Synaptics launches new line of SoC audio sensors for smart home devices

Synaptics has announced a new family of system-on-chip (SoC) audio sensor products featuring neural network acceleration, a proprietary wake word engine supporting custom wake words, and far-field voice processing the company says is highly-advanced.

The AS3xx series of Smart Edge AudioSmart solutions includes four products, starting with the AS371 for voice-enabled devices with Synaptics Neural Network Acceleration and Processing (SyNAP) technology. Synaptics is currently showcasing SyNAP and other technologies at CES. The AudioSmart AS371 is designed using a 22nm process node, and intended for smart home devices such as hubs, Wi-Fi repeaters, speakers, and appliances, according to the announcement. The AS390 for devices with displays, the AS350 for low-power devices, and the AS320 for microcontroller-based devices are expected to be launched within the next quarter.

“Intelligence at the edge begins in the Smart Home where privacy is paramount and with voice as the fastest growing and most natural human interface,” said Huibert Verhoeven, senior vice president and general manager, IoT Division, Synaptics. “Adding to our established market-leading position in voice, our new cutting-edge voice processing technology designed using a 22nm process node, along with our innovative SyNAP integration, not only provides unmatched performance and security, it also opens numerous new opportunities across consumer IoT products spanning speakers, displays, set-top-boxes, thermostats, lighting, Wi-Fi repeaters, home appliances and much more.”

Synaptics says the AS3xx family features dedicated security processors, and helps protect consumer privacy and regulatory compliance by reducing the need to continuously send personal data to the cloud. The technology also improves voice pick-up in the noise environments of real-world conditions and barge-in capabilities during loud playback. The company says its in-house design has optimized the system for the highest possible far-field voice performance at an affordable price point for consumer electronics, while offering the technology as a complete solution reduces time-to-market for smart home product manufacturers.

Under-glass fingerprint technology from Synaptics is being integrated with notebooks from manufacturer Clevo, while the company announced in September that its far-field voice technology is being integrated into a new line of smart televisions for interaction with Amazon Alexa.

Article Topics

sensors  |  smart homes  |  Synaptics  |  voice