A new certification to ensure the Connectivity Standards Alliance’s requirements for Matter connectivity over Wi-Fi has been launched, which can potentially bring devices to market faster.
Wi-Fi for Matter certification is designed for Wi-Fi Alliance members producing Matter-compatible products, and is aimed at streamlining future smart home and IoT device development.
What does Wi-Fi for Matter mean?
This certification brings foundational benefits to the ecosystem, with new features including Wi-Fi Certified 6 that are required by the Matter specification. Wi-Fi Certified and Matter certification should offer consumers and manufacturers a new level of confidence when selecting IoT and smart home devices.
Because Wi-Fi networks are the main home for Matter devices, the Wi-Fi for Matter certification is a forward-looking set of requirements that demand Wi-Fi infrastructure is capable of supporting future Matter devices and capacity. The certification has support for battery operated devices, which should improve IoT reliability.
The background to Wi-Fi for Matter
Kevin Robinson is president and CEO of Wi-Fi Alliance: “Wi-Fi and Matter are two cornerstone technologies driving the next wave of IoT innovation.”
“With Wi-Fi for Matter, we are helping our members accelerate deployment of products that deliver the scalability, simplicity, and interoperability that consumers expect in their connected homes.”
This video recorded last year at IFA 2024 between Robinson and the CSA chair Tobin Richardson offers a useful foundation for this new certification.
“The Connectivity Standards Alliance and Wi-Fi Alliance share a vision for a global IoT ecosystem built on interoperability, security, and consumer trust,” said Tobin Richardson, President and CEO, Connectivity Standards Alliance.
“Wi-Fi for Matter certification and the value of Wi-Fi CERTIFIED ensures that Wi-Fi devices deliver the foundational capabilities required by Matter, strengthening the ecosystem and helping companies bring high-quality smart home products to market faster.”
What is Wi-Fi for Matter?
Several existing Wi-Fi Alliance certifications have been combined for Wi-Fi for Matter. These all meet the CSA’s baseline Wi-Fi requirements for Matter certification. The AP-focused certification has these elements:
- Wi-Fi CERTIFIED 6
- Extended Sleep
- IPv4 Proxy Address Resolution Protocol (ARP)
- IPv6 Proxy Neighbor Discovery Protocol (NDP)
Wi-Fi for Matter device certification is intended to improve interoperability, adds WPA3 security, and extend the life of IoT devices with superior power management. Wi-Fi Certified devices should be able to conserve energy and maintain a connection with the access point.
In addition, Matter Network Infrastructure Managers (NIMs) are supported with extended sleep, ARP, and NDP features.
More information about Wi-Fi for Matter can be found on the Wi-Fi Alliance website.
(Image credit: Wi-Fi Alliance)
