The rapid advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) technology have transformed the way we perceive the capabilities of machines. As the boundaries between human capabilities and machine functions continue to evolve, the tech industry is presented with exciting opportunities. Synaptics, a renowned authority in intelligent sensing and connectivity, has recognized the need for hardware to adapt and evolve flexibly in this era of AI disruption. With the unveiling of their AI-native compute platform, Astra, Synaptics is poised to revolutionize the internet of things (IoT) computing landscape.
The Challenges within the IoT Landscape
Navigating the IoT landscape comes with significant challenges in the areas of sensing, processing, and connectivity. Fragmentation resulting from multi-vendor sourcing, the distinction between custom and general-purpose compute silicon, software interoperability concerns, and varying investment strategies have led to uneven growth patterns across end markets. However, despite these trials, the overall market outlook remains promising. According to Gartner Research, the semiconductor potential for IoT endpoints is expected to reach $269.7 billion in revenue by 2027, reflecting a robust 11.8% compound annual growth rate (CAGR).
Synaptics: A Leader in Intelligent Sensing and Connectivity
Synaptics has a long-standing reputation for its expertise in intelligent sensing, display, video, vision, voice, and audio technologies. The company has successfully ventured into various product segments, from PC touchpads and smartphones to automotive, wireless connectivity, and docking station markets. Synaptics has demonstrated its ability to tackle technological challenges and adapt to evolving market demands.
Introducing Synaptics Astra: An AI-Native Compute Platform
With the introduction of Astra, Synaptics aims to provide a future-ready platform for the IoT category. Astra is designed to address both consumer and industrial applications, offering a range of high-performance, power-efficient AI-enabled system-on-chips (SoCs) and connectivity microcontrollers (MCUs). These scalable compute solutions cater to markets such as home automation, smart appliances, process control, wearables, security, digital signage, streaming, and enterprise conferencing.
The Foundational Pillars of Synaptics Astra
The Synaptics Astra platform is built on four foundational pillars that highlight its key features and capabilities:
1. Portfolio of High-Performance, Power-Efficient AI-Enabled SoCs
Synaptics offers a portfolio of multi-modal AI-enabled MPUs and a range of high-performance AI and connectivity MCUs. These SoCs provide scalable compute solutions for a variety of markets, ensuring optimal performance and power efficiency. From home automation to enterprise conferencing, Synaptics enables the integration of AI into diverse applications.
2. Adaptive AI Framework
As ambient and conversational AI become integral to IoT and edge-compute design, Synaptics provides an adaptive AI framework that facilitates the implementation of best-in-class, user-friendly solutions. This open, cross-platform tooling, modeling, and optimization infrastructure supports customers and developers in effectively integrating AI into production systems. Whether it’s raw data from the factory floor or object detection models for home security, Synaptics’ AI framework offers seamless integration paths.
3. Unified Software Experience
Synaptics ensures a unified software experience through its comprehensive Board Support Package, compatible with Linux, Android, and leading real-time operating systems (RTOS). This open and consistent cross-portfolio experience accelerates development cycles and facilitates optimized evaluation and decision-making. With standards-based approaches to firmware-OS interfaces, security, and workload acceleration, Synaptics provides a familiar development environment for its customers.
4. Wireless Connectivity Pairing
Synaptics Astra offers appropriately sized wireless connectivity and compute pairings through highly integrated solutions for the IoT. Supporting Wi-Fi, Bluetooth BLE, 802.15.4, and GPS/GNSS, these functionalities are enabled through standards-based Linux and RTOS software frameworks and protocols. Synaptics embraces initiatives like the Matter smart home interoperability initiative, ensuring seamless connectivity within the IoT ecosystem.
5. Broad Partner Solution Ecosystem
Synaptics leverages its multi-generational experience to build market-ready systems and solution stacks in collaboration with industry-leading partner companies. This broad partner solution ecosystem includes original design manufacturers (ODMs), independent software vendors (ISVs), service providers, and system integrators. Synaptics SoCs enable a diverse array of IoT platforms, from single-board computers to interactive A/V conferencing systems.
The Shift to Custom Silicon Solutions
Synaptics’ foray into custom silicon solutions aligns with an industry trend that has gained momentum in recent years. Custom silicon empowers companies to optimize hardware and software integration, resulting in seamless and efficient operations. By designing and manufacturing their own specialized chips tailored to specific tasks, companies can accelerate innovation, enhance performance, and improve energy efficiency.
While this shift toward custom silicon solutions presents numerous benefits, it also raises concerns about standardization and interoperability. As the industry moves toward a more fragmented landscape of proprietary solutions, collaboration and compatibility challenges may arise. Striking the right balance between customization and industry-wide cohesion will be crucial for harnessing the full potential of custom silicon in shaping the future of technology.
Synaptics, however, aims to avoid these challenges by maintaining allegiance to industry standards. The Astra platform seamlessly integrates computing, artificial intelligence, connectivity, software, and a robust partner ecosystem. This innovation comes at a time when AI takes the lead in driving advancements, propelling Synaptics beyond the perception that it is solely a touchpad and smartphone company. Astra validates that this view could not be further from the truth.
