Matter Developer Journey With Silicon Labs

Silicon Labs can accelerate the development of Matter devices, starting by outlining each step in the process and helping you along each stage of your project including guiding you along the path of key Ecosystem providers. We are here to simplify your development journey and help you get your devices to market faster and more efficiently.

We have outlined below three key stages of the Matter Developer Journey, along with what is required to successfully complete each stage.

Getting Started
Develop
Deploy Product
  1. 1. Learn and Explore
  2. 2. Choose Your Hardware Platform
  3. 3. Buy Your Dev Kit
  4. 4. Explore Demos
  5. 5. Create User Accounts
  6. 6. Set Up Dev Environment
  1. 1. Develop Your Product
  2. 2. Test & Iterate
  3. 3. Certify Product
  1. 1. Manufacture Product
  2. 2. Operate Product

1. Introduction to Matter - Learn and Explore

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.
 

Additional Resources from Silicon Labs



The Connectivity Standards Alliance is the standards defining organization for Matter. Matter was created on the promise of reliable and secure connectivity.
 

Additional Resources from CSA

Ecosystems are an integral part of Matter and represent the primary way users will interact with your Matter devices. Silicon Labs works closely with the major ecosystem providers to help developers navigate the development process with all of the resources and tools needed.

Explore the ecosystem-specific content for each step of your development journey and access all the information you need throughout your project.

What is Alexa?

Alexa is Amazon’s cloud-based voice service available on hundreds of millions of devices from Amazon and third-party device manufacturers. With Alexa, you can build natural voice experiences that offer customers a more intuitive way to interact with the technology they use every day. We offer a collection of tools, APIs, reference solutions, and documentation to make it easier to build for Alexa.

You can build smart home and other products that customers can control from millions of Alexa devices with just their voice. Expand your device’s capabilities with Alexa to create delightful experiences for lights, switches, thermostats, cameras, locks, and more. Plus, your Alexa-connected devices continue to become smarter with Alexa’s growing list of smart home capabilities and features that leverage Alexa’s cloud intelligence, making it easier for you to deliver rich, delightful customer experiences for all your devices.

Since 2014, we’ve taken an open and collaborative approach to help you deliver value-add experiences and be successful with Alexa. Alexa supports devices across major smart home protocols including Wi-Fi, BLE Mesh, Zigbee, Matter, and Thread across millions of new and existing Echo devices. Matter is an important innovation that complements our smart home philosophy of openness and collaboration. We’re excited to continue this journey with you, delivering ambient smart homes that customers love and building successful businesses.

Why develop with Google Home?

Google's support for Matter enables your device to reach 100M+ global Google Home users, and unlocks features like automation routines and voice control through Google Assistant. Developing and certifying your Matter device for Google Home is free, and provides:

  • Developer tools for device makers to build your Matter device quickly and reliably.
  • Google's Play services APIs and Android developer tools for developing your Android companion app.
  • Developer support guides to put you on the fastest path to market.
    • Matter 101, Matter Primer, Codelabs, Videos
    • Step-by-Step instructions for getting started with Matter
  • Works With Google Home product badging.
  • Customizing the user's warm welcome experience when your Matter device is set up on an Android phone or tablet.

Google Home Resources

What is Samsung SmartThings?

Developing Matter IoT devices for SmartThings brings numerous benefits. SmartThings enhances interoperability, simplifies integration, expands device choice, and future-proofs the smart home ecosystem. It ultimately provides a better user experience and greater flexibility for SmartThings.

SmartThings Resources

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2. Choose Your Hardware Platform

The first choice you’re likely to face is which protocol to use, Wi-Fi or Thread.

Matter over Thread is a low power mesh technology that is ideal for battery powered end devices that can run on coin cell batteries, including sensors and switches as well as line powered device like LED lighting and smart plugs.

Matter over Wi-Fi is ideal for higher bandwidth devices that run on rechargeable batteries, multiple primary cell batteries such as alkaline as well as line powered devices. Typical applications are door locks, cameras, appliances and LED lighting. 

Open Thread Border Routers are required for Matter over Thread devices. These devices route the packets from a Thread network over to a standard IP network used on Ethernet and Wi-Fi. The functionality is typically provided in many Voice Assistants and Smart Home Hubs.

Matter Bridging enables users to bridge there existing Zigbee and Z-Wave devices to Matter. Our 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.

Matter over Thread

Silicon Labs Matter over Thread SoCs and modules deliver exceptional RF performance, advanced security features with Silicon Labs' Secure Vault™, and low power options for long battery life.  The devices support both 802.15.4 for Matter over Thread and Bluetooth Low Energy for commissioning, eliminating the need for multiple chipsets.

See the below table to choose the optimal hardware for your specific product needs.

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  

Matter over Thread SoCs and Modules

 

EFR32MG21 SOCs

EFR32MG21 Modules

EFR32MG24 SoCs

EFR32MG24 Series 2 Modules

Flash/RAM   1024/96 kB 1024/96 kB 1536/256 kB 1536/256 kB
Max TX Power  Up to 20 dBm Up to 20 dBm Up to 19.5 dBm Up to 19.9 dBm
Package Type   QFN32 PCB/SiP QFN40/QFN48 PCB/SiP
802.15.4/Thread Yes Yes Yes Yes
BLE   Yes Yes Yes Yes
Secure Vault   High, Mid High, Mid High, Mid High, Mid
For Battery Power   No No Yes Yes
  Learn More Learn More Learn More Learn More

Matter over Wi-Fi

Silicon Labs Matter over Wi-Fi SoCs, Transceivers and modules deliver exceptional RF performance, advanced security features, and low power. In addition to Wi-Fi, select devices also support Bluetooth Low Energy for commissioning, eliminating the need for multiple chipsets.

See the below table to choose the optimal hardware for your specific product needs.

Use Case Protocols Mode SiWx917
SiWx915 RS9116W +
EFR32MG24*
WF200 +
EFR32MG24*
Matter Wi-Fi End Device Wi-Fi, Bluetooth LE SoC    
Matter Wi-Fi End Device Wi-Fi, Bluetooth LE NCP      
Matter Wi-Fi End Device Wi-Fi RCP      

Matter over Wi-Fi SoCs, Transceivers and Modules

 

SiWx917 Wi-Fi 6 plus Bluetooth LE 5.4 SoCs

SiWx915 Wi-Fi 6 plus Bluetooth LE 5.4 SoCs

RS9116 Wi-Fi NCP SoCs

RS9116 Wi-Fi NCP Modules

WF200 Series 2 Wi-Fi Transceiver SOCs

WF200 Series 2 Wi-Fi Transceiver Modules

Flash   8192 8192 4096 kB 4096 kB
Onboard IP Support Yes Yes Yes
Key Peripherals  QSPI, SPI, I2C, I2S, SDIO, PWM,QEI, USART, UART, ADC/DAC QSPI, SPI, I2C, I2S, SDIO, PWM,QEI, USART, UART, ADC/DAC UART, SPI, SDIO, USB, CDC UART, SPI, SDIO, USB, CDC SDIO/SPI SDIO/SPI
  Learn More Learn More Learn More Learn More Learn More Learn More
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3. Purchase 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. Based on your hardware platform selection in the previous step, select which kit is the best fit for your needs below.

Development Kits for Matter over Wi-Fi

Full-featured application development kits.
 
Silicon Labs offers several Wi-Fi development kits ranging from a low-cost small form factor prototyping platform to a feature-packed development platform kit for advanced application development. There's also development platforms options for Network Co-Processor (NCP) modes of operation. Select one kit that best fit your needs.
 
Kit SiWx917 Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth LE 8 MB Flash SoC Pro Kit
SiWx917 Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth LE 4MB Flash Co-Processor Radio Board SiWx917 Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth LE Dev Kit 
OPN (SiWx917-PK6031A) (SiWx917-RB4346A)
+
Si-EB8045A, Si-EB8045B, Si-EB8045C
(SiWx917-DK2605A)
Target Device SiWG917M111MGTBA SiWN917M100LGTBA SiWG917M111MGTBA
On-chip Memory 8 MB Flash 4 MB Flash 8 MB Flash
RF Front-end External Switch External Switch External Switch
RF Test Connector Yes Yes Yes
Energy Monitor (AEM) Yes Optional
NCP Support Yes
Packet Traffic Arbitration (PTA) Yes
On-board Debugger Advanced Basic
Debug In/Out Yes/Yes Yes/No Yes/No
User Buttons & LEDs Yes Yes
Breakout Pads
(Pins Accessible)
Yes (Full Pin Access) Yes (Limited Pin Access) Yes (Limited Pin Access)
Display Yes
On-board Sensors Yes Yes
3rd Party Hardware Addons Yes

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

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.
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4. Explore Demos

Here is a list of Matter over Wi-Fi demos that can be easily flashed onto your SiWx917 Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth LE 8 MB Flash Pro Kit (SiWx917-PK6031A), directly from the web. These demos are provided as ready-to-go examples, with source code available from Simplicity Studio for use as an application development starting point.

Lighting

Get up and running quickly and flash a Matter SoC over Wi-Fi Lighting demo.

Required Kit:

Locks

Get up and running quickly and flash a Matter SoC over Wi-Fi Locks demo.

Required Kit:

Window Covering

Get up and running quickly and flash a Matter SoC over Wi-Fi Window Covering demo.

Required Kit:

Thermostat

Get up and running quickly and flash a Matter SoC over Wi-Fi Thermostat demo.

Required Kit:

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5. Create User Accounts

While you wait for your Development Kit, we recommend setting up your user accounts.

Silicon Labs Account:

Silicon Labs Account: This account will offer you access to our developer community, Getting Started guides, private GitHub repositories and our Simplicity Studio development environment. You can create your account or verify access to your account here.

Silicon Labs + Matter

Join the Connectivity Standards Alliance

To use the Matter specification and certify your Matter product, you will need to be a member of the CSA. You will need to get your own unique Vendor ID (VID) and Product ID (PID).Visit the CSA and decide which membership level is best for you.

Ecosystems are an integral part of Matter and represent the primary way users will interact with your Matter devices. Silicon Labs works closely with the major ecosystem providers to help developers navigate the development process with all of the resources and tools needed.

Explore the ecosystem-specific content for each step of your development journey and access all the information you need throughout your project.

Create your Alexa and AWS Accounts.

Amazon Alexa Account

Create Amazon Alexa Account:

Amazon Alexa Account: To create a new Amazon developer account, enter your credentials, register your developer information, and complete your profile.

Create AWS Account:

Amazon Web Services Account: To connect your device to the cloud, you will need an AWS account. Note: you will need to know if you are a root user or an IAM user. If you’re a new developer, then we recommend setting up a root user account. If you’re an experienced developer, then an IAM user account is right for you. You will be prompted to add your payment and billing details to secure cloud connection. AWS offers a multitude of configuration tools to support you along your journey. More to come on that in the following steps.

Amazon Web Services Logo

Create your Google Home Accounts.

Google Home Account

Google Account

Use your existing Google account or create a new account to access resources to start your Matter development with Google.

Google Home Matter Developer Project

Any Matter device certified by the CSA can be set up on Google Home without further actions. However, creating a Matter development project in the Google Home Developer Console allows you to access advanced features for Matter devices, including cloud logging and customizing the product images shown during device setup.

Partner Marketing Hub

The Partner Marketing Hub contains resources like brand guidelines, product badge images, consumer messaging, and more. Submit your marketing materials for brand review and approval, and Google's partner brand team will provide feedback throughout the approval process to ensure your materials are on-brand and on-point.

Create your Samsung SmartThings Accounts.

SmartThings Developer Account

SmartThings Developer Account:

The first step is to create your Samsung Developer account. Once you’ve created your account you can:

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6. Set Up Development Environment

We know you have many options when it comes to choosing your development environment, but we believe Simplicity Studio is the right choice for developing your device with Matter. Here’s why:

  • Includes your programmer and debugger functions so you don’t have to worry about manual setup.
  • Automatically recognizes the boards you’ve purchased and filters out sample apps that are not applicable; only exposes the sample apps that are related to your hardware selection.
  • Potentially saving you hours of time in installation, setup and configuration.
  • Simplicity Studio links directly to the private GitHub repositories.
  • Need help setting up your environment? Our Getting Started Guide will have you up and running in no time. 

Download the Full Online Installer Version of Simplicity Studio v5:

System Requirements

Windows     Windows 10 (64-bit)
Windows 11
MacOS 10.14 Mojave
10.15 Catalina*
11.x Big Sur*
12.x Monterey*
*if trying to use the Keil 8051 or IAR toolchains, click here
Linux Ubuntu 20.24 LTS

 

CPU     1 GHz or better
Memory 1 GB RAM (8 GB rcommended for wireless protocol development
Disk Space 600 MB disk space for minimum FFD installation
7 GB for wireless dynamic protocol support
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1. Develop Your Product

These resources will be helpful during your development cycle.

Explore these Quick Start Videos below.

Matter over Thread Light Device

OpenThread Border Router

Joining a Google Home Network

Ecosystems are an integral part of Matter and represent the primary way users will interact with your Matter devices. Silicon Labs works closely with the major ecosystem providers to help developers navigate the development process with all of the resources and tools needed.

Explore the ecosystem-specific content for each step of your development journey and access all the information you need throughout your project.

Amazon Alexa Resources

Frustration-Free Setup (FFS) allows customers to add Matter devices with a zero-touch experience. Your customers benefit from reduced setup frustration, a top driver of customer care calls and product returns.

To make it easier for you to implement FFS, Amazon collaborated with Silicon Labs to add support for Frustration-Free Setup into their integrated development and testing platforms. This means you can leverage pre-configured and pre-certified components from Silicon Labs to develop your Matter products.

For your skill-connected Matter devices, the Commissionable Endpoint API creates a local, Matter-based connection to Alexa devices without any steps required by your customer with their permission. No writing down setup codes and switching between apps to enable another Matter connection.

Google Resources

With Google's comprehensive suite of tools for Matter development, APIs, extensive documentation, codelabs and samples, you're on the fastest path to build Matter products that are compatible with all major ecosystems, and specifically work seamlessly with Google Home. 

SmartThings Resources

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2. Test & Iterate

In this step, it is important to test your product before submitting to test labs to ensure your product will pass testing. Testing your product against a Matter Test Harness helps ensure compliance with the spec.

CSA Matter Test Harness Quick Start Guide (CSA Workgroup Membership Required)

Silicon Labs Connectivity Lab

The Connectivity Lab is designed to help developers test connectivity and interoperability for Matter devices within the most common Matter ecosystems, including Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Google Home, and Samsung SmartThings.

For more information, fill out the form to the right.

In addition, testing your products with the various Ecosystems provides additional assurance and is required if you want to use their “works with” badges.

Ecosystems are an integral part of Matter and represent the primary way users will interact with your Matter devices. Silicon Labs works closely with the major ecosystem providers to help developers navigate the development process with all of the resources and tools needed.

Explore the ecosystem-specific content for each step of your development journey and access all the information you need throughout your project.

Amazon Alexa Resources

To test Frustration-Free Setup (FFS) for Matter, you can pre-register the device to your account. Navigate to Test Device section under your product in the FFS console and submit the FFS Advertising PID and SERNUM.

Google provides tools for testing and monitoring your device during the development cycle and in production.

Additional Google Resources

SmartThings Resources

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3. Certify Product

Matter certification is required to ensure the products interoperate and provide users with the best possible experience. In addition to Matter certification, the underlying technologies including Wi-Fi, Thread and Bluetooth Low Energy (used for commissioning) also require certification. Finally, optional Ecosystem certification allows you to use the “works with” badges that customers have come to trust.

  • Silicon Labs’ wireless network stacks are certified with the respective standardization bodies to save development time and costs. Simplicity Studio streamlines testing and certification for your team.
  • Silicon Labs offers CSA-certified Matter solutions and an SDK, including certified application examples. Saving development time and costs.
  • Silicon Labs’ implementations have been tested with the popular IoT ecosystems. Our documentation, guides, and tools will streamline your certification processes.


Additional Resources

Tech Talk

Certifying a Matter Device: Thread & Wi-Fi

Learn how to certify your Matter device, focusing on Matter certification for Thread and Wi-Fi devices from our expert engineers in our on-demand training.

Ecosystems are an integral part of Matter and represent the primary way users will interact with your Matter devices. Silicon Labs works closely with the major ecosystem providers to help developers navigate the development process with all of the resources and tools needed.

Explore the ecosystem-specific content for each step of your development journey and access all the information you need throughout your project.

Amazon Alexa Resources

You can follow instructions for Simplified certification when using a pre-certified solution for Frustration-Free Setup.

The Works with Alexa (WWA) program ensures tested compatibility with Alexa and gives customers confidence that their Matter devices will work great with Alexa.

Yes, CSA certified Matter products will work out-of-the-box with Google Home. So why certify with Google?

Through the Works with Google Home certification program, Google provides resources to help you grow your business and differentiate your products including branding during device setup, and cloud analytics for production devices for insights to help you improve user satisfaction.

In addition, the Works With Google Home badge lets users and retailers know at a glance that your device works well with Google Home.

Testing and certification is managed through the Developer Console:

SmartThings Resources

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1. Manufacture Product

Matter DAC injection is required for end products. Silicon Labs can help simplify the DAC injection process for Matter certification with our Custom Part Manufacturing Service (CPMS), keeping your private keys private – from the factory to the end user’s homes. Learn more about the DAC injection process with CPMS.

EFR32MG21 SOCs
EFR32MG21 Modules
EFR32MG24 SoCs
EFR32MG24 Series 2 Modules
RS9116 Wi-Fi NCP SoCs
RS9116 Wi-Fi NCP Modules
WF200 Series 2 Wi-Fi Transceiver SOCs
WF200 Series 2 Wi-Fi Transceiver Modules

If you need help with your purchase, contact your local Silicon Labs sales representative.

Ecosystems are an integral part of Matter and represent the primary way users will interact with your Matter devices. Silicon Labs works closely with the major ecosystem providers to help developers navigate the development process with all of the resources and tools needed.

Explore the ecosystem-specific content for each step of your development journey and access all the information you need throughout your project.

Amazon Alexa Resources

Other logistics include uploading the control logs and printing 1D barcode on device packaging. Control logs and 1D barcode enable pre-association of device with customer’s account. When the 1D barcode gets scanned at Amazon fulfillment centers, before shipment, we look up the control logs and associate it with customer’s account, if the customer has opted in to FFS.

During testing and certification, OEMs will upload the control log and test the FFS implementation at their end. During mass production, these control logs can be uploaded one-by-one for each device (as a part of the manufacturing test kit) or collectively at a later point.

Now that your product is certified, launch your Matter integration in the Google Home Developer Console to activate your customized features for production users. This is also a good time to submit your product marketing and packaging assets to Google for branding approval via the Partner Marketing Hub. 

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2. Operate Product

Once the product is deployed in the field, you can monitor performance and usage as well as provide over the air updates for bug fixes and feature enhancements.

Ecosystem providers can help enable cloud monitoring and over the air updates. 

Ecosystems are an integral part of Matter and represent the primary way users will interact with your Matter devices. Silicon Labs works closely with the major ecosystem providers to help developers navigate the development process with all of the resources and tools needed.

Explore the ecosystem-specific content for each step of your development journey and access all the information you need throughout your project.

Leverage the Google Home analytics dashboard to monitor your device integration quality, and gain actionable business insights on how users engage with your devices.

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Getting Started
1. Learn and Explore
2. Choose Your Hardware Platform
3. Buy Your Dev Kit
4. Explore Demos
5. Create User Accounts
6. Set Up Dev Environment
Develop
1. Develop Your Product
2. Test & Iterate
3. Certify Product
Deploy Product
1. Manufacture Product
2. Operate Product
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