Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA) has recently released the Matter 1.6 specification with new features such as NFC-based commissioning, Thermostat Suggestions for smarter climate control, and a range of core enhancements designed to improve device communication, safety devices visibility, and ecosystem security.
The last time we wrote about a Matter release was for Matter 1.4.2, which added Wi-Fi-only provisioning and improved security, and we somehow missed the Matter 1.5 release that introduced cameras, closures (window shades, drapes, awnings, gates, garage doors…), and enhanced energy management capabilities. Let’s have a closer look at the new Matter 1.6 release.
Matter 1.6 highlights:
- NFC-based commissioning – Commissioning can be challenging for devices like ceiling fixtures and in-wall switches, since they may need to be configured before they are installed. Matter 1.6 addresses this issue by allowing a Matter device to be commissioned through bi-directional NFC communication before the device is fully powered on. That’s different from “NFC onboarding payload” support introduced in Matter 1.4.1, which still relied on Bluetooth LE to complete commissioning. The process looks very similar to what was described for the ST ST25DA-C Matter NFC chip introduced last year.
- Joint Fabric for Multi-Ecosystem Device Sharing – Matter 1.4 introduced Enhanced Multi-Admin to automate the sharing of device access across platforms with a single user consent. Matter 1.6 expands Multi-Admin support with Joint Fabric, allowing multiple user-authorized controllers to co-administer a single shared Matter network. It’s especially useful for new construction handovers, households running multiple platforms, or professionally managed properties, but end users also benefit since devices can appear and be controlled from whichever ecosystem or interface is most convenient to them, without requiring separate setup in each one.
- Thermostat Suggestions – Today’s smart thermostats are pretty dumb, in the sense they receive commands without context. Matter 1.6’s Thermostat Suggestions standardize ways to transmit recommended changes and for thermostats to evaluate them against user-defined preferences and current context. Silicon Labs gives us an example:
Imagine a homeowner uses a smart thermostat connected to multiple ecosystems, such as Google Home, Apple Home, and a utility company’s energy-saving program. During a peak energy event, the utility may recommend an energy-saving temperature setting while a home automation routine may attempt to increase cooling when the homeowner arrives home. If the homeowner has recently adjusted the thermostat manually, Matter 1.6 allows the thermostat to recognize that preference and determine which recommendation best aligns with the user’s intent. Rather than automatically following the latest command, the thermostat can intelligently evaluate competing requests and choose the most appropriate action.
When a suggestion is not followed, the thermostat provides a standardized explanation.
- Core Enhancements
- Device Capability and Limits Communication. Devices can communicate their capabilities and operational limits in a standardized way.
- Security Sensor Event History. Security sensors can indicate sensor event history to offer real-time status and past activity.
- Unmounted State for Smoke and CO Alarms. Alarms are now able to indicate when they have been removed from their installed position.
- Partitioned Certificate Revocation Lists. Building on CRL support from Matter 1.4.2, revocation information can now be managed in smaller, independently updated partitions rather than a single large set for improved scalability.
As usual, you can access the latest Matter specifications on the CSA website. Matter 1.6 has four documents:
- Matter 1.6 Core Specification
- Matter 1.6 Application Clusters Specification
- Matter 1.6 Device Type Library Specification
- Matter 1.6 Standard Name Space Specification
They are free to access, and all you need to do is leave a working email address to receive the documents. Information about the SDK can be found on the Build with Matter website (still showing Matter 1.5.1 for now).
Jean-Luc started CNX Software in 2010 as a part-time endeavor, before quitting his job as a software engineering manager, and starting to write daily news, and reviews full time later in 2011.
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