OSRAM Opto Semiconductors Announces New LED for Small Mobile Terminal Applications; New Offering is the Smallest Module Available to Offer Key Display Features

SAN JOSE, CA -- January 12, 2005 -- OSRAM Opto Semiconductors today announced its new generation of white light-emitting diodes (LEDs) for small mobile terminals. At only 0.8 millimeters (mm) high and featuring Electrostatic Sensitive Device (ESD) protection in an on-board diode, the new Micro SIDELEDs(R) are ideal for mobile phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs) and handheld devices where small size and bright light are required. The Micro SIDELED surface-mount technology (SMT) module is the smallest module available to offer both the integrated ESD protection as well as critical side-beam characteristics.


"We are very excited to announce the newest addition to our already expansive LED product portfolio" said Ellen Sizemore, director, LED Products Group, OSRAM Opto Semiconductors. "These new miniature Micro SIDELEDs will not only liven up the flat screen market, but they will also be a significant product in the automotive sector where they will provide critical backlighting for navigation systems and will enable enhanced, brighter eye-appeal for car radios and instruments"

The ESD diode integrated directly in the Micro SIDELED packaging enables component manufacturers to eliminate any additional, expensive and time-consuming measures, such as providing electrostatically protected workplaces. The production process is therefore much quicker and more cost-effective.

The new Micro SIDELED is manufactured in thin-film technology. The indium gallium nitrite (InGaN)-based LED has shrunk in size from 1.0 to 0.8 mm and at the same time has achieved increased brightness. With an operating current of 20 milliamps (mA), the Micro SIDELED now achieves 800 millicandela (mcd). This is an increase over previous solutions by approximately 200 mcd. Silicone, which ages much more slowly than the epoxy resin used previously, is utilized as the encapsulation material, and this increases the life of the LED by a factor of ten. The Micro SIDELED meets the requirements of EU legislations of Waste Electronic and Electrical Equipment / Restriction of Hazardous Substances (WEEE/RoHs). Under this legislation, lead (Pb) will be banned from electrical and electronic equipment by January 1, 2006.

Availability

The new Micro SIDELED manufactured in thin-film technology is now available with a lead-time of 6-8 weeks. Volume pricing ranges from $0.30 to $0.50, depending on volume. Product data sheets are available on the OSRAM web site at www.osram-os.com. For further information, please contact your local sales representative.

About OSRAM Opto Semiconductors

OSRAM Opto Semiconductors is a wholly owned subsidiary of OSRAM, one of the world’s two leading lighting manufacturers. It offers its customers solutions based on semiconductor technology for lighting, sensor and visualization applications. The company employs more than 3,400 people worldwide and operates sites in Regensburg (Germany), San Jose (USA) and Penang (Malaysia). Sales for the year ending September 2004 totaled EUR 459 million, 11% of the total sales of OSRAM of EUR 4.2 billion. For more information, visit www.osram-os.com.

Micro SIDELED is a registered trademark of OSRAM Opto Semiconductors Inc. All other trademarks or registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Contact Information

Hilary Chalmers

PR

Greystone Partners

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