LED driver IC design house Macroblock has disclosed it began small-volume shipments for FALD (full array local dimming) driver ICs used in miniLED backlighting in second-quarter 2021.

Macroblock said it has launched MBI6322 and MBI6334 driver ICs for use in miniLED backlighting of small- to medium-size LCD panels, mainly notebooks and tablets, as well as MBI6353 and MBI6328 for large-size LCD TV and display panels.

China-based miniLED backlight unit (BLU) makers have strong demand for driver ICs used in notebooks, tablets and LCD TVs, but shipments in the second half of 2021 are likely to be impacted by short supply of foundry and IC packaging/testing services, Macroblock noted.

Macroblock saw demand for driver ICs used in large-size fine-pitch LED displays rebound in second-quarter 2021 and hiked quotes to reflect increased cost for wafer foundry and IC packaging/testing services. The demand will remain strong in third-quarter 2021, but shipments may be 20-30% short and quotes may rise further due to shortage of foundry and IC packaging/testing services, Macroblock indicated.

Macroblock has reported consolidated revenues of NT$290 million (US$10.4 million) for June, the highest monthly level since June 2019 with growths of 6% sequentially and 131.23% on year. Consolidated sales of NT$825.6 million for second-quarter 2021 increased 43.27% sequentially and 134.9% on year, and those of NT$1.402 billion for January-June rose 55.91% on year.

According to CINNO Research, global demand for driver ICs used in miniLED backlighting will take off in 2021, with global shipments for use in LCD TV, display, notebook and tablet panels to be equivalent to 890,000 4-inch LED epitaxial wafers.

By DIGITIMES