Creating a Matter Ecosystem with the FRDM-RW612 and FRDM-MCXW71

Welcome to this edition of Wireless Wednesday. Each Wednesday, NXP will bring you articles, videos and blogs on key topics for wireless connectivity.

Matter brings interoperability to the smart home and allows multiple network types to seamlessly work together, including Ethernet, Wi-Fi and an IPv6, low power, mesh network protocol called Thread. NXP’s portfolio of Matter solutions allow customers to easily create Wi-Fi end devices, Thread end devices and Thread border routers to connect the Thread network to the Internet. This week’s videos show how to use the RW612 as a single-chip, Open Thread border router (OTBR) and connect to an MCX W71 Thread device. The first video shows how to set up the Matter OTBR, while the second video focuses on connecting it to multiple Thread end nodes to develop a Matter-enabled smart connectivity ecosystem.

Built on the low-cost FRDM-RW612 and FRDM-MCXW71 wireless MCU development boards and the MCUXpresso developer experience, developers can get all they need to build this solution for just $60. The FRDM-RW612, based on the RW612 Tri-Radio MCU, serves as a single-chip border router with its ability to support Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth, and 802.15.4 (Thread, Zigbee and Matter). The FRDM-MCXW71, based on the MCX W71 multiprotocol MCU, serves as the Thread end node with its ability to support Bluetooth and 802.15.4

To run the demo, developers can simply download the J-link commander  and to follow the instructions for building and flashing a Matter image. Once the FRDM-RW612 has been set up completely, it can be controlled via Android Phone using the CHIP Tool app. The FRDM-MCXW71 can then be connected to it via Matter-over-Thread. The complete functionality can be seen by controlling the LED on FRDM-MCXW71.

Watch the videos below to see the RW612 Matter OTBR and MCX W71 Thread device in action and start developing your own Matter ecosystem.

Authors

Masa Mwambo

Masa Mwambo, under the Wireless Connectivity Sector, provides direct technical support to customers working with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Thread and Matter chipsets, with a strong focus on enabling Matter Smart Home, general IoT solutions and Wireless technology in Automotives. Additionally, Masa supports NXP wireless chipsets that leverage the Zephyr OS, to help clients innovate and succeed in the rapidly evolving IoT ecosystem.

Gisselle Contreras-Velarde

Gisselle Contreras-Velarde is currently a Wireless Connectivity Field Application Engineer with a focus on Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and 802.15.4 Products. She holds an undergraduate degree in Electrical Engineering and has been with NXP for 3 years. She is based out of the San Jose, CA office.

Oliver Fan

Oliver Fan is currently an Application and SDK Engineer focusing on Matter, Bluetooth and 802.15.4 products. He holds a master's degree in Embedded Systems and specializes in Industrial Internet of Things. He has been with NXP for 3 years and works in Shanghai, China office.