Cree Releases Silicon Carbide Power Devices In Chip Form to Enable More Efficient Power Electronic Modules

Cree, Inc. (Nasdaq: CREE), a market leader in silicon carbide (SiC) power devices, continues to advance the revolution in high-efficiency power electronics with the release of the industry’s first fully qualified SiC MOSFET power devices in "bare die” or chip form for use in power electronics modules. Cree’s SiC Z-FET^™ MOSFETs and diodes are used in advanced power electronics circuits to achieve significantly higher levels of energy efficiency than is possible with conventional silicon devices.

Power modules typically combine a number of discrete power switching devices – MOSFETs and diodes – in a single integrated package for high-voltage power electronics applications such as three-phase industrial power supplies, telecom power systems and power inverters for solar and wind energy systems. In traditional MOSFET packaging technologies, the parasitic inductance of the long leads can limit the switching capability of SiC MOSFETs. By offering Cree customers bare die alternatives, circuit designers can now take full advantage of the switching performance of SiC technology by reducing the effects of the package-parasitic inductance.

"With the availability of fully qualified SiC MOSFETs as unpackaged chips, manufacturers of power modules can realize the performance advantages of SiC devices—better high temperature operation, higher switching frequencies and lower switching losses – without the limitations imposed by conventional plastic packaging of discrete devices,” explained Cengiz Balkas, Cree vice president and general manager, power and RF. "The design advantages of implementing SiC power devices in power electronic modules include the ability to achieve higher current and voltage ratings with fewer components, which in turn can enable maximum power density and increased reliability.”

"Power module manufacturers can new combine Cree’s 1200V SiC power MOSFET and Schottky diodes in chip form to create an ‘all-silicon carbide’ module design for ultra-high-efficiency power electronics systems,” continued Balkas. "These new modules provide the proven benefits of silicon carbide—zero reverse recovery losses, temperature-independent switching, higher frequency operation with low electromagnetic interference (EMI), and significantly higher avalanche capability – and deliver switching frequencies that are five to eight times higher compared to conventional silicon solutions. The higher switching frequencies enable smaller magnetic and capacitive elements, thereby shrinking overall system size, weight and cost.”

The new Cree power MOSFET devices are initially available in two versions: the CPMF-1200-S080B measures 4.08mm x 4.08mm and is rated at 1200V/20A with a nominal on-resistance (R_DS(on)) of 80mO; and the CPMF-1200-S160B measures 3.1mm x 3.1mm and is rated at 1200V/10A with a nominal on-resistance (R_DS(on)) of 160mO. Operating junction temperature for both devices is rated at -55°C to +135°C.

The two versions of the 1200V MOSFET die are fully qualified and released for production use and available to Cree’s customers, as well as through Cree’s Power die distributor Semi Dice. Cree has published specifications and detailed design guidelines, including recommendations on die attach and bonding, to assist power module manufacturers in the use of the new devices and optimizing their designs. In addition, Cree is pleased to offer customers the availability of a SiC MOSFET Model created to help with early simulation and evaluation. The Cree model can be downloaded at: www.cree.com/power/mosfet_model_req.asp. For samples and more information about Cree’s SiC power devices, please visit www.cree.com/power.

Cree has been a recognized leader in SiC MOSFET process and design development for more than 20 years and has been awarded more than 50 patents related to SiC MOSFET technologies, with numerous patents pending.

About Cree

Cree is a market-leading innovator of semiconductor products for power and radiofrequency (RF) applications, lighting-class LEDs, and LED lighting solutions.

Cree's product families include LED fixtures and bulbs, blue and green LED chips, high-brightness LEDs, lighting-class power LEDs, power-switching devices and RF devices. Cree products are driving improvements in applications such as general illumination, electronic signs and signals, power supplies and solar inverters.

For additional product and company information, please refer to www.cree.com.

This press release contains forward-looking statements involving risks and uncertainties, both known and unknown, that may cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated. Actual results may differ materially due to a number of factors, including the risk that we may be unable to manufacture these products with sufficiently low cost to offer them at competitive prices or with acceptable margins; the risk we may encounter delays or other difficulties in ramping up production of our new products; customer acceptance of the new products; the possibility that actual savings may vary from expectations; the rapid development of new technology and competing products that may impair demand or render Cree’s products obsolete; and other factors discussed in Cree’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 26, 2011, and subsequent filings.

Cree is a trademark registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, and Z-Fet is a trademark of Cree, Inc.