Josephine Lien, Taipei; Jessie Shen

 

Innostor Technology has cut into the supply chain of Lenovo with its USB 3.0 flash drive controllers, according to industry sources, adding that shipments will start in March.

Innostor's USB 3.0 device controllers for Lenovo's products reportedly are 2-channel designs targeting 16GB and 32GB flash drives.

Innostor has also obtained orders for USB 3.0 device controllers from a number of memory module firms including Adata Technology, Buffalo Technology and Transcend Information, the sources indicated. The controller supplier is expected to ship one million chips for USB 3.0-enabled flash products monthly during the first quarter of 2012, the sources said.

Innostor currently partners with IC design service provider Faraday Technology and foundry chipmaker United Microelectronics Corporation (UMC).

In addition to Innostor, Phison Electronics, Silicon Motion Technology, Skymedi and ASMedia Technology have also stepped into supplying USB 3.0 device controllers.