Project Background
Over the past two years, ReZ-TI has developed multiple mass-produced Matter products based on the ESP32 series (C3/H2), covering smart switches, VRF air conditioner controllers, curtain motors, RGB+CCT downlights/spotlights, human presence sensors, and more.
Through repeated iteration, ReZ-TI found that the barrier to Matter development isn't just the protocol itself, but the countless engineering details of going "from zero to mass production" in hardware, software, and industrial design. Software in particular remains a challenge, since even with Espressif's complete ESP-IDF development platform, fast deployment from setup to code still trips up most developers.
DevKit001 is the result of ReZ-TI consolidating and open-sourcing that mass-production experience. What you're getting isn't just a dev board, but a hardware reference design ready to deploy directly into a product.
What is Matter over Thread
- Matter: A unified application-layer protocol jointly launched by Apple, Google, Amazon, Samsung, and others. Devices are developed once and are compatible with HomeKit / Google Home / Alexa / Aqara and other ecosystems simultaneously.
- Thread: A low-power mesh networking protocol based on 802.15.4. Devices run locally without depending on the cloud, with response speeds an order of magnitude faster than Wi-Fi.
- Matter over Thread: Best suited for battery-powered or always-powered low-power devices (sensors, switches, curtains), with self-healing mesh networking and automatic recovery from dropouts.
Why not Wi-Fi? Wi-Fi Matter suits high-bandwidth devices like cameras and speakers. For switches and sensors, Thread's power efficiency and stability make it the only real choice for mass-produced products.
Who This Is For
Audience | Use Case |
|---|---|
Smart home manufacturers | Adapt directly from this board, ship a product prototype in 2 weeks |
Embedded developers | Learn the Matter/Thread protocol stack, hands-on with esp-matter |
Electronics engineers | Reference production-grade power, RF, and GPIO allocation designs |
Geeks/makers | Build native smart home devices connecting to HomeKit/HA |
Typical application scenarios: smart switches (zero-fire/no-neutral), RGB+CCT LED strip drivers, curtain motor controllers, millimeter-wave presence sensors, VRF air conditioner gateways, and more.
Hardware Overview
Core Specifications
- MCU: ESP32-H2 (RISC-V, built-in 802.15.4 radio, native Thread support)
- Wireless: 2.4GHz PCB antenna
- Storage: 4MB Flash
- Power: 3.3V or 5V
Interface Overview
| Interface | Description | Corresponding Product |
|---|---|---|
| GPIO x 15 | Configurable as PWM / ADC / I2C / UART | General purpose |
| PWM x 5 | Supports 5-channel RGB+CW dimming | Downlights/spotlights / LED strips |
| ZCD x 2 | Supports zero-crossing detection | Switches / lights |
| UART x 1 | RS485 driver reserved | Curtain motors / VRF air conditioning |
Dimensions and Manufacturing
- Board size: 19.0mm x 25.6mm x 3.6mm, double-layer board (within JLCPCB's free prototyping size limits)
- All components are selected to match JLCPCB's standard SMT parts library, so one-click SMT assembly ordering is supported
- Reserved standard 2.0mm pin headers and horizontal mount pads, accommodating both debugging and final assembly
💻 Software Operation
Environment
Developed on ESP-IDF v5.3. Independent IDF development is supported; please refer to the official development documentation. For quick no-dev-required verification, visit: https://rpp.rez-ti.com, and click "try matter" to enter the online flashing page. https://rpp.rez-ti.com
Quick Start
Pre-loaded Firmware
- onoff_light: Downlight/spotlight demo, supporting on/off, brightness, and color temperature
- onoff_plugin: Smart switch demo, supporting relay, button, and LED status feedback
- window_covering: Curtain motor demo, supporting percentage-based open/close and limit switches
- occupancy_sensor: Presence sensor demo, supporting I2C PIR data reporting
Advanced: Custom IDF development is supported. For manufacturer custom development requests, please contact ReZ-TI.
App Demo
Pair once, works across all platforms:
- Apple Home: Native support, Siri voice control, automation scene integration
- Google Home: Matter standard pairing, direct control via Nest speakers
- Aqara Home: Seamless integration with the domestic Chinese ecosystem
- Home Assistant: Local control via Matter integration, no cloud required
Pairing process: App → Add Device → Scan the on-board QR code → Done. The whole process takes 30-60 seconds.
Mass Production Overview
This isn't a board meant to just sit on a desk. It's designed to go directly into a BOM.
Cost Optimization
- All components sourced from JLCPCB's standard parts library, with no hard-to-source parts
- BOM (Bill of Materials) cost kept under 20 RMB
- A double-layer board is sufficient for RF performance, so there's no need for four-layer board costs
Production Path
- Prototyping: Free PCB prototyping via JLCPCB; SMT assembly available from as few as 5 boards
- Purchase: Available on ReZ-TI's Taobao store, including flashed firmware plus 5 sample boards for ¥199
- 定制&量产：请联系"rez-ti"
Certification Readiness
- Module reserves RF shielding can pads (to be added when passing FCC/CE certification)
- If 3C safety-certified power design is required, please note that fuse and safety capacitor space must be reserved
- (Factory) offers DAC-to-certificate conversion services needed for Matter certification
Open Source License
GPL 3.0
About ReZ-TI
Zhejiang ReZ-TI Intelligent Equipment Co., Ltd. focuses on OEM/ODM development and manufacturing of Matter/ESP32-ecosystem smart home hardware. We provide full-chain services from chip selection, firmware development, and app integration through to mass-production certification.
Questions? Feel free to leave a message.
We're building an open, extensible smart home ecosystem — bringing technology into everyday life, more fun, more free.