Synaptics Extends Edge AI Portfolio with High-Performance Adaptive MCUs for Multimodal Context-Aware Computing
Synaptics (SYNA) has expanded its Astra AI-Native platform with the new SR-Series high-performance adaptive microcontroller units (MCUs) for Edge AI computing. The series features three power tiers: performance (100 GOPS), efficiency, and ultra-low-power always-on, built on Arm® architecture.
The SR-Series includes three MCUs (SR110, SR105, and SR102), featuring Arm Cortex-M55 cores running at 400 MHz. Key specifications include:
- Up to 4 MB system memory
- Streaming vision and audio processing
- MIPI-CSI camera input
- Advanced security features including AES-256
These MCUs are designed for multimodal consumer, enterprise, and industrial IoT applications, enabling integration into devices like battery-operated security cameras, sensors, appliances, and digital signage. The series is supported by the Astra Machina Micro development kit and open-source SDK.
Synaptics (SYNA) ha ampliato la sua piattaforma Astra AI-Native con i nuovi microcontrollori ad alte prestazioni della serie SR, progettati per il calcolo Edge AI. La serie presenta tre livelli di potenza: prestazioni (100 GOPS), efficienza e ultra-basso consumo energetico sempre attivo, basati sull'architettura Arm®.
La serie SR include tre microcontrollori (SR110, SR105 e SR102), dotati di core Arm Cortex-M55 che operano a 400 MHz. Le specifiche chiave includono:
- Fino a 4 MB di memoria di sistema
- Elaborazione di visione e audio in streaming
- Ingresso per fotocamera MIPI-CSI
- Funzionalità di sicurezza avanzate, inclusa AES-256
Questi microcontrollori sono progettati per applicazioni IoT multimodali nel settore consumer, enterprise e industriale, consentendo l'integrazione in dispositivi come telecamere di sicurezza a batteria, sensori, elettrodomestici e cartellonistica digitale. La serie è supportata dal kit di sviluppo Astra Machina Micro e da un SDK open-source.
Synaptics (SYNA) ha ampliado su plataforma Astra AI-Native con las nuevas unidades de microcontroladores de alta rendimiento de la serie SR, diseñadas para la computación Edge AI. La serie presenta tres niveles de potencia: rendimiento (100 GOPS), eficiencia y ultra-bajo consumo siempre activo, basados en la arquitectura Arm®.
La serie SR incluye tres microcontroladores (SR110, SR105 y SR102), que cuentan con núcleos Arm Cortex-M55 que funcionan a 400 MHz. Las especificaciones clave incluyen:
- Hasta 4 MB de memoria del sistema
- Procesamiento de visión y audio en streaming
- Entrada de cámara MIPI-CSI
- Características de seguridad avanzadas, incluyendo AES-256
Estos microcontroladores están diseñados para aplicaciones IoT multimodales en los sectores de consumo, empresarial e industrial, permitiendo la integración en dispositivos como cámaras de seguridad a batería, sensores, electrodomésticos y señalización digital. La serie cuenta con el kit de desarrollo Astra Machina Micro y un SDK de código abierto.
Synaptics (SYNA)는 Edge AI 컴퓨팅을 위한 새로운 SR 시리즈 고성능 적응형 마이크로컨트롤러 유닛(MCU)으로 Astra AI-Native 플랫폼을 확장했습니다. 이 시리즈는 성능(100 GOPS), 효율성 및 초저전력 항상 켜짐의 세 가지 전력 계층을 특징으로 하며, Arm® 아키텍처를 기반으로 합니다.
SR 시리즈에는 400 MHz에서 작동하는 Arm Cortex-M55 코어를 갖춘 세 가지 MCU(SR110, SR105 및 SR102)가 포함되어 있습니다. 주요 사양은 다음과 같습니다:
- 최대 4 MB 시스템 메모리
- 비디오 및 오디오 스트리밍 처리
- MIPI-CSI 카메라 입력
- AES-256을 포함한 고급 보안 기능
이 MCU는 소비자, 기업 및 산업 IoT 애플리케이션을 위한 다중 모드 설계로, 배터리로 작동되는 보안 카메라, 센서, 가전 제품 및 디지털 사이니지와 같은 장치에 통합할 수 있습니다. 이 시리즈는 Astra Machina Micro 개발 키트 및 오픈 소스 SDK로 지원됩니다.
Synaptics (SYNA) a élargi sa plateforme Astra AI-Native avec les nouvelles unités de microcontrôleurs adaptatifs haute performance de la série SR pour le calcul Edge AI. La série comprend trois niveaux de puissance : performance (100 GOPS), efficacité et ultra-basse consommation toujours active, construits sur l'architecture Arm®.
La série SR comprend trois microcontrôleurs (SR110, SR105 et SR102), dotés de cœurs Arm Cortex-M55 fonctionnant à 400 MHz. Les spécifications clés incluent :
- Jusqu'à 4 Mo de mémoire système
- Traitement de la vision et de l'audio en streaming
- Entrée de caméra MIPI-CSI
- Fonctionnalités de sécurité avancées, y compris AES-256
Ces microcontrôleurs sont conçus pour des applications IoT multimodales dans les secteurs de la consommation, de l'entreprise et de l'industrie, permettant l'intégration dans des dispositifs tels que des caméras de sécurité alimentées par batterie, des capteurs, des appareils électroménagers et de la signalisation numérique. La série est prise en charge par le kit de développement Astra Machina Micro et un SDK open-source.
Synaptics (SYNA) hat seine Astra AI-Native-Plattform mit den neuen SR-Serie Hochleistungs-Anpassungs-Mikrocontroller-Einheiten (MCUs) für Edge AI-Computing erweitert. Die Serie umfasst drei Leistungsstufen: Leistung (100 GOPS), Effizienz und ultra-niedrigem Stromverbrauch im Dauerbetrieb, basierend auf der Arm®-Architektur.
Die SR-Serie umfasst drei MCUs (SR110, SR105 und SR102), die mit Arm Cortex-M55-Kernen arbeiten, die mit 400 MHz laufen. Zu den wichtigsten Spezifikationen gehören:
- Bis zu 4 MB Systemspeicher
- Streaming-Vision- und Audioverarbeitung
- MIPI-CSI-Kameraeingang
- Erweiterte Sicherheitsfunktionen, einschließlich AES-256
Diese MCUs sind für multimodale Verbraucher-, Unternehmens- und industrielle IoT-Anwendungen konzipiert und ermöglichen die Integration in Geräte wie batteriebetriebene Sicherheitskameras, Sensoren, Haushaltsgeräte und digitale Beschilderungen. Die Serie wird durch das Astra Machina Micro-Entwicklungskit und ein Open-Source-SDK unterstützt.
- Launch of new high-performance MCU product line expanding Edge AI portfolio
- Three-tier scalable architecture addressing different power and performance needs
- Integration with established Arm technology enhancing market compatibility
- Comprehensive development support with Machina Micro kit and open-source SDK
- SR110 only sampling now, suggesting revenue impact may be delayed
- Entering competitive MCU market with established players
Insights
Synaptics' new SR-Series MCUs represent a significant technical expansion of its Edge AI capabilities, addressing the growing market for intelligent, low-power devices capable of multimodal processing. The architecture leverages Arm Cortex-M55 cores combined with Ethos-U55 NPUs, delivering up to 100 GOPS (giga operations per second) of AI performance while incorporating three distinct power profiles that enable always-on sensing capabilities.
What makes this announcement noteworthy is the focus on contextual awareness through multimodal processing - the ability to simultaneously handle vision, audio, and voice inputs for more comprehensive environmental understanding. This approach aligns with the industry's shift toward more intelligent edge devices that can make autonomous decisions without constant cloud connectivity.
The technical implementation includes critical features for IoT success: rich peripheral integration, camera interfaces, streaming vision processing, and robust security features (AES-256, RSA-4096). The accompanying Machina Micro development kit supports the company's strategy of providing accessible AI development tools for diverse expertise levels.
These MCUs position Synaptics at the intersection of two important technology trends: the migration of AI workloads to edge devices and the increasing demand for devices that understand contextual information through multiple sensory inputs. The technical architecture specifically addresses battery-operated devices' constraints, a significant limitation in expanding Edge AI adoption.
This product announcement represents a strategic portfolio expansion for Synaptics, extending their AI capabilities from their previously announced SL-Series MPUs to more compact, lower-power MCU form factors. The development is strategically significant as it positions Synaptics to capture market share in the growing embedded AI segment while leveraging their historical expertise in human-machine interfaces.
The SR-Series addresses multiple market verticals including consumer IoT, enterprise, and industrial applications - specifically targeting battery-operated security cameras, sensors, appliances, point-of-sale systems, and digital signage. This diversification reduces Synaptics' market concentration risk while enabling expansion into higher-growth segments.
Partnering with Arm provides Synaptics with an established ecosystem advantage, leveraging widely-adopted architecture that simplifies customer adoption. The endorsement from industry analyst Jim McGregor validates the market direction, noting that "meeting the needs of future intelligent edge devices requires solutions capable of multimodal processing."
From a competitive perspective, Synaptics is positioning itself in the high-value segment of MCUs where AI acceleration capabilities command premium pricing and margins. The scalable approach with three MCU variants (SR110, SR105, SR102) allows Synaptics to address various price/performance points, maximizing addressable market size while optimizing engineering investment return.
While typical embedded component design cycles suggest revenue impact may lag 12-18 months, this product line establishes Synaptics' commitment to the strategic AI-at-the-edge direction, potentially opening doors to new customer segments beyond their traditional base.
Featuring three power levels, the SR-Series MCUs scale Astra AI-Native hardware and open-source software to accelerate the development of low-power, cognitive IoT devices
NUREMBERG, Germany, March 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Synaptics® Incorporated (Nasdaq: SYNA) has extended its award-winning Synaptics AstraTM AI-Native platform with the SR-Series high-performance adaptive microcontroller units (MCUs) for scalable context-aware Edge AI. The series features three tiers of operation: performance (100 GOPS), efficiency, and ultra-low-power (ULP) always-on (AON) to deliver intelligence at every power level. Based on an Arm® Cortex®-M55 core and the Arm Ethos™-U55 neural processing unit (NPU), the SR-Series is supported by the AstraTM Machina Micro development kit and open-source SDK. It is optimized for multimodal consumer, enterprise, and industrial Internet of Things (IoT) workloads with accelerators and adaptive vision, audio, and voice algorithms. The small-form-factor MCUs have a rich set of peripherals—including multiple camera interfaces—to help minimize system cost, power, and footprint while enabling integration into a wide range of devices, such as battery-operated security cameras, sensors, appliances, point-of-sale, digital signage, and scanners.
At EW2025? Join us in Booth #4A-259 to learn about our advances in Edge AI, wireless connectivity, and automotive display technologies. Email press@synaptics.com for an appointment.
Announced at EW2024 with the SL-Series MPUs, the Synaptics Astra AI-Native compute platform for the IoT combines scalable, low-power compute silicon for the device Edge with open-source, easy-to-use software and tools and VerosTM wireless connectivity. The platform was built upon Synaptics’ foundation in neural networks, field-hardened AI hardware and compiler design expertise for the IoT, and refined, in-house support of a broad base of modalities.
“We believe we are at an inflection point in Edge AI where embedded developers have a unique opportunity to redefine human-machine interaction through multimodal processing and contextual awareness,” said Vikram Gupta, Senior Vice President and General Manager of IoT Processors, Chief Product Officer at Synaptics. “Unlocking this potential requires a new class of embedded compute silicon. As part of our Astra family, the SR-Series extends our Edge AI processing roadmap with intelligence optimized for various power levels. It allows the development of cognitive IoT devices that seamlessly adapt to their surroundings, from ultra-low-power always-on sensing to high-performance edge inference.”
"Enabling ultra-low-power AI processing at the edge will revolutionize emerging applications across various markets, including retail and smart home, where we are seeing greater performance demands," said Paul Williamson, Senior Vice President and General Manager, IoT Line of Business at Arm. “With the new SR-Series, built on the Arm compute platform, Synaptics is delivering the real-time intelligence and innovation needed to scale edge AI deployments.”
“Meeting the needs of future intelligent edge devices requires solutions capable of multimodal processing to achieve situational awareness,” said Jim McGregor, Principal Analyst at TIRIAS Research. “Synaptics' SR-Series of AI MCUs offers a scalable solution that maximizes IoT device awareness while simplifying integration and optimizing power and performance.”
Technical highlights
The SR-Series comprises three MCUs, the SR110, SR105, and SR102, each with its respective features and benefits that cater to a range of multimodal application requirements. All three MCUs use a Cortex-M55 core with Arm Helium™ technology running up to 400 MHz. The SR110 also has a Cortex-M4 core and Arm Ethos-U55 NPU and is sampling now; the SR105 has an Ethos-U55 NPU; and the SR102 is a single Cortex-M55 device. Other SR-Series features include:
- Up to 4 MB of system memory, including ULP AON memory
- Streaming vision and audio processing
- MIPI-CSI camera input and passthrough
- Low-power image signal processing
- Secure OTP, TRNG, AES-256, RSA-4096, SHA-512
The Machina Micro kit maintains Astra’s signature “out-of-the-box” AI development experience for beginners and experts alike.
For more information:
- Get images
- Download product brief
- Blog: Multimodal AI for IoT Devices Requires a New Class of MCU
- Whitepaper: Three Reasons That the Future of Smart Home Devices is Embedded Contextual AI
- Contact your local sales representative
About Synaptics Incorporated
Synaptics (Nasdaq: SYNA) is driving innovation in AI at the Edge, bringing AI closer to end users and transforming how we engage with intelligent connected devices, whether at home, at work, or on the move. As a go-to partner for forward-thinking product innovators, Synaptics powers the future with its cutting-edge Synaptics Astra™ AI-Native embedded compute, Veros™ wireless connectivity, and multimodal sensing solutions. We’re making the digital experience smarter, faster, more intuitive, secure, and seamless. From touch, display, and biometrics to AI-driven wireless connectivity, video, vision, audio, speech, and security processing, Synaptics is the force behind the next generation of technology enhancing how we live, work, and play. Follow Synaptics on LinkedIn, X, and Facebook, or visit www.synaptics.com.
Synaptics and the Synaptics logo are trademarks of Synaptics in the United States and/or other countries. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.
For further information, please contact:
Media Contact
Patrick Mannion
Synaptics
+1-631-678-1015
patrick.mannion@synaptics.com
FAQ
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