This article is authored by Claus Hetting, CEO and Chairman of Wi-Fi NOW.
Imagine connecting thousands of Matter IoT devices to a single access point (AP), or even extending the signal coverage to hundreds of meters or more through a single hub or mesh. This vision has now become a reality, as Morse Micro proudly became the first Wi-Fi HaLow supplier to receive Matter certification last month. This milestone is not only a technological leap but also a significant step towards realizing the vision of “Outdoor IoT 2.0,” which is supported by a vast amount of data connections to foster the development of edge AI.
The Matter IoT standard was released at the end of 2022, and since then, over 1,300 devices have been certified by the Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA), many of which cleverly combine Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) with Wi-Fi technology to ensure an efficient connection experience. However, it was only last week that the Matter ecosystem welcomed the long-range, high-capacity Wi-Fi HaLow technology option. Morse Micro’s first Wi-Fi HaLow device, the MM6108-EKH05–Light, successfully passed certification last month.
Although Wi-Fi HaLow is not an official part of the Matter standard, Morse Micro’s MM6108 platform has been recognized as a Matter-certified reference design. This means that developers can now fully leverage the extensive coverage and superior connection rates of Wi-Fi HaLow to develop Matter-compatible client devices or access points (APs). Morse Micro states that this is a key part of driving the commitment to IoT 2.0 under the recently spotlighted Matter standard framework.
Above: Andy McFarlane, Vice President of Marketing at Morse Micro, speaking at the Wi-Fi HaLow Global Summit held in Mountain View, California, in April this year.
Andy McFarlane, Vice President of Marketing at Morse Micro, confidently stated, “The next generation of IoT—IoT 2.0 is centered around intelligence and scale, and Wi-Fi HaLow will be key to achieving this grand goal. Its coverage far exceeds any previous Wi-Fi technology, becoming the bridge to the future of connectivity. With the powerful capability of connecting thousands of clients per access point, Wi-Fi HaLow is pushing the scale of Matter to new heights. Additionally, the high-speed connections of Wi-Fi HaLow will provide a continuous stream of data support for edge AI, truly achieving a leap in intelligence.”
Morse Micro emphasizes that Matter certification opens all doors for this vast Matter ecosystem, which includes tech giants like Apple, Google, SmartThings (Samsung), Amazon, and even U.S. cable operator Comcast. Andy McFarlane pointed out that the sub-gigahertz operating frequency of Wi-Fi HaLow and the growing number of connected devices in homes are key factors driving Wi-Fi HaLow’s important role in the Matter ecosystem.
He further noted, “Wi-Fi HaLow should be seen as a new Wi-Fi technology, where users can simply plug in devices for plug-and-play IP connectivity, enjoying the well-known security and interoperability advantages of Wi-Fi. More importantly, the sub-gigahertz operating frequency of Wi-Fi HaLow allows it to penetrate walls and doors, showcasing significant advantages when covering entire homes and surrounding environments, especially for outdoor security cameras, wireless doorbells, and gate actuators. We understand that the number of connected devices in homes is continuously increasing; a report from Japan’s NTT Docomo shows that many households even have 50 or more connected devices.”
Since the coverage of Wi-Fi HaLow is comparable to proprietary technology LoRaWAN, Morse Micro believes that Wi-Fi HaLow is a superior choice for the deployment of future smart IoT devices. Vice President Andy McFarlane stated, “In edge AI applications, the speed of long-range connections is crucial, and Wi-Fi HaLow perfectly meets this demand.”
In a recent demonstration, Morse Micro showcased Wi-Fi HaLow achieving a transmission rate of 2 Mbps over a straight-line distance of 16 kilometers. Andy McFarlane confidently stated, “For smart home solutions, with the strong support of Matter technology, we are confident in achieving a transmission rate of 20 Mbps across 99% of residential property areas. The performance of this technology is distinctly different from the Wi-Fi we are familiar with, showcasing a whole new possibility.”
#WiFiHaLow #WiFi #IoT #IoT #Connectivity
