon, Apple and Google onboard, this new alliance aims to make your smart home work properly . 17 March 2023 . ZDNET . en.
3. Web site: Hall . Christine . Matter's Internet of Things standard, certification ready for developers . TechCrunch . 17 March 2023 . 4 October 2022.
4. Web site: Seifert . Dan . Amazon, Apple, and Google's smart home partnership is close . The Verge . 17 March 2023 . 16 April 2021.
5. Hill . Simon . 3 April 2022 . What's the Matter? We Explain the New Smart Home Standard . 2022-04-30 . Wired . Condé Nast.
6. Web site: Device Attestation - latest - Silicon Labs Matter Silicon Labs . 2024-06-26 . docs.silabs.com.
7. Web site: Certification Process Why Certify . 2024-06-26 . CSA-IOT . en-US.
8. Web site: Become a Member The Future of IOT . 2024-06-26 . CSA-IOT . en-US.
9. Web site: What is Matter? . 2024-04-22 . Google Home Developers . en.
10. Web site: Thread and IPv6 Matter . 2024-04-22 . Google Home Developers . en.
11. Web site: Matter Specification - Version 1.2. October 18, 2023. Connectivity Standards Alliance.
12. Matter Network Transport - Connectivity Standards Alliance . en . 2024-04-22 . www.youtube.com.
13. Web site: Newsroom Articles & Blogs IOT . 2022-11-19 . CSA-IOT . en-US.
14. Web site: The Matter Smart Home Standard Is Finally Available: Here's What It Means for Your Home . 2022-11-19 . Consumer Reports . 3 November 2022 . en-US.
15. Web site: 2023-05-18 . Matter 1.1 release — Enhancements for developers and devices . 2023-09-14 . CSA-IOT . en-US.
16. Web site: Matter 1.2 Arrives with Nine New Device Types & Improvements Across the Board . Connectivity Standards Alliance . 23 October 2023 . 2023-11-05 .
17. Web site: Matter 1.3 Specification announced . Connectivity Standards Alliance . 8 May 2024 . 2024-05-16 .
18. Web site: Distributed Compliance Ledger . 2024-04-22 . webui.dcl.csa-iot.org.
19. Web site: Supported devices Matter . 2023-12-01 . Google Home Developers . en.
20. Web site: Google TV Streamer (4K) . 2024-08-06 . Google Store . en-US.
21. Web site: 2022-12-15 . Matter is now available on Google Nest and Android devices . 2023-12-01 . Google . en-us.
22. Web site: Google devices with Matter - Android - Google Nest Help . 2023-12-01 . support.google.com.
23. Web site: Home API Reference Developer Documentation SmartThings . 2023-12-01 . developer.smartthings.com . en.
24. Web site: 2023-10-05 . Unlocking Seamless Connectivity: SmartThings Offers Support for Third-Party Matter Bridges . 2023-12-01 . SmartThings Blog . en-US.
25. Web site: Tuohy . Jennifer Pattison . 2023-01-27 . All the smart home products that work with Matter . 2023-12-01 . The Verge . en.
26. Web site: Smart Home Hub - Hub Everywhere SmartThings . 2023-12-01 . Smart Home Hub - Hub Everywhere SmartThings . en-US.
27. Web site: Pair and manage your Matter accessories . 2023-12-01 . Apple Support . en.
28. Web site: Understand Smart Home Matter Support Alexa Skills Kit . 2023-12-01 . Amazon Alexa . en-US.
29. Matter: Making the smart home a more connected, comfortable, and helpful place . Connectivity Standards Alliance . Connectivity Standards Alliance . 2022-11-03 . 2024-04-22 . YouTube.