Synaptics Unveils Low-Cost SYN43711 Wi-Fi/Bluetooth Combo Chip with Human Presence Detection
New single-stream, cost-reduced part can push 600Mb/s and detect movements as small as a person breathing.
Embedded electronics specialist Synaptics has announced the launch of a new chip for Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity in the Internet of Things (IoT), claiming a best-in-class rate-over-range performance and an algorithm that can watch you breathe: the SYN43711 system-on-chip (SoC).
"Wireless is integral to Synaptics' comprehensive 'Sense, Process, Connect' strategy and product portfolio for the IoT," says Synaptics' Brandon Bae in support of the launch. "The SYN43711 is a high-performance Wi-Fi and Bluetooth solution that enables a broader range of network edge applications. These include video distribution, where consistently high throughput is required, and AI-enabled compute, where data must be communicated securely and reliably with low latency."
The SYN43711 is designed to add both Wi-Fi 6E (IEEE 802.11ax) and Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity to a system, offering simultaneous 2.4GHz and 5GHz or 6GHz connectivity to push 600Mb/s throughput on the former and support for Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and multiple concurrent connections and audio streams on the latter.
Both radios benefit from what the company calls "Synaptics Smart Co-Ex," designed to help Wi-Fi and Bluetooth better coexist on the 2.4GHz band — automatically shifting frequencies when required in order to avoid interference.
Compared to Synaptics' existing dual-stream SYN43756E chip, the SYN43711 comes in offering half the peak throughput on its Wi-Fi side — but, as at trade-off, will come in at a lower cost, the company promises. It also retains support for the company's "Wi-Fi Sensing" algorithm, which analyzes Wi-Fi Channel State Information (CSI) to detect the presence of humans, estimate their motion, offer an approximation as to their location in a room, and sense gestures and movements as subtle as breathing.
The SYN43711 is now sampling to "key customers," Synaptics has confirmed, with general availability in volume slated for the first quarter of 2024; the chip will be made available in standard and plated through-hole (PTH) compatible WLBGA packages. Pricing has yet to be confirmed, but more information is available on the company's product page.