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Synaptics

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This article is about the semiconductor manufacturer. For other uses, see Synaptic (disambiguation).
Synaptics
Company typePublic
IndustryComputer hardware and software
Founded1986; 38 years ago (1986), in California, U.S.
Founders
HeadquartersSan Jose, California, U.S.
Key people
Products
  • TouchPads
  • ClearPad touch controllers
  • Natural ID and Clear ID fingerprint sensors
  • ClearView display drivers
  • TouchView TDDI
  • AudioSmart DSPs and SOCs
  • VideoSmart processors
  • ImagingSmart processors
RevenueDecrease US$959 million (2024)
Decrease US$−102 million (2024)
Increase US$126 million (2024)
Total assetsIncrease US$2.83 billion (2024)
Total equityIncrease US$1.47 billion (2024)
Number of employees
1,716 (2024)
Websitesynaptics.com
Footnotes / references
Financials as of June 29, 2024.[1]

Synaptics, Inc. is a publicly traded San Jose, California-based developer of human interface (HMI) hardware and software, including touchpads for computer laptops; touch, display driver, and fingerprint biometrics technology for smartphones; and touch, video and far-field voice technology for smart home devices and automobiles. Synaptics sells its products to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and display manufacturers.

Synaptics popularized and significantly contributed to the development of the computer touchpad, the click wheel on the classic iPod, Android phones' touch sensors, touch and display driver integrated chips (TDDI), and fingerprint sensors.

History

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1986–1998: Initial years

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Federico Faggin and Carver Mead founded Synaptics in 1986.[2][3] They used their research on neural networks and transistors on chips to build pattern recognition products[4] such as the "Silicon Retina", a circuit board emulating the human retina's visual processing.[5] 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.[6]

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.[4] By 1994, Twinhead and Epson America had adopted Synaptics' touchpad for their computers (Epson with the ActionNote),[7] followed by Apple in 1995[8] and later by other computer manufacturers, including Compaq and Dell.[9]

1999–2010: Initial public offering and growth

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In 1999, Francis Lee took over as CEO.[2] A year later, in 2000, Synaptics started selling touch technology for digital media players.[10]

In 2002, Synaptics had an initial public offering.[11] As adoption of the touchpad grew, Synaptics sought to integrate the technology with other products.[12] 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.[13]

In 2005, Synaptics sensors were featured in the Samsung B310, the first mobile phone to use capacitive-touch technology.[8] 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.[14][15][16] 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.[8]

In 2008, touch sensors developed by Synaptics were used in T-Mobile's G1 phone, one of the first Android phones.[10] In the same year, Federico Faggin retired from the board of directors of Synaptics.[17]

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.[18][19][20]

2011–2019: Expansion, acquisitions, and further growth

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In 2011, Synaptics appointed Rick Bergman to succeed Francis Lee as CEO.[21]

In 2012, Synaptics introduced the first pressure recognizing touchscreen, which allowed multi-finger and variable-force input.[22]

In late 2013, Synaptics acquired Validity Sensors, a fingerprint sensor vendor, adding fingerprint sensing technology to the company.[23][24] In the same year, Synaptics relocated its headquarters to San Jose from Santa Clara.[25][26] Six months after the move, Synaptics expanded its campus, purchasing nearby property for $10 million.[25]

Synaptics is a founding member of the FIDO (Fast ID Online) Alliance and the Universal Stylus Initiative (USI).[27][28]

Synaptics acquired Renesas SP Drivers Inc., a Japanese company specializing in chips that manage LCD displays, in 2014.[29] The acquisition enabled Synaptics to combine touch and display driver technologies into a single "TDDI" (Touch and Display Driver Integration) chip.[30]

In 2015, the company expanded into additional markets, including automotive, wearables and PC peripherals.[31][32] In July 2015, Synaptics announced a unique “match-in-sensor” fingerprint authenticator for laptops and other devices that authenticates the fingerprint within the chip.[33][34]

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.[35][36] After improving the technology, the company sent it into full production a year later.[37] 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.[38][39]

In July 2017, Synaptics acquired Conexant Systems, an Amazon Alexa partner that creates voice and audio software and silicon products for smart homes.[40][41] 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.[42]

In August 2019, the board of directors appointed Michael Hurlston as the new CEO.[43] 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.[44]

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

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In July 2020, Synaptics acquired DisplayLink,[45] the developer of software and semiconductors that connect visual devices to computers.[46]

In December 2020, Synaptics and Eta Compute established a co-development partnership, with Synaptics investing in Eta's Series C funding.[47] 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.[47]

In July 2020, Synaptics acquired Broadcom's wireless IoT business assets and manufacturing rights.[45].[48] 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[49][50]

In February 2022, Synaptics sold its headquarters and North San Jose campus for $58 million.[51]

In October 2022, Synaptics acquired Emza Visual Sense, an Israel-based company specializing in ultra-low-power AI for visual sensing.[52]

Technology

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As of July 2017, Synaptics held 2000 patents for human technologies.[8] 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 .[53] Synaptics also has optical sensing technology.[54][35]

Products

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Synaptics Clear ID fingerprint sensor

The company originally focused on developing touch technology products and later expanded into IoT technology.[50][44] As of 2022, the company develops and markets products for connectivity, sensing, and processing, as well as touch and display drivers, focused on the IoT market.[55] In addition to developing workspace technology such as docking stations,[56] Synaptics' technology is used in devices including gaming systems, media systems, cars, and virtual reality headsets.[50]

Its connectivity products include wireless connectivity, such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth products,[48] and technology such as its wireless device communications protocol, Matter, which enables devices to operate together regardless of their different wireless interfaces.[55] 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.[46] It also develops wired connection products such as converters for USB Type-C to HDMI or DisplayPort, for high resolution video display.[57]

The company continues to develop laptop computer touchpads, fingerprint biometric technology for devices including cell phones, and other types of touch sensors and display drivers.[55] Synaptics 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.[58]

The company develops a variety of types of chips, including low-power edge AI processors[50][44] and system—on—chip (SoC) technology for devices, such as smart home wireless devices[48] headsets,[59] and for graphics connectivity for video displays.[60] It develops and markets sound processing chips for voice recognition, used in voice controlled devices,[61] including far-field voice DSPs.[55][62]

In addition to its processors, it also develops display driver IC chips for technology such as VR headsets.[57]

Leadership

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List of chief executive officers

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Synaptics Incorporated FY 2024 Annual Report (Form 10-K)". U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. 23 August 2024.
  2. ^ a b Takahashi, Dean (20 January 2009). "Synaptics' Francis Lee on the magic of touch". Venture Beat. Retrieved 13 March 2018.
  3. ^ Fisher, Lawrence M. (21 January 1990). "Technology; A Pioneer is Out on a Limb Again". The New York Times. Retrieved 13 March 2018.
  4. ^ a b Markoff, John (1994-10-24). "Pad to Replace Computer Mouse Is Set for Debut". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2016-06-21.
  5. ^ "Mead's Silicon Retina Points Toward Brain-Like Processing". BYTE. February 1989. p. 11. Retrieved 2024-10-08.
  6. ^ Andrews, Edmund L. (5 October 1991). "Patents; Circuit Could Help Computers Mimic Brain". The New York Times. Retrieved 13 March 2018.
  7. ^ Miner, Nicola (7 November 1994). "Synaptics introduces neural TouchPad device". InfoWorld. p. 32. Retrieved 27 March 2018.
  8. ^ a b c d Champion, Zach (19 July 2017). "Rick Bergman, CEO of Synaptics – giving tech a sense of touch". The Michigan Engineer News Center. Retrieved 13 March 2018.
  9. ^ Brown, J. (1 March 2001). "Sign Online". CIO. p. 166. Retrieved 27 March 2018.
  10. ^ a b Quinn, Michelle (October 1, 2008). "Helping digit-ize Google phones". Los Angeles Times.
  11. ^ Hennessey, Raymond (30 January 2002). "Synaptics Makes Strong Debut In Kick Off for 2002 IPO Market". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 14 March 2018.
  12. ^ Whelan, David (31 October 2005). "Touchy Touchy". Forbes Asia. Retrieved 21 February 2022.
  13. ^ Van Buskirk, Eliot (22 September 2004). "The secret of iPod's scroll wheel". CNET. Retrieved 13 March 2018.
  14. ^ Lee, Timothy B. (23 February 2012). "If Android is a "stolen product," then so was the iPhone". Ars Technica. Retrieved 11 March 2018.
  15. ^ Chen, Jason (5 October 2006). "Synaptics Onyx Concept Phone Demoed". Gizmodo. Retrieved 11 March 2018.
  16. ^ Rojas, Peter (21 August 2006). "The Onyx - Synaptics' ClearPad concept phone". Engadget. Retrieved 11 March 2018.
  17. ^ News, Chris O'Brien | Mercury; Group, Bay Area News (October 28, 2007). "A nice send-off for retirement". {{cite web}}: |last1= has generic name (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  18. ^ Trenholm, Richard (9 January 2010). "Synaptics Fuse: Multi-input concept phone gets a grip". CNET. Retrieved 27 March 2018.
  19. ^ Miller, Paul (14 December 2009). "Synaptics Fuse concept handset puts a new squeeze on touchphone interaction". Engadget. Retrieved 27 March 2018.
  20. ^ Ganapati, Priya (14 December 2009). "Squeeze, Grip and Tilt to Control Synaptics' Concept Phone". Wired. Retrieved 27 March 2018.
  21. ^ "Rick Bergman joins Synaptics as chief exec". ITProPortal. 29 September 2011. Retrieved 14 March 2018.
  22. ^ Covert, Adrian (20 August 2012). "Synaptics ForcePad: The Laptop Trackpad Is About to Change Forever". Gizmodo. Retrieved 16 March 2018.
  23. ^ Nusca, Andrew (10 October 2013). "Synaptics acquires Validity for $255m; dives into biometrics". ZDNet. Retrieved 14 March 2018.
  24. ^ Takahashi, Dean (9 October 2013). "Synaptics moves into fingerprint ID with $255M purchase of startup Validity". Venture Beat. Retrieved 16 March 2018.
  25. ^ a b https://www.bizjournals.com/sanjose/news/2014/01/27/synaptics-grows-again-with-10-million.html
  26. ^ https://www.bizjournals.com/sanjose/news/2013/04/23/synaptics-sells-building-to-orchard.html
  27. ^ Smith, Matt (22 September 2016). "Universal Stylus Initiative 1.0 is here, but devices won't be until 2018". Digital Trends. Retrieved 16 March 2018.
  28. ^ Gartenberg, Chaim (23 September 2016). "Lenovo, Intel, Synaptics, and PayPal are working to kill passwords on your next laptop". The Verge. Retrieved 16 March 2018.
  29. ^ Knight, Sophie; Chatterjee, Soham (11 June 2014). "Synaptics CEO hopes to take bite of Apple by buying iPhone supplier". Reuters. Retrieved 14 March 2018.
  30. ^ Stynes, Tess; Clark, Don (10 June 2014). "Synaptics Agrees to Acquire Renesas SP Drivers". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 11 March 2018.
  31. ^ Takahashi, Dean (1 February 2016). "Synaptics and Valeo unveil tech for sensing force and touch in automobiles". Venture Beat. Retrieved 27 March 2018.
  32. ^ Burns, Chris (9 November 2015). "Synaptics bringing biometric and print-reading handles to cars". SlashGear. Retrieved 27 March 2018.
  33. ^ Takahashi, Dean (9 July 2015). "Synaptics creates a way to easily authenticate your fingerprint on a laptop". Venture Beat. Retrieved 11 March 2018.
  34. ^ Carman, Ashley (6 June 2016). "This fingerprint scanner fits into a USB port and will make your old PC more secure". The Verge. Retrieved 11 March 2018.
  35. ^ a b de Looper, Christian (13 December 2016). "Synaptics' new fingerprint sensor puts all of 2016's devices to shame". Digital Trends. Retrieved 11 March 2018.
  36. ^ Rubin, Ben Fox (31 March 2017). "Synaptics introduces a better fingerprint sensor". CNET. Retrieved 12 March 2018.
  37. ^ Savov, Vlad (13 December 2017). "Fingerprint sensors under the display are going to be a real thing in 2018". The Verge. Retrieved 16 March 2018.
  38. ^ Siegal, Jacob (15 February 2018). "Hands-on with the first retail phone to feature an in-display fingerprint sensor". BGR. Retrieved 16 March 2018.
  39. ^ Byford, Sam (24 January 2018). "The world's first phone with an in-display fingerprint sensor is here". The Verge. Retrieved 16 March 2018.
  40. ^ Chen, I-Chun (14 June 2017). "Amazon Alexa partner Conexant to be sold for $300 million". L.A. Biz. Retrieved 14 March 2018.
  41. ^ "Synaptics Closes Acquisition of Conexant Systems". Synaptics (Press release). 26 July 2017. Retrieved 20 April 2018.
  42. ^ Wheatley, Mike (12 June 2017). "Synaptics' shares rise after two acquisitions, strong earnings". SiliconANGLE. Retrieved 14 March 2018.
  43. ^ "C-suite shuffle: Synaptics taps former Finisar, Broadcom exec as its new CEO, while former chief exec heads to AMD". Silicon Valley Business Journal. 5 August 2019. Retrieved 19 January 2022.
  44. ^ a b c Takahashi, Dean (13 February 2021). "Michael Hurlston: How Synaptics pivoted from mobile/PC sensors to the internet of things". VentureBeat. Retrieved 21 February 2022.
  45. ^ a b Dahad, Nitin (31 August 2021). "Synaptics Buys DSP Group for $538m to Add Audio to IoT Portfolio". EETimes. Retrieved 21 February 2022.
  46. ^ a b Quested, Tony (20 July 2020). "DisplayLink sold for $305m cash to Synaptics in deal valued at $407m". Business Weekly. Retrieved 21 February 2022.
  47. ^ a b https://www.bizjournals.com/losangeles/news/2020/12/15/eta-compute-gets-funding-for-ai-processing-tech.html
  48. ^ a b c Santo, Brian (8 July 2020). "Broadcom Sells Wireless IoT Biz, This Time to Synaptics". EETimes. Retrieved 21 February 2022.
  49. ^ "Synaptics acquires Israeli chipmaker DSP Group for $540m". Globes.co.il. 2021-08-30. Retrieved 2021-08-31.
  50. ^ a b c d Levy, Ari (24 December 2021). "Here are the top-performing technology stocks of 2021". CNBC. Retrieved 21 February 2022.
  51. ^ https://www.bizjournals.com/sanjose/news/2022/02/10/synaptics-sells-headquarters-for-58m.html
  52. ^ "Synaptics acquires Israel's Emza and its AI visual sensing solutions from Taiwan's Himax for $10 million". ctech. November 2, 2022.
  53. ^ "Capacitive Touch   — Phone Scoop". www.phonescoop.com. 2010. Retrieved 2010-06-07.
  54. ^ Harris, Tom (24 September 2002). "How Fingerprint Scanners Work". HowStuffWorks. Retrieved 16 March 2018.
  55. ^ a b c d "Synaptics wins Best of Sensors 2022 for SYN4381 Triple Combo SoC". FierceElectronics. 1 August 2022. Retrieved 29 August 2022.
  56. ^ Jary, Simon (2 February 2022). "Wireless dual-display docking station ready by end of 2022". Tech Advisor. Retrieved 21 September 2022.
  57. ^ a b Horowitz, Jeremy (28 August 2018). "Synaptics chip paves the way for dual 2K VR headsets with 1,000 PPI". Venture Beat. Retrieved 29 August 2022.
  58. ^ Maxfield, Max (12 May 2022). "Reimagining How Humans Engage with Machines and Data". Electronic Engineering Journal. Retrieved 29 August 2022.
  59. ^ Ward-Foxton, Sally (17 December 2020). "Eta Compute Pivots Away From Silicon, Signs Deal with Synaptics". EETimes. Retrieved 23 August 2022.
  60. ^ Walko, John (25 February 2022). "Synaptics Targets France for Wireless R&D Center". EETimes. Retrieved 26 September 2022.
  61. ^ Wolverton, Troy (31 August 2021). "Synaptics is planning to buy DSP Group for $22 a share". Silicon Valley Business Journal. Retrieved 21 February 2022.
  62. ^ Perala, Alex (9 January 2018). "Harman Kardon Smart Speakers Feature Synaptics DSPs". Mobile ID World. Retrieved 14 March 2018.
  63. ^ Akinmoladun, Femi-Jide A. (March 20, 2023). "Biography: Francis Lee, B.S. '74 | Electrical and Computer Engineering | UC Davis Engineering". ece.ucdavis.edu.
  64. ^ https://www.eetimes.com/bergman-becomes-ceo-at-synaptics/?_ga
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