Synaptics

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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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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.

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.

History

1986Template:Ndash1998: Initial years

Federico Faggin and Carver Mead founded Synaptics in 1986.<ref name="VB09">Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> They used their research on neural networks and transistors on chips to build pattern recognition products<ref name="Markoff"/> such as the "Silicon Retina", a circuit board emulating the human retina's visual processing.<ref name="microbytes198902">Template:Cite magazine</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

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.<ref name="Markoff">Template:Cite news</ref> By 1994, Twinhead and Epson America had adopted Synaptics' touchpad for their computers (Epson with the ActionNote),<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> followed by Apple in 1995<ref name="UMich"/> and later by other computer manufacturers, including Compaq and Dell.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>

1999Template:Ndash2010: Initial public offering and growth

In 1999, Francis Lee took over as CEO.<ref name="VB09"/> A year later, in 2000, Synaptics started selling touch technology for digital media players.<ref name="auto">Template:Cite web</ref>

In 2002, Synaptics had an initial public offering.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> As adoption of the touchpad grew, Synaptics sought to integrate the technology with other products.<ref name=Touch05>Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

In 2005, Synaptics sensors were featured in the Samsung B310, the first mobile phone to use capacitive-touch technology.<ref name="UMich"/> 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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref name="UMich"/>

In 2008, touch sensors developed by Synaptics were used in T-Mobile's G1 phone, one of the first Android phones.<ref name="auto"/> In the same year, Federico Faggin retired from the board of directors of Synaptics.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

2011Template:Ndash2019: Expansion, acquisitions, and further growth

In 2011, Synaptics appointed Rick Bergman to succeed Francis Lee as CEO.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

In 2012, Synaptics introduced the first pressure recognizing touchscreen, which allowed multi-finger and variable-force input.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

In late 2013, Synaptics acquired Validity Sensors, a fingerprint sensor vendor, adding fingerprint sensing technology to the company.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In the same year, Synaptics relocated its headquarters to San Jose from Santa Clara.<ref name="auto1">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>https://www.bizjournals.com/sanjose/news/2013/04/23/synaptics-sells-building-to-orchard.html</ref> Six months after the move, Synaptics expanded its campus, purchasing nearby property for $10 million.<ref name="auto1"/>

Synaptics is a founding member of the FIDO (Fast ID Online) Alliance and the Universal Stylus Initiative (USI).<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Synaptics acquired Renesas SP Drivers Inc., a Japanese company specializing in chips that manage LCD displays, in 2014.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The acquisition enabled Synaptics to combine touch and display driver technologies into a single "TDDI" (Touch and Display Driver Integration) chip.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

In 2015, the company expanded into additional markets, including automotive, wearables and PC peripherals.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In July 2015, Synaptics announced a unique “match-in-sensor” fingerprint authenticator for laptops and other devices that authenticates the fingerprint within the chip.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

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.<ref name="de Looper">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="CNET2017">Template:Cite news</ref> After improving the technology, the company sent it into full production a year later.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

In July 2017, Synaptics acquired Conexant Systems, an Amazon Alexa partner that creates voice and audio software and silicon products for smart homes.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite press release</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

In August 2019, the board of directors appointed Michael Hurlston as the new CEO.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref name="Pivot21">Template:Cite news</ref>

2020–present: Acquisitions, investments in IoT and AI technology

In July 2020, Synaptics acquired DisplayLink,<ref name=DSP21a/> the developer of software and semiconductors that connect visual devices to computers.<ref name="DisplayLink20">Template:Cite news</ref>

In December 2020, Synaptics and Eta Compute established a co-development partnership, with Synaptics investing in Eta's Series C funding.<ref name="auto2">Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref name="auto2"/>

In July 2020, Synaptics acquired Broadcom's wireless IoT business assets and manufacturing rights.<ref name=DSP21a>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="Broadcom20">Template:Cite news</ref> 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<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="Stocks21">Template:Cite news</ref>

In February 2022, Synaptics sold its headquarters and North San Jose campus for $58 million.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In October 2022, Synaptics acquired Emza Visual Sense, an Israel-based company specializing in ultra-low-power AI for visual sensing.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Technology

Synaptics was founded as an AI-focused company to develop chips that utilize neural networks to mimic human brain functions.<ref name="auto4">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In 1989, Synaptics received a patent for neural network-related circuitry designed to associate new events with previously learned ones.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In 1991, Synaptics researchers patented an enhancement of the "winner-take-all" circuit, originally developed by John Lazzaro at the University of Colorado.<ref name="auto5">Template:Cite web</ref> The circuit functions as a selector within a network of processors or neurons, identifying and amplifying the strongest signal based on fundamental physics principles.<ref name="auto5"/> 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.<ref name="auto5"/> This allows for nearly instantaneous recalibrations, enabling continuous accuracy adjustments.<ref name="auto5"/>

Synaptics also holds over 2000 patents for human technologies.<ref name="UMich">Template:Cite news</ref> 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 .<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Synaptics also has optical sensing technology.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="de Looper"/>

Products and services

File:Synaptics Clear ID optical fingerprint sensor.png

Synaptics Clear ID fingerprint sensor

Synaptics originally focused on developing touch technology products and later expanded into IoT technology.<ref name="Stocks21"/><ref name="Pivot21"/> In 1992, Synaptics introduced a chip designed to read magnetic characters on checks, notable for its higher accuracy and speed in handling poorly printed text compared to conventional technologies.<ref name="auto4"/> The chip produced by Synaptics I-1000 was used in the Gemstone Onyx check reader of Verifone.<ref name="auto4"/>

In the automotive industry, Synaptics has developed technology that enables drivers to adjust heating controls on touch screens while wearing thick gloves in freezing temperatures.<ref name="auto3">Template:Cite web</ref> In September 2018, the company began testing fingerprint technology in cars. This biometric system allows vehicle owners to personalize settings such as music preferences, seat adjustments, navigation options, and temperature settings based on fingerprint recognition.<ref name="auto3"/> It also enables parents to implement geofencing limits to control where and how far teenage drivers can travel.<ref name="auto3"/>

As of 2024, Synaptics develops and markets products for connectivity, sensing, and processing, as well as touch and display drivers, focused on the IoT market.<ref name=BestSensor22/> In addition to developing developing enterprise workspace technology such as docking stations.<ref name=Docking22>Template:Cite news</ref> Synaptics' technology is used in devices including PCs, wearables, drones, gaming systems, media systems, cars, industrial security and monitoring equipment, and virtual reality headsets.<ref name=Stocks21/>

Its connectivity products include wireless connectivity, such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth products,<ref name="Broadcom20"/> and technology such as its wireless device communications protocol, Matter, which enables devices to operate together regardless of their different wireless interfaces.<ref name=BestSensor22>Template:Cite news</ref> Synaptics acquired DisplayLink in 2020, adding that company's hardware technology for docking stations and video conferencing, and software for graphics connectivity to its products.<ref name="DisplayLink20"/> It also develops wired connection products such as converters for USB Type-C to HDMI or DisplayPort, for high resolution video display.<ref name=VR18>Template:Cite news</ref>

Synaptics continues to develop laptop computer touchpads and fingerprint biometric technology, and other types of touch sensors and display drivers.<ref name=BestSensor22/> It has also developed sensors for multiple parameters, including temperature, magnetic, capacitive, and inductive sensors that can be integrated into devices such as video game controllers, wearable devices such as earbuds.<ref name=Reimagining22>Template:Cite news</ref> In 2016, Synaptics developed the FS9100, a fingerprint sensor that can function accurately beneath up to one millimeter of glass, making it easier to integrate under a device's display.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Synaptics is also the developer of IronVeil, a technology that allows peripheral manufacturers to incorporate fingerprint recognition into devices such as mice, keyboards, and other peripherals compatible with Windows 10. IronVeil is a small embedded sensor measuring 0.15 by 0.39 inches, designed to authenticate users within 180 milliseconds.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Synaptics develops a variety of types of chips, including low-power edge AI processors<ref name=Stocks21/><ref name="Pivot21"/> and system-on-chip (SoC) technology for devices, such as smart home wireless devices,<ref name=Broadcom20/> headsets,<ref name=Eta20>Template:Cite news</ref> and for graphics connectivity for video displays.<ref name=Eta21>Template:Cite news</ref> It develops and markets sound processing chips for voice recognition, used in voice controlled devices,<ref name=DSP21b>Template:Cite news</ref> including far-field voice DSPs.<ref name=BestSensor22/><ref name="Perala">Template:Cite news</ref>

In addition to its processors, it also develops display driver IC chips for technology such as VR headsets.<ref name=VR18/>

Leadership

List of chief executive officers

• Federico Faggin (1986–1998)
• Francis Lee (1998–2011)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Rick Bergman (2011–2019)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Michael Hurlston (August 2019–present)

See also

• Alps Electric
• ELAN Microelectronics