Блог компании ASM2806 PCIe Gen3 Switch Chip Supply and Recycling: Mingjiada Electronics’ Supply Chain Support for Server Storage Platforms

In the design of servers, storage systems, and embedded I/O expansion boards, the efficiency of PCIe lane allocation often directly determines the system’s peripheral capacity and BOM cost. ASMedia’s ASM2806 series, a low-latency, low-cost, and low-power PCIe Gen3 switch chip, has established a solid position in high-speed I/O expansion scenarios thanks to its 6-lane architecture and flexible downstream port configuration. However, as domestic pin-to-pin replacement solutions gain traction, the supply chain landscape for the ASM2806 is shifting—on one hand, there is ongoing demand for design integration and inventory stockpiling; on the other, there is a need to dispose of excess inventory resulting from solution switches or project adjustments. Shenzhen Mingjiada Electronics Co., Ltd.’s ability to operate simultaneously on both the supply and buyback sides provides a seamless channel for procurement and inventory management related to the ASM2806.

I. ASM2806 Product Positioning: “Sufficient” and “User-Friendly” 6-Channel PCIe Gen3 Switch

The ASM2806 is the entry-level model in ASMedia’s PCIe Gen3 packet switch chip family. Its upstream interface supports 1 to 2 lanes of PCIe Gen3, with single-lane data rates of 2.5 Gb (250 MB/s), 5 Gb (500 MB/s), or 8 Gb (1 GB/s); downstream, it provides a 4-lane PCIe 3.1 interface that can be split into up to four independent ports. It is packaged in a 10mm × 10mm QFN88, offering layout advantages in scenarios with limited board space.

This series consists of multiple models. The ASM2806 is a general-purpose model with up to four downstream ports and a commercial-grade temperature range; the ASM2806A is a streamlined version with downstream ports reduced to a maximum of two, suitable for compact designs requiring only a small number of PCIe expansion lanes; the ASM2806I offers the same functionality as the ASM2806 but features an extended operating temperature range of -40°C to 85°C, making it suitable for harsh industrial environments. All three models share the same bandwidth architecture and package specifications, providing designers with flexible options to meet varying design requirements.

In terms of functionality, the ASM2806 supports L0s/L1/L23/L3 power-saving states, deep power-saving mode in L1 sub-states, S3/S4 wake-up, port-independent disable control, as well as LTR (Latency Tolerance Report) and AER (Advanced Error Report); both upstream and downstream ports support SRIS. These features provide practical engineering value in high-speed I/O systems that require multi-device expansion while also demanding low power consumption and manageability.

II. Typical Application Scenarios: From Server Storage to Raspberry Pi Expansion

The ASM2806’s most direct target application is PCIe lane expansion for server motherboards and storage systems, used to connect multiple NVMe solid-state drives or network controllers. In these applications, the upstream Gen3×2 bandwidth and downstream 4-port configuration enable a significant increase in the number of NVMe storage devices or low-speed network chips that can be connected, even with limited root port resources. Communication platforms are another key application area, where the ASM2806 is used for port fan-out in high-speed I/O subsystems.

A notable extended application has emerged in the open-source hardware and embedded communities. Based on the Raspberry Pi 5’s PCIe FPC connector, open-source designs have already utilized the ASM2806 to build a PCIe 3.0 hub configured with four downstream x1 ports. Commercial expansion accessories also include Raspberry Pi 5 dual-M.2 NVMe adapter boards equipped with the ASM2806, supporting the simultaneous connection of two NVMe SSDs or AI accelerators. This indicates that demand for the ASM2806 is not limited to enterprise-grade devices: in long-tail scenarios such as embedded AI inference and lightweight storage expansion, there remains a sustained demand for small-batch, multi-batch shipments.

III. “Two-Way Variables” in the Supply Chain: Advancement of Domestic Substitution and Inventory Reallocation

The ASM2806 supply chain is undergoing a structural shift worthy of attention from procurement and inventory managers. The IX7008 (PCIe 3.0/3.1) and IX8008 (PCIe 4.0) launched by Innossilicon are positioned as domestic pin-to-pin alternatives to the ASM2806. They are claimed to be hardware-compatible and capable of direct replacement without any board modifications, while matching or exceeding the ASM2806 in terms of bandwidth, port count, and industrial-grade temperature support. Some alternative solution documentation explicitly lists the ASM2806’s “imported from Taiwan, 8–12-week lead time, and significant supply fluctuations” as one of the driving factors for the switch.

This trend has had a twofold impact on the ASM2806 supply chain. On the one hand, existing projects still using ASM2806 designs need flexible access to original, in-stock parts when the original manufacturer’s lead times fluctuate, to avoid production line shutdowns or prototype delays. On the other hand, designs that have already been completed or are currently undergoing domestic substitution may result in surplus ASM2806 inventory, project offcuts, or excess safety stock. These materials are not “scrap”—they remain genuine, original products with clear part numbers and batch numbers; they are simply no longer being consumed in the bill of materials of specific companies. Whether this inventory can be revitalized in a reasonable manner depends on whether there is a recycler capable of both understanding the value of the components and possessing the distribution channels to absorb them.

IV. Mingjiada’s Supply Side: Order Fulfillment Support for Genuine ASM2806 Series Components

Mingjiada Electronics has long been engaged in the supply of electronic components from brands such as ASMedia and has included the ASM2806, ASM2806A, and ASM2806I in its available product lineup. The value of the supply side lies not merely in having stock on hand, but in the ability to distinguish between variations within the series: The ASM2806 and ASM2806A differ in the number of downstream ports, while the ASM2806I has a different temperature rating. Although all three share the same package, selecting the wrong part can result in a design that fails to meet port count or ambient temperature requirements. Mingjiada can match part numbers based on customers’ design specifications, reducing procurement errors caused by part number confusion.

In terms of lead times, as the ASM2806 is a PCIe Gen3 switch chip still in circulation, the supply schedule from the original manufacturer or distributor channels may vary depending on production batches and market demand. For companies requiring small-batch prototype production or medium-batch production line stockpiling, obtaining genuine, in-stock products through channels with independent distribution capabilities is a viable option for smoothing out delivery schedule fluctuations. Founded in 1996 and headquartered in Shenzhen, Mingjiada has branches in Hong Kong, Japan, Russia, and Taiwan; its distribution network provides the foundational support for cross-regional ASM2806 material allocation.

V. Mingjiada’s Recycling Division: Specialized Disposal Pathways for ASM2806 Inventory

When ASM2806 becomes dead stock due to the advancement of domestic substitutes, project termination, or order changes, the core objective of recycling and disposal is not simply to “sell it off,” but to realize the value of the materials through reasonable compensation, compliant processes, and traceable distribution channels. Mingjiada’s recycling business covers three main categories: electronic obsolete inventory, factory-held electronic inventory, and electronic inventory seized or confiscated by customs. ASM2806, which falls under the IC (integrated circuit) category, is included in the scope of recycling. The recycling process is as follows: the customer submits a bill of materials and photos of the physical items → an engineer conducts a preliminary evaluation and provides a quote → the transaction plan is confirmed → on-site inspection or logistics pickup is arranged → payment is settled after verification. In the Pearl River Delta region, we can arrange on-site inventory checks and inspections; for large-volume shipments, we support cash-on-delivery settlement. Customers outside the region can complete the transaction through online BOM evaluation and logistics-based receipt of goods.

For chips like the ASM2806, which have a clear model series (ASM2806/2806A/2806I) and package specification (QFN88), the key to recycling evaluation lies in distinguishing specific suffixes, batch status, and the condition of the original packaging. Mingjiada’s dual role as both a supplier and a recycler provides an additional outlet on the recycling side: verified, original ASM2806 materials can re-enter supply chain segments where there is still demand through its distribution network, rather than being simply dismantled or downgraded. This closed-loop “recycling-to-re-circulation” capability is practical for maintaining the residual value of ASM2806 inventory.

Conclusion

Within the landscape of PCIe Gen3 switch chip selection, the ASM2806 represents an engineering approach characterized by “sufficient bandwidth, flexible ports, and controllable costs.” Its supply chain similarly requires a pragmatic strategy to match these attributes: during the design implementation phase, a supply of genuine, compatible off-the-shelf components is needed to ensure on-time delivery; during solution transitions or inventory adjustments, professional and compliant recycling channels are required to revitalize assets. Mingjiada Electronics’ parallel approach to both supply and recycling for the ASM2806 series provides enterprises using this chip with a seamless pathway spanning procurement and inventory disposal, ensuring that the same device receives appropriate channel support at every stage of its lifecycle.