Samsung Electronics reportedly has placed orders for embedded MMC (eMMC) controllers with Taiwan-based IC design service provider Faraday Technology, according to industry sources.

United Microelectronics Corporation (UMC), which Faraday partners with, will use its 65nm process technology to manufacture the five to seven million eMMC chips that Samsung ordered, the sources indicated. Shipments are scheduled to kick off in the fourth quarter of 2011.

Faraday has responded saying it does not comment on individual clients.

This is the first time Samsung has released eMMC-chip orders to a Taiwan-based manufacturer, the sources observed. Samsung usually produces its eMMC solutions in-house.

In addition to Samsung, SanDisk, Micron Technology and Kingston Technology have also stepped into production of eMMC-interface NAND devices. SanDisk in-house produces its controller ICs whereas both Micron and Kingston use the chips developed and produced by Phison Electronics, according to industry sources.

In other news, buoyed by orders placed by Kingston, Micron and Hynix Semiconductor, Phison's controller shipments for eMMC flash solutions are approaching five million units per month, the sources said.

According to IHS iSuppli, eMMC flash memory is set to enjoy a 62% jump in shipments in 2011, propelled by increased usage in smart devices like mobile handsets and media tablets.