Precise is at the forefront of this ultrasonic innovation, offering exceptional matching capabilities as well as tampering-resistant and liveness capabilities, collaborating with hardware pioneers like Qualcomm Technologies, Inc to deliver solutions that are transforming the industry.

The Power of Ultrasonic
Unlike optical or capacitive fingerprint sensors, ultrasonic technology leverages sound waves to capture the unique patterns of a fingerprint. This method has better performance and allows for greater flexibility in sensor placement, enabling biometric readers to function seamlessly under modern high-resolution screens or other materials. This flexibility not only simplifies the integration but also enhances user experience and reduces design and production costs.

Key Benefits:

• Performance Excellence: Ultrasonic sensors deliver superior performance in tough conditions, such as when fingers are wet, dirty, or in outdoor environments.
• Design Innovation: The ability to place sensors under screens or materials simplifies device design and contributes to the sleek aesthetic of modern devices, as well as reducing design and manufacturing costs.
• Enhanced Security: Ultrasonic technology has the potential to provide an additional layer of security, but achieving high security requires the right solution set and deep expertise in anti-tampering and liveness detection. The complexity of developing secure ultrasonic algorithms is one of the reasons why Precise remains among the few companies worldwide excelling in this field. The use of sound waves makes it significantly more difficult for attackers to replicate fingerprints using traditional methods, such as printed copies. However, more sophisticated spoofing techniques exist, underscoring the need for a first-class anti-tampering solution that can effectively counteract advanced threats.

The Complexity of Algorithms
While capacitive and optical sensors capture photos, ultrasonic sensors use sound waves. This is a far more complex reality and places much higher demands on sensor manufacturers and software algorithm developers. The complexity increases when moving from the matching process to anti-tampering and liveness capabilities. While hardware sensors capture the raw fingerprint data, the real magic happens within the software algorithms. These algorithms must process the data to create a digital representation of the fingerprint, ensuring high accuracy, anti-tampering measures, and liveness detection.

“Matching a fingerprint from an ultrasonic sensor is nothing like comparing data from an optic or capacitive sensor, it’s far more complex. It adds a layer of complexity that requires advanced algorithms,” explains Fredrik Rosqvist, Product Owner at Precise. “Our 25 years of experience in biometrics and deep expertise in AI and deep learning enable us to tackle these challenges effectively. Today, several premium smartphones on the market rely on our ultrasonic algorithms, showcasing the trust our solutions have earned.”

Tackling the Challenges
Developing algorithms for ultrasonic fingerprints is no small feat. The software must:

• Accurately process data based on sound waves, which is inherently different from optical or capacitive data.
• Implement robust tampering-resistant mechanisms to help prevent spoofing.
• Deliver reliable liveness detection, distinguishing between real fingers and artificial replicas.
• Foster tight collaboration between sensor manufacturers and software algorithm developers, which is even more critical than for other technologies. Sometimes even collaboration with end customers (the mobile phone brands) is key to success.

Precise stands out as one of the few vendors capable of addressing these challenges comprehensively.

Expert Insights: Q&A
To provide a deeper understanding of ultrasonic fingerprint technology, we spoke with key stakeholders driving innovation in this space.

Fredrik Rosqvist, Product Owner at Precise Biometrics

Q: What excites you most about this technology?
A: The combination of high security and fantastic user experience, together with the potential for design innovation, is remarkable. Being able to place sensors under screens or other materials opens up endless possibilities.

Q: What sets Precise apart in the ultrasonic market?
A: Our deep expertise in algorithm development and AI allows us to address the unique challenges posed by ultrasonic data. We’ve developed solutions that not only enhance accuracy but also integrate sophisticated anti-tampering and liveness detection measures, which are crucial for high security.

Q: How does algorithm development for ultrasonic fingerprints differ from traditional methods?
A: The fundamental difference lies in the data type. Sound waves produce a very different dataset compared to optical or capacitive sensors. This requires entirely new approaches to data processing and pattern recognition.

Q: What are the key challenges in developing anti-tampering and liveness detection features?
A: The challenge is creating algorithms that can detect extremely subtle differences between real and fake fingerprints. It’s a continuous arms race against increasingly sophisticated spoofing methods.

Alan Goode, CEO & Chief Analyst at Goode Intelligence

Q: What is the market’s perception of ultrasonic technology?
A: There’s a growing recognition of its advantages, particularly in terms of security, usability, and design flexibility. We are seeing increasing demand for ultrasonic biometric sensors and the technology’s potential is undeniable. We can also see a price drop in the ultrasonic sensors which will help accelerate the expansion further.

Q: Where do you see the segment heading in the next few years?
A: I anticipate widespread adoption, both in premium devices and in the mid-range segment. Companies like Precise will play a critical role in driving this shift.

Q: How big is the market today, and how big will it be in five years?
A: Estimates suggest the global ultrasonic sensor market is valued at $1.2 billion today and is expected to grow to over $3 billion by 2030, driven by increasing adoption in both premium and mid-range devices.

Gordon Thomas, Senior Director, Product Management, at Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.

Q: How would you describe Qualcomm Technologies’ position within the ultrasonic segment?
A: Qualcomm Technologies has been at the forefront of innovation in ultrasonic fingerprint sensor technology, helping to revolutionize biometric security in mobile devices. By using high-frequency sound waves, our Qualcomm® 3D Sonic sensors capture detailed images of a fingerprint, offering enhanced accuracy and security compared to traditional optical sensors. This cutting-edge technology, first commercialized in the mobile industry by Qualcomm Technologies, has set a new benchmark for security-rich and superior user authentication in smartphones and other devices.

Q: How has the collaboration with Precise contributed to Qualcomm Technologies’ biometric solutions?
A: Precise’s algorithms are a perfect complement to our sensors, ensuring that we deliver industry-leading performance at high security. Their ability to address the unique challenges of ultrasonic data has been invaluable.

Q: What’s next for Qualcomm Technologies in the ultrasonic biometric space?
A: We’re focused on pushing the boundaries of what’s possible, aligning with the biometric industry needs, and improving user experience through innovation.

Q: How will the industry benefit from the Qualcomm Technologies and Precise’s collaboration?
A: This joint effort combines Qualcomm Technologies’ advanced 3D Sonic Sensor with Precise’s cutting-edge algorithms. This synergy ensures devices equipped with our joint solution deliver industry-leading performance, security, and flexibility, catering to the evolving demands of OEMs and end-users alike.

Fredrik André, CMO at Precise Biometrics

Q: Where do you see the ultrasonic segment heading, and what about Precise’s position?
A: Ultrasonic will expand beyond its current single-digit market share, expanding from premium to mid-range segments and into other design-focused products like laptops and cars. While new players may enter, Precise will further strengthen its position with more powerful solutions. The segment is also shifting from hardware-centric to software-driven, accelerated by AI, innovation, and evolving user needs.

Looking Ahead
Ultrasonic fingerprint technology represents a significant leap forward in biometric authentication. As the market evolves, collaboration between hardware and software innovators will be crucial to overcoming challenges and unlocking the full potential of this technology. With its pioneering algorithms, Precise is poised to remain a key player in shaping the future of secure and seamless user authentication.

Qualcomm branded products are products of Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries. Qualcomm is a trademark or registered trademark of Qualcomm.