USB controller design firm ASMedia Technology expects to start mass producing chips using 85nm process technology, according to company president Chewei Lin.

ASMedia is partnering with TSMC to transition its production process from a 0.13-micron node to 85nm, said Lin.

ASMedia will continue enhancing its controller solutions for high-speed interfaces, such as USB 3.0 and Thunderbolt, as well as expanding its target markets in 2013, Lin indicated.

The market for USB 3.0 host controllers now has little room for growth, while prices for USB 3.0 bridge controllers used in hard drives (HDD) falling due to mounting competition, Lin continued. Therefore, ASMedia is seeking to diversify its product offerings and put more emphasis on high-margin applications, Lin said.

Lin also commented that the availability of Intel's upcoming Haswell processors will help stimulate demand for PCs, which has been sluggish. Intel is scheduled to launch its Haswell Core series in June.

In addition, Lin confirmed that ASMedia's office has been raided by law enforcement officers for the second time in an investigation over alleged infringement on intellectual property rights related to its USB 3.0 chips. Lin claimed that ASMedia remains confident the company can prove it did not infringe VIA Technologies' physical layer (PHY) technologies related to the design of USB 3.0 chips.

ASMedia is a 49.3%-held subsidiary of Asustek Computer specializing in the design of USB and NAND flash device controllers.