For Matter, 2023 is a significant year. Matter has always aimed to reduce barriers between different vendors, achieving interoperability among smart home devices and Internet of Things (IoT) platforms from various suppliers. To achieve this goal, Matter uses Internet Protocol (IP) as its connection foundation and has launched a universal application layer. Regardless of the underlying network protocol, the Matter application layer ensures interoperability between devices.
New Matter devices can be controlled devices or part of multiple ecosystems simultaneously. For example, a light bulb can connect 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 the hassle of researching whether devices are compatible. With Matter, connecting is undoubtedly easy.
Silicon Labs (also known as “Silicon Technology”) is a member of the Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA) and has deep expertise in the underlying Matter IoT wireless protocols(including Bluetooth, Thread, and Wi-Fi) . Silicon Labs is one of the largest code contributors in the CSA, alongside Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, and Google.
What is bridging? Why is bridging necessary?
With the widespread installation of non-IP protocols like Zigbee, Z-Wave, and other wireless IoT protocols, bridging will become crucial, as it allows Matter to connect to these devices, enabling various technologies to function appropriately. While some endpoint devices may meet the requirements for on-site upgrades(such as having sufficient flash memory and RAM) , bridging existing sensor networks to interoperate with Matter networks 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 also plan to launch bridging products that support 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 is essential to clarify the Thread protocol, which is the underlying network protocol for Matter.
Thread is a wireless networking technology developed based on the widely used Internet Protocol (IPv6) and the proven IEEE 802.15.4 wireless technology, aimed at ensuring 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 upwards and the functionalities of the 802.15.4 link layer downwards. This adaptation layer is 6LoWPAN. The diagram below provides an overview of the Thread protocol stack(with Matter as the unified application layer) .
Overview of the Thread protocol stack structure
The Thread border router connects the Thread network to other IP-based networks, such as Wi-Fi or Ethernet. The border router provides various services for devices within the Thread network, including routing services for offline operations, bidirectional connections based on IPv6 infrastructure links, and service registration to enable DNS-based service discovery.
Silicon Labs offers a solution for building an OpenThread Border Router (OTBR) that includes Raspberry Pi devices and example radio co-processor (RCP) applications necessary for building the border router software.
What is the 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. It features a modular design, is scalable, lightweight, and has clearly defined interfaces for system integration. The 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’s Matter bridging application software. The application receives ZCL commands from the Matter protocol interface, transforms them into the Unify controller language data model, and then publishes them to the MQTT interface.
Explore the Unify SDK solution: https://cn.silabs.com/developers/unify-sdk
How do Matter bridging devices work?
Matter bridging devices 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 within the Matter structure. Matter bridging devices use the Unify SDK to perform protocol conversion between Matter and Zigbee/Z-Wave network devices. The diagram below shows the connection between the Thread network and the Matter structure, as well as the connection between Matter and non-Matter networks using bridging devices like Z-Wave/Zigbee.
Using the Matter network as a unified solution for smart home environments
Silicon Labs continues to provide comprehensive Matter development support
Silicon Labs offers a complete Matter protocol solution for endpoint products with Wi-Fi or Thread connectivity, as well as an OTBR solution that includes a wireless SoC and software combination. Silicon Labs also offers bridging solutions from Matter to Zigbee and Matter to Z-Wave, which include a fully functional Unify SDK software.
Visit Silicon Labs’ online community to read the full blog post:https://www.silabs.com/blog/bridging-non-matter-devices-to-a-matter-network
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