I’m looking for current recommendations for a totally reliable Matter over Thread repeater, also known as a Full Thread Device (FTD), that is also totally reliable with SmartThings. I have had Matter devices running at my place for about two years, but the higher floors are unreliable and Matter over Thread devices on the roof are completely nonresponsive. On the floor above the Aeotec SmartThings v3 hub, there is an Eve Energy Outlet. Even though the Eve Energy Outlet advertises FTD/repeating support, I have never seen another end-device route through the Eve Energy Outlet in the SmartThings app, and as one goes further away from the hub, hopping through the Eve Energy Outlet never kicks in (according to the Samsung SmartThings app) and end Thread devices become more unreliable.
I don’t know if I should try to update the firmware of the Eve Energy Outlet, but I would like to know of solutions that match one of three criteria: 1) smart receptacle (functionally like the Eve Energy Outlet) running on mains voltage; 2) any Matter over Thread product that runs on low voltage (e.g., 5VDC USB or 12VDC); 3) smart in-wall electronic item (such as a smart electronic switch) that can fit inside a 1-gang box.
I’m currently using IKEA lightbulbs and plugs (there you go!) to extend my Thread mesh reach. A few of these, strategically placed in central hallway, basement, attic, etc. make a big difference - and I’m actually seeing battery driven endpoints route through these.
The actual difficulty is to teach people to keep their hands off the light switches. Hallways need motion sensors (also IKEA).
SmartThings will not show the number of children attached to the Eve Energy Outlets. But it is likely acting as a FTD and supporting your thread network. You can use the Thread Tools app to confirm the number of children attached to the outlets and the link quality.
Another TBR on your second floor may be a better solution to improve coverage due to its stronger radio vs a FTD especially an in-wall outlet.
The thread end devices in question are IKEA BILRESA two-button and rotary button devices. I do not want to use on-wall plug-in plugs because in my experience, guests/people knock them over/out, or unplug them, inadvertently or on purpose. The smart plug can block the other plug or the USB receptacles and people unplug them and forget to plug them back in. Hence I want something in-wall or something with more or less zero chance of being unplugged.
I have an Apple TV 4K with Ethernet that is, as far as I know, on the same Thread network. It is closer to the roof but still might be too far away. I will check that with Thread Tools.
Perhaps the IKEA ALPSTUGA could work, if it’s on a night stand.
I actually have another TBR, which is an “Apple TV 4K (Wi-Fi + Ethernet, 3rd generation)” (have to specify, since the 3rd generation Wi-Fi only model does not support Thread). I checked SmartThings and under (Aeotec Hub v3) > Settings > Manage Thread network > (one Thread network listed) (Gear Icon) > Connected Border Routers, it says Apple / BorderRouter / [hex address]. The Apple TV 4K (second floor) sits in between the devices I want to get the range extended for (i.e., between SmartThings Hub (first floor) and the IKEA BILRESA (third floor/roof)).
To-date, I have not seen any evidence that any Thread devices are connecting through the Apple TV 4K, nor have I seen evidence of the Eve outlet (second floor) acting as a repeater, either.
Yesterday, I added IKEA GRILLPLATS (Matter over Thread plug) to the third floor, and IKEA TOFSMYGGA to the roof. For about 15 minutes, I saw SmartThings Hub (first floor) > GRILLPLATS (third floor) > TOFSMYGGA (roof) > BILRESA (roof).
Overnight the connections stabilized and now TOFSMYGGA (roof) is connected directly to the hub, while BILRESA (roof) is connected through TOFSMYGGA (roof). I will try to remove the GRILLPLATS (third floor) today and see if the end devices remain stable. The BILRESA claim they are disconnected in “Connection path,” but I think that’s just because they are conserving battery power or something.