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One Language - All Devices: And Nothing else MATTER for IoT...

A smart home makes our lives more comfortable. Whether via smartphone app or with voice control: Different functions such as lighting, heating and air conditioning as well as entertainment electronics can be easily controlled with "Siri", "Alexa" and Co.

But how many different systems do you need to support with your application?
After all, you want to achieve the best possible compatibility and a large customer base?
Wouldn't it be much better if there was a single universal standard here?

In the future, you can solve this challenge with MATTER.
MATTER is a smart home standard that is free for all manufacturers and has been available in version 1.0 since October 2022. The manufacturers of smart home systems, devices and chips have developed this standard together. MATTER forms the common communication basis for all applications - in other words, one language for all devices.

For the development of application for MATTER you need a base of powerful hardware and software, like the solution from SILICON LABS (short: SiLabs). The manufacturer for energy-saving IoT controllers offers a highly integrated platform solution consisting of hardware, software and protocol stacks as well as the appropriate development tools. This platform already supports a variety of modern wireless protocols such as Bluetooth, ZigBee and Thread. MATTER support completes the overall system.

MATTER - the standard
In the "Connected Home over IP" (CHIP) project, many well-known companies such as Amazon, Apple, Google and chip manufacturers such as SILICON LABS have joined forces to develop a cross-vendor standard for smart home and IoT. On October 4, 2022, version 1.0 of the MATTER standard was released as a result.

This work is now being continued by the Connectivity Standard Alliance (CSA). By ensuring the best possible interoperability between devices from different manufacturers thanks to MATTER, it will be easy to connect a wide variety of devices in the smart home and IoT.

Series 2 - MG24 - the MATTER derivative
With the Series 2 EFRMG24 system-on-chips (SoCs), SiLabs offers the ideal basis for developing high-performance applications. The SoCs contain the key components of an IoT application in a compact package: a powerful 32-bit microcontroller, a flexible wireless transceiver for multiple protocols, and encryption and security functions to ensure data and application security. This is rounded off by flexible low-power functions that enable energy-saving applications and long operating times, even on battery power.

For the radio connection with MATTER, the MG24 supports the Thread radio standard. Alternatively, other standards such as ZigBee, Bluetooth Low Energy or Bluetooth Mesh can be used.

In addition to the EFR32MG24 as SoC, SiLabs also offers pre-certified modules. Since further components such as quartz and antenna are already integrated and tested here, these modules can be integrated faster and easier into own applications.

The MGM240P PCB module has an integrated antenna and offers 26 GPIO pins for connecting own peripherals. It is available in variants with 10 dBm or 20 dBm transmit power, the latter alternatively with an RF pin for connecting a separate antenna.

The ultra-compact MGM240S system-in-package (SiP) module even offers 32 GPIO pins on a size of only 7x7 mm. For the use of the integrated antenna, a small ground loop in the PCB layout is still necessary here, which means that the footprint is something like 2/3 of the PCB module. Alternatively, the MGM240S with up to 10 dBm transmit power can also be used with a separate antenna.

The technical highlights of the EFM32MG24 family:

Software - the center

With Simplicity Studio SiLabs provides a strong development environment for free. It brings all the necessary stacks for Thread and ZigBee and thus MATTER. The network analyzer also supports the visualization of the own network.

Three EFR32xG24 kits for a quick start

xG24-EK2703A (Explorer Kit)

xG24-DK2601B (Dev Kit)

xG24-PK6010A (Pro Kit +20 dBm)

SiLabs offers three kits for a quick start.

Explorer Kit and Dev Kit are compact boards for rapid prototyping. The boards are each equipped with an EFR32MG24 SoC and have a USB port with J-Link debugger. Additional peripherals can be connected via the breakout pins and a "qwiic" connector. The dev kit also has a battery holder and sensors on board to quickly and easily develop an "end device".

The EFRxG24 Pro Kits offer further possibilities for development and debugging. In addition to the J-Link debugger, the base board also offers the Advanced Energy Monitor AEM. The power analyzer can be used to capture the application's power requirements in real time. The EFR32MG24 SoC is assembled on a separate radio board. By replacing the radio board, other SiLabs SoCs and modules can easily be used with the base board. Furthermore, the Base Board also has a connector that allows you to connect and debug your own hardware.

Start your MATTER development now with SiLabs and GLYN-SUPPORT.