STMicroelectronics has introduced a Matter NFC chip, which is a first for the sector. With just a tap, the new ST25DA-C chip allows users to add connected devices to their home network, such as smart lighting, access-control devices, and security cameras. To anyone unfamiliar, Matter is a standard created to allow devices from different brands to talk to each other. With this product, STMicroelectronics leverages the Matter 1.5 update that added NFC-based onboarding. “Its primary benefit is simplifying technology for non-expert consumers, which could help accelerate adoption of connected devices,” said Shobhit Srivastava, Senior Principal Analyst at Omdia.
STMicroelectronics’ David Richetto, Group VP, Division General Manager, Connected Security, said, “Our market-first ST25DA-C chip leverages this capability to simplify device commissioning through tap-to-pair functionality. This reduces setup complexity, especially for installations that are difficult to access, thanks to NFC-enabled battery-less connectivity.” Energy harvested from a smartphone’s NFC field is enough to power the chip. In practical terms, users get to add even unpowered devices to their network.
The ST25DA-C can handle the cryptographic functions needed for Matter onboarding. Aiming for SESIP Level 3 certification and built on Common Criteria-certified hardware, it can authenticate the device’s identity, safely store its private keys, certificates and network credentials. Volume production of the device is planned for 2026, with samples in a DFN8 package and evaluation kits available right now.
