Cree and SemiLEDs End Patent Litigation

Cree, Inc., a leader in LED lighting, announces that Cree and SemiLEDs have agreed to end the parties' patent infringement litigation. As part of the settlement, SemiLEDs agreed to the entry of an injunction effective October 1, 2012 that prohibits the importation and sale of the SemiLEDs accused products in the United States and has made a one-time payment to Cree for past damages. The remaining claims of all parties have been dismissed without prejudice to the right to assert the claims in the future. Other terms of the settlement are confidential."The resolution emphasizes the breadth and importance of Cree's patent portfolio and its determination to ensure that Cree's intellectual property rights are respected," stated Julio Garceran, chief intellectual property counsel, 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, electronic signs and signals, power supplies and solar inverters.
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 risks that Cree's intellectual property rights may not provide meaningful protection against infringements due to the uncertainties and costs of litigation, and other factors discussed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 26, 2011 and subsequent filings. LED Light Review, a consumer oriented review website for LED light bulbs, is pleased to announce a review of the Philips 420224 L Prize Winner LED light bulb.LED Light Review carefully evaluated the Philips 420224 L Prize Winner 10-Watt A19 LED light bulb in key areas including packaging integrity, product design, build quality, light pattern, light output, and light quality. The efficiency and manufacturer warranty of the Philips 420024 were also examined.

LED Lamps Estimated to Provide Global Savings of $100 Billion Over Five Years

The widespread adoption of retrofit LED lamps will create global energy savings worth $100 billion over the next five years, according to a recent report from IMS Research, a leading provider of market research and consultancy to the global electronics industry. Although the use of LED lamps for general lighting is not currently widespread, IMS Research's report Opportunities for Power Components in LED Lighting revealed that a rapid uptake of retrofit LED lamps will result in a potential market of more than 4 billion units by 2016. While adoption is currently driven largely by legislation, it is forecast to accelerate as consumers become more aware of the long-term savings that are attainable when compared with competing lighting technologies.
"The environmental impact that global adoption of LED lighting will have is colossal," said Ryan Sanderson, report co-author and senior market analyst. "Lighting accounts for approximately 19% of the world's energy use at present. IMS Research predicts that in 2016 around 15% of all lighting will be accounted for by LED, which would reduce global energy consumption of lighting by around 20%."
Retrofit LED lamps use a fraction of the power of incandescent lamps to provide a similar luminance.Under Cabinet LED Lighting from Elemental LED Now Easier to Install.The report from IMS Research forecasts that in 2012 alone, the use of retrofit LED lamps in place of incandescent lamps will result in energy savings of more than 30 gigawatt hours. By 2016, with widespread adoption of retrofit LED lamps, these savings are forecast to reach more than 300 GWe. It is calculated that the five-year cumulative total will be more than 800 GWe, worth more than $100 billion.
"To generate the 800 GWe of energy in 2016 years you would need to run more than 50 nuclear power stations at full capacity," said Jonathon Eykyn, report co-author and market analyst. "At a time when the world is struggling to balance the use of more sustainable power sources with the need to provide access to low cost power sources to support economic growth, LED lighting could be a large part of the solution."Opportunities for Power Components in LED Lighting, was compiled following more than 40 hours of interviews with leading suppliers to the industry and is available immediately from IMS Research.

Under Cabinet LED Lighting from Elemental LED Now Easier to Install

Elemental LED, a San Francisco Bay Area-based LED lighting company, just released a new under cabinet LED lighting fixture that connects directly to 120V AC power via any standard wall outlet. This is the first direct wire under cabinet LED light that the company has added to its product catalog.This under cabinet LED fixture is a direct replacement for high wattage halogen fixtures. It includes high-performance Nichia 5050 LED chips, consumes 7 to 14 watts depending on the fixture length, and operates just above room temperature. Halogen under cabinet fixtures typically consume 20 to 35 watts and run at such high temperatures they are too hot to touch.
"This under cabinet fixture performs better and produces a higher quality of light than the higher wattage fixtures it replaces. You get all the energy-savings of LED lighting with the convenience of a 120V plug-in fixture,"says Elemental LED Marketing Manager, Charlotte Dick.The Direct Wire Under Cabinet LED Fixture displays warm white light through a glass—not plastic—diffuser cover, which spreads the light evenly without diminishing it. The sturdy, sleek housing includes a glossy, powder-coated white finish, and the fixture is available in three lengths: 12, 18 and 24 inches.The under cabinet LED fixture includes a built-in on/off rocker switch and can be dimmed with a forward phase dimmer switch, with a manufacturer recommendation for using a TRIAC dimmer. The fixtures can be daisy-chained together with the included inter-connector cable.
Elemental LED is where style and affordability meet sustainable lighting. Elemental LED offers a wide selection of LED lighting products for home and business owners, including LED strip lights, light bars, puck lights, wall washers, light bulbs, controllers, power supplies and more. Products include color-changing, dimming and waterproof functionality. Elemental LED offers in house engineering and comprehensive customer service and education, from live phone support to online tutorials.
"For the last few years, the high price of LED bulbs has prevented many consumers from investing in the efficient and long lasting bulbs," said Cal Shirley, vice president of Customer Solutions at PSE. "LED bulbs are a great technology; they save energy and last an incredibly long time. Now that the price of LED bulbs has dropped and with available discounts, the era of the LED bulb has arrived. At PSE we're doing what we can to support consumer adoption of efficient technology that helps customers save energy and money."

Independence LED Launches CASH for CLUNKERS Lighting

Independence LED Lighting, a leading U.S. Manufacturer of energy efficient LED Tubes, has launched a comprehensive $10 Million CASH for CLUNKERS Lighting program. The incentive covers the cost of banned T12 tubes, proper disposal of the toxic tubes and ballasts, and an LED Lighting Retrofit Return on Investment (ROI) Assessment. The incentive is for U.S. businesses that choose to retrofit with Independence LED Tubes, which are three times more energy efficient and last three times longer than the obsolete T12s.  To further assist qualified business owners, Independence LED provides $0 down financing programs providing net savings from the flip of the switch. The program runs through 12/31/2012.
With almost 1 billion T12 tubes in U.S. properties, according to government data in the T12 White Paper, the ban covers more than 30% of American linear lighting. The cost burden of the ban could reach $18.75 billion, given needs for new 'legal' tubes, ballasts, and installation - a challenge for business and building owners."In just 30 days, this ban will have significant financial implications for American businesses.NXP Unveils GreenChip LED Driver With Smart Digital Control.The 'CASH for CLUNKERS' Cars and Appliances programs made an impact, so we decided to roll out a program to our customers for LED lighting efficiency retrofits," states Charlie Szoradi, Chairman and CEO of Independence LED. "Now, our 'CASH for CLUNKERS Lighting' and cash flow positive financing works well with available utility company incentives and Federal tax benefits to make clear business sense for replacing T12s with LEDs today. Since the government has not offered cash for T12 clunker lighting, we took the private sector initiative to step up to meet this challenge." Since it was relit in December, the bridge has become a local attraction, creating buzz around Corpus Christi and surrounding areas, as well as increasing local business. With lightshows that change monthly, locals and tourists eagerly anticipate to see the new displays. In fact, hospitality businesses near the bridge, such as restaurants and hotels, sell out on a regular basis and require at least a one month advanced reservation.
Independence LED is a U.S. Manufacturer of high-efficiency linear LED lighting. Since moving its manufacturing from China to Boyertown, PA, Independence LED has experienced over 300% growth in sales.  Customers range from industrial distribution centers to Fortune 100 companies and from independent business owners to national retail and service chains. In 2011, the Company won the Green Business of the Year Award from the Main Line Chamber of Commerce.  For Technology, Photos, and Videos see the Independence LED Boot Camp.

Premium Backlit LED Light Box Makes Brilliance and Flexibility a Reality in Display Design

At a time when consumers demand unique experiences with brands, lighting remains one of the most critical elements of a brand's visual presentation – and LEDs have become the desired source. To help companies harness this leading-edge technology to brilliantly convey their brands and attract and influence customers, Stylmark introduces the Optima 1000 LED Backlit Light Box, one of the brightest light box displays with versatility for custom applications. "As retail and commercial environments quickly adopt LED lighting, the future of display light boxes is in LED technology as well," says Kevin Hogan, president of Stylmark. "The Optima 1000 LED enables brands to be at the cutting edge of visual presentation, while reducing operating costs and environmental impact."
A sophisticated alternative to backlit fluorescent and edgelit LED light boxes, the Optima 1000 LED combines the best aspects of each technology for a more vivid and consistent display of branded graphics. Its premium light source contains a panel of LEDs, ensuring all graphic sizes are evenly lit and illumination is uniformly diffuse without hot spots or visible emitters. Measuring more than 1,000 foot-candles, the Optima 1000 LED is brighter than many backlit fluorescent light boxes while providing the benefits of LED technology: lower power consumption, longer lifespan and fewer failure points. Leveraging Stylmark's engineering expertise, the Optima 1000 LED opens new avenues of creativity for custom displays that meet unique brand looks and individual project requirements. The Optima 1000 LED's sleek, modern frame can be transformed with hundreds of finish options, including anodized finishes matched to specific colors. It can also be a stand-alone fixture, or incorporated into larger illuminated displays with shelving – an ideal solution for drawing customers to specific merchandise.
"Designers and decision makers want to present their brands in the best possible fashion, and in ways that can be tailored to their specifications to bring design visions to life," says Hogan. "A contrast to a one-size-fits-all light box, the Optima 1000 LED can be fashioned to fit precise brand requirements, ensuring that graphics are brilliantly vivid and the application is as unique as the brand itself." About Digital Lumens Digital Lumens develops Intelligent LED Lighting Systems that are proven to reduce industrial customers' lighting-related electricity expenses by up to 90%. With this System -- smart lights, wirelessly networked together and centrally controlled -- the company is defining a new class of networked LED lighting that maximizes both delivered light and energy efficiency. Digital Lumens has been recognized as a 2011 World Economic Forum Technology Pioneer and a 2011 Global Cleantech 100 Company.

NXP Unveils GreenChip LED Driver With Smart Digital Control

NXP Semiconductors N.V.today introduced the SSL21101 -- the first in a new family of GreenChip(TM) LED driver ICs featuring Smart Digital Control (SDC) technology. Incorporating intelligent digital control within a compact analog design, the SSL21101 delivers better, more accurate system performance while reducing the bill of materials, providing an ideal solution for non-dimmable, high-performance LED applications up to 15W. NXP is now featuring the SSL21101 at Guangzhou International Lighting Exhibition (Hall 13.2, Booth B43).
"Smart Digital Control is an important step forward for LED lighting, opening new possibilities as we introduce optimized algorithms for very high performance levels while reducing system costs," said Stephane Curral, vice president and general manager, power and lighting solutions business line, NXP Semiconductors. "By offering a digital core within a traditional analog system, we're making it easy for engineers to fine-tune and achieve the right balance between efficiency, current regulation and system cost for their specific LED designs -- with more flexibility compared to pure analog solutions."
The SSL21101 is a single-stage solution designed to drive LED devices in flyback or buck-boost configurations with very high efficiency -- up to 90% depending on the application -- and with highly accurate control of the output current. In the SSL21101, the Smart Digital Control feature offers two modes optimized for specific regional regulatory requirements.Frankenmuth to install 145 cost-saving LED streetlights on Main.In High Power Factor mode, the PF rating is higher than 0.95 and the total harmonic distortion (THD) is limited to under 20%. The Low Ripple mode lowers the LED current ripple below 1% and makes it possible to use smaller electrolytic capacitors, enabling very compact designs.
Featuring a high level of integration and functionality in a small footprint, the SSL21101 includes a high-voltage power switch as well as a circuit that enables start-up directly from the rectified mains voltage, and is equipped with a complete set of protections. The SSL21101 enables finished applications using as few as 18 components, resulting in a very low bill of materials -- in high volume, less than US $1.30 for a complete system eBOM excluding LEDs. The GreenChip SSL21101 driver IC for high-performance non-dimmable LED applications is now in volume production. Additional GreenChip SDC products addressing high-performance dimmable LED applications are currently under development.

Transit may shine light on enduring mysteries of Venus

Skywatchers around the world will get a once-in-a-lifetime chance to see Venus cross in front of the sun Tuesday. The so-called transit of Venus is more than just the last such event for more than a century — it might help shed light on some of the enduring mysteries of our planetary neighbor.Strange stripes in the upper clouds of Venus are called "blue absorbers" or "UV absorbers" because they absorb blue and ultraviolet wavelengths of light. These soak up a dramatic amount of energy — nearly half of the total solar energy the world takes in. As such, they seem to play a key role in keeping Venus as hot as it is, with surface temperatures of more than 860 degrees Fahrenheit (460 degrees Celsius).One of the biggest mysteries of Venus is the "super-rotation" of its atmosphere. Violent winds drive storms and clouds around that world at speeds of more than 220 mph (360 kph), some 60 times faster than the planet rotates.
The Venus Express spacecraft the European Space Agency launched in 2005 is armed with what's called a solar occultation spectrometer "to help us pinpoint the altitude and latitude distribution for these UV absorbers and understand their behavior a bit more now," said David Grinspoon, curator of astrobiology at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. "However, we have not yet definitively identified it. We think it's a sulfur compound, or it could be a form of elemental sulfur." Evidence of lightning on the planet was confirmed by Venus Express, even though such weather displays should be impossible there.
"You need rainfall for lightning, and we're not sure if we actually get rainfall on Venus," said Grinspoon, an interdisciplinary scientist on the Venus Express mission. "But in some ways, we don't really understand lightning on Earth very well, so by cracking how lightning works on Venus, we may understand it better here. With Venus Express, we're getting more information at the latitudes lightning's distributed in, which we hope to link with activity in the atmosphere."The Venus Climate Orbiter Akatsuki, which means "Dawn" in Japanese, was supposed to help capture vital clues about Venusian lightning with a camera dedicated to photographing it. Unfortunately, the Japanese space probe overshot the planet in 2010, although there's a chance it may still get to Venus. "It's a shame Akatsuki didn't make it into orbit around Venus — it was primed to address many questions, this matter of lightning in particular," Grinspoon said. One of the biggest mysteries of Venus is the "super-rotation" of its atmosphere. Violent winds drive storms and clouds around that world at speeds of more than 220 mph (360 kph), some 60 times faster than the planet rotates.

Frankenmuth to install 145 cost-saving LED streetlights on Main

The sparkle of LED lights is coming to Frankenmuth, bringing utility savings.The city's Downtown Development Authority will replace 120 street light systems on Main and 25 cobra-head light fixtures Weiss streets with the light emitting diode technology.The DDA estimates the retrofitted street lights will cut energy costs by 60 percent in the demonstration area of Main and Weiss streets and a 20 percent overall savings of about $11,000 per year. The city and DDA share commercial lighting costs 25 percent and 75 percent, respectively.
"As the LED product evolves into mainstream use, quality is improving and the cost to purchase is coming down," said Sheila Stamiris, DDA director. "We used an extensive process and knowledgeable resources to identify the quality benchmarks we needed assure the project a success both financially and aesthetically."A Michigan Energy Office's Advanced Lighting Technology Demonstration Grant of more than $70,000 will pay for the lights. The grant is funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
The energy office awarded the grants to 14 Michigan cities, including Bay City and Mount Pleasant.The Frankenmuth DDA also will match $35,000 for a total project cost of $105,000.Department of Public Works employees will install the new, U.S.- and Michigan-made lights and complete the project by June 30.The project keeps the current streetlight hardware.An incandescent light bulb has a CRI of 100 because it is basically as good as a black body radiator at rendering the eight specified colors stipulated by the International Commission on Illumination (CIE).Falling prices to kill off half of Chinese LED chipmakers.The fact that it's not good at rendering different shades of blue is neither here nor there. It's as good as the yardstick.
"You have to be careful on the CRI scale and new technologies," The Society of Light and Lighting's Iain Macrae told Ars. "Where white light OLED and LED are concerned, there is already a question if the use of RGB color mixing is less suited to the current measure. The CIE are currently looking at more appropriate measures based on research. CRI is of course important for domestic and workplace lighting; generally, a CRI above 80 is considered minimum good practice. New technology doesn't change the way we see. The eye hasn't evolved in line with technology. Color rendering is still important to being able to see well, just the measure may need to change."Ideally, for a lamp to accurately render color, it will have both a high CRI and the color temperature of daylight—5000 to 6000K. The upshot of the GL350's CRI combined with its color temperature is that its color-rendering performance should be much the same as halogen lighting.