Cree Demonstrates Industry’s First C-Band GaN HEMT MMIC High-Power Amplifier for Satellite Communications

DURHAM, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Cree, Inc. (Nasdaq: CREE) will demonstrate the industry’s first GaN HEMT MMIC high power amplifier (HPA) for satellite communication applications at the 2011 IEEE International Microwave Symposium held June 7-9 in Baltimore. The demonstration product offers dramatic performance improvements over existing commercially-available GaAs MESFET transistors or Traveling Wave Tube-based amplifiers.

“This is the first GaN MMIC to be demonstrated that offers game-changing performance for satellite communication applications due to the outstanding linear efficiency and power gains provided by our GaN HEMT technology. We anticipate our GaN products will have a large impact on how thermal management is approached and will enable reductions in both size and weight for commercial and military satellite communication systems,” said Jim Milligan, Cree, director of RF.

The CMPA5585025F MMIC is a 50 ohm (Ω), 25 watt peak power two-stage GaN HEMT HPA in a multi-pin ceramic/metal package (1”x 0.38”). The instantaneous bandwidth of operation of the MMIC is 5.8 GHz to 8.4 GHz. It provides 15 watts of linear power (<-30 dBc adjacent channel power) with 20 dB power gain. Power added efficiency is 25% at this linear operating power.

The device offers superior linear efficiency (up to 60% higher than conventional solutions) in a small footprint package facilitating reductions in transmitter size and weight with lower cost thermal management. In addition, because this device operates at higher voltages than GaAs MESFETs (e.g., 28 volts versus 12 volts), the transistors draw less current, resulting in lower power distribution losses and higher overall system efficiencies.

Samples of the CMPA5585025F are available now, and production release is targeted for the summer of 2011. For additional product information, visit www.cree.com/rf.

About Cree

Cree is a market-leading innovator of semiconductor solutions for wireless and power applications, lighting-class LEDs, and LED lighting solutions.

Cree’s product families include power-switching devices and radio-frequency/wireless devices, blue and green LED chips, high-brightness LEDs, lighting-class power LEDs, and LED fixtures and bulbs. Cree solutions are driving improvements in applications such as variable-speed motors, wireless communications, general illumination, backlighting, and electronic signs and signals.

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 we may be unable to develop and release commercial products with performance ratings comparable to the development results described above; the risk we may be unable to manufacture the products with sufficiently low cost to offer them at competitive prices or with acceptable margins; the potential lack of customer acceptance of the products; 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 27, 2010, and subsequent filings.

Cree is a registered trademark of Cree, Inc.