The first Matter bridge using Power Line Communication (PLC) has appeared in the Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA) certification database, signaling a notable expansion of the Matter ecosystem into professional and industrial IoT applications.
What are Matter bridges?
Matter bridges have been an effective way to integrate devices using non-IP technologies into the Matter ecosystem. We’ve seen this in high-end smart home and commercial building sectors, where wired technologies like DALI and KNX are already integrated using bridges from various vendors. The emergence of PLC Matter Bridges marks a significant diversification, expanding Matter’s application to business usage and simplifying deployment by utilizing existing wiring.
This makes PLC’s contribution particularly impactful. Beyond the foundational internet infrastructure provided by ISPs, PLC’s integration into the Matter ecosystem offers a crucial next step, accelerating adoption at a fundamental level. It unifies local home energy management and smart home control efficiently and without the burden of additional rewiring.
Bridged device types and features
According to the compliance files, the PLC Bridge from Leaguer is expected to support three basic device types: On/Off Light, Color Temperature Light, and Window Covering. This means users will be able to toggle lights, adjust color temperature and brightness, and control blinds or curtains on most Matter platforms, as these are foundational device types supported since the very first version of the Matter specification.
There are no other notable features like Matter Binding, as the compliance files suggested, but the group control is possible for lights.
Certified with Matter 1.4, the bridge will use Ethernet for its network connection, an efficient method that reduces latency and simplifies setup by eliminating the need for Wi-Fi or Thread pairing.
The product, model LT015B-BRG100, has a square case and a design similar to a light strip driver. It includes a power cable with a Type A plug, making it compatible with outlets in the US, China, Japan, and other regions. It supports a universal voltage of 100-240V~50/60Hz, meaning no voltage converter is required for use in most regions globally. The product label notes that the bridge uses Ethernet for its upstream connection, while using PLC for downstream communication with connected devices.
Matter Alpha has reached out for more details on features and availability but has not yet received a response from the company.
About Leaguer and PLC technology
Leaguer (Shenzhen) MicroElectronics Corp. is a Shanghai-listed fabless IC company that specializes in powerline communication technology. Its solutions are applied to smart meters, street lighting control, and smart homes. According to its earnings report, the company is a primary supplier of equipment to China's state power grid. Dr. Liu Kun, one of the company’s shareholders, is a notable figure who has contributed significantly to Chinese PLC standards, as reported by Chinese media outlet OFweek.
While less common in typical consumer smart homes, PLC technology uses a building’s existing electrical wiring to transmit data. This makes it an extremely robust and reliable control solution, ideal for high-end residential or commercial installations where wireless interference is a concern. The Leaguer bridge is designed to connect these professionally installed PLC-based systems–managing lighting, HVAC, and security–to the broader Matter ecosystem.
(Source: CSA, Leaguer; Image Source: CSA, Pixabay/aitoff)
