Matter Native Solution

Developing a High-Performance Smart Home Ecosystem

A leading global technology company specializing in digital platforms, cloud services, artificial intelligence, and enterprise solutions. The organization operates at significant scale, serving billions of users worldwide and driving innovation across consumer and business markets.

Case Highlights

Native iOS application with Matter integration
Support for Matter-over-Wi-Fi and Matter-over-Thread
Development of a custom Matter smart device
Integration with a commercial Matter-certified bulb
Custom Thread Border Router (gateway) development
Firmware implementation on ESP32 for the Custom Thread Border Router
Secure end-to-end Matter communication
Rapid PoC delivery within 3 weeks

Problem

Overcoming Ecosystem Fragmentation

In today’s market, smart devices often require disparate apps and proprietary hubs to function. The client needed a unified solution that utilized two specific, cutting-edge technologies:

Matter Protocol: A universal language that allows different devices to communicate locally and securely.
Thread Networking: A low-power, self-healing mesh network designed specifically for IoT, offering superior reliability over Bluetooth.

Core Requirements:

Develop a native iOS application with direct Matter integration.

1. Enable simultaneous control over Matter-over-Wi-Fi and Matter-over-Thread devices.
2. Engineer a custom Thread Border Router to serve as the gateway between the two networks.

The Client's requirements were:

1. Build an iOS app that speaks Matter.
2. Enable control over both Wi-Fi and Thread networks.
3. Create a custom gateway (Thread Border Router) to connect these two networks.
4. Ensure the solution is fast (no delay when clicking a button).

Solution

We divided the project into three main development components: Mobile, Hardware, and Firmware

Native iOS Application

We developed a custom iOS application with built-in Matter support. Unlike many other apps that use a cloud server, our app communicates directly with the devices in the home.

Key Features of the App (for Smart Lighting as the primary use case):

Turn lighting devices ON and OFF
Adjust brightness
Change color settings
Control devices directly over Wi-Fi
Control Thread-based devices via a custom Border Router

Custom Thread Border Router (The Gateway)

Because Thread devices operate on a distinct mesh frequency, they cannot communicate directly with Wi-Fi-based controllers. Softeq bridged this gap by engineering a custom Thread Border Router using the Arduino Nano Matter Board and an ESP32 platform. This gateway serves as the mission-critical link, routing encrypted Matter commands between Wi-Fi and Thread Group mesh infrastructures.

Key Capabilities:

Protocol Translation: Seamlessly bridges Matter-over-Wi-Fi and Matter-over-Thread.
Local Command Routing: Ensures encrypted messages reach end-devices without traversing the public internet.
Infrastructure Management: Automatically establishes and maintains the self-healing Thread mesh network.
Autonomous Edge Control: Enables full device functionality even if the home’s primary internet connection is lost.

Firmware Engineering

We implemented firmware on ESP32 that:

Integrates the Matter protocol stack
Supports dual connectivity (Wi-Fi and Thread)
Manages secure routing of encrypted Matter messages
Enables reliable cross-network communication

This firmware forms the backbone of the custom device and gateway infrastructure.

Testing and Validation

To prove that our Mobile App, Thread Border Router, and Firmware worked perfectly, we chose Smart Lighting as our testing ground. We validated the solution using two different types of lights:

Commercial Device: We tested a commercial Essentials Smart A60 bulb with Thread support. This proved our solution is compatible with existing products on the market.
Custom Device: We built our own smart light using the Arduino Nano Matter Board. By building our own hardware, we proved our ability to turn any electronic idea into a working Matter-enabled product.

Beyond Lighting

While this project used light bulbs for testing, our solution is a universal foundation. The architecture we built (the iOS App, the Custom Thread Border Router, and the Firmware) can be used to power any type of smart home product.

This solution can be used for:

Smart Security: Locks, door sensors, smoke and fire systems, cameras, doorbells, and motion detectors.
Climate Control: Thermostats, fans, and HVAC.
Energy Management: Smart plugs and power monitors.
Audio/video and smart entertainment: speakers, TVs, streaming devices, and home theater systems.
Smart appliances: refrigerators, ovens, washing machines, and other connected household devices.

Solution Architecture_Matter Native Solution

Result

A Production-Ready PoC in 21 Days

The collaboration transformed the client's hardware into a production-ready solution, delivering clear business advantages:

Lower Manufacturing Costs: The PCB redesign and transition to board-to-board interfaces slashed manual labor requirements, making mass production financially viable.
Market-Leading Performance: The NXP-based architecture provided a competitive edge in video quality and processing power.
Comprehensive Documentation: Softeq delivered full schematics, PCB layouts, and a refined Bill of Materials (BOM), providing the client with a turnkey package for their manufacturing partners.