SDRAM chipmaker Etron Technology has delivered its USB 3.0 host controller chips to five major motherboard makers for verification, and the company expects to begin volume shipping the controllers in the fourth quarter of 2010, according to chairman Nicky Lu.
The market for SuperSpeed USB 3.0 products is likely to take off in 2010, with rapid expansion beginning next year, said Lu.
Market sources expect Etron to see its USB 3.0 products bring in a solid contribution to its 2011 financial results. Sales generated from the product line will likely contribute more than 30% to Etron's total revenues next year. Currently, 90% of Etron's revenues is generated from specialty DRAM (SDRAM) products, the sources added.
Commenting on the outlook for SDRAM, Lu indicated demand for the chip has recently been driven by the TV and communications sectors. Demand for PC applications is relatively weak, but will pick up starting from August, Lu said.
Prices for SDRAM chips rose by 10-15% in the April-May period compared to first-quarter levels, according to Lu. Prices now are stable, and will remain so through July, he said.
Lu expects seasonal demand to start emerging in August, triggering a price increase for SDRAM products.
In other news, Etron is set to complete a fundraiser in mid-August to finance its operations, according to the company.