Synaptics Launches Ultra-Low-Power Wi-Fi/Bluetooth/802.15.4 Triple Combo SoC Family – SYN461x
Synaptics® has extended its award-winning Veros™ Triple Combo connectivity portfolio with the SYN461x family of ultra-low-power (ULP) Wi-Fi® 2.4/5/6 GHz, Bluetooth® 6.0 and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), and IEEE 802.15.4 (Zigbee®/Thread®) systems on chip (SoCs). Designed for the embedded Edge AI Internet of Things (IoT), the SYN461x is optimized for power, system integration, size, and rapid time to market while delivering Veros’ characteristic outstanding rate-over-range performance and seamless interoperability. The versatile Matter-compliant SoCs offer advanced Bluetooth features, such as Channel Sounding and LE Audio—including Auracast™. The SYN461x specifically targets consumer and industrial applications and is tailored for devices such as wearables, smart watches, audio speakers and headsets, home appliances, security cameras, asset trackers, and factory automation.
Veros Seamless Intelligent Connectivity
Launched in 2024, Veros Seamless Intelligent Connectivity encapsulates decades of field-hardened technology and IoT connectivity expertise. It encompasses Synaptics’ entire wireless portfolio of proven solutions characterized by performance, interoperability, coexistence, power efficiency, and bill of materials integration. Veros features built-in support for Synaptics Astra™, the AI-Native compute platform for the IoT.
“The SYN461x family is a breakthrough addition to our Veros portfolio,” said Vineet Ganju, VP of Wireless Product Marketing at Synaptics. “The SoCs are our first in a series designed from the ground up for ULP embedded Edge AI IoT applications. We believe their low-power architecture, software support, and low-density packaging extend our broad-market reach and position us to share in a ~$3.2 billion[1] market opportunity.
“The degree of versatility required to meet the unique connectivity needs of the diaspora of diverse low-power IoT applications demands a high degree of domain expertise,” said Phil Solis, Research Director at IDC. “Ultra-low-power and highly flexible solutions such as the SYN461x make a solid case for discrete, targeted, wireless SoCs in markets where more options are needed.”
Technical highlights
The SYN461x family extends Synaptics’ Triple Combo series into ULP, highly optimized IoT applications where it delivers reliable connectivity of up to 50 Mbps while extending battery life and maximizing range. Features include:
- Up to tri-band 1×1 Wi-Fi support across 2.4, 5, and 6 GHz with power-optimized architecture
- Low-power Bluetooth/BLE—with Channel Sounding for precise distance measurement
- IEEE 802.15.4 (Thread/Zigbee) with Matter support for seamless interoperability across popular low-power networks
- Integrated Tx/Rx switch, LNAs, and PAs that reduce area BOM and system cost while simplifying design by only requiring a direct antenna connection
- Low-pin-count WLBGA package option for low-cost, plated-through-hole (PTH) PCBs (25% reduction in typical board cost)
- An integrated processor that offloads the host application processor to help minimize system power consumption
- Secure Boot to help ensure system integrity
[1] Combined Omdia and Synaptics estimates (refer to “Synaptics Investor Day Presentation – September 7, 2023 – Slide 22” on the Synaptics’ Investor Relations website)