ASMedia Technology expects its shipments of USB 3.0 controller ICs to rapidly increase beginning the second quarter of 2012, according to company president Lin Che-wei.

The expected fast growth is mainly because Intel's Ivy Bridge platform will support USB 3.0, equivalent to making USB 3.0 a standard transfer interface for PCs, Lin indicated. ASMedia has begun to ship USB 3.0 controller ICs to makers of motherboards and notebooks in small volumes, Lin noted.

ASMedia is the only Taiwan-based company to obtain USB Implementers Forum certification for USB 3.0 Host controller ICs and has obtained orders for USB 3.0 bridge controller ICs used in hard disk drives from three international vendors, Lin claimed.

In addition, ASMedia showcased USB 3.0 Hub controller ICs at CES 2012 and will begin production of such ICs for use in NAND flash memory products in the second half of 2012, Lin indicated.

In addition to USB 3.0, ASMedia has offered SATA 3.0 bridge controller ICs supporting Thunderbolt, Lin noted.

ASMedia is a subsidiary of Taiwan-based Asustek Computer with a stake ratio of 62.83%, and is expected by local market analysts to record net EPS of over NT$5 (US$0.17) for 2011.