The automotive industry is experiencing a profound transformation as vehicles evolve from simple transportation into sophisticated connected platforms through advanced wireless technology. The strategic partnership between Synaptics and Murata, announced on May 1, 2025, represents a critical development in creating the robust Wi-Fi infrastructure necessary to power software-defined vehicles while addressing the stringent performance requirements of automotive environments.

Key Takeaways

• The Synaptics-Murata partnership creates turnkey wireless solutions specifically engineered for automotive applications

• Their Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7 modules enable seamless OTA updates and real-time diagnostics for software-defined vehicles

• Pin-to-pin compatibility between models ensures streamlined upgrade paths as connectivity standards evolve

• Solutions are designed for harsh automotive environments with optimized performance at extreme temperatures

• Enhanced connectivity supports advanced applications including 4K video streaming and augmented reality displays

Enabling the Software-Defined Vehicle Revolution

The automotive industry stands at a pivotal moment as vehicles transform from mechanical transport to fully connected computing platforms. At the core of this shift are software-defined vehicles (SDVs) that depend on robust wireless connectivity infrastructure to enable their advanced capabilities. The Synaptics-Murata collaboration directly addresses this need by developing specialized connectivity modules designed for automotive applications.

These wireless solutions support critical functions that define next-generation vehicles, including over-the-air (OTA) updates that eliminate the need for physical service visits and real-time diagnostics that monitor vehicle health. By replacing physical connections with wireless technologies, these modules significantly reduce weight and complexity in vehicle design while maintaining reliable performance.

The partnership's focused approach ensures automotive manufacturers can easily adapt as connectivity standards evolve, providing a future-proof foundation for development. This flexibility is particularly valuable in the rapidly changing automotive technology landscape, where communication standards continuously advance to support new features.

Technical Innovations: Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7 Solutions for Automotive Applications

At the heart of the Synaptics-Murata partnership are advanced wireless solutions specifically engineered for automotive use. The lineup centers around the SYN4383 (Wi-Fi 6E) and SYN4384 (Wi-Fi 7) automotive connectivity solutions, which form the core of their product offerings. These chips feature crucial pin-to-pin compatibility between models, ensuring manufacturers can easily upgrade their systems as technology advances.

For applications demanding even greater performance, the SYN4390 delivers high-throughput Wi-Fi 7 capabilities essential for advanced automotive applications like multimedia streaming and augmented reality displays. Each solution integrates highly specialized RF front-ends optimized for the unique challenges of automotive environments.

The solutions are built on Synaptics' Veros platform, which provides intelligent connectivity with built-in support for Synaptics Astra™, an AI-Native compute platform for IoT. This integration enables advanced processing capabilities directly within the connectivity infrastructure, opening new possibilities for in-vehicle applications.

Futureproofing Vehicle Connectivity

The partnership extends beyond current-generation technologies to ensure vehicles remain connected throughout their lifecycle. Recent acquisitions have strengthened Synaptics' wireless roadmap, including development of Wi-Fi 8 technology that will eventually succeed today's standards.

A core advantage of the joint solution is its software upgradability, ensuring vehicles can adapt to new connectivity standards without requiring hardware changes. This capability is crucial for automotive manufacturers who must prepare for the increasing bandwidth demands of future autonomous driving features and in-vehicle entertainment systems.

The technical architecture streamlines transitions between Wi-Fi generations while maintaining backward compatibility, ensuring vehicles can communicate across different network standards. This comprehensive approach to futureproofing helps automotive manufacturers protect their technology investments while providing customers with vehicles that can adapt to changing connectivity landscapes.

Engineering for Automotive-Grade Performance

Unlike consumer electronics, automotive applications demand exceptional durability under challenging conditions. The Synaptics-Murata solutions are specifically designed to maintain excellent throughput at high temperatures required by automotive applications, where under-hood and dashboard environments can reach extreme levels.

These modules are engineered for robustness under harsh operating conditions including temperature extremes, constant vibration, and electromagnetic interference (EMI) – all common challenges in vehicle environments. The partnership has achieved an optimized balance between performance, cost efficiency, and low power consumption, addressing the automotive industry's need for efficient yet powerful solutions.

Long-term reliability is a central focus, meeting the automotive industry's demanding 10-15 year lifecycle requirements. This extended service life significantly exceeds typical consumer electronics and requires specialized design approaches that prioritize durability without compromising performance.

Transforming the User Experience

Enhanced connectivity enables entirely new in-vehicle entertainment and productivity applications that were previously impossible. The high bandwidth capabilities support multiple 4K video streams simultaneously, augmented reality displays for navigation and information overlay, and responsive cloud-connected applications.

The solutions enable seamless integration with mobile devices and smart home ecosystems, allowing passengers to extend their digital lives into the vehicle environment. This connectivity creates a foundation for advanced driver assistance systems and autonomous driving features that depend on reliable, high-speed data transmission.

For consumers, these advances translate to vehicles that are more capable, entertaining, and integrated with their broader digital ecosystem. The resulting experience transforms cars from simple transportation into mobile living spaces that support both productivity and entertainment.

Delivering Operational Efficiency for OEMs

For automotive manufacturers, the partnership delivers significant operational advantages. Streamlined hardware integration reduces development time and manufacturing complexity through pre-certified, turnkey solutions that eliminate the need for extensive wireless engineering expertise.

Comprehensive OTA update capabilities minimize recall expenses and service center visits by enabling software fixes to be deployed remotely. This capability is particularly valuable as vehicles become increasingly software-dependent, with many features defined through code rather than mechanical systems.

Real-time diagnostics allow predictive maintenance and reduced vehicle downtime by identifying potential issues before they cause failures. These monitoring capabilities help manufacturers improve reliability while reducing warranty costs. Additionally, the partnership supports global regulatory compliance across multiple markets, simplifying the certification process for vehicles sold internationally.

Company Synergies: Combining World-Class Expertise

The partnership leverages complementary strengths from both companies. Murata Manufacturing brings its position as a worldwide leader in RF and wireless module design, delivering high-performance, miniaturized components essential for space-constrained automotive applications.

Synaptics contributes decades of field-hardened technology and IoT connectivity expertise, now applied specifically to automotive solutions. The partnership leverages Synaptics' complete Veros portfolio, which encompasses their entire wireless lineup of proven solutions.

Together, the companies share a commitment to high-quality products, engineering excellence, and adherence to automotive industry standards. This alignment of technical capabilities and business values creates a strong foundation for developing solutions that address the unique needs of next-generation vehicles.

Sources: GlobalNewswire - Synaptics and Murata Partner for Next-Generation Automotive Wireless Connectivity, Embedded.com - Synaptics and Murata Partner on Advanced Wireless Modules for Automotive Connectivity, EENewsEurope - Synaptics and Murata Team Up on Automotive Wireless