Hubbry Logo
ASMediaASMediaMain
Open search
ASMedia
Community hub
ASMedia
logo
8 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
ASMedia
ASMedia
ASMedia
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

ASMedia Technology Inc. (Chinese: 祥碩科技) is a Taiwanese integrated circuit design company. It produces designs for USB, PCI Express and SATA controllers. Excluding the X570 chipset, all of the AM4 chipsets for AMD's Zen micro-architecture were designed by ASMedia.[2]

Key Information

History

[edit]

In 2009, ASMedia became the first company in Taiwan to obtain USB-IF Association certification for its USB 3.0 device controller chip, followed by certification for its host controller chip in 2011.

In 2014, VIA won a courtcase against ASMedia, after it sued ASMedia for using confidential VIA intellectual property related to USB technology, obtained from ex-VIA employees who had joined ASMedia.[3][4]

In 2015, ASMedia became the first company in the world to obtain USB-IF Association certification for its USB 3.1 host controller chip and USB 3.1 to SATA bridge controller chip.

In 2016, the company launched the world's first second-generation integrated Type-C USB 3.1 (10G) to SATA bridge controller chip and obtained USB-IF Association certification.

In 2019, it unveiled the world's first USB 3.2 Gen2x2 controller chip and was selected as one of Forbes Asia's 200 Best Under A Billion companies.

In 2023, ASMedia became the first company in the world to obtain USB-IF Association certification for its USB4 device controller chip, USB4 with Thunderbolt 3 device controller chip and USB 3.2 Gen2x2 hub controller chip.[5]

In 2024, the ASMedia ASM4242 USB4 Host Controller Chip Achieves Thunderbolt 4 Certification.

Products

[edit]

The company's main business is the design and development, sales, and technical services of high-speed Switch IC, PCIe bridge IC, and USB3.2/ USB4 control IC. The main commodity items are listed as follows:[6]

  • USB controller IC
  • PCIe bridge controller
  • SATA controller IC
  • High-speed Switch controller IC
  • Specific integrated chip

New Products Planned for Development

  • New-generation USB4 host, device IC and USB hub IC
  • Fourth and fifth generation PCI Express bridge controller chips
  • Sixth generation PCI Express technology
  • PD controller
  • Low-power physical layer development for IO Hub
  • Introduction of new process technology
  • Introduction of new packaging technology
Product Category Product Series Model
USB Controller IC USB4 Gen2x2 Host ASM4242
USB3.2 Gen2x2 Host ASM3242, ASM3241
USB3.2 Gen2x1 Host ASM3142
USB3.2 Gen1 Host ASM3042
USB4 Gen2x2 to PCIe NVMe ASM2464PD
USB4 Gen2x2 to PCIe ASM2464PDX
USB3.2 Gen2x2 to PCIe NVMe ASM2364
USB3.2 Gen2x1 to PCIe NVMe ASM2362
USB3.2 Gen2x1 to SATA ASM235CM, ASM1352R
USB3.2 Gen1 to SATA ASM225CM, ASM1156, ASM1153E, ASM1153
USB3.2 Gen1 Hub ASM1074
USB3.2 Gen2x1 Hub ASM2074, ASM2074C
USB3.2 Gen2x2 Hub ASM3074
PCIe Bridge Controller PCIe Gen3 Packet Switch ASM2812I, ASM2806I, ASM2806A, ASM2824, ASM2812, ASM2806
PCIe Gen2 Packet Switch ASM1812I, ASM1806I, ASM1824, ASM1812, ASM1806, ASM1184e, ASM1182e
PCIe to PCI Bridge Controller ASM1083, ASM1085
SATA Controller IC Port Multiplier ASM1092
SATA RAID Controller ASM1092R
PCIe to SATA Controller ASM1166, ASM1164, ASM1064, ASM1062, ASM1061
PCIe to SATA RAID Controller ASM1061R, ASM1062R
High Speed Switch Controller IC HDMI Level Shifter ASM1442K
USB Switch ASM1458
SATA Switch ASM1456B, ASM1456
USB/SATA/PCIe Re-driver ASM1468, ASM1465, ASM1467, ASM1466, ASM1464
Type C Mux ASM1543
PCIe Switch ASM2480B, ASM1480
USB3.1 Gen 2 Re-Timer ASM1562
ASIC Customized Chip Solution ASIC

Corporate Affairs

[edit]

Yearly Operating Revenue and Net Income after Tax in hundred million NT$[6]

Year 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014
Revenue 64 52.5 60.1 69.9 37.5 37.2 29.8 20.6 15.6 15.2
Net Income 22.3 26.2 31.9 29.3 9.65 9.56 4.32 3.5 2.07 2.28

2017 The Company was selected as one of the Top 200 Small and Medium Enterprises in Asia by Forbes.

2018 The Company was selected as one of the Top 200 Small and Medium Enterprises in Asia by Forbes.

2020 Nominated by the Global Semiconductor Alliance (GSA) for Best Financially Managed Semiconductor Company

2020 Chairman Shen Cheng-Lai was selected for the Harvard Business Review Top 100 CEOs in Taiwan.

2022 Chairman Shen Cheng-Lai was selected for the Harvard Business Review Top 100 CEOs in Taiwan.

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

ASMedia

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
ASMedia Technology Inc. (Chinese: 祥碩科技股份有限公司) is a Taiwanese founded in 2004 as a from ASUS and headquartered in Taipei, Taiwan. The company specializes in the design of high-speed interface controllers, particularly , PCI Express, and SATA solutions, and is best known for its widely adopted USB 3.0, USB 3.1, and USB 3.2 controllers that are commonly found in , external storage devices, and consumer electronics. ASMedia has established a strong position in the semiconductor industry by focusing on high-performance connectivity solutions. Its products enable faster data transfer rates and improved compatibility across various platforms, contributing to the evolution of in computing hardware. The company's controllers are frequently integrated by major motherboard manufacturers, helping to drive adoption of advanced in mainstream personal computers and related devices. The firm's fabless business model allows it to concentrate on research, design, and innovation in interface technologies while outsourcing manufacturing to foundries. This approach has supported steady growth and specialization in niche but critical areas of the semiconductor market.

History

Founding and spin-off from ASUS

ASMedia Technology Inc. was founded in September 2004 as a from ASUS, the Taiwanese computer hardware manufacturer. The new company was established by a team of engineers previously employed by ASUS, who brought their expertise in interface design to focus exclusively on semiconductor solutions for high-speed connectivity. This allowed ASMedia to operate as an independent , dedicated to the design of controllers and bridges rather than broader system integration. Initially, the company concentrated on developing bridge chips for USB 2.0 and SATA interfaces, targeting applications in , , and consumer electronics peripherals.

Early product development (2004–2010)

ASMedia Technology Inc. began product development shortly after its from ASUS in 2004, concentrating on high-speed interface controllers using PCI Express as the backbone technology. The company prioritized bridge solutions that addressed limitations in connectivity for storage and peripheral interfaces during a period when main offered limited native ports. Initial offerings included SATA II (3 Gbit/s) bridge controllers, which enabled manufacturers to add extra storage ports via available PCI Express lanes. These chips found adoption among Taiwanese vendors such as ASUS, , and MSI, allowing economical expansion of hard drive and optical drive support without relying solely on the primary . ASMedia also developed USB 2.0 controllers and hubs, providing reliable high-speed connectivity for external storage and . These early solutions were integrated into and consumer electronics, helping establish the company as a supplier of supplementary interface logic. By the late 2000s, ASMedia's controllers had secured multiple design wins, particularly in mid-range and high-end , laying the foundation for the company's future specialization in more advanced standards.

Expansion into USB 3.x and beyond (2011–present)

In 2011, ASMedia shifted its focus to the emerging USB 3.0 standard and subsequently to faster , capitalizing on the demand for higher-speed connectivity in PCs and . A major milestone came in 2014 with the introduction of the ASM1142, ASMedia's first supporting 10 Gbps transfer rates. This controller saw widespread adoption on Intel and AMD due to its performance and reliability, often used for additional or higher-speed USB ports where native support was limited or insufficient. ASMedia's USB 3.1 controllers gained significant market traction through the mid-2010s, appearing on many high-end and mainstream motherboards from vendors such as ASUS, , MSI, and ASRock. This helped establish ASMedia as a leading supplier of in the PC ecosystem. Building on this success, ASMedia advanced to USB 3.2 controllers supporting 20 Gbps (Gen 2x2) and continued refining its high-speed interface designs. In the early 2020s, ASMedia entered the USB4 era with controllers such as the ASM4242, which delivers up to 40 Gbps bidirectional bandwidth and aligns with USB4 specifications. These solutions have been integrated into modern and , enabling support for high-bandwidth applications including external GPUs, , and rapid storage transfers. ASMedia has also developed USB4-based products that offer compatibility with Thunderbolt 4 ecosystems in certain implementations, broadening its presence in premium connectivity markets. Through ongoing certifications with the and partnerships with major platform vendors, ASMedia has maintained strong market adoption in high-speed interface controllers into the 2020s.

Products

USB controllers and hubs

ASMedia Technology Inc. has established a strong presence in the controller market with a series of host controllers, hub controllers, and supporting solutions that enable connectivity in , , and consumer electronics. The ASM1142 is a widely adopted , supporting 10 Gbps data rates and commonly integrated into rear I/O panels to provide additional . This model has been a staple in many PC builds for its reliability and compatibility with devices. Subsequent generations include the ASM3142 series, which supports USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10 Gbps) with enhanced power delivery and improved features, making it suitable for modern designs requiring robust USB performance. For higher bandwidth applications, the ASM4242 controller supports USB 3.2 Gen 2x2, delivering up to 20 Gbps throughput by utilizing dual 10 Gbps lanes, enabling faster data transfer for external storage devices and other high-bandwidth peripherals. ASMedia also offers hub controllers such as the ASM1352 series, which allow expansion of USB ports while maintaining high-speed performance and power management capabilities. These hubs are often used in , external enclosures, and . Redriver/repeater solutions from ASMedia assist in maintaining signal quality over extended traces or cables, supporting reliable operation in complex and long cable scenarios. These USB controllers and hubs are frequently integrated into from major manufacturers to provide additional ports beyond those natively supported by , enhancing connectivity for users requiring multiple .

PCI Express bridges and switches

ASMedia Technology Inc. offers a broad portfolio of PCI Express bridges and switches designed for high-speed connectivity in various computing applications. These products are positioned as industry-leading solutions, characterized by high performance, multi-purpose functionality, high flexibility, and high configurability. The company's PCIe offerings support advanced generations, including PCIe Gen5, which expand capabilities for demanding applications such as AI transmission and other high-bandwidth scenarios. ASMedia's bridges and switches are categorized under their product lineup alongside high-speed signal switches, targeting scenarios requiring reliable and switching in systems like servers, workstations, and .

SATA and storage controllers

ASMedia has developed several and bridges, primarily based on PCIe interfaces, to provide additional storage connectivity options for and other devices. The ASM106x series represents the company's main line of SATA 6 Gbit/s (SATA III) controllers. The ASM1061 is a single-port PCIe 2.0 x1 to SATA 6 Gbit/s bridge, while the ASM1062 offers two ports on the same PCIe 2.0 x1 interface. These controllers enable motherboard manufacturers to add extra SATA ports beyond those provided by the primary , commonly used for internal HDD/SSD connections and eSATA external ports. These controllers support the for native command queuing and hot-plugging, ensuring broad compatibility with modern operating systems including Windows and Linux. Some configurations in the series, such as certain ASM106x variants used on high-end , also support basic (typically and ) through firmware or driver extensions, though they are primarily non-RAID host controllers. The are frequently integrated for port expansion in both internal and external storage scenarios, including eSATA connectors for external drives and additional internal SATA headers on . Their design emphasizes low power consumption and reliable performance at link speeds, contributing to their widespread adoption in consumer and enthusiast PC platforms during the . As the industry transitioned toward NVMe and PCIe-based storage solutions, ASMedia's SATA offerings have remained relevant for legacy and hybrid storage configurations requiring SATA compatibility.

Other connectivity solutions

ASMedia has expanded its portfolio to include solutions for emerging high-speed connectivity standards, particularly and compatible technologies that support multi-protocol capabilities. The company developed the ASM4242 USB4 host controller, which has received certification, enabling support for advanced features such as tunneling of multiple protocols and high-bandwidth data transfer. This product was recognized with the for its performance in AI-empowered applications. ASMedia also offers USB4 device silicon that has passed Thunderbolt 4 certification, facilitating compatibility with Thunderbolt ecosystems and delivering high-performance connectivity for and external devices. To support these and other high-speed interfaces, ASMedia designs high-speed signal switches that enhance and quality to meet demanding customer requirements across various connectivity protocols. These solutions contribute to ASMedia's advancements in next-generation technologies, including demonstrations of and capabilities that expand transmission potential for AI and .

Technologies and innovations

High-speed interface designs

ASMedia Technology Inc. has focused on advanced engineering approaches to ensure reliable operation of high-speed interfaces at data rates of 10 Gbps and beyond, particularly for USB and PCI Express applications. To maintain over extended traces and connectors, the company's designs incorporate , including and , to compensate for channel loss and . These methods allow for robust performance in challenging PCB layouts commonly found in and external devices. Redriver and retimer implementations are used to restore and clean up signals, extending effective transmission distances while preserving low bit error rates. Retimers, in particular, fully retime the data stream to remove , making them essential for multi-hop connections in complex systems. Power management in ASMedia's high-speed controllers emphasizes low-power operation without sacrificing performance. Designs feature multiple power states, , and that reduce consumption during idle periods or lower-speed modes, contributing to overall system energy efficiency in laptops and desktop platforms. The company has progressively adopted smaller for its controllers, evolving from larger nodes in early generations to more advanced nodes in recent designs. This evolution has enabled smaller die sizes, lower , and higher while supporting increasing data rates. These engineering choices enable ASMedia's controllers to be widely integrated into and requiring reliable high-speed connectivity.

Contributions to industry standards

ASMedia Technology Inc. is a member of the and the , organizations responsible for developing and maintaining specifications for USB and PCI Express technologies. Through these memberships, ASMedia participates in technical working groups, contributes feedback on draft specifications, and engages in compliance and interoperability testing programs. The company has supported the advancement of USB standards by contributing to the development of USB 3.2 and USB4 specifications, including technical proposals and participation in plugfests to validate multi-vendor interoperability. ASMedia's controllers have frequently served as during certification testing, helping to establish reliable performance benchmarks for new standards. ASMedia's involvement in has focused on PCI Express bridge and switch specifications, where the company has participated in definition of lane configurations and power management features for high-speed connectivity applications. This participation has helped ensure that ASMedia's products align with evolving industry requirements for and performance scaling.

Corporate profile

Ownership and organizational structure

ASMedia Technology Inc. is a listed on the Taipei Exchange (TPEx) under the ticker symbol 6111. Although established as a from ASUS in 2004, ASMedia operates as an independent entity. The two companies maintain a close business relationship, with ASUS serving as a major customer for ASMedia's interface controllers. The company functions as a focused on . Its organizational structure centers on core functions including , engineering, product marketing, sales, and administrative operations, all coordinated from its headquarters in Taipei, Taiwan.

Leadership and key personnel

ASMedia Technology Inc. is governed by a board of directors chaired by Hsu Shih-chang, with day-to-day executive leadership provided by President and General Manager Lin Che-wei, who also serves as the company spokesperson. The board includes with executive experience from major Taiwanese corporations, including representatives from Chunghwa Investment Co., Ltd., (where one director has served as CFO and deputy general manager), and Mega Financial Holding Co. In recognition of its leadership performance, ASMedia's CEO was named among the Taiwan Top 100 Best-Performing CEOs in 2020 by Harvard Business Review Taiwan.

Financial performance and market position

ASMedia Technology Inc. has maintained a strong market position in the fabless semiconductor industry, particularly as a leading supplier of high-speed USB controllers for PC motherboards, external storage, and consumer electronics. The company's financial performance has benefited from the broad adoption of USB 3.x and subsequent standards, enabling consistent revenue growth during periods of PC market expansion and interface upgrades. The company is publicly listed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange (TWSE) under the stock code 5269. Its revenue trends have generally aligned with demand cycles in the PC and peripheral sectors, with profitability supported by the high margins typical of specialized controller designs in a . ASMedia's competitive standing is reinforced by its role as a primary supplier to major vendors, contributing to stable market share in key interface segments.

Headquarters and global operations

ASMedia Technology Inc. is headquartered in Taipei, Taiwan, where it maintains its primary corporate offices and core research and development activities. As a , ASMedia focuses on at its Taipei facilities while outsourcing wafer fabrication and assembly to third-party foundries. The company's global operations are centered on a network of sales offices and technical support teams that serve international customers in the , external storage, and consumer electronics markets. This structure enables efficient collaboration with major OEMs and ODMs worldwide. ASMedia does not operate its own manufacturing plants, consistent with the fabless model common in the semiconductor industry, which allows the company to concentrate resources on high-speed interface innovation rather than production infrastructure.
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.