What is the topic? Explaining Matter’s smart home network protocol

• Amazon Echo (4th generation)
• Amazon Euro 6, 6 plus, For 6E, Aero 7, Pro 7, Max 7, Po 6and Po gate
• Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd generation), Echo Show 15 (2nd generation), Echo Show 21 (2nd generation)and Echo axis
• Apple HomePod (2nd generation)
• Apple HomePod Mini
• Apple TV 4K (2nd and 3rd generation with Wi-Fi + Ethernet)
• Google Nest Hub (2nd generation)
• Google Nest Hub Max
• Google Nest WiFi and Nest WiFi Pro
• Google TV Streamer 4K
• Samsung SmartThings Station, Axis v3and Dongle hub
• Samsung Smart TVs (CU8000, 7000 coin, New QLED 8K and 4K)
• Aqara Smart Hub M3
• Homi Pro

A brief history of the topic

Originally developed by Nest (before Google acquisitionThread has been around since 2011. Designed as a power-efficient mesh networking technology for Internet of Things (IoT) products, Thread gained traction after the formation of the Thread Group in 2014, which is developing the technology and driving its adoption as an industry standard. Apple, Amazon, and many other major companies over the years have joined founding members such as ARM, Samsung, Google, and Qualcomm.

Theme specifications are freely available, but there is an end-user license agreement (End User License Agreement) for adoptees. The theme has evolved, with new versions and features released every couple of years. New versions are backward compatible, so new devices can work side by side with older devices. Sometimes older Thread devices can be upgraded to the latest version, but not always.

The latest version, Thread 1.4, was released in 2024, providing credential sharing, allowing networks formed in different ecosystems (such as Apple Home, Google Home, and Amazon Alexa) and different thread border routers to form one large network, rather than several separate networks. Unfortunately, although the Thread 1.4 specification is available, it takes some time for manufacturers to adopt it and achieve certification.

To learn more about Thread, check out the official website Topics group website.

How does the thread work with the material?

Thread is what enables devices to communicate with each other, and matter is the language they use to communicate. Thread already supports different application layers, such as Matter, on top. It can also support multiple application layers simultaneously. It uses Matter Thread, Wi-Fi, and Ethernet to communicate with the device. If the device is battery powered and bandwidth requirements are low, Thread is chosen. For high-bandwidth devices and always-on (plugged-in) devices (such as security cameras), it will choose Wi-Fi. Matter also uses Bluetooth LE for initial setup on some devices. You can learn more in my Issue guide.

Topic vs ZigBee

Zigbee has been around longer than Thread and relies on the same wireless technology. It can also create robust mesh networks, features secure encryption, and is great for low-power devices. Because Zigbee has its own application and network layers, it requires a special core that acts as a gateway for communications, while Thread is IPv6, so it can integrate seamlessly with IP-based networks through any thread’s border router. Thread latency is also lower than Zigbee, so smart home devices respond more quickly.

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