Integrating Matter to Expand Connectivity and Compatibility

Integrating Matter into your product strategy can enhance your IoT offerings and expand your ecosystem by connecting with a wider range of devices and platforms. Matter, developed by the Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA) with contributions from industry leaders like Amazon, Google, and Apple, is an IP-based protocol that brings a unified framework focused on security, interoperability, and scalability across various platforms. This collaborative standard leverages IPv6, Thread (based on IEEE 802.15.4), and Wi-Fi as core communication protocols, ensuring robust, low-power, secure device-to-device communication across smart home environments.

Integrating Matter into existing IoT products 

Matter expands the options for system integrators and product manufacturers to bring together multiple ecosystems, such as Zigbee or proprietary protocols, through bridging middleware. Bridging enables Matter-based hubs to control devices that use different protocols, achieving compatibility without the need for a complete redesign. Middleware solutions like a Matter Bridge facilitate protocol translation, allowing existing Zigbee devices to be operated effortlessly with Matter-enabled hubs. This not only preserves current investments but also simplifies deployment of the device ecosystem while enhancing interoperability across different protocols and network types, including 802.15.4-based devices.

Bridging middleware supports multi-protocol integration, combining the strengths of the Matter platform architecture with other protocols in a cohesive network. This approach is especially valuable for companies with large existing device installations, offering greater compatibility with cost-efficiency.

Consider bridging middleware for scenarios such as:

• Maximizing device interoperability: If you have a network of Zigbee or other protocol devices, bridging allows these devices to be controlled by Matter-enabled systems, delivering a unified experience without requiring hardware changes.
• Enhanced ecosystem management: Bridging provides a centralized control platform where users can manage both Matter and other protocol devices, simplifying user experience, remote device management, and diagnostics through unified APIs.

Benefits of bridging to/from Matter

• Cost efficiency: Bridging middleware reduces redevelopment costs by utilizing existing hardware designs and allowing connectivity to devices from all ecosystems without implementing multiple protocol stacks. 
• User experience: Bridging provides a unified user experience, enabling Matter, Zigbee, and other protocol end-devices to interact easily through a single interface using mDNS-based service discovery.
• Extended device compatibility: Bridging enables devices with non-IP protocols to operate within an IP-driven Matter ecosystem, extending product lifecycles and expanding connectivity.
• Ecosystem coexistence: Bridging enhances compatibility across major smart home ecosystems, such as Apple Home, Google Home, Amazon Alexa, and Samsung SmartThings.

Key considerations for bridging to/from Matter

• Development resources
  Integrating Matter with bridging requires firmware updates, protocol translation, and compliance testing to ensure compatibility across the device ecosystem. To streamline this process, leverage Matter’s modular SDK and open-source libraries, which include provisioning tools. Collaborating with Matter specialists or third-party vendors can help reduce resource expenditure and ensure efficient implementation.

• Technical expertise
  Bridging solutions require a deep understanding of Matter’s stack, including IPv6, DNS-based service discovery (mDNS), IEEE 802.15.4 for low-power mesh networks, and secure commissioning methods. Providing Matter-specific training to your team can bridge the knowledge gap. Utilize resources from CSA, such as workshops, technical documentation, and case studies, to enhance your team’s expertise.

• Multi-protocol management
  A centralized management platform with unified APIs can simplify multi-protocol control. Middleware solutions can further streamline device monitoring, diagnostics, and OTA updates across Matter, Zigbee, and other protocols.

• Certification and Compliance
  Achieving Matter certification involves thorough testing to ensure interoperability, security, and performance. Engaging authorized Matter testing labs early in development for pre-certification testing can help identify and address potential issues. Following CSA guidelines ensures compliance and accelerates the certification process.

Use cases: The Matter protocol introduces an opportunity for enhanced interoperability and an expanded portfolio of new devices across smart home ecosystems. 

System integrators

Many system integrators connect smart devices using technologies like Zigbee or Z-Wave, with ecosystems comprising:

• Custom cloud solutions along with technology-specific gateway 
• Mobile application connected to the end devices over the cloud
• Cloud, Gateway and Mobile app make a single custom ecosystem

These components work together to form a robust ecosystem, typically requiring live internet connectivity to enable automation and control. Integrators often play a key role in either creating such ecosystems or customizing them to meet specific client requirements.

Retrofitting an existing system:

Over time, new requirements may emerge that call for expanding or enhancing these systems without replacing the existing infrastructure. Retrofitting provides a way to integrate new capabilities while preserving the functionality of the current system. Scenarios that might drive retrofitting include:

• Scaling for mixed protocol installations: Adding support for both pre-Matter devices and Matter-enabled devices to meet growing client demands.
• Expanding smart home segments: Introducing new categories of devices that are optimized to be supported by Matter, such as smart speakers, robot vacuums, dishwashers, air purifiers and more.
• Ecosystem integration: Enabling compatibility with popular platforms like Google Home, Apple HomeKit, or Amazon Alexa to align with user preferences. Or, enabling compatibility with devices that exist only in a different technology, such as operating in other RF bands. 
• Reducing replacement costs: Addressing the expense and complexity of replacing devices, reconfiguring, or dismantling parts of the installation, particularly in multi-dwelling unit buildings originally integrated with smart home technology. 

Manufacturers

Manufacturers play a critical role in driving interoperability and expanding capabilities in the smart home and industrial IoT ecosystems. By integrating Matter Bridges into their product lines, manufacturers can address the growing demand for connectivity across diverse technologies. Below are use cases that illustrate how Matter Bridges can be strategically utilized by manufacturers.

Expanding a product line

A manufacturer identifies the need for a Matter Bridge product to support the integration of existing non-Matter devices with Matter-compatible ecosystems due to demand for retrofitting support. This solution could serve as either:

A standalone device designed specifically to bridge protocols, or

A software-based component hosted by an ecosystem controller, e.g. smart speaker or control panel

Connecting product lines

Manufacturers offering a variety of products built on different technologies (e.g., Zigbee, Z-Wave) proprietary protocols) may use a Matter Bridge to unify their ecosystem. This approach allows for tighter integration and seamless operation of all devices within the same environment.

• Any-to-Matter Bridge: A bridging solution that connects various product lines to the Matter ecosystem, enabling users to control and monitor all devices through a unified interface.
• Enhanced interoperability: Simplifies system management for users by reducing the need for multiple apps or hubs.

Developing an independent Matter bridge product

For manufacturers looking to integrate Matter into their ecosystem, a middleware bridge provides an efficient starting point. By acting as a translator between Matter and existing protocols (e.g., Zigbee or Z-Wave), a middleware bridge enables interoperability without redesigning current product lines. This approach allows manufacturers to support Matter adoption incrementally while maintaining compatibility across their existing offerings, positioning their brand as forward-looking and adaptable.

This approach to bridging Matter provides a gradual integration, supporting a wide range of devices and enabling enhanced compatibility without major changes to existing systems.4 By addressing key technical considerations and implementing effective solutions, technical leaders can leverage Matter’s benefits while preserving and expanding their existing ecosystem's strengths.

Use Case: Secure facilities with special limitations

Certain environments, such as government buildings or secured areas, may restrict IP-based wireless devices, including Matter-enabled devices. However, these facilities can still benefit from robust non-IP mesh networks (e.g., Zigbee or proprietary protocols), leveraging custom bridging solutions to ensure compliance with regulatory and security standards, flexibility in using non-IP devices, and interoperability with Matter ecosystems.

Scenarios

• Sensitive Zones:
  Facilities can use custom firmware or hardware bridges to connect mesh networks to external Matter-compatible ecosystems while adhering to security protocols.
• Vendor-Limited Installations:
  For sites restricted to certified vendors, System Integrators (SIs) or approved vendors can develop Matter Bridges tailored to meet compliance and operational needs.

Custom bridging solutions provide a practical path for integrating non-IP networks with Matter, ensuring functionality and compliance in specialized environments.

With over two decades of experience, DSR Corporation has delivered solutions across the product spectrum, from hardware to user applications. Our expertise spans wireless communications, cloud systems, embedded software, and application integration layers, making us a trusted partner for IoT innovation.

If you have questions about integrating multi-protocol devices or need guidance on bridging to IP ecosystems, we're here to help. Contact us to speak with a middleware specialist or learn more about the DSR Matter Bridge: https://dsr-iot.com/solutions/matterbridge/.