by Shane Henson — January 20, 2012—In its mission to offer innovative, energy-efficient, mercury-free LED (light-emitting diode) lighting, Cree, Inc. has launched a smaller-sized LED that offers big savings.
The first LED based on an innovative new Cree technology platform, the XLamp XB-D LED ushers in a new era of price-performance for lighting-class LEDs, say Cree’s design team. The XB-D LED reportedly delivers twice the lumens-per-dollar of other LEDs, in the industry’s smallest lighting-class footprint of 2.45 mm x 2.45 mm.
The XB-D LED is 48% smaller than the XLamp XP package and ideal for lighting applications where high lumen density and compact light sources are required. The innovations behind this next generation of lighting-class LEDs can enable significantly lower prices for LED lighting products by using up to three times fewer LEDs, three times fewer optics, and substantially smaller circuit boards than current designs, Cree’s management team asserts.
“With this new platform, Cree has fundamentally redefined the price-performance paradigm for our components customers. It’s not enough to just make LEDs brighter—it’s also about improving product payback and market acceptance of LED lighting,” said Mike Watson, Cree senior director of marketing for LED components.
Leveraging Cree’s proven silicon carbide technology and expertise, the XB-D LED delivers up to 139 lumens and 136 lumens per watt in cool white (6000K) or up to 107 lumens and 105 lumens per watt in warm white (3000K), both at 350 mA and 85°C.
XB-D LEDs are also compatible with most existing XP family secondary optics, which can speed the optical design process and create direct cost savings for existing XP family-based designs. Samples are available immediately and production volumes are available with standard lead times.
