Electronic components distributor Digi-Key Corporation, recognized by design engineers as having the industry’s broadest selection of electronic components available for immediate shipment, today announced a partnership with Cree, Molex, and RECOM to offer an all-in-one, LED lighting solution based on the Cree XLamp platform.

The Digi-Key CXA2011 XLamp LED lighting kit combines the performance, ease-of-use, and reliability of the XLamp series of LED arrays into a simple, all-in-one solution that takes the mystery out of building LED light fixtures. Digi-Key encourages LED design by offering all the necessary components, including a heat sink, connectors, power supply, and LED array, in a convenient, flexible kit.

“We are excited to partner with Cree, Molex and RECOM in offering this all-in-one LED solution,” said Mark Zack, vice president, semiconductor product, Digi-Key Corporation. “We have accentuated simplicity and flexibility in this kit allowing quick demonstrations, shorter design cycles and making LED utilization more accessible.”

Streamlining the process even further, Digi-Key has created a step-by-step video as part of its Another Geek Moment series on YouTube. The video details just how easy this kit is to assemble with only a screwdriver and the provided components.

» Contact Details for Digi-Key Corporation

Design-Fulfillment Distributor is Positioned to Deliver Greatest Lineup of Lighting Solutions

Mouser Electronics, Inc., a top design engineering resource and global distributor for semiconductors and electronic components, today announced that it has signed a global distribution agreement with Cree, a worldwide leader in LED lighting and silicon carbide (SiC) power products.

The global agreement enables lighting designers worldwide to quickly find, compare, select, and order Cree’s latest products, including their innovative line of lighting-class XLamp® LEDs, high brightness LEDs, LED modules, and power products. Cree LED components and solutions are driving improvements worldwide in applications such as general lighting, electronic signs and signals. Cree also is among the world’s leading manufacturers of silicon carbide-based diodes for power control and management, providing increased efficiency in a variety of applications from solar inverters to industrial motor drivers to wireless technologies. Cree gains access to Mouser’s highly-successful design engineering marketing programs and to Mouser’s state-of-the-art fulfillment operations. The award-winning distributor offers 17 customer support locations across multiple continents with 42 country websites. Mouser’s Product Knowledge Centers and application guidance tools will give lighting designers easy access to view Cree’s product advantages, technical specifications and data sheets.

“Cree is a progressive company known for top-of-the-line innovations in the LED industry and we are pleased to align with them,” says Russell Rasor, Mouser’s vice-president of advanced technology. “For design engineers and manufacturers, this means faster access to Cree’s LED lighting solutions and SiC power products on a global basis.” “With the distribution might of Mouser behind our products, our customers will not only have worldwide access to our products, but will also have the search and comparison resources available through Mouser’s award-winning online catalogs and websites,” says Mark Despotes, Cree vice president of global channels.

“The service and support Mouser offers as an authorized worldwide distributor is invaluable to us and to our customers.” The agreement reinforces Mouser’s commitment to support new solid-state lighting designs by offering a comprehensive lineup of Cree LED components. In support of Cree’s products, Mouser will provide engineers with the most innovative optical and mechanical products along with IC-based LED drivers from key suppliers such as Texas Instruments, On Semiconductor, STMicroelectronics and Maxim Integrated Products. This strategically positions Mouser, the design-fulfillment distributor, to deliver advanced lighting technology components to enable a successful new design project.

» Contact details for Mouser Electronics, Inc.

Digi-Key Corporation, recognized by design engineers as having the industry’s broadest selection of electronic components available for immediate shipment, today announced it has stock of Cree-based printed circuit board (PCB) LED development kits, often referred to as star boards.

These kits, also known as star boards, are designed to simplify LED ease-of-use. PCB development kits, when combined with thermal heat sinks, can shorten time-to-market by forming the foundation for LED designs. PCB configurations are available for Cree XLamp XR-E, XR-C, XP-G, XP-E, XP-C, MX-6, and MC-E LEDs.

To search for these PCB development kits on Digi-Key’s website, enter the search term “digi-key cree” into Digi-Key’s part search bar and click on “LEDs – High Brightness Power Modules” under the “Optoelectronics” heading in the search results. From there, a filtered search may be performed for the particular PCB development kits needed.

» Contact Details for Digi-Key Corporation

Digi-Key Corporation, recognized by design engineers as having the industry’s broadest selection of electronic components available for immediate shipment, today announced it has stock on Cree’s CMF20120D Silicon Carbide Power MOSFET.

This new product is now available for purchase on Digi-Key’s global websites and will be featured in future print and online catalogs.

The CMF20120D has increased the upper voltage limit of silicon MOSFETs (metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors–a device used for amplifying or switching electronic signals). The product features high-speed switching, low capacitances, and fast body diode, while being easy to parallel and simple to drive. This particular MOSFET allows for higher system efficiency, reduced cooling requirements, avalanche ruggedness, while it increase system switching frequency.

Applications for the CMF20120D include solar inverters, down-hole drilling equipment, and motor drives.

“As interest for Silicon Carbide devices continue to grow due to its inherent efficiencies, Digi-Key is excited to offer this expanded offering from Cree, a recognized leader in this technology,” said Dave Doherty, Digi-Key’s vice president of semiconductor product.

» Contact Details for Digi-Key Corporation

Electronic components distributor Digi-Key Corporation, today announced its stock of Cree’s LMR4 LED light modules is available in Europe and around the world. The LMR4 modules are designed to simplify the creative process, giving lighting manufacturers more options as they develop LED lighting products.

This product has been in stock and available to customers worldwide on Digi-Key’s website since November 2010. Cree’s LMR4 is ready for purchase on Digi-Key’s global websites and will be featured in future print and online catalogs.

“We are pleased to extend Digi-Key’s inventory of Cree products to include the LMR4 module family,” said Mark Despotes, Cree vice president of channel distribution. “As a trusted resource for the electronics community, Digi-Key can help accelerate the LED Lighting Revolution by providing fixture makers ready access to the latest LED lighting technology.”

The Cree LED Module LMR4 uniquely integrates driver electronics, optics, and primary thermal management, making the compact module drop-in ready. Designed to last 35,000 hours while consuming just 12 watts of power, it delivers 700 lumens at a variety of color temperatures from 2700K to 4000K. Fixture manufacturers have the option to include a specially designed heat sink to accommodate specific high heat applications such as downlights for insulated ceilings.

The 120-volt LMR4 is UL recognized, and the 230-volt LMR4 complies with multiple international standards. Fixture makers seeking ENERGY STAR® qualification will have access to specifications and performance data, including LM-80 reports, which can speed regulatory approvals.

Farnell the leading multi-channel distributor announces that it now stocks the latest range of Cree LED modules. Available in TrueWhite® and EasyWhite® technology options, the new Cree LMR4 modules provide a simple drop-in solution that uniquely integrates driver electronics, optics, and primary thermal management.

Cree TrueWhite gives an industry-leading combination of high light quality and colour rendering with high energy efficiency. TrueWhite LMR4 modules consume just 12 watts whilst delivering 700 lumens at a colour temperature of 2700 with a colour rendering index (CRI) >90. Cree EasyWhite modules address a broader range of applications with a CRI >80. Both technologies support dimming to 5% and are designed to last at least 35,000 hours at L70.

Through its multi-channel approach and ability to support design engineers with extensive technical information and resources such as the element14 online technology portal and eCommunity, Farnell will help drive the adoption of LED lighting for both new designs and those that currently use more traditional lighting approaches.

“This announcement significantly strengthens Farnell’s already authoritative position as a source for solid state lighting products, information and support,” said Paul Ward, Opto Product Manager, Farnell. “Cree is a leading name in the LED lighting sector and its LMR4 module product range is another important step forward in accelerating the adoption of versatile, energy efficient and long lasting LED solutions.”

» Contact details for Farnell

Electronic components distributor Digi-Key Corporation, recognized by design engineers as having the industry’s broadest selection of electronic components available for immediate shipment, today announced it has stock of Cree’s LED Module LMR4 with Cree TrueWhite™ Technology and versions featuring Cree EasyWhite™ solutions.

These new products are in stock and available for purchase on Digi-Key’s global websites and will be featured in future print and online catalogs.

“We are pleased to extend Digi-Key’s inventory of Cree products to include the LMR4 module family,” said Mark Despotes, Cree vice president of channel distribution. “As a trusted resource for the electronics community, Digi-Key can help accelerate the LED Lighting Revolution by providing fixture makers ready access to the latest LED lighting technology.”

The Cree LED Module LMR4 uniquely integrates driver electronics, optics, and primary thermal management, making the compact module drop-in ready. Designed to last 35,000 hours while consuming just 12 watts of power, it delivers 700 lumens at a variety of color temperatures from 2700K to 4000K. Fixture manufacturers have the option to include a specially designed heat sink to accommodate specific high heat applications such as downlights for insulated ceilings.

The 120-volt LMR4 is UL recognized, and the 230-volt LMR4 complies with multiple international standards. Fixture makers seeking ENERGY STAR® qualification will have access to specifications and performance data, including LM-80 reports, which can speed regulatory approvals.

» Contact Details for Digi-Key Corporation

Digi-Key Corporation Expands Cree Product Line to Include Gallium Nitride (GaN) HEMTs for Microwave Applications

Digi-Key Corporation and Cree, Inc. announced today that Digi-Key is now stocking Cree’s Gallium Nitride (GaN) HEMT transistors for general purpose microwave applications. Digi-Key’s portfolio of Cree offerings encompasses SiC power components, SiC MESFETs, high-brightness and high-power LEDs, and now, GaN HEMT transistors.

Cree’s GaN HEMT general-purpose transistors, in power levels ranging from 10W to 90W, are ideal for microwave applications that require high efficiency, multi-octave bandwidth performance. These transistors offer high frequency performance to 6GHz, high gain, and low parasitic capacitance within small package footprints. This enables smaller, lighter, and more energy efficient systems, often with fewer amplifier components, than required with other microwave transistor technologies.

“We are pleased that Digi-Key is stocking Cree GaN HEMT transistors,” said Jim Milligan, Cree’s director of RF and microwave products. “Digi-Key has the distribution expertise and industry channels to help accelerate the adoption of our GaN HEMT technology.”

Digi-Key President and COO Mark Larson commented, “Relied upon by engineering and purchasing communities for product selection and availability, Digi-Key is committed to providing its customers with the latest and most sought-after technologies. To that end, we are very pleased to make Cree’s GaN HEMT transistors available to our customers.”

» Contact Details for Digi-Key Corporation