Taiwan-based IC suppliers for touch controllers, eDP (embedded DisplayPort) solutions and USB 3.0 chips, have seen a pick-up in demand recently, as notebook OEMs and ODMs have begun preparing related parts and components for production of Intel Haswell-based models, according to industry sources.

The new demand was ushered in after Intel decided to have its third-generation ultrabooks support touchscreen functions, as well as eDP and USB 3.0 standards, the sources indicated.

The ratio of notebooks and ultrabooks equipped with touchscreens is also rising after Intel said that subsidies for the purchase of its chips in the future will be limited to touch-enabled notebooks and ultrabook devices, added the sources.

Some IC vendors have revealed that order visibility for their touch controller chips has extended to over three months, indicating that supply in the segment will remain tight in the near term.

Touch controller IC suppliers Elan Microelectronics and Egalax-empia Technology (EETI) are expected to see their revenues grow over 20% sequentially in the second quarter, while eDP solution supplier Parade Technologies may post a 50% sequential revenue gain in the same quarter, the sources estimated.

USB 3.0 controller chip vendors, including Genesys Logic, Prolific Technology and Alcor Micro, will benefit from the pending launch of Haswell notebooks and ultrabooks, added the sources.