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Editorial: Accolades to Emcore Solar
... The pioneering independent and proven leader in the compound semi-based terrestrial solar business is Emcore of Albuquerque, New Mexico USA. Leading a relatively quiet corporate existence recently, contrary to its early days as a MOCVD equipment innovator, Emcore has earned its way back to center stage with the recent...
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Avago Technologies Offers First Complete GPS RF Front End Module With FBAR Filters
CompoundSemi News StaffNovember 26, 2008...Avago Technologies of San Jose, California USA, announced an integrated GPS low noise amplifier (LNA) with what it says are high performance levels. The ALM-1712 integrates a GPS LNA and two FBAR filters. This results in a complete and compact high-performance GPS RF front end module that the company says simplifies the design of a wide range of GPS applications. The ALM-1712 is designed for the 1.575 GHz frequency band, targeting handset GPS, recreational and in-vehicle GPS receiver and GPS antenna applications.
According to Avago, simultaneous GPS, and other location-based GPS services, require high level of receiver sensitivity. Avago's ALM-1712 is reportedly a complete GPS RF front end that the company says delivers very low noise figures, high linearity and superior out-of-band rejection performance. The company says that it integrates a GPS LNA with pre and post high-rejection FBAR (film bulk acoustic resonator) filters to simplify and shortens the RF design process, reduces component count, and provides excellent RF performance levels that are critical in the use of GPS applications.
Company News Release TriAccess Technologies Announces New On-Chip Linearization RFIC Amplifier Solution for CATV Edge QAM
CompoundSemi News StaffNovember 26, 2008...TriAccess Technologies, a provider of CATV FTTH (Fiber-To-The-Home) radio frequency integrated circuits (RFIC) based in Santa Rosa, California USA, launched a new RFIC with on-chip linearization. The company says that the TAT7467, a differential RF amplifier covering the CATV band, delivers improved RF output capability with reduced power consumption. It uses a patent-pending on-chip linearization process for 75-Ohm CATV DOCSIS 3.0 Edge QAM applications. Production shipments are scheduled for end of Q1 2009.
According to Chris Day, President and Chief Technology Officer of TriAccess Technologies, “The TAT7467 has been designed for switched digital video (SDV) and video on demand (VOD) content, allowing customized programming to be switched to different subscribers.” The RFIC is the first to apply on-chip linearization using a single-die GaAs integrated circuit developed specifically for CATV networks." TriAccess says it dramatically lowers heat levels and requires less cooling while maintaining high RF output. Company News Release TEL and Edwards to Jointly Develop Abatement Solution for Etch Processes
CompoundSemi News StaffNovember 26, 2008...Edwards of Crawley, West Sussex, UK, reported that it will jointly develop
a perfluorocarbon (PFC) and carbon monoxide gas abatement system with Tokyo Electron Limited (TEL) for etch equipment. The new gas abatement system, the PA-01E, will be available mid-year 2009.
The PA-01E system will help to reduce PFC pollution resulting from the dielectric film etching processes used in semiconductor manufacturing. It will have a plasma abatement device, collectively developed with Adtec Plasma Technology Co., Ltd., Hiroshima , Japan , to offer a high transformation rate and stable operation. It is also designed to have a significantly lower cost-of-ownership due to its reduced requirement for energy, consumables and maintenance.
“We are excited to enter into this joint development agreement with TEL,” said Nigel Hunton, Edwards’ CEO. “The contribution of PFC gases to global warming has been extensively documented, and we look forward to working with TEL’s engineering staff to provide an effective, low cost-of-ownership gas abatement system specifically designed to reduce the dangers of PFC pollution as a result of the semiconductor etch process.”
Edwards News Release
Crystal IS, Inc. Wins $800,000 DOD Grant to Develop UV-LEDs
LIGHTimes StaffNovember 25, 2008...Crystal IS, Inc., a maker of UV LEDs base in Green Island, New York USA, reported that it will receive $800,000 from the Department of Defense to develop large aluminum nitride (AlN) crystals for deep UV LEDs.
Crystal IS says it will partner with the Army Research Laboratory in Adelphi, Maryland and the Electro-Optics Center (EOC) at Penn State University. The project will utilize the recent development of large single-crystal AlN substrates for deep ultraviolet light as well as other high power, high temperature applications of great importance to the military.
The company points out that AlN has been demonstrated to be superior for deep UV light-emitting applications. The primary applications of UV-LEDs are as long-lasting, energy efficient, water and air disinfection devices. Crystal IS Inc is developing its deep UV-LEDs at 265nm, the peak germicidal wavelength.
“Our unique technology allows us to manufacture UV LEDs with unsurpassed performance at truly commercially viable costs,” said Crystal IS CEO Steven Berger. “This grant serves as yet another validation of using AlN-based UV-LEDs to enable cleaner water and air for consumer, industrial and government customers.” Company News Release Content continues for LIGHTimes SecondPage members... Nichia and Sharp Sign LED and Laser Diode Patent Cross-Licensing Agreement
LIGHTimes StaffNovember 24, 2008...Nichia Corporation and Sharp Corporation have entered into a patent cross-licensing agreement covering LEDs (light-emitting diodes) and laser diodes. The agreement allows each company to use the patents related to LEDs and Laser diodes in Japan and other major countries around the world. Nichia points out that it produced the first 1 cd blue LED in 1993 and then produced the first white LED in 1996, which is the combination of a blue LED and a YAG phosphor. Both rely on gallium nitrided technology.
Additionally, the related patents cover blue-violet laser diodes (LDs) which have been used in the increasingly popular Blu-ray disc format. While laser diodes (specifically red) have long been used for CD and DVD playback, it has only been recently that blue-violet LDs have become important in consumer electronics. LEDs have also become ubiquitous in electronics such as backlighting for PDAs, mobile phones, and LCD TVs and displays. In addition, white LEDs have started to be adopted in general lighting applications. The specific patents and terms of the agreement were not disclosed. Nichia notes that it and Sharp will be aiming to create even higher-performance LEDs and laser diodes to respond to expanding market demand. Nichia News Release Emcore Deploys First CPV System in China with the XinAo Group
CompoundSemi News StaffNovember 24, 2008...Emcore Corporation of Albuquerque, New Mexico USA, announced the deployment of a concentrator photovolataics (CPV) system in China with the XinAo Group, one of China's largest energy companies. A 50 kilowatt(kW) test and evaluation system is fully installed and operational as part of an earlier agreement. The system is already producing power in accordance with specifications. Compound semiconductor-based multi-junction solar cells operating at 500x concentration, power the system. Emcore says that it and XinAo continue to have discussions about the possible construction of a joint-owned CPV system manufacturing plant in China. The plant would produce CPV systems designed and certified by Emcore. Dr. John Iannelli, Corporate Chief Technology Officer and General Manager of Emcore's Solar Power Division stated, "We are pleased to introduce the first CPV terrestrial power system in China in partnership with the XinAo Group and look forward to pursuing other solar power opportunities in China's emerging renewable energy market."
In early October, Emcore notes that it was granted access permits for its 850-kW commercial solar park installation in the Extremedora region of Spain. In addition, Emcore expects several other pilot sites to be deployed by the end of the year. Emcore says that it is continuing its investment to develop a next-generation system design with enhanced performance (including a module efficiency of approximately 30%) and much improved cost structure.
According to Emcore, the new design (Generation III) is scheduled to be in volume production by the second half of calendar 2009. Emcore reported that it has recently responded to several requests for proposals from public utility companies using Gen-III products as its baseline. Emcore says it expects to get positive feedback on the proposals before the end of 2008. Emcore News Release Fullspectrum project breaks European CPV Record
CompoundSemi News StaffNovember 24, 2008...Scientists working on the Fullspectrum project have developed photovoltaic (PV) multi-junction (MJ) solar cells which are able to convert 39,7 % of the energy of sun light into electricity.
Fullspectrum is an integrated project involving 19 European public and industrial research centres from seven EU Member States, as well as Russia and Switzerland. Fullspectrum is coordinated by the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Instituto de Energía Solar and started in November 2003 with an overall budget of € 14,7 Million of with the European Commission financed € 8.4 Million.
The researchers announced after their final workshop today in El Escorial, Spain, that 39.7 percent is the highest percentage conversion efficiency ever reached in Europe,
The main barrier to large-scale deployment of PV systems is the high production cost of electricity, due to the significant capital investment costs. Research is engaged to reduce manufacturing costs and to raise the efficiency of the cells. The scientists point out that silicon-based conventional PV cells converting only a fraction of the spectrum attaining about 17 percent conversion efficiency.
The project's multi-junction solar cells are reportedly able to catch more sun light energy due to their composition of different materials, including gallium, phosphorus, indium, and germanium. As the researchers point out, multi-junction solar cells are expensive and have been used primarily applications in space. However, concentrating sunlight 100s of times allows significantly reduced cost. The project will look at concentrating sunlight well above 1000 times the natural solar power flux. Fullspectrum News Release Vishay Releases New N-Channel Power MOSFETs
CompoundSemi News StaffNovember 25, 2008...Vishay reports that it added to its family of Gen III TrenchFET power MOSFETs with the release of a new 20-V n-channel device. According to the company, the device offers the industry's lowest on-resistance and on-resistance times gate charge with this voltage rating in the PowerPAK SO-8 package type. The SiR440DP provides a maximum on-resistance of 2.0mΩ at a 4.5-V gate drive and 1.55mΩ at a 10-V gate drive. On-resistance times gate charge, a key figure of merit (FOM) for MOSFETs in dc-to-dc converter applications, is 87 at 4.5V.
The company contends that these specifications represent an improvement for on-resistance of 23 percent at 4.5V and 22.5 percent at 10V, and a 27 percent lower FOM compared to the closest competing devices optimized for low conduction losses and low switching losses. Vishay says its Siliconix SiR440DP will be used as the low-side MOSFET in synchronous buck converters and in secondary synchronous rectification and OR-ing applications. Its low conduction and switching losses will enable more power-efficient and space-efficient designs for voltage regulator modules (VRMs), servers, and many systems using point-of-load (POL) power conversion.
Vishay has also released the new 20-V SiR866DP and SiR890DP n-channel power MOSFETs in the PowerPAK SO-8 package type. Respectively they offer on-resistance at 4.5V of 2.5mΩ and 4mΩ, on resistance at 10V of 1.9mΩ and 2.9mΩ, with typical gate charges of 35.3nC and 20nC. Company News Release
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The
McDonald Report
Commentary & Perspective...
November 26, 2008...The pioneering independent and proven leader in the compound semi-based terrestrial
solar business is Emcore of Albuquerque, New Mexico USA. Leading a relatively
quiet corporate existence recently, contrary to its early days as a MOCVD equipment
innovator, Emcore has earned its way back to center stage with the recent announcement
that the company has deployed its first major concentrator photovoltaic (CPV)
system, lending hope to us all that CPV is real, it's here, and it's now.
And what a deployment it is! These are two old pro companies headed
in the right new directions. The Emcore CPV system is going into the XinAo Group
Company Limited's new solar energy unit in Langfang City, in the Hebei Province
of Northern China. XinAo, which was founded in 1989 (just six years after Emcore
was founded in Somerset, New Jersey) was known as the Langfoang Xiali Car-hire
Company until 1997 (which was the year Emcore went public on the USA's Nasdaq
stock exchange). As XinAo Group, the company is primarily engaged in the development,
exploitation, and distribution of natural gas and energy related chemicals and,
like so many such "old style" energy companies are saying they're
considering, XinZo appears to actually be turning to terrestrial solar
as a preferred cleaner, more renewable energy source.
According to a BusinessWeek
profile, in April the company announced that it planned to initially pour
CNY 1.4 billion into the new solar plant and invest an additional CNY 10 billion
to enlarge the capacity to 5 megawatt within the next five years. Apparently
it's right on schedule. XinAo's potential target consumers for their solar energy
products are domestic power producers. As inducement, there's evidently a Chinese
government requirement that the country's five largest power producers have
their renewable energy account for 5% of the total fuel portfolio. As further
motivation, Xinao Group (one of those big five) plans to spin off its solar
energy unit to go public on the stock market within the next few years. Given
the tremendous energy challenges China faces, let's hope that 5% number increases
significantly as quickly as possible.
Also... and not so coincidentally, Emcore China is also located in Langfang
City. And I imagine the fact that Dr. Hong
Q. Hou, Emcore's CEO, originally hails from mainland China helps as well.
Hong received his BS from the famed Jilin University prior to moving to the
USA where he received his Ph.D in Electrical Engineering from the University
of California at San Diego, subsequently going to Sandia National Labs and VCSEL
fame prior to joining Emcore in 1999. Hong, who is a totally nice guy
with an infectious enthusiasm is widely regarded as one of our industry's most
gifted scientists and he's proving to also be one of the CS industry's stellar
top executives.
News of the CS solar system deployment to the XinAo plant was announced
by Emcore November 24th (ref:
our coverage for details). The 50 kilowatt (kW) initial test and eval system
is already fully installed and operational and already producing power and meeting
specs. And this appears to just be the beginning of the relationship as Emcore
and XinAo are said to be in ongoing discussions regarding the possible construction
of a joint-owned plant in China to manufacture CPV systems that are designed
and certified by Emcore for innovative coal gasification projects for the Chinese
market. If you want to catch up on what these systems are all about, click on
the Terrestrial
Solar Cells & Receivers section of the Emcore website at www.Emcore.com.
These are the latest iteration of Emcore's famed compound semi-based Concentrating
Triple Junction (dubbed "CTJ") solar cells, which have a n-on-p polarity
built on germanium substrates and incorporate an antireflective coating to provide
low reflectance over a wavelength range of 0.3 to 1.8µm. These are especially
high-efficiency cells characterized and optimized specifically for terrestrial
applications under concentrated incident illumination (up to what's referred
to as "1500 Suns") and high current densities.
A good way to find out more about all this, and other advancements at Emcore,
is to tune in to their Q-4/year end earnings report, which will take place live
on Thursday, December 11, 2008 at 9:00am EST. USA callers should dial (toll
free) 866-710-0179 and international callers should dial 334-323-9871. The access
code for the call is 59629. Note that only analysts should actually participate
in the call, but anyone can listen in. Or you can simply tune in online via
www.emcore.com for the live event, and where
a replay will be accessible until Dec. 18th.
In conclusion, you might ask why I'm making such a big deal about this and
encouraging wider understanding and participation. The answer is simple. I truly
believe that this is the direction all conventional energy product companies
should be headed, which is toward environmentally friendly, clean, renewal energy
sources, specifically CS solar. So listen, read... and learn. Then get on the
CS solar bandwagon. It's where every country's energy interests should be headed.
If you have questions about the
solid state lighting and compound semiconductor industries or have news
or views to share, I'm Jo Ann McDonald, Editor of LIGHTimes and CompoundSemi News.
Feel free to contact me directly, anytime. 
My direct tel at the ranch is
+1-325-463-5345
From time to time Jo Ann may comment on companies in which she holds a
modest investment - be sure to read
her disclosure at some point in time... |
