IC design house Genesys Logic reportedly has received USB 3.0 card reader controller chip orders for Apple's MacBook Air notebooks to be released in the second half of 2012, according to industry sources. Genesys declined to comment.

Genesys Logic's USB 3.0 solutions include bridge controller chips, hub controllers and card reader controller ICs, with major clients including Kingston Technology and Seagate Technology, according to earlier reports.

Genesys plans to further expand its product lineups to include USB 3.0 flash drive controller chips in 2012, competing directly with other controller chip vendors including Phison Electronics, Silicon Motion Technology, ASMedia Technology, VIA Labs, Innostor Technology and Alcor Micro, said the sources.

Shipments of USB 3.0 products accounted for only 5% of Genesys' total revenues in 2011. Genesys as well as fellow companies all expect their shipments of USB 3.0 controller chips to take off in 2012, due in part to the launch of Intel's Ivy Bridge processors, the sources indicated.