Matter

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! 

How to Start with Matter Development?

With Silicon Labs, you can already start prototyping with Matter today. We provide you with hardware, software, and several examples for using Matter for smart locks, smart lights, window coverings, and more. The complete package simplifies the development experience so that you can focus on innovating! Follow the three-step process to get started with Matter!

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

Which protocol should you choose, 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 for you. If you are not power-limited and want to maximize connectivity in the marketplace, Wi-Fi is the well-known universal standard for wireless connectivity in Matter.

Step 1 A: How to Start Developing with Thread?

• Choose a Thread certified SoC, module, or radio board for end nodes. Matter uses Bluetooth Low Energy incommissioning, so ensure your hardware of choice also supports Bluetooth. 
• Get a hardware board for 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 SoC or module — the RCP takes care of the wireless communications operated by the border route
• Check Silicon Labs’ Matter compliant Thread SoCs and modules to choose the optimal hardware for you.

Step 1 B: How to Start Developing with Wi-Fi?

• Choose a certified Wi-Fi SoC or module for end nodes
• Get a host processor capable of connecting to the Wi-Fi transceiver over the SPI or UART interface.
• Silicon Labs offers the WF200 Wi-Fi transceiver SoC or module for Matter developers.

Step 2: Set up your software development environment for Matter

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 Linux development environment. 
• Use an Android phone (iOS app is underway) for end-node commissioning via Bluetooth.
• Set up your Android commissioning app.
• Set up your Matter environment (Python, GN, and Ninja Linux Libraries.) You can find more detailed instructions on GitHub.
• Clone the Matter repo from GitHub and update and sync all the submodules. 

Step 3: Run your first code example.

Now that you have all of the software environment and the hardware you need, it is time to run code examples. The complete list of Matter code examples can be found on the GitHub repository including tools for testing your Matter project. Code examples provide step-by-step instructions to get you to the point of successfully running code on your Matter network. Some examples provide a simple script that will execute everything for you.

Here are quick links to three popular Matter examples on GitHub:

• Light Switch
• Door Lock
• Window Covering

Matter Tutorials for Developers