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February 2, 2009...Nichia and Seoul Semiconductor have brought an end to nearly three years of legal battles between the two companies. Nichia and Seoul Semiconductor jointly announced that the companies have settled their patent litigation and other legal disputes pending in the United States, Germany, Japan, the United Kingdom, and Korea. They have entered into a patent cross licensing agreement covering their respective LED and laser diode technologies. The licensing will reportedly permit the companies to access all of each other's patented technologies.
Under the terms of the settlement, all litigations (including the patent and other legal disputes in the various countries) will be terminated as promptly as possible by mutual withdrawals, with the exception of litigation in Germany involving patent DE 691-07-630 T2 of EP 0-437-385 B1. In Germany, the litigation involving patent DE 691-07-630 T2 of EP 0-437-385 B1 will reportedly be resolved following a February 2009 hearing. Seoul Semiconductor (SSC) says that it now sees its patent portfolio stabilized and as an equivalent to
Nichia's. SSC contends that the agreement will allow customers to purchase its products with confidence in the IP that is backing them up. Also SSC says that the settlement puts them in a stronger position with respect to IP actions directed at them or that they are initiating against other companies. SSC warns that it is planning to take stronger action against AC-LED manufacturers that
they feel are infringing upon their 200+ related patents. Content continues for LIGHTimes SecondPage members... Cree Announces Sample Release of Two New GaN HEMTs for Telecommunications
CompoundSemi News StaffFebruary 2, 2009...Cree of Durham, North Carolina USA, announced the sample release of two 120W GaN high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs). The HEMTs are designed for telecommunication applications such as W-CDMA, LTE and WiMAX. Cree says that the HEMTs offer a unique combination of high RF power density, low capacitance, and high thermal conductivity silicon carbide (SiC) substrates. They also have superior performance compared to other technologies such as GaAs MESFET or Si LDMOSFET. Cree notes that two demonstration amplifiers, one for each device, are available for evaluation.
According to Cree, the single, input-pre-matched GaN HEMT devices give more than 120 watts of saturated power in small, industry-standard ceramic-metal packages. These transistors reportedly have convenient values of input and output impedances to allow device matching over greater than 30% instantaneous bandwidths. The CGH21120F is designed to be used primarily in the 1800 - 2300 MHz frequency range, while the CGH25120F is optimized for the 2300 - 2700 MHz range. The two transistors are to be used for DCS (GSM), PCS (GSM and CDMA), W-CDMA, and LTE.
“We are pleased to add these transistors to our growing family of GaN HEMT products. Each has demonstrated the extraordinary performance needed for today’s demanding 3G and 4G telecommunication networks,” said Jim Milligan, Cree director of RF and microwave products. Company News Release
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Nujira Develops 4G Handset RF Front End
CompoundSemi News StaffFebruary 2, 2009...Nujira of Cambridge, UK, a provider of RF technology for power amplifiers, announced what it calls the Coolteq-I. According to Nujira, the Coolteq-I takes the company's High Accuracy Tracking (HAT) technology from the base station and puts it in the terminal.
The company says that its Coolteq-I technology allows the creation of an efficient wideband RF front end, which covers three to five times the bandwidth of standard designs with up to double the efficiency.
Nujiro notes that with Coolteq-I only two power amplifiers (PAs) are needed to design a front end covering all of the fourteen different frequency bands defined by the 3GPP for LTE and all of the operating modes (GSM, EDGE, WCDMA, HSUPA and LTE). This contends that this compares to as many as seven or more without its solution. The company says that its test results show that a handset PA with Coolteq-I technology is twice as efficient during HSUPA transmissions, and 1.5 times as efficient during W-CDMA transmissions compared with the same PA without HAT. According to Nujira, a Coolteq-l based front end can have up to four times the efficiency.
According to Tim Haynes, CEO of Nujira, "Our announcement today is an industry first in power efficiency and savings - delivering up to a 50% reduction in cost and power consumption, therefore doubling the battery life of a 4G terminal RF front end when compared with technologies in use today." The RF front end is scheduled to be showcased at this month's Mobile World Congress event held in Barcelona, Spain.
Company News Release Bookham and Avanex to Merge
CompoundSemi News StaffJanuary 28, 2009...Optical component makers, Bookham and Avanex have reached a definitive agreement to merge in an all-stock transaction. Bookham of San Jose, California USA, which has gone through significant cost reductions recently, will give Avanex shareholders 5.426 shares of Bookham common stock for every share of Avanex common stock. Then, Avanex will own approximately 46.75% of the combined company. The Adjusted EBITDA is expected to be accretive in the first full quarter after the close of the transaction and will generate $7 million of quarterly cost savings by the end of the fourth full quarter after the close. Bookham says that the new company will have a stronger balance sheet and no outstanding debt because of the combined cash balances. Restructuring costs for the merger are estimated to be under $7 million.
The combined company will have a complete portfolio of products for metro and long haul markets and telecom chips based on indium phosphide, lithium niobate, and gallium arsenide. Additionally, the combined company will have an estimated $28 million in annualized savings. Bookham's CEO, Alain Couder will reportedly be CEO of the combined company, and the board of directors will be composed of Alain Couder and three additional directors from the Bookham board, and Giovanni Barbarossa and two additional directors from the Avanex board. Avanex shareholders will receive Avanex 5.426 shares of Bookham common stock for every share of Avanex common stock for a total value equivalent to $35.4 million.
Bookham News Release MMA Renewable Ventures Completes Its Solar Fund III
CompoundSemi News StaffJanuary 28, 2009...MMA Renewable Ventures, LLC, a subsidiary of Municipal Mortgage & Equity, LLC, announced that it has completed Solar Fund III, raising nearly $200 million to support the creation of new solar energy nationwide. Through Solar Fund III, MMA Renewable Ventures has successfully deployed 20.6 MW of new solar photovoltaic production capacity in the U.S. Thus far, the company has complete and now owns and operates 20 new photovoltaic projects at governmental, retail, and public sector locations. The company notably achieved this in 2008 despite the challenging financial market and fluctuating energy prices.
Solar Fund III reportedly included a tax equity investment from Wells Fargo that enabled the MMA Renewable Ventures to finance solar energy projects nationwide. Most of the construction debt, permanent debt, and rebate financing for the fund's projects came from the National Consumer Cooperative Bank (NCB). At the end of 2008, MMA managed and operated about 40 MW in total solar projects. This was an increase of 75 percent over 2007.
Matt Cheney, CEO of MMA Renewable Ventures commented, "Renewable energy, in particular solar, has proven that it can weather the financial storm and will continue to fuel the economy with jobs and economic growth, despite the difficult challenges currently facing the credit market."
Company News Release
Bookham and Avanex to Merge
CompoundSemi News StaffJanuary 28, 2009...Optical component makers, Bookham and Avanex have reached a definitive agreement to merge in an all-stock transaction. Bookham of San Jose, California USA, which has gone through significant cost reductions recently, will give Avanex shareholders 5.426 shares of Bookham common stock for every share of Avanex common stock. Then, Avanex will own approximately 46.75% of the combined company. The Adjusted EBITDA is expected to be accretive in the first full quarter after the close of the transaction and will generate $7 million of quarterly cost savings by the end of the fourth full quarter after the close. Bookham says that the new company will have a stronger balance sheet and no outstanding debt because of the combined cash balances. Restructuring costs for the merger are estimated to be under $7 million.
The combined company will have a complete portfolio of products for metro and long haul markets and telecom chips based on indium phosphide, lithium niobate, and gallium arsenide. Additionally, the combined company will have an estimated $28 million in annualized savings. Bookham's CEO, Alain Couder will reportedly be CEO of the combined company, and the board of directors will be composed of Alain Couder and three additional directors from the Bookham board, and Giovanni Barbarossa and two additional directors from the Avanex board. Avanex shareholders will receive Avanex 5.426 shares of Bookham common stock for every share of Avanex common stock for a total value equivalent to $35.4 million.
Bookham News Release RFMD Releases 5.8 GHz Transmitter For China's Electronic Toll Collection StandardJanuary 28, 2009...RF Micro Devices, Inc. of Greensboro, North Carolina USA, released a fully integrated 5.8 GHz transmitter to comply with China's electronic toll collection (ETC) standard: "GB/T 20851.1-2007: Electronic Toll Collection - Dedicated Short Range Communication (DSRC) Part 1: Physical Layer". RFMD's ML5830 is a low-power, amplitude shift key (ASK), and frequency shift key (FSK) transmitter operating in the 5.8 GHz ISM band. It is designed for electronic toll collection applications, including on board units (OBUs) and road side units (RSUs).
According to RFMD, the ML5830 implements its proprietary FastWave microcontroller technology that eliminates the cumbersome mass production tuning process required with competing solutions. FastWave microcontroller technology uses self-alignment of the VCO, filtering and phase locked loop (PLL) detection and control to enhance performance. RFMD notes that FastWave uses a three wire serial interface to transmitter control, calibration and interface algorithms that allows users to configure the production for their own applications.
"After testing and evaluating the ML5830, we have concluded that its features and functions do comply to the DSRC products according to Chinese National Standard, and do meet China ETC National Standard requirements," said Huang Wei-Ming of Guangzhou ITS Communications Equipment Co. Ltd. "Our company is in the process of designing in the ML5830 and we target to commence mass production with our end product in May 2009."
Company News Release Ascent Solar Receives Governor's Excellence in Renewable Energy Award
CompoundSemi News StaffJanuary 28, 2009...Ascent Solar Technologies, Inc., a developer CIGS thin-film solar modules based in Littleton, Colorado USA, announced that the company has received the 2008 Governor's Excellence in Renewable Energy (GERE) Award for the Large Business category. The Governors Energy Office says that the second annual "Governor's Excellence in Renewable Energy Awards" recognize individuals, businesses, institutions and nonprofits that are advancing renewable energy in outstanding ways and are making outstanding contributions that provide clean power through the promotion, usage, implementation and technology development of renewable energy in Colorado.
"Congratulations to Ascent Solar for their tremendous progress and innovation in advancing solar technologies," said Governor. Ritter. "Colorado's New Energy Economy is recognized as a leader thanks to Ascent Solar, which is helping to grow clean energy solutions and good jobs for our state and country."
"Ascent Solar is extremely proud and honored to receive this prestigious award from Governor Ritter. Our team has worked very hard and faced many challenges over the years developing and expanding our business to create innovative solar products. Our goal is to bring our thin film solar products to the market as we commercialize our 1.5 MW line in Littleton and our 30 MW line under construction in Thornton," stated Dr. Mohan Misra, Chairman and CEO of Ascent Solar.
Company News Release TriQuint’s Success in Smartphones Featured on PBS’ ‘NewsHour with Jim Lehrer’
CompoundSemi News StaffJanuary 27, 2009...TriQuint's success in the Smartphone market has garnered significant media attention. The company was featured on the January 22, 2009 broadcast of PBS' "News Hour with Jim Lehrer." (Online
link to transcript of PBS' NewsHour segment)
The NewsHour chronicled how several high tech companies are responding to the economic downturn.
In December 2008, TriQuint hosted Lee Hochberg, correspondent for the popular PBS show. Analysts deemed TriQuint’s strategy to focus on multiple communications markets to be "sensible" during the economic downturn. The company is reportedly offering products for mobile handsets, network infrastructure, and defense communications. The NewsHour highlighted TriQuint’s success in the smartphone market, through its interview with TriQuint President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ralph Quinsey.
TriQuint News Release Osram Opto Semiconductors Gets Step Closer to Tiny Digital Projector
CompoundSemi News StaffJanuary 26, 2009...Osram Opto Semiconductors of Germany, has introduced a blue laser diode in a TO38 package. The company contends that the mini laser is the smallest in its class. Osram says that the laser would make an ideal component for a tiny projector integrated into a mobile device. So far, such a device is mostly just theorized. However, Dr. Thomas Höfer, Head of Laser Projection at Osram Opto Semiconductors said, “Our newly developed blue laser is a further step in our quest to enable miniaturized projectors that can be fully integrated in mobile devices.”
Osram points out that lasers are the first choice as light sources for these applications. They convert mobile devices into high-performance multifunctional devices that can not only record images but also present them in razor sharp detail.
The blue laser has a wavelength of 450 nm and an output of 50 mW. The voltage is 5.5 V, and the slope efficiency 0.9 W/A. It combines all the important properties for mini projectors such as small size, high efficiency and good visibility of the blue light, and excellent beam quality. and therefore needs only relatively simple small optics to shape the beam. Integrated laser projectors will allow content such as digital photos and video clips to be viewed in high quality on almost any surface irrespective of the distance over which they are projected.
Osram says it is also working on the other key components of such a projector, red and green lasers.
Company News Release Bookham Achieves 200W Output With 10mm Laser Diode Bar
CompoundSemi News StaffJanuary 27, 2009...Optical component maker, Bookham, of San Jose, California USA, boasts a 200W 10mm laser diode bar. The company believes that 200 watts is the industry's most powerful commercially available continuous wave (cw) single bar diode laser. According to Bookham, the laser offers a 60 percent power increase over its previous laser diode bar with the same footprint. The company says that the new laser diode bar is designed to enable manufacturers of direct diode laser systems to compete with fiber lasers and CO2 lasers in multi-kilowatt material processing applications. It reportedly has a micro-channel single-sided cooling configuration to allow low pitch of the stack. It has a wall plug efficiency of 65 percent. The bar is available in wavelengths from 915nm to 980nm and will be shown at the Bookham booth at Photonics West 2009.
"Bringing to market a diode bar capable of delivering 200W with such a small form factor is a major achievement, and one that sees Bookham continue to innovate and to lead the way in high power components," said Gunnar Stolze, Director High Power Laser Marketing and Sales at Bookham. "CO2 laser systems have dominated the materials processing market in the 5kW to 20kW range for applications such as metal cutting and welding; this high power, high brightness bar - a truly disruptive technology - will open up that significant market to the direct diode manufacturers."
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