What's got two names, no real support for either AMD and Intel but scores in popularity? Yes, it's USB 3.0 aka SuperSpeed USB, the standard which is in so high demand these days that NEC is planning to double production of its USB 3.0-ready µPD720200 host controller. NEC's USB 3.0 chip has become available in September 2009 and last month surpassed 3 million shipped units, having found its way into multiple devices, including a lot of motherboards (both Intel and AMD-powered).
"The strong sales of NEC Electronics' USB-IF certified host controller clearly indicates the extraordinary adoption of SuperSpeed USB into consumer products," said Jeff Ravencraft, president and chairman, USB-IF. "Introduced just over a year ago, SuperSpeed USB has become the world's most widely watched technology, dramatically enhancing the speed with which consumers can transfer their data by providing the fastest USB experience available."
Since the need for SuperSpeed USB is expected to rise, NEC has begun ramping up production of the µPD720200 controller and aims to manufacture 2 million units per month as of April.
