Synaptics

Synaptics, Inc.
Company type	Public
Industry	Technology, Semiconductors, Human-computer interaction
Founded	1986; 40 years ago
Founder	Federico Faggin, Carver Mead
Headquarters	San Jose, United States
Area served	Worldwide
Key people	Michael Hurlston (CEO)
Products	Touchpads, fingerprint biometric systems, touch and display driver technologies, AI processors, wireless connectivity solutions
Website	www.synaptics.com

Synaptics, Inc. is a U.S.-based firm focused on neural network innovations and human-computer interaction hardware, with its main office located in San Jose, California. The company designs touchpads, fingerprint biometric systems for laptops, as well as touch, display driver, and fingerprint technologies tailored for smartphones. Furthermore, Synaptics offers solutions including touch interfaces, video processing, far-field voice recognition, energy-efficient AI processors, and wireless connectivity aimed at smart home gadgets, wearable technology, and vehicles. Its clientele primarily consists of original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and display panel producers.

As a pioneer in computer touchpad development, Synaptics introduced significant advancements such as the click wheel featured on the classic iPod, touch sensors for Android smartphones, integrated touch and display driver chips (TDDI), and fingerprint detection modules. Their technologies are integrated into a broad spectrum of devices including personal computers, wearable electronics, drones, gaming consoles, entertainment systems, automobiles, industrial security apparatuses, and virtual reality devices.

1986–1998: Foundational Period

Synaptics was established in 1986 by Federico Faggin and Carver Mead, who applied their expertise in neural networks and transistor technology to create pattern recognition products like the "Silicon Retina," a circuit mimicking human visual perception. In 1991, the company secured a patent for a "winner take all" circuit designed to enhance neural network pattern recognition by selecting the strongest signal among multiple processors.

The introduction of the world’s first laptop touchpad occurred in 1992 through Synaptics, offering cursor control without mechanical buttons and serving as a substitute for trackballs and mice. By 1994, manufacturers such as Twinhead and Epson America had integrated Synaptics’ touchpads; this adoption expanded to include Apple in 1995 and subsequently Compaq and Dell, solidifying Synaptics’ early dominance in laptop input technology.

1999–2010: Public Offering and Growth

Under the leadership of CEO Francis Lee starting in 1999, Synaptics broadened its focus to encompass additional markets. The company ventured into digital media players in 2000 and went public with an initial public offering in 2002. As touchpad usage became widespread, Synaptics embedded its technology across various devices.

In 2004, Apple incorporated Synaptics’ capacitive touch technology into the iPod Mini and fourth-generation iPod via the scrolling click wheel. Comparable technology was utilized in Creative's Zen Touch media player. By 2005, Synaptics’ sensors were integrated into Samsung’s B310 model—the first mobile phone equipped with capacitive touch.

Synaptics showcased advanced touch capabilities through the Onyx smartphone prototype in 2006, which included ClearPad controllers capable of differentiating between finger touches and cheek contact to minimize input errors during calls. This innovation laid the groundwork for LG’s Prada phone released in 2007—the first mobile device featuring a capacitive touchscreen.

Touch sensor technology was also part of T-Mobile’s G1 phone launched in 2008, among the earliest Android smartphones. That year marked the retirement of founder Federico Faggin from Synaptics’ board.

In 2009, Synaptics introduced the Fuse concept smartphone demonstrating multi-input features such as rear touch sensitivity, squeeze controls, animated icons, orientation-responsive interfaces, and haptic feedback gestures—reflecting the company’s dedication to advancing user interface technologies and diversifying its product range.

2011–2019: Growth, acquisitions, and expansion

Rick Bergman took over as CEO of Synaptics in 2011, succeeding Francis Lee.^[1]

In 2012, the company introduced the first touchscreen capable of detecting pressure, allowing for multi-finger and variable-force inputs.^[2] Towards the end of 2013, Synaptics acquired Validity Sensors, a fingerprint sensor manufacturer, for $255 million, incorporating biometric technology into its offerings.^[3] That same year, Synaptics moved its headquarters to San Jose and expanded its facilities by purchasing additional property valued at $10 million.^[4]

As an original participant in both the FIDO Alliance and the Universal Stylus Initiative, Synaptics demonstrated its dedication to advancing security measures and input technologies.^[5]

In 2014, Synaptics acquired Renesas SP Drivers Inc., a Japanese company specializing in LCD driver chips. This acquisition enabled the integration of touch and display driver components into a unified "TDDI" chip.^[6]

By 2015, Synaptics had expanded into markets such as automotive, wearables, and PC peripherals. The company launched a “match-in-sensor” fingerprint authenticator that performs authentication processing directly within the chip.^[7]

In December 2016, Synaptics revealed its first optical fingerprint sensor designed to operate beneath smartphone glass screens. After further development, mass production began in 2017. In January 2018, Chinese smartphone brand Vivo released the first commercial handset equipped with Synaptics' under-display fingerprint technology.^[8]

Synaptics broadened its Internet of Things (IoT) presence in 2017 by acquiring Conexant Systems, known for voice and audio solutions in smart home devices and an Amazon Alexa collaborator. It also purchased Marvell Technology Group's Multimedia Solutions division specializing in video and audio processing. These moves aligned with Synaptics' objective to strengthen its position within the IoT sector.^[9]

Michael Hurlston was named CEO in August 2019. Under his leadership, Synaptics redirected its focus from mobile and PC sensor markets toward developing energy-efficient sensors tailored for IoT applications, fueling growth in emerging sectors.^[10]

2020–present: Strategic acquisitions and investments in IoT and AI

In July 2020, Synaptics expanded its product range by acquiring DisplayLink, a company specializing in software and semiconductor solutions that connect visual devices to computers. During the same month, it also acquired Broadcom's wireless IoT business assets along with manufacturing rights to bolster its footprint in the IoT arena.

By December 2020, Synaptics formed a partnership with Eta Compute through an investment in Eta’s Series C funding round. This collaboration aimed to integrate Eta’s Tensai Flow AI software with Synaptics’ ultra-low-power Katana Edge AI SoC platform to enhance artificial intelligence capabilities.

In December 2021, the company completed the acquisition of DSP Group for $538 million. This deal added voice and vision AI technologies along with ultra-low-energy (ULE) security features to Synaptics’ wireless product portfolio, strengthening its competitive positioning in smart device markets.

In February 2022, as part of asset optimization efforts, Synaptics sold its headquarters and North San Jose campus properties for $58 million.

The acquisition of Emza Visual Sense occurred in October 2022. This Israeli firm specializes in ultra-low-power AI technology for visual sensing applications, further augmenting Synaptics’ AI-related offerings.

In 2024, Synaptics introduced the Astra platform built on its neural network processing technology. This platform provides hardware and software tools aimed at supporting developers working on Edge AI products and highlights the company’s ongoing commitment to innovation and expansion within AI-driven markets.

Technology

Synaptics originated as a company centered on artificial intelligence, creating chips that emulate brain-like neural networks. In 1989, it secured a patent for neural network circuits designed to link new experiences with previously learned information. Two years later, in 1991, Synaptics obtained a patent for an improved "winner-take-all" circuit—initially developed at the University of Colorado—that identifies and amplifies the strongest signal within a processor array. This innovation introduced dynamic neuron recalibration, allowing ongoing precision adjustments through self-assessment and bias modification.

The firm possesses a portfolio exceeding 2,000 patents related to human interface technologies. A significant number of its products employ capacitive sensing techniques, which detect the electrical properties of fingers on sensors rather than relying on resistive touchscreens. Additionally, Synaptics develops optical sensing technologies, broadening its suite of human-machine interface solutions.

Products and services

Starting with a focus on touch technology, Synaptics expanded its offerings to include Internet of Things (IoT) solutions. In 1992, it introduced the I-1000 chip designed for reading magnetic characters on checks, distinguished by its high accuracy and speed; this chip was incorporated into Verifone's Gemstone Onyx reader.

Within the automotive industry, Synaptics engineered technology that allows drivers to operate touchscreen controls while wearing gloves in cold weather. Since 2018, the company has been testing in-vehicle fingerprint systems that facilitate personalized driver settings and parental geofencing features for teenage drivers.

By 2024, Synaptics provides a variety of products encompassing connectivity, sensing, processing, touch interfaces, and display driver solutions tailored for the IoT sector. Its offerings include enterprise workspace technologies such as docking stations. The company's technology supports devices including personal computers, wearables, drones, gaming platforms, media players, automobiles, industrial security systems, and virtual reality headsets.

Its connectivity portfolio features wireless technologies like Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, along with support for the Matter protocol that promotes interoperability across different wireless standards. The acquisition of DisplayLink in 2020 strengthened its capabilities in docking station hardware and graphics connectivity software. Wired solutions include USB Type-C to HDMI or DisplayPort adapters that enable high-resolution video transmission.

Synaptics continues to advance laptop touchpads, fingerprint biometric sensors, and various types of sensors—temperature, magnetic, capacitive, and inductive—integrated into products such as game controllers and earbuds. The FS9100 fingerprint sensor released in 2016 functions accurately beneath glass screens for smooth integration.

The company developed IronVeil technology to embed fingerprint authentication into peripherals like mice and keyboards compatible with Windows 10, enabling swift user verification.

Its range of chips includes energy-efficient edge AI processors and system-on-chip (SoC) platforms designed for smart home gadgets, headsets, and video display graphics. Synaptics also manufactures audio processing chips that support voice recognition in voice-activated devices, including far-field digital signal processors (DSPs).

In 2024, Synaptics unveiled the Astra platform—embedded processors that combine hardware with open software optimized for edge AI applications within resource-limited IoT devices across smart home, consumer electronics, and industrial environments.

The Veros platform delivers multi-protocol wireless support—including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, Thread, Matter, GNSS, and ULE—providing low-power yet high-performance communication chips intended for embedded IoT uses spanning consumer electronics, industrial equipment, enterprise solutions, and automotive applications.

Chief Executive Officers

Federico Faggin (1986–1998)
Francis Lee (1998–2011)
Rick Bergman (2011–2019)
Michael Hurlston (2019–2025)
Ken Rizvi, Interim CEO (February 2025 – May 2025)
Rahul Patel (June 2025 – Present)