Wolfspeed Sets a New Standard for Power Electronics with All-SiC High Performance Half-Bridge Power Module & Gate Driver Combination

Wolfspeed, A Cree Company, and a leading global supplier of silicon carbide (SiC) power products, has introduced the first fully-qualified commercial power module from its Fayetteville, Arkansas location. The new module allows systems designers to realize lighter weight systems that are up to 67% smaller by achieving efficiencies of over 98% and improvements in power density of up to 10 times compared to systems built with silicon-based technologies. The high-performance 62mm module represents a new generation of all-SiC power modules that enable unprecedented efficiency and power density for high current power electronics, such as: converters/inverters, motor drives, industrial electronics, and high performance electric vehicle systems.

“Wolfspeed’s launch of this fully-qualified, next-generation SiC power module represents the culmination of an engineering development program that began with the company’s early SiC MOSFET module designs,” explained John Palmour, Wolfspeed’s chief technology officer. “Our 2015 acquisition of Arkansas Power Electronics International (APEI) enabled our team to deliver this advanced power module design on an aggressive timeline by combining leading-edge SiC device technology with the industry’s most advanced wide bandgap packaging innovation. The resulting module is the first of many products that promise an accelerated disruption of the power electronics market.”

Compared to conventional silicon IGBT power modules, or even previous generations of SiC MOSFET modules, the new module will offer significantly higher power density for applications in which volume and weight are critical limitations. Operating at a higher switching frequency without any compromise in system efficiency means a reduction in the number and size of magnetic and passive components required for the balance of the system. The superior thermal characteristics of SiC devices, along with the packaging design and materials, enable the module to operate at 175°C, which is a key advantage for many industrial, aerospace, and automotive applications.

The newly commercialized Wolfspeed™ module design is the industry’s most optimized to achieve the unique benefits of SiC technology – with a 66% reduction in module inductance to 5.5nH, compared to competitive power products at 15nH. This reduction in module inductance enables faster switching speeds, higher frequency operation, and ultra-low losses.

Available as part number CAS325M12HM2, the high performance power module is configured in a half-bridge topology comprised of seven 1.2kV 25mΩ C2M™ SiC MOSFETs and six 1.2kV 50A Z-Rec® Schottky diodes. The companion gate driver (CGD15HB62LP) is specifically designed for integration with the module to fit within the 62mm mounting footprint. An engineering evaluation kit that includes both the module and the gate driver is also available so design engineers can quickly and easily test the performance of the new device in their systems.

PCIM Europe (May 10 – 12, in Nuremburg, Germany) attendees can visit Wolfspeed’s booth (9-242) to learn more about this module and its associated gate driver.

For more complete technical information about Wolfspeed’s new high current power module and gate driver, please visit here. For all other inquiries about Wolfspeed power products, please visit http://www.wolfspeed.com/power/products.

About Wolfspeed

Wolfspeed, A Cree Company, is leading the innovation and commercialization of silicon carbide and gallium nitride, liberating designers to invent power and wireless systems for a responsible, energy-efficient future.

Wolfspeed’s wide bandgap semiconductor products for power and radio-frequency (RF) applications deliver new levels of performance through increased efficiency, higher switching frequency and reduced system size and weight for the transportation, industrial, energy and communications markets.

Please refer to www.wolfspeed.com for additional product and company information.

About Cree

Cree is leading the LED lighting revolution and making energy-wasting traditional lighting technologies obsolete through the use of energy-efficient, mercury-free LED lighting. Cree is a market-leading innovator of lighting-class LEDs, LED lighting, and semiconductor products for power and radio frequency (RF) applications.

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, backlighting, electronic signs and signals, power suppliers and solar inverters.

Please refer to www.cree.com for additional product and company information.

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 actual savings will vary from expectations; the risk we may be unable to manufacture these new 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 our new 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 28, 2015, and subsequent filings.

Cree® and Z-Rec® are registered trademarks and Wolfspeed™ and C2M™ are trademarks of Cree, Inc.

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