Japan-based chip designer Renesas has recently made clarifications to its downstream motherboard partners about the recent rumors that Renesas is currently seeing USB 3.0 controller chip shortages, and pointed out that the company is seeing shortages for its first-generation uPD720200 chip due to Intel's defective chip incident and the company's second-generation uPD720200A chip is currently enjoying smooth supply; however, due to Japan's power brownout policy, the company may see shortages after May, according to sources from motherboard makers.
After Renesas announced a temporary shutdown of its operations due to the earthquake, the IT market has circulated rumors that Renesas's supply of USB 3.0 chips is already in shortage; however, Renesas has clarified that as the company needs to fulfill the extra orders from motherboard makers in March because they are all set to re-release the fixed 6-series motherboards, in addition to the regular orders for March, the company's capacity is currently unable to fulfill all the demand and it will need to gradually digest the extra orders.
To improve the shortage of the first-generation chip, Renesas also hopes that its clients can start adopting its second-generation chip, which will only require about a month of testing time.
Renesas has also showcased its third-generation USB 3.0 controller chip to USB-IF. The new chip is expected to receive certification from USB-IF in July and start shipping in September. The sources also pointed out that they have already received quotes for the third-generation chip and a 4-port chip is price at about US$3 with a 2-port chip to have a price below US$2.