What Is Matter Protocol? Applications in the field of Smarthome

Giao thức Matter là gì?

– Matter Protocol (formerly known as Project CHIP – Connected Home over IP) is an open source standard protocol for devices in the smarthome field. It was developed by the Connected Home over IP (CHIP) Working Group, an organization co-owned by Apple, Google, Amazon and many other smart device manufacturers.

– The main goal of the Matter protocol is to create a common standard for smarthome devices, making them compatible with each other without depending on the manufacturer or control platform. This will help users easily connect and manage multiple smart devices from many different manufacturers, creating a smarthome environment that’s easy to use and expand.

Some of the advantages of the Matter protocol include:

1. Cross-platform compatibility: Matter supports multi-platforms such as Wi-Fi, Ethernet and Thread (an optimal wireless network protocol for smarthome). This makes it possible for Matter devices to interact and work together effectively.

2. High security: Matter uses strong security standards such as TLS (Transport Layer Security) and DTLS (Datagram Transport Layer Security) to protect user data and information from attacks and phishing.

3. Scalability: The Matter protocol is designed to support the expansion and integration of new features as there is growth in the smarthome field.

History

– Matter Protocol (Project CHIP) began to take shape in December 2019, when Apple, Google and Amazon decided to work together to develop a common standard protocol for smarthome devices. Before that, major technology firms created separate standards for their products, making integration and compatibility between smarthome devices complicated and difficult for users.

– After its establishment, the Connected Home over IP (CHIP) Working Group has expanded with the participation of many other important members, including smarthome device manufacturers, network service providers, and other key players. smarthome related company. The team’s goal is to create an open standard protocol, capable of working across multiple platforms and devices, to help reduce barriers between different brands’ smarthome products and increase compatibility.

– At the end of 2021, the CHIP team officially launched the Matter protocol with the official name “Matter”. The Matter protocol enjoys widespread support from the industry community and smart device manufacturers. At the present time, it is in the implementation phase and is being integrated into many smarthome products.

– With support from leading technology companies and an ever-expanding community, the Matter protocol has the potential to become an international standard for smarthome devices, helping to deliver a better and easier experience. for users in managing and interacting with smart devices in their smart home.

Smart home standard Matter ver 1.0

– Version 1.0 of Matter lays the groundwork for smart devices to work interoperably and easily integrate across different platforms and manufacturers. Key elements of Matter version 1.0 include:

– Support cross-platform communication: Matter supports communication over popular network platforms such as Wi-Fi (802.11), Ethernet (802.3), and Thread (IEEE 802.15.4), helping smart devices can connect to each other via wireless or wired networks.

Multi-Device Support: Matter is designed to support a wide range of smart home devices such as lights, bulbs, sockets, sensors, security devices, temperature controllers, and more. . This makes it easy for users to integrate and manage smart devices from various manufacturers.

– Security and privacy: Matter uses strong security standards such as TLS (Transport Layer Security) and DTLS (Datagram Transport Layer Security) to protect user data and information from attacks and phishing island. It also focuses on user privacy when using smart devices.

– Supports other protocols: Matter is designed to be compatible with other existing protocols such as Alexa Smart Home, Apple HomeKit, and Google Weave.

– Version 1.0 of Matter has officially launched and is ready to be deployed on smarthome products. The continued development and expansion of the Matter standard will help take smarthomes to the next level in compatibility and performance.

What devices does Matter support?

Ver 1.0 of Matter will support some basic and common devices in smart homes such as:

• Light bulbs and smart switches.
• Smart socket.
• Door bell
• Smart lock.
• Smart curtain.
• Door controller
• Air conditioner/heater.
• The sensor

Test labs are also being opened to certify whether a product meets Matter standards. Based on that, companies can release and update their devices to support the new protocol.

Brands that support Matter

– Up to now, more than 280 companies are members of CSA, including big names like Apple, Amazon, Google, Philips Hue, etc.

Brands are all rolling out software updates to get ready for the new protocol. However, Matter is still in the testing phase, so the operation process will still have many errors and will be continuously edited and improved by developers.

– The Matter standard is expected to give a big boost to smart home adoption and popularity. Users no longer have to worry about whether the product is compatible with the ecosystem they are using and can also take advantage of existing devices in the house to connect to create modern automation. .

Which brand devices can work with Matter?

– At this point, users will be able to use Matter with Google, Philips Hue, WiZ devices and many other member brands in CSA. Google has made an official announcement on its Blog about integrating Matter into its Nest devices.

Are old smart devices applicable to Matter?

– Users who are using smart products are very interested in connecting existing products with Matter, not buying new. Some device models will work with Matter after updating the firmware. Some other devices will not be compatible. While most devices currently working with Thread, Z-Wave or Zigbee can work with Matter, not all smart devices will be upgraded. Therefore, it is advisable to check with the manufacturer for specific devices and future support.\

Some Obstacles of Matter

Security issue

– Security and privacy are issues that often appear in the process of using smart homes. Matter is designed to be secure and safe, but it still takes time to test when it works in the real world. CSA has published principles of security and privacy. Data collection and sharing will still take place where authorized between you and the device manufacturer or platform provider.

– If your system has a single Hub, it will greatly enhance security. If not already, Matter devices will mostly connect directly to the internet, which makes them potentially vulnerable to hackers and malware. But Matter also offers local control, commands from your phone or smart display need not go through a cloud server but stream directly to devices in your home network.

Limited from manufacturers

– Despite the many benefits, manufacturers may not open up full control of their Matter-enabled devices to other brands, especially competitors. So there will probably still be a gap between Matter’s ecosystem experience and functionality and other platforms & standards.

– For example, manufacturers can keep exclusive rights to certain features for their products. You can turn Apple devices on/off with Google Assistant voice commands, but you’ll have to use Siri or an Apple app to adjust advanced features.

Conclude
Despite the obstacles, Matter is still receiving strong support from major technology firms and the smarthome community. Progress in the implementation and integration of Matter on smarthome devices will help address some of these obstacles and enhance future smarthome compatibility and utility.