Cree Licenses GaN Device Patents to Transphorm


Provides Access to Key Patents for GaN Power Device Market



DURHAM, NC – Cree, Inc. (Nasdaq: CREE), today announced that it signed a non-exclusive worldwide patent license agreement with Transphorm, Inc. that provides access to Cree’s extensive family of patents related to GaN high electron mobility transistor (HEMT) and GaN Schottky diode devices for use in the field of power conversion devices. The licensed family of patents addresses various aspects of making GaN power devices including nitride materials, HEMT and Schottky diode designs and processing technology. While GaN HEMTs are already used extensively in RF markets by Cree and others, their use in power conversion markets has been targeted by Transphorm and a number of other companies.



“Over the last 17 years, Cree has invented technology that enabled the successful introduction of reliable GaN HEMT devices in the RF market,” stated John Palmour, Cree CTO, Power RF and one of Cree’s co-founders. “Many of these inventions can and are expected to be used by others to manufacture devices in the burgeoning area of GaN power management systems.”



Information about Cree’s GaN HEMT power device license program may be found at www.cree.com/about-cree/licensing/licensing-programs or may be obtained by sending an e-mail to licensing@cree.com



For additional Transphorm information, please visit www.transphormusa.com



About Cree

Cree is a market-leading innovator of semiconductor products for power and radio-frequency (RF) applications, lighting-class LEDs and LED lighting solutions.



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, electronic signs and signals, power supplies and solar inverters.



For additional product and company information, please refer to www.cree.com.

Media Contact:

Lauren Taber

Cree, Inc.

Corporate Communications

media@cree.com

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