For Matter, 2023 will be a significant year. Matter has always aimed to reduce the barriers between different vendors, achieving interoperability between smart home devices and Internet of Things (IoT) platforms from various suppliers. To achieve this goal, Matter uses Internet Protocol (IP) as the foundation for connections, launching a universal application layer. Regardless of the underlying network protocol, Matter ensures interoperability between devices.
New Matter devices can be controlled devices or part of multiple ecosystems simultaneously. For example, a light bulb can be connected to Amazon Alexa, Google Smart Home (Google Home), and Apple HomeKit. This means consumers can add new products and brands to their smart homes without spending time researching device compatibility. With Matter, connecting is undoubtedly easy.
Silicon Labs (also known as “ Silicon Labs ”) is a member of the Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA), possessing deep expertise in the underlying Matter IoT wireless protocols (including Bluetooth, Thread, and Wi-Fi). Silicon Labs, along with Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, and Google, is one of the largest code contributors in the CSA.
What is Bridging? Why is Bridging Needed?
With the extensive use of non-IP protocols like Zigbee, Z-Wave, and other wireless IoT protocols, bridging will become essential as it connects Matter to these devices, allowing various technologies to work together. While some end devices may meet the requirements for on-site upgrades (such as having sufficient flash and RAM), bridging existing sensor networks to interoperate with the Matter network will be simpler, more stable, and provide a better user experience. Many IoT manufacturers, including Silicon Labs, not only support bridging newer Matter products but will also launch bridging products for existing and deployed Zigbee/Z-Wave products. Matter uses low-power Bluetooth (Bluetooth LE) for network pairing and operates over Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and Thread protocols. Before understanding the concept of Matter bridging, it’s essential to clarify the Thread underlying network protocol.
Recently, Silicon Labs demonstrated a Matter network bridging solution based on the OTBR gateway at the Shanghai Smart Home Expo.
Thread is a wireless networking technology developed based on the widely used Internet Protocol (IPv6) and the proven IEEE 802.15.4 wireless technology, designed to ensure secure communication and compatibility with future technologies. Thread addresses the unification issue between IPv6 and 802.15.4 technologies by providing an adaptation layer that flexibly supports the requirements of the IPv6 network layer and the functionalities of the 802.15.4 link layer. This adaptation layer is called 6LoWPAN. The following image provides an overview of the Thread protocol stack, with Matter as the unified application layer.
Overview of the Thread protocol stack structure
Thread Border Routers can connect the Thread network to other IP-based networks, such as Wi-Fi or Ethernet. Border Routers provide various services for devices within the Thread network, including routing services for offline operations, providing bi-directional connections based on IPv6 infrastructure links, and service registration to enable DNS-based service discovery.
Silicon Labs offers solutions for building OpenThread Border Routers (OTBR), which include a Raspberry Pi device and example radio co-processor (RCP) applications required to build the border router software.
What is Unify™ SDK?
Silicon Labs’ Unify SDK simplifies the development of IoT infrastructure, including gateways, access points, hubs, bridges, and application processor-based end products. Each Unify SDK component implements a unified language (based on Dotdot) MQTT interface. With a modular design, it is scalable, lightweight, and has clearly defined interfaces for system integration. Unify SDK runs natively on Linux, but its architecture can also be used for mobile applications. The Unify-Matter Bridge application is part of the Unify SDK, built on the CSA Matter bridging application software. The application receives Matter protocol interface ZCL commands and converts them into the Unify controller language data model before publishing to the MQTT interface.
Explore the Unify SDK solutions:https://cn.silabs.com/developers/unify-sdk
How do Matter Bridging Devices Work?
Matter bridging devices can provide connectivity for non-Matter IoT devices within the Matter structure. Consumers can continue using existing non-Matter devices, such as Zigbee and Z-Wave devices while using new Matter devices. These non-Matter devices appear as bridged devices in the Matter structure. Matter bridging devices use the Unify SDK to perform protocol conversion between Matter and Zigbee/Z-Wave network devices. The following image shows the connection between the Thread network and the Matter structure, as well as the connection between Matter and non-Matter networks, such as Z-Wave/Zigbee, using bridging devices.
Smart home environment using Matter network as a unified solution
Silicon Labs Continues to Provide Comprehensive Matter Development Support
Silicon Labs offers complete Matter protocol solutions for end products with Wi-Fi or Thread connectivity, as well as OTBR solutions that include wireless SoC and software combinations. Silicon Labs also provides bridging solutions from Matter to Zigbee and from Matter to Z-Wave, which include a fully functional Unify SDK software.
Scan the following QR code to follow Silicon Labs and the Thread Alliance on social media platforms.
