With Matter becoming the new standard for IoT devices, supported by all major smart home platforms and hundreds of device and accessory makers, more and more of its distinctive and new qualities are becoming apparent to end users and manufacturers alike.

 

One of these qualities is that Matter is very flexible in the networking technologies it supports. Unlike some other standards, it is not tied to a specific (wireless) networking technology. Rather, because of its IP-based foundation, it can work with a multitude of networking standards (or: physical layers), each with its own benefits.

 

Currently, for Matter, it supports these networking technologies:

• Ethernet - Ideal for high-bandwidth, mains-powered devices
• Wi-Fi - Ideal for high-bandwidth, mains-powered devices; and
• Thread - Ideal for responsive applications in both low-power and mains-powered devices

 

Benefits of Wi-Fi and Ethernet
Ethernet and Wi-Fi are ubiquitous networking technologies that are widely used today. For applications where it is feasible to connect a networking cable to each IoT device, ethernet is a reliable connection technology. Its high bandwidth also makes it ideal for applications and purposes that require a lot of data being sent and received such as security cameras.

 

Likewise, Wi-Fi can be seen as a wireless equivalent of ethernet, enabling high bandwidth data use. This makes it ideal for situations where a lot of data needs to be transmitted, particularly in audio and video applications.

 

Complexities of Wi-Fi and Ethernet
Apart from these apparent benefits, both technologies come with their complexities and limitations.

 

Ethernet requires a lot of planning and complex installation, making it relatively difficult and costly to set up. Once installed, it offers little flexibility when devices need to be moved to a different location. An ethernet network also requires configuration and maintenance of routers and switches, for set-up and error resolution.

 

Wi-Fi network reliability depends on several factors, including notably the distance between the Wi-Fi access point and the wireless Wi-Fi device that is connected to it. On phones and computers, users are trained to look at the signal strength indicator to determine a possible slow-down or hiccup in connectivity. However, for IoT devices, such an indication is typically not available. Furthermore, Wi-Fi signals can be affected by interference from other devices, particularly noticeable when there is a lot of activity going on the network and as the number of devices on the Wi-Fi network grows. This is especially noticeable in IoT applications whereby the user expects instant reactions (i.e., turning on a light).

 

And, then there is the issue of provisioning devices on a Wi-Fi network. Adding a new Wi-Fi-based IoT device to the network requires the device to obtain the security credentials of the network. This means that the device either needs to have a Bluetooth connection for a smartphone to send this information over, or the device needs to be put in a hotspot mode, becoming a temporary Wi-Fi network of itself. In either case, it means that if the user changes their network password (for example when she switches out her modem/router box), all devices need to be provisioned again using the new security credentials.

 

Where Thread Comes In
Thread is a networking technology that was designed to specifically address all of the above issues when it comes to connecting and using IoT devices, while at the same time offering the seamless IP-based connectivity and flexibility that users have come to expect.

 

Thread is a low-power, wireless, mesh technology. It’s ideal for both battery-powered devices like sensors or buttons that can run for multiple years on a single battery, and mains-powered devices to deliver a low-energy footprint. It is a mesh network technology, meaning that instead of slowing the network down, every new mains-powered Thread device that is added expands on the network’s reach and reliability, as they automatically become routing-capable devices. And since the Thread network works independently from the rest of the (Wi-Fi and Ethernet) home or building network or even an internet connection, leveraging its mesh capabilities provides it with robust performance and speed of operation, comparable to that of a wired network.

 

Unlike many other wireless IoT technologies, Thread does not require a specific hub or gateway to operate. Since Thread is fully IP-based, it can be seen as a low power and highly efficient extension of an existing network. All that is needed is Thread Border Router functionality in one of the devices connected to the network, something that can be present in a wide range of devices.

 

Adding Thread to Wi-Fi Devices for Additional Robustness
For IoT devices that are based on Wi-Fi (or ethernet), adding Thread can offer several benefits in making the device more reliable and its connection more robust. The Thread network can be used as a redundant data connection in case the Wi-Fi signal is unreliable or unavailable. Since Thread and Wi-Fi are both transparent IP networking technologies, an IoT device can simply respond to whichever network sends the application request the quickest. This will be especially beneficial when the Wi-Fi network has a lot of communication going on, for example with multiple users performing simultaneous downloads, doing video conferencing, or playing online games.

 

 

Using Thread to Simplify Managing Wi-Fi Devices
As explained above, IoT devices based on Wi-Fi need to be aware of the user’s current network security parameters and passwords. Once these are changed, for example as part of a best-practice security effort, or because the access point or router device is replaced, all of these Wi-Fi IoT devices need to be re-commissioned. Typically, the user needs to set up a Bluetooth connection to each of these devices or put them in hotspot mode to re-upload the new credentials.

 

If the Wi-Fi device is also equipped with Thread, the Thread network connection can be used to supply the device with the new security information. All of this without the need to physically access each device individually. Or even without the need for a Wi-Fi network to be operational.

 

Thread in Mobile Devices Further Expanding Ease of Use
Thread technology is currently present in mobile phones like Apple’s iPhone 15 Pro, and the OpenThread software stack is an official part of the Android open source project. Next to Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, Thread will become a standard networking technology in mobile devices.

 

This allows for Thread-enabled IoT devices to be installed in a home or building, independent of the commissioning process. All of these configurations can be performed later at the convenience of the user or installer, by just using a Thread-capable mobile device. It eliminates the complexities of a commissioning process that is based on Bluetooth. This may even result in IoT device makers eventually not needing to place Bluetooth hardware in their products, saving on radio hardware, flash memory, and RAM costs.

 

Thread Feels at Home in an IP World
As the examples provided above show, a native IP-based networking technology like Thread that is built to be robust, reliable, low power, and mesh-capable, forms the ideal complimentary technology to existing IP networking technologies. Instead of adding a new network or application technology, Thread simply extends the IP network. Thread can be used on its own as the basis for responsive IoT devices, or as a complimentary technology in Wi-Fi or ethernet devices to provide much reduced complexity in set-up and configuration and greatly increase the robustness and performance of the device.