Synaptics Empowers India’s Chip Design Sector with Next-Gen Wireless ICs for IoT

CXOToday has engaged in an exclusive interview with Michael Hurlston, CEO, Synaptics

What are Synaptics’ plans for India in these 2-3 years?

When it comes to our Indian design centres, we at Synaptics ensure that our team in India does end-to-end chip design which means the design of the chips is not divided amongst multiple geographies. This gives our India team full ownership of the design, from concept to design, simulation, verification, test and productization, everything happens in India. This ownership provides our Indian team a much better spirit of innovation. With the Indian team coming up with all the ideas, the genesis for the design, we’re now looking forward to designing next-generation wireless ICs for the IoT, including the smart home, wearables, in-cabin automotive, the enterprise, automation and industrial markets.

The play for India is to leverage the incredible education which I firmly believe is one of the best education systems in the world. India has all the tools required to become a strong provider of IP and can even challenge the US. Also, the number of engineers that the US education system is churning out is far lower than the number of engineers the Indian education system is producing. The right approach for both Indian and US semiconductor solution providers is to focus on IP development.

From a hiring standpoint, currently, India stands as our third largest site and by the end of next year, we anticipate it to become our second largest site (outside of the US). Our plan is to ramp up our hiring efforts here at a much faster pace compared to other locations within our ecosystem. From a modest start with around 40 individuals, we have already expanded our team to over 300 members. We will continue to follow this trajectory and foresee sustained growth in the foreseeable future for the India market.

Does Synaptics have an interest in smart devices? If yes, what are the applications?

Smart devices are a major focus for Synaptics where we work to engineer exceptional experiences for the end user. We provide a range of solutions and technologies for various applications in this field and are infusing AI throughout in order to make our solutions smarter and easier to use. Some of the applications of Synaptics’ products in smart devices include:

• Mobile Devices: Synaptics offers wireless connectivity (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee/Thread, ULE, and Matter), touchpad controllers, fingerprint sensors, and display drivers for smartphones and tablets. These technologies enable touch input, biometric authentication, and high-quality display performance.
• Smart Home: Synaptics provides whole-home wireless connectivity as well as AI-enabled video, voice and audio processing solutions that enhance the performance of smart speakers, voice assistants, set-top boxes, security, and home automation systems. These technologies enable features such as people counting, face detect, voice recognition for remote controls, anomaly detection (glass break, baby crying), and noise cancellation.
• Internet of Things (IoT): Synaptics focuses on the three elements of IoT — Sensing, Processing, and Connecting. We offer high-performance and secure solutions for touch sensing and fingerprint biometrics, as well as edge AI processing for ambient-ware processing, and wireless connectivity solutions for IoT devices, including laptops, wearables, smart appliances, automotive, and other connected devices.
• Automotive: Our offerings include touch and display solutions for automotive applications, involving infotainment systems and center console displays. These technologies enhance display performance and visibility and user interaction and provide intuitive touch interfaces within the vehicle.
• Virtual and Augmented Reality: Synaptics’ touch and display driver IC technologies are used in virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) devices, enabling precise touch input and high-resolution displays for immersive experiences.

What does the company have in accordance to cybercrime in today’s world?

At Synaptics, we recognize the critical need to address cybercrime in today’s world. As a provider of human interface solutions, we are dedicated to prioritizing security and implementing measures to safeguard our products and the users who rely on them. Our advanced technologies and comprehensive approach focus on mitigating cyber threats across multiple fronts. We integrate robust security features into our products, such as fingerprint sensors and touch controllers, to ensure secure authentication, system operational security, and data protection. For example, our touchpad controllers for laptops and notebooks are NIST SP800-193 compliant to ensure the system isn’t hacked and disabled. These features help prevent unauthorized access or user lockout. Our dedicated cybersecurity teams also continuously monitor and analyse emerging threats, allowing us to proactively develop countermeasures and quickly respond to any potential vulnerabilities.

Also, Synapticss suite of edge AI solutions, such as its VS640, VS680, and DBM10L processors and associated machine-learning (ML) algorithms, operate and the network edge where they ensure data security, user privacy, and AI-enhanced functionality with low latency. Applications range from smart TVs, PCs, and digital signage, while functions include detecting and tracking user presence to ultra-low-power voice, speech, and sound event detection.

To conclude, we understand the evolving challenges of cybercrime and are committed to providing innovative solutions that prioritize security. We strive to empower individuals and organizations with the confidence to confidently operate in today’s digital landscape.

Please shed light on AI application of your products?

Synaptics leverages Artificial Intelligence (AI) to deliver product differentiation and enhanced user experiences. Our integration of AI technologies brings intelligence and intuitiveness to our solutions.

Through the application of machine learning algorithms, our devices possess the ability to understand user behaviour, preferences, and patterns. This enables personalized and context-aware interactions, catering to individual needs and enhancing user satisfaction. In the realm of biometric authentication, AI plays a pivotal role. By employing advanced deep learning algorithms, we ensure accurate and secure authentication through fingerprint recognition; our touchpads for laptops use AI to detect false contacts; and our security solutions detect sound anomalies and use AI-based vision processing to determine threat potential. This ensures robust security while providing a seamless user experience.

Furthermore, AI optimizes power efficiency and system performance. Our products leverage AI algorithms to intelligently manage power consumption, maximizing battery life without compromising on performance. Overall, we harness AI to drive innovation, delivering intelligent, personalised, and secure user experiences.