Matter: All information about the new smart home standard

taketonews

By Levin Hubert | Oct 05, 2022 at 5:07 p.m

The “Matter” connection standard, announced at the end of 2022, is intended to revolutionize the Internet of Things (IoT). In order to achieve the harmonization of industry standards, over 400 companies cooperate in the Connectivity Standard Alliance (CSA) – including Apple and Google.

The new “Matter” connection standard is intended to solve fundamental problems for manufacturers and users of smart home devices. So far, intelligent speakers, smart surveillance cameras, lamps or thermostats all have one thing in common: they have to be connected to the internet in order to be controlled with an app. Each product uses different radio technologies such as Zigbee, Z-Wave, Insteon, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi or HomeKit for communication, but these are usually not compatible. Consumers can get confused with so many connection options.

Version 1.0 of “Matter” is now available. Google and Apple have already integrated the standard into the current versions of their smartphone operating systems. Some manufacturers of smart home devices – such as Philips and Ikea – have already announced compatible devices. Among other things, the new smart home hub Dirigera from Ikea already supports “Matter”.

What is the goal of “Matter”?

The aim is to create a common, cross-manufacturer connection standard for smart home devices. Because “Matter” enables communication beyond the limits of individual smart home radio technologies and forms its own ecosystem. This should allow smart home devices such as lamps, thermostats, sensors or sockets to be coupled even if they actually use different standards.

Local network control as the new standard

At the IFA 2022, the company AVM announced that it would deliver its Fritzbox models “Matter” compatible from 2023. The Fritzbox could then serve as a bridge for registered smart home devices so that they can be reached locally via the common “Matter” standard. All devices, regardless of the smart home manufacturer actually used, can be controlled in the local network. Apple’s HomeKit was already able to communicate locally without having to take detours via the Internet. Google, Amazon and Samsung also want to enable local communication in the future.

The new “Matter” connection standard can thus run over the local network connection, a constant Internet connection is no longer absolutely necessary to control the smart home devices.

But there is one exception. Control without an internet connection is initially only possible with the help of “Matter” for inputs via a smartphone app or via a smart display. Voice control via Amazon Alexa, Siri, Google Home still only works if the device is connected to the respective manufacturer’s cloud.

Also read: How much smart home do the Fritzbox routers from AVM offer?

One control system for all smart home devices

The benefits of Matter as a common connection standard exist for both customers and manufacturers. If the interoperability of the manufacturer’s control systems and the radio standards used for communication between the devices improves, cross-system use is possible. Lamps can be controlled with both Apple HomeKit and Samsung SmartThings, for example. At the same time, the devices not only appear in the manufacturer’s own apps, but also in those of other providers and can be controlled there.

What problem is Matter trying to solve?

The concept of a networked home with smart home devices is already a reality in many households. There are also other Internet-of-Things (IoT) devices that are used in industry and companies. There are an estimated 13 billion IoT devices in circulation today. The connection with smartphones or tablets usually takes place via WiFi or Bluetooth. Important application options are controlling temperature, light or intelligent front door locks and security cameras. However, with the advent of networked technologies in our lives, the danger of cyber attacks or malfunctions due to remote access has also increased. There are always disruptions caused by DDoS attacks (Distributed Denial of Service – the overloading of a service due to excessive access) or theft and misuse of data collections from intelligent devices.

Already in the supply chain, the devices can be exposed to numerous attacks by malware. Malicious software updates not authorized by the manufacturer are also a problem. For “Matter”, on the other hand, the manufacturers should provide a device identity. This ensures that only tested software and hardware from trustworthy companies is put into circulation.

Only verified Matter-compatible devices can then connect to the network. Which device is involved is stored in registers. The company name, identification number (Vendor ID), a list of root certificates and information about the current software version are available for each device.

Which technologies does Matter use exactly?

“Matter” wants to improve communication between the devices. Strictly speaking, “Matter” is a uniform, IP-based connection protocol that uses proven radio technologies. An Internet protocol based on the IPv6 network protocol is used for this purpose, with which the devices can network with each other independently. It is important that “Matter” continues to rely on existing radio standards. It works over WiFi and Ethernet as well as Bluetooth.

What internet protocols does Matter use?

Without a dominant connection standard like Matter, there will be more and more patchy incompatible networks. Each standard then has its own unique application protocol, leading to an inconsistent user experience and fragmentation. An Internet protocol, on the other hand, is designed for interoperability. They are a well-established hierarchical layered model, with each level of a protocol abstracting the level below it. The devices can identify each other clearly via the IP and control each other independently.

Structure of the “Matter standard”.Photo: CSA via TECHBOOK

The problem with Internet Protocol technology has been that it uses more power. Therefore, it was usually reserved for larger devices. Small devices, some of which use a battery for years, use energy-saving mesh networks such as Zigbee or Z-Wave. These protocols can also connect to each other without a network, similar to the “Thread” IP protocol used by “Matter”. Bluetooth and Insteon are also suitable as energy-efficient (non-IP) application protocols for devices that are not allowed to consume a lot of energy.

The difference between TCP and UDP

With the “Matter” standard, the advantages of different radio standards should be usable, in which data packets are sent in different ways. Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) and User Datagram Protocol (UDP) are both communication protocols that work with IP-based networks. While TCP consumes more resources and is slower, it gets the data packets to their destination more reliably. UDP, on the other hand, is faster and uses fewer resources, but the data packets do not always arrive reliably. UDP is preferred for gaming, live broadcasting and voice over IP.

Internet Protocol Version 6

The Internet Protocol Version 6 (IPv6) works in a packet-oriented manner in a network to transmit data. A major benefit of IPv6 is the aforementioned stateless autoconfiguration, which allows devices to assign IP addresses to themselves. No server is therefore required to connect devices. The Internet protocols thus enable the use of a large number of wireless standards such as WiFi, Thread or Bluetooth Low Energy.

What devices are compatible with Matter?

The world’s largest corporations are represented in the CSA. Important supporters and device manufacturers of the “Matter Standard” are the following companies:

  • Amazon: Different Echo versions, Eero 6 (network device)
  • Apple: Devices from iOS 16
  • Aqara: Hub, Camera Hub, Motion Sensor, Door/Window Sensor
  • AVM: Fritz box
  • Belkin: Wemo Smart Plug/Light Switch
  • Bosch: Bosch Smart Home Controller
  • Eve Systems: Eve Motion Blinds, Eve Thermo, Eve Sensors, Eve Energy/Switch/Flare
  • Google: Android OS, Nest Thermostat, Google Home, Various Nest Products
  • Ikea: Drigera Hub
  • LG: Smart TV with webOS 22
  • Nabu Casa: Home Assistant Yellow
  • Netatmo: Smart security sensor
  • Mediola: Matter Bridge
  • Samsung (SmartThings): Galaxy devices, SmarThings Hub, Smart TV, Family Hub refrigerators
  • Schneider Electric: Wiser Gateway
  • Signify: Philips Hue, Wiz
  • Yale: Assure retrofit module (door lock)
  • Yeelight: Yeelight Pro

Sources

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