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Synaptics
American computer-to-human interface company From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Synaptics, Inc. is an American neural network technologies and computer-to-human interface devices development company based in San Jose, California.[2][3] It develops touchpads and fingerprint biometrics technology for computer laptops; touch, display driver, and fingerprint biometrics technology for smartphones; and touch, video and far-field voice, low-power AI processors, and wireless technology for smart home devices, wearables, and automobiles. Synaptics sells its products to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and display manufacturers.
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Synaptics invented a prolific design for a computer touchpad, the click wheel on the classic iPod, Android phones' touch sensors, touch and display driver integrated chips (TDDI), and fingerprint sensors. Its technology is used in devices such as PCs, wearables, drones, gaming systems, media systems, cars, industrial security and monitoring equipment, and virtual reality headsets.
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History
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1986–1998: Initial years
Federico Faggin and Carver Mead founded Synaptics in 1986.[4][5] They used their research on neural networks and transistors on chips to build pattern recognition products[6] such as the "Silicon Retina", a circuit board emulating the human retina's visual processing.[7] In 1991, Synaptics patented a refined "winner take all" circuit for teaching neural networks how to recognize patterns and images. The circuit uses basic physics principles in order to select the strongest signal from the different processors.[8]
In 1992, the company used the pattern recognition techniques it developed to build the world's first touchpad for laptop computers that allowed users to control the cursor and click with no additional mechanical buttons. The pad was a replacement for trackballs and mice used at the time.[6] By 1994, Twinhead and Epson America had adopted Synaptics' touchpad for their computers (Epson with the ActionNote),[9] followed by Apple in 1995[10] and later by other computer manufacturers, including Compaq and Dell.[11]
1999–2010: Initial public offering and growth
In 1999, Francis Lee took over as CEO.[4] A year later, in 2000, Synaptics started selling touch technology for digital media players.[12]
In 2002, Synaptics had an initial public offering.[13] As adoption of the touchpad grew, Synaptics sought to integrate the technology with other products.[14] In 2004, Apple debuted the iPod Mini and fourth-generation iPod, both featuring a scrolling click wheel that used Synaptics' capacitive touch technology. Synaptics also provided a similar but vertical click wheel for the Creative Zen Touch portable media player.[15]
In 2005, Synaptics sensors were featured in the Samsung B310, the first mobile phone to use capacitive-touch technology.[10] In October 2006, Synaptics provided a live demonstration of the Onyx, a concept smartphone with a color touchscreen enabled by its ClearPad touch controller technology. The Onyx's touch sensor could tell the difference between a finger and a cheek, preventing accidental inputs during calls.[16][17][18] The company's touch technology was used in LG's Prada phone in 2007, which was the world's first mobile phone with a capacitive touchscreen.[10]
In 2008, touch sensors developed by Synaptics were used in T-Mobile's G1 phone, one of the first Android phones.[12] In the same year, Federico Faggin retired from the board of directors of Synaptics.[19]
In 2009, Synaptics announced the development of the Fuse concept smartphone. It had touch sensitivity on the back of the phone, the ability to interact with the phone by squeezing, animated icons, a user interface sensitive to the phone's orientation and tilt, and haptic gestures.[20][21][22]
2011–2019: Expansion, acquisitions, and further growth
In 2011, Synaptics appointed Rick Bergman to succeed Francis Lee as CEO.[23]
In 2012, Synaptics introduced the first pressure recognizing touchscreen, which allowed multi-finger and variable-force input.[24]
In late 2013, Synaptics acquired Validity Sensors, a fingerprint sensor vendor, adding fingerprint sensing technology to the company.[25][26] In the same year, Synaptics relocated its headquarters to San Jose from Santa Clara.[27][28] Six months after the move, Synaptics expanded its campus, purchasing nearby property for $10 million.[27]
Synaptics is a founding member of the FIDO (Fast ID Online) Alliance and the Universal Stylus Initiative (USI).[29][30]
Synaptics acquired Renesas SP Drivers Inc., a Japanese company specializing in chips that manage LCD displays, in 2014.[31] The acquisition enabled Synaptics to combine touch and display driver technologies into a single "TDDI" (Touch and Display Driver Integration) chip.[32]
In 2015, the company expanded into additional markets, including automotive, wearables and PC peripherals.[33][34] In July 2015, Synaptics announced a unique “match-in-sensor” fingerprint authenticator for laptops and other devices that authenticates the fingerprint within the chip.[35][36]
The company introduced its first optical-based fingerprint sensor in December 2016, which would allow the sensor to be placed under smartphones' glass displays rather than under a separate button.[37][38] After improving the technology, the company sent it into full production a year later.[39] In January 2018, the Chinese company Vivo announced a smartphone featuring Synaptics' optical fingerprint sensor. This was the world’s first full-production smartphone with fingerprint authentication directly in the OLED display.[40][41]
In July 2017, Synaptics acquired Conexant Systems, an Amazon Alexa partner that creates voice and audio software and silicon products for smart homes.[42][43] At the same time, Synaptics acquired Marvell Technology Group's Multimedia Solutions unit, which creates video and audio processing technology. The two acquisitions were intended to aid Synaptics' expansion into the Internet of things (IoT) market.[44]
In August 2019, the board of directors appointed Michael Hurlston as the new CEO.[45] Under Hurlston's leadership the company focused on growing its IoT business, expanding from its focus on sensors on glass towards development of low-power sensors to IoT devices.[46]
2020–present: Acquisitions, investments in IoT and AI technology
In July 2020, Synaptics acquired DisplayLink,[47] the developer of software and semiconductors that connect visual devices to computers.[48]
In December 2020, Synaptics and Eta Compute established a co-development partnership, with Synaptics investing in Eta's Series C funding.[49] The partnership allows Synaptics to use Eta's Tensai Flow software, including its AI applications and neural network tools, while Eta gains access to Synaptics' ultra-low-power Katana Edge AI SoC.[49]
In July 2020, Synaptics acquired Broadcom's wireless IoT business assets and manufacturing rights.[47][50] In December 2021, the company acquired DSP Group for $538 million, integrating voice and vision artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities into its portfolio and strengthening its wireless offerings with ultra-low-energy (ULE) enabled security applications[51][52]
In February 2022, Synaptics sold its headquarters and North San Jose campus for $58 million.[53]
In October 2022, Synaptics acquired Emza Visual Sense, an Israel-based company specializing in ultra-low-power AI for visual sensing.[54]
In 2024, Synaptics introduced a platform based on its neural network processing technology for developers of Edge AI products. It provides hardware and software resources intended to support the creation of custom applications.[55]
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Technology
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Synaptics was founded as an AI-focused company to develop chips that utilize neural networks to mimic human brain functions.[56][57][58]
In 1989, Synaptics received a patent for neural network-related circuitry designed to associate new events with previously learned ones.[59]
In 1991, Synaptics researchers patented an enhancement of the "winner-take-all" circuit, originally developed by John Lazzaro at the University of Colorado.[8] The circuit functions as a selector within a network of processors or neurons, identifying and amplifying the strongest signal based on fundamental physics principles.[8] The patent introduced a method for dynamic recalibration of neurons, where the system self-tests against a reference pattern, adjusting biases by strengthening weaker signals and reducing overly sensitive ones.[8] This allows for nearly instantaneous recalibrations, enabling continuous accuracy adjustments.[8]
Synaptics also holds over 2000 patents for human technologies.[10] Many Synaptics products are based on capacitive sensing technology, sensing the electrical properties of the finger(s) touching the sensor, as opposed to a resistive touchscreen .[60] Synaptics also has optical sensing technology.[61][37]
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Products and services
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Synaptics initially specialized in touch-sensing technologies and subsequently expanded its focus to include Internet of Things (IoT) solutions.[52][46] In 1992, the company introduced the I-1000 magnetic-character-recognition chip, known for its enhanced accuracy and speed in processing poorly printed characters, which was integrated into Verifone’s Gemstone Onyx check reader.[56]
In 2016, Synaptics introduced the FS9100, a fingerprint sensor that operates effectively beneath up to one millimeter of cover glass, facilitating integration under device displays.[62][63] The company also developed IronVeil, a compact fingerprint sensor designed for rapid user authentication within peripherals compatible with Windows.[64]
In 2018, Synaptics launched tests for fingerprint recognition technology in vehicles. This biometric system enables customization of driver preferences, including music, seating, navigation, and cabin temperature settings, and supports parental geofencing capabilities to limit teenage drivers’ range.[65] Additionally, Synaptics developed touch-screen controls allowing drivers to operate heating and other systems while wearing thick gloves in extremely cold conditions.[65]
In 2020, Synaptics acquired DisplayLink, enhancing its enterprise workspace product offerings with docking stations and video conferencing hardware.[48]
As of 2024, Synaptics provides a diverse portfolio of products for connectivity, sensing, processing, and human–machine interface solutions tailored to the IoT market.[66] Synaptics offers wireless connectivity solutions including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Matter, a protocol designed to ensure interoperability between devices using different wireless interfaces.[50][66] It also provides wired connection adapters that convert USB-C to HDMI or DisplayPort for high-resolution displays.[67]
Synaptics continues to develop laptop touchpads, fingerprint biometrics, and display driver integrated circuits (ICs).[66] Its sensor technologies measure multiple parameters, including temperature, magnetic fields, capacitive, and inductive sensing, and are used in products such as gaming controllers, wearables, drones, industrial monitoring equipment, and virtual reality headsets.[52][68]
In 2024, Synaptics launched the Astra platform, comprising embedded edge-AI processors with open software support optimized for resource-constrained IoT devices across consumer electronics, smart home, and industrial markets.[69] Its Veros product line offers multi-protocol wireless connectivity, supporting Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, Thread, Matter, GNSS, and ULE, targeted at embedded IoT applications within consumer, industrial, enterprise, and automotive sectors.[70]
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Leadership
List of chief executive officers
- Federico Faggin (1986–1998)
- Francis Lee (1998–2011)[71]
- Rick Bergman (2011–2019)[72]
- Michael Hurlston (2019–2025)
- Ken Rizvi Interim CEO (February 2025 - May 2025)
- Rahul Patel (June 2025 - Present)[73]
See also
References
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