Matter: A Unified Approach to IoT Device Development

Matter drives the convergence between the major IoT ecosystems to create one easy, reliable, and secure wireless protocol to connect all IoT devices and networks.

Matter Frequently Asked Questions

We’ve collected the most common questions about the Matter standard, what it means for developers, and how to make the most of its potential.

Superior Performance and Flawless Connectivity

The MG24 SoCs are ideal for higher performance, lower power mesh connectivity using Matter over Thread for smart home, lighting, and automation products.

Wi-Fi Modules and SoCs for Flawless Connectivity

Our Wi-Fi NCP modules and SoCs support Matter and are designed for the IoT, where RF performance, low power consumption, and fast time-to-market are critical.

Webinar Series

Tech Talks: Matter Technology Training

With the launch of Matter 1.0, join our experts to unlock Matter's potential to create better user experiences and access the most popular IoT ecosystems. Watch the sessions on-demand.

Silicon, Software, and Tools for Matter over Thread and Matter over Wi-Fi Development

Matter over Thread

The MG24 SoC is a single-chip solution for Matter over Thread, delivering exceptional RF performance, advanced security features with Silicon Labs' Secure Vault™, and low power.

OpenThread Border Router

Silicon Labs has many different chips that can act as a Thread RCP for an OpenThread Border router, allowing Thread nodes to connect to the Wi-Fi network.

Matter over Wi-Fi

The RS9116 NCP or the WF200, coupled with the MG24 as a host, enables Matter over Wi-Fi, with the RS9116 NCP offering the lowest Wi-Fi power consumption in the industry.

Matter Bridging to Zigbee/Z-Wave

Unify SDK provides the fastest path for bridging Matter and other protocols as well as a development environment for connecting to ecosystems such as Google Home.

Series 2 Development Kits for Matter Over Thread End Devices and Border Routers

The EFR32xG24 Development Kits provide a variety of different hardware options optimized for your development needs. Whether it's rapid prototyping using the Explorer Kits, proof of concept and advanced feature development using the Dev Kits, or full development including advanced RF and power consumption testing using the Pro Kits, we have the right development hardware to meet your needs for Matter over Thread development.

Step 1: Choose Your Wireless IP Networking Protocol (Thread or Wi-Fi)

The first choice you’re likely to face is which protocol to use, Wi-Fi or Thread. If your Matter application requires efficient mesh networking with energy-efficient and robust wireless connectivity, then Thread is the optimal choice. If you need low-power functionality and want to maximize connectivity in the marketplace, Wi-Fi is the well-known universal standard for wireless connectivity in Matter.

If You're Developing with Thread:

  • Choose a Thread certified SoC, module, or radio board for end nodes. Matter uses Bluetooth Low Energy for commissioning, so ensure your hardware of choice also supports Bluetooth. Check Silicon Labs’ Matter compliant Thread SoCs and modules to choose the optimal hardware for you.
  • Get a hardware board for the host of the Thread border router — such as Raspberry Pi or BeagleBoard to run the Matter border router to establish the Thread network. Select a radio co-processor (RCP) compatible development kit — the RCP takes care of the wireless communications operated by the border router.
  • Select the appropriate development kit for your Matter over Thread end device. 
Use Case Protocols OTA Image EFR32MG21
1024 kB Flash
96 kB RAM
EFR32MG24
1536 kB Flash
256 kB RAM
Matter-to-Thread Gateway Single Protocol
RCP Mode
External Flash (Host)
Matter-to-Zigbee/Thread Gateway Concurrent Zigbee/Thread
Dynamic 802.15.4/Bluetooth LE1
External Flash (Host)
Matter Thread End Device Dynamic 802.15.4/Bluetooth LE
SoC Mode2
External Flash  
Matter Thread End Device Dynamic 802.15.4/Bluetooth LE
SoC Mode2
Internal Flash  

If You're Developing with Wi-Fi:

  • Choose a RS9116 NCP or WF200 Wi-Fi co-processor or a certified module to develop Matter over Wi-Fi end devices. Check Silicon Labs’ Matter compliant Wi-Fi SoCs and modules to choose the optimal hardware for you.
  • Get the EFR32MG24 host processor to connect to the Wi-Fi NCP and RCP over the SPI host interface.
  • Select the appropriate development kit for your Matter over Wi-Fi end device.
Use Case Protocols Mode RS9116W +
EFR32MG24*
WF200 +
EFR32MG24*
Matter Wi-Fi End Device Wi-Fi, Bluetooth LE NCP  
Matter Wi-Fi End Device Wi-Fi RCP  

Step 2: Set up Your Software Development Environment and Run Your First Code Example for the Matter Protocol

When you have all the needed hardware in place, you can start setting up the software development environment. Follow these steps:

  • Use a desktop or laptop with a development environment. 
  • Read release notes for features and known issues.
  • Set up your Matter environment (Python, GN, and Ninja Linux Libraries) and start developing your Matter Code example per the instructions provided on GitHub.

Matter Over Thread Bridging:
Zigbee and Z-Wave

Matter Over Wi-Fi and Thread 

Thread SoCs and Modules Select Columns
Select Columns
Thread Certified Frequency Bands (MHz) Flash (kB) RAM (kB) Output Power Range (dBm) MCU Core TX Current (mA) 0 dBm RX Current (mA) RX Sensitivity (dBm) Security GPIO
EFR32MG21 Series 2 Modules
Zigbee and Thread EFR32MG21 Based Modules (Series 2)
2.4 GHz 1024 96 -20 10,12.5,20 ARM Cortex-M33 20
EFR32MG21 Series 2 SoCs
Zigbee and Thread EFR32MG21 SoCs (Series 2)
2.4 GHz 512, 768, 1024 64, 96 -20 10,10.5,20 ARM Cortex-M33 10.4 9.4 -104 (250 kbps O-QPSK DSSS) AES-128 AES-256 ECC SHA-1 SHA-2 20

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Please note that MG21 operates in a Radio Co-Processor (RCP) mode - the Thread stack runs on the host microprocessor.

Wi-Fi SoCs and Modules Select Columns
Select Columns
Frequency Bands Application MCU Onboard IP Support Key Peripherals
RS9116 Wi-Fi NCP SoCs
RS9116 Wi-Fi NCP SoCs
RS9116 Wi-Fi NCP Modules
RS9116 Wi-Fi NCP Modules
WF200 Series 2 Wi-Fi Transceiver Modules
WFM200 Wi-Fi Transceiver Modules (Series 2)
Single Band (2.4) SDIO/SPI
WF200 Series 2 Wi-Fi Transceiver SoCs
Wi-Fi Transceiver SoCs (Series 2)

Sort A -> Z
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Matter Development Kits

Silicon Labs offers several Matter compliant development kits for Thread and Wi-Fi ranging from compact, feature-packed low-cost prototyping platforms to multi-node advanced multiprotocol kits for robust, secure mesh networks. See here which kit is the best fit for your needs! 

Series 2 Development Kits for Matter over Thread End Devices and Border Routers

The EFR32xG24 Development Kits provide a variety of different hardware options, optimized for your development needs.  Whether it is rapid prototyping using the Explorer Kits, proof of concept and advanced feature development using the Dev Kits, or full development including advanced RF and power consumption testing using the Pro Kits, Silicon Labs has the right development hardware to meet your needs for Matter over Thread development.


 Series 2 Development Kits for OpenThread Border Routers

The EFR32xG21 Development Kits enable enhanced RF development using the Pro Kits that enable advanced RF development and debug capabilities. Including packet trace, to ensure robust RF solutions for Open Thread Border Routers.

Development Kits for Wi-Fi over Matter

Full-featured application development kits.

WF200 Wi-Fi Expansion Kit with Raspberry Pi

The SLEXP8022C WF200 Wi-Fi Expansion kit + Raspberry Pi includes a built-in Raspberry Pi Connector to get started immediately with Linux development and an EXP Connector to enable development on Silicon Labs' MCUs and Wireless MCUs.

MSRP $230.23

WFM200S Wi-Fi Expansion Kit with Raspberry Pi

The SLEXP8023C WFM200S Wi-Fi Expansion kit + Raspberry Pi includes a built-in Raspberry Pi Connector to get started immediately with Linux development and an EXP Connector to enable development on Silicon Labs' MCUs and Wireless MCUs.

MSRP $99.00

Featured Matter Applications

On top of supporting IP networks within Matter, developers can leverage Silicon Labs' broad IoT wireless expertise that spans building automationsmart homeindustrial IoT, and smart markets to connect a wide range of networks and devices—regardless of the underlying network protocol.

LED Lighting

HVAC

Door Locks

Commercial Lighting

A Unified Approach to IoT Device Development

Matter drives the convergence between the major Smart Home IoT ecosystems to create one easy, reliable, and secure wireless protocol to connect all IoT devices and networks in homes.


Matter Benefits Developers and Consumers

Matter leverages existing IP technologies including Wi-Fi and Thread to build a unified wireless connectivity ecosystem and IP-based networking provides manufacturers with simplified development while improving device compatibility for consumers. Motivated by the belief that connected experiences should become more reliable, secure, and work effectively together, the Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA) launched Matter (formerly known as Connected Home over IP project) to make it easier for device manufacturers to build devices that are compatible with smart home and voice services such as Amazon’s Alexa, Apple® Siri®, Google Assistant™, and others.

Matter also builds in defenses against a wide variety of threats with a security architecture based on “security by design” and “zero trust”. As part of this, Matter builds in security measures so that every message is protected.

Developer Benefits:

  • Unifying Application Layer

    Simplifies development, lowers development & operational costs

  • Open Source

    Community collaboration improved quality, expedites process and captures broader use-cases

  • Proven Technologies

    Faster time to market, as developers can leverage existing implementations

  • IP Class Security

    Opensource and trusted standard cryptographic algorithms with well protected keys

Consumer Benefits:

  • Simplicity

    Matter products should be easy to purchase, set up and use

  • Compatibility

    Devices from multiple brands work natively together

  • Privacy

    Consumers are in control of the privacy and authorization for interaction with the devices

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