What other multi-color LED packages does Cree LED offer?

Cree LED offers a very wide range of multi-color LEDs, designed for linear indoor architectural features up to the most intense color-changing spotlights for live entertainment. Cree LED’s full portfolio of multi-color LEDs is listed below. Please visit the Multi-Color LEDs Technology page for more information about these products. Product: CLW6A; Footprint (mm): 3.5 x 3.5; Max Current per Die: 30 mA; Max Power: 0.4W; Color Options: RGB+White, RGB+PC Amber, RGB+PC Mint Product: CLR6A; Footprint (mm): 3.8 x 3.8; Max Current per Die: 65 mA; Max Power: 0.8W; Color Options: RGB+White Product: CLQ6x; Footprint (mm): 5.2 x 5.0; Max Current per Die: 180+ mA; Max Power: 2W; Color Options: RGB, RGB+White, RGB+PC Amber Product: XLamp X21; Footprint (mm): 2.1 x 2.1; Max Current per Die: 350 mA; Max Power: 4W; Color Options: RGB+White, RGB+PC Amber, RGB+PC Lime Product: XLamp XP-L Color; Footprint (mm): 3.5 x 3.5; Max Current per Die: 1.0A; Max Power: 12W; Color Options: RGB+White Product: XLamp XM-L Color Gen 2; Footprint (mm): 5.0 x 5.0; Max Current per Die: 1.75A; Max Power: 21W; Color Options: RGB+White Product: XLamp XN-P Color; Footprint (mm): 5.75 x 4.68; Max Current per Die: 3.0A; Max Power: 40W; Color Options: RGB+White, RGB+PC Amber, RGB+PC Lime

What is the Saturation product configuration? How is it different than other options?

Cree LED offers two different die configurations in XLamp multi-color LEDs. The X21 Multi-Color LEDs are only offered in the Saturation configuration, which places the blue die diagonal to the phosphor-converted die (e.g., White, PC Amber). The advantage of this configuration is that it minimizes the effect of the blue die exciting the phosphor on the PC die, therefore increasing the saturation of the luminaire when only the blue die is lit. The disadvantage of this configuration is that the green and PC die are on the same side of the package. These two die tend to be the brightest when the package is producing desaturated (i.e., white) color points, which can cause unbalanced light output through secondary optics. The other die configuration Cree LED uses in multi-color XLamp LEDs is the Blend configuration, which places the green die diagonal to the phosphor-converted die (e.g., White, PC Amber). The advantage of this configuration is balanced light output through secondary optics when the package is producing desaturated (i.e., white) color points. This configuration is also more common in older multi-color LED packages and may be preferred when matching older designs. The disadvantage of this configuration is the blue die and the PC die are placed next to each other, which can cause the blue die to excite the phosphor of the PC die, even when the PC die is off. The net effect is the desaturation of the blue channel when it is the only die turned on.

Is the X21 Multi-Color LED a new LED footprint? Is it compatible with any existing LED footprints?

The X21 LED is a new footprint device, featuring 8 electrical pads that give separate anode and cathode connections to each of the 4 LED die inside the package. The recommended solder pad layout, circuit diagram and mechanical dimensions are all shown in the X21 data sheet.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of the 3 phosphor options (White, PC Amber and PC Lime) for lighting applications?

As with most lighting design decisions, it depends! The answer depends on the task and what objectives are most important. Each of these three options of PC (phosphor-converted) colors has advantages and disadvantages in the context of a 4-channel RGB+PC Color luminaire, as described in the table below. Color Combination: RGB+White; Advantages: Easiest configuration to make white light; Disadvantages: Low lumen output and LPW, CRI drops when mixing a CCT lower (warmer) than the die’s CCT Color Combination: RGB+PC Amber; Advantages: Highest CRI across a wide CCT tuning range, Better saturation for yellows and oranges; Disadvantages: Lowest lumen output and LPW Color Combination: RGB+PC Lime; Advantages: High lumen output and LPW, Can address a very wide white CCT tuning range with CRI above 80; Disadvantages: Low CRI R9 red saturation at lower (warmer) CCTs If you want more information about the performance of these configurations in the context of mixing them to achieve high-quality white light, then check out the Optimizing 4-Channel Color Mixing Systems for Color Rendering application note. While this app note was written for a different LED, the same patterns of lumen output, LPW and CRI will apply to the X21 Multi-Color LEDs.

XLamp® X21 Multi-Color LEDs

XLamp^® X21 Multi-Color LEDs: A New Platform for Smaller, Lighter and More Impactful Lighting Designs

XLamp X21 Multi-Color LEDs are a new 4-color LED platform that combines an ultra-compact footprint, exceptional optical performance and extensive color flexibility to help lighting manufacturers create smaller, lighter and more impactful lighting products.

Leveraging Cree LED’s latest multi-color LED technology, XLamp X21 Multi-Color LEDs feature four different colors of LED die placed close together in a compact 2.1 x 2.1 mm ceramic package, the smallest high-power multi-color LED available.

Applications for X21 Multi-Color LEDs

The smaller optical source enables lighting manufacturers to reduce luminaire size and weight while maintaining the beam quality and visual performance demands across many applications:

Indoor directional lighting
Architectural lighting
Entertainment lighting
Automotive aftermarket lighting
Specialty lighting

Benefits of X21 Multi-Color LEDs

Reduce overall luminaire size
Use smaller, lower-cost optics
More flexibility from optical designs
Fine-tune color for applications
Color combinations for design goals
Create richer saturated colors
Balance color quality, brightness and efficiency
One versatile LED platform for a wide range of designs

Technical Information

A New Platform Design

The new X21 package design is optimized for the smallest size possible, with a footprint that is 63% smaller than the XP-L Color. With its 8 individual pads providing full independent control of all 4 LED die inside, the X21 LED is ready for any color mixing lighting application.

Package Width	Package Length	Package Height
2.10 mm	2.10 mm	1.00 mm

Die	Anode (+)	Cathode (-)
D1 (Blue)	Pad 1	Pad 8
D2 (Red)	Pad 2	Pad 7
D3 (PC/White)	Pad 3	Pad 6
D4 (Green)	Pad 4	Pad 5

Optical Performance

Designed with an optimized optical profile, the X21’s compact source size also enables smaller, lighter and lower-cost secondary optics while achieving intense, tightly controlled beams. Cree LED tested the optical performance of two color-mixing optics from LEDiL, paired with different Cree LED multi-color LEDs. The table below shows the details of the test setup.

X21 Optical Performance Test Setup

Optic Name	Height	Diameter	Area	Relative Area
Gabriella-45-S	30.4 mm	45 mm	1590 mm²	100%
Gabriella-MIDI-S	24 mm	38 mm	1134 mm²	71%

Optic Name	LED Tested	Beam Angle	Peak Intensity
Gabriella-45-S	XP-L Color HI	12°	20.5 cd/lm
Gabriella-MIDI-S	X21 Color	11°	22.9 cd/lm

This optic testing shows that relative to the larger XLamp XP-L Color LED paired with a 45 mm color-mixing optic, the new X21 LED with a 29% smaller 38 mm color-mixing optic, delivers improved optical performance, including a tighter beam angle and higher peak intensity.

Flexible Color Combinations

XLamp X21 Multi-Color LEDs offer the broadest range of color combinations in Cree LED’s multi-color portfolio, supporting eleven different LED die colors across fourteen product configurations. This flexibility enables lighting designers to optimize color quality, visual impact and system design for a wide range of applications.

Product	Die 1	Die 2	Die 3	Die 4	Die Configuration
X21ACL	Royal	Red	White	Green	Saturation
X21ACB	Blue	Red	White	Green	Saturation
X21APA	Royal	Red	PC Amber	Green	Saturation
X21ABA	Blue	Red	PC Amber	Green	Saturation
X21APL	Royal	Red	PC Lime	Green	Saturation
X21ABL	Blue	Red	PC Lime	Green	Saturation

Available Die Color	Color Details	Typical Flux @ 175 mA, Tj = 25°C
Red	DWL 620-630 nm	30 lm
Green	DWL 520-535 nm	55 lm
Blue	DWL 465-480 nm	15 lm
Royal	DWL 450-465 nm	10 lm
White	6500K, 70 CRI, 5-step	60 lm
White	5700K, 70 CRI, 5-step	65 lm
White	5000K, 80 CRI, 3-step	60 lm
White	4000K, 80 CRI, 3-step	58 lm
White	3000K, 80 CRI, 3-step	55 lm
PC Amber	—	35 lm
PC Lime	—	65 lm

Product Resources
X21 Multi-Color LEDs Data Sheet
Color LEDs Feature Sheet
Architectural & Entertainment Application Page

Frequently Asked Questions

Cree LED offers a very wide range of multi-color LEDs, designed for linear indoor architectural features up to the most intense color-changing spotlights for live entertainment. Cree LED’s full portfolio of multi-color LEDs is listed below.

Please visit the Multi-Color LEDs Technology page for more information about these products.

Product	Footprint (mm)	Max Current per Die	Max Power	Color Options
CLW6A	3.5 x 3.5	30 mA	0.4W	RGB+White RGB+PC Amber RGB+PC Mint
CLR6A	3.8 x 3.8	65 mA	0.8W	RGB+White
CLQ6x	5.2 x 5.0	180+ mA	2W	RGB RGB+White RGB+PC Amber
XLamp X21	2.1 x 2.1	350 mA	4W	RGB+White RGB+PC Amber RGB+PC Lime
XLamp XP-L Color	3.5 x 3.5	1.0A	12W	RGB+White
XLamp XM-L Color Gen 2	5.0 x 5.0	1.75A	21W	RGB+White
XLamp XN-P Color	5.75 x 4.68	3.0A	40W	RGB+White RGB+PC Amber RGB+PC Lime


Cree LED offers two different die configurations in XLamp multi-color LEDs. The X21 Multi-Color LEDs are only offered in the Saturation configuration, which places the blue die diagonal to the phosphor-converted die (e.g., White, PC Amber). The advantage of this configuration is that it minimizes the effect of the blue die exciting the phosphor on the PC die, therefore increasing the saturation of the luminaire when only the blue die is lit. The disadvantage of this configuration is that the green and PC die are on the same side of the package. These two die tend to be the brightest when the package is producing desaturated (i.e., white) color points, which can cause unbalanced light output through secondary optics. The other die configuration Cree LED uses in multi-color XLamp LEDs is the Blend configuration, which places the green die diagonal to the phosphor-converted die (e.g., White, PC Amber). The advantage of this configuration is balanced light output through secondary optics when the package is producing desaturated (i.e., white) color points. This configuration is also more common in older multi-color LED packages and may be preferred when matching older designs. The disadvantage of this configuration is the blue die and the PC die are placed next to each other, which can cause the blue die to excite the phosphor of the PC die, even when the PC die is off. The net effect is the desaturation of the blue channel when it is the only die turned on.

Cree LED offers two different die configurations in XLamp multi-color LEDs. The X21 Multi-Color LEDs are only offered in the Saturation configuration, which places the blue die diagonal to the phosphor-converted die (e.g., White, PC Amber).

The advantage of this configuration is that it minimizes the effect of the blue die exciting the phosphor on the PC die, therefore increasing the saturation of the luminaire when only the blue die is lit.
The disadvantage of this configuration is that the green and PC die are on the same side of the package. These two die tend to be the brightest when the package is producing desaturated (i.e., white) color points, which can cause unbalanced light output through secondary optics.

The other die configuration Cree LED uses in multi-color XLamp LEDs is the Blend configuration, which places the green die diagonal to the phosphor-converted die (e.g., White, PC Amber).

The advantage of this configuration is balanced light output through secondary optics when the package is producing desaturated (i.e., white) color points. This configuration is also more common in older multi-color LED packages and may be preferred when matching older designs.
The disadvantage of this configuration is the blue die and the PC die are placed next to each other, which can cause the blue die to excite the phosphor of the PC die, even when the PC die is off. The net effect is the desaturation of the blue channel when it is the only die turned on.


The X21 LED is a new footprint device, featuring 8 electrical pads that give separate anode and cathode connections to each of the 4 LED die inside the package. The recommended solder pad layout, circuit diagram and mechanical dimensions are all shown in the X21 data sheet.

As with most lighting design decisions, it depends! The answer depends on the task and what objectives are most important. Each of these three options of PC (phosphor-converted) colors has advantages and disadvantages in the context of a 4-channel RGB+PC Color luminaire, as described in the table below.

Color Combination	Advantages	Disadvantages
RGB+White	Easiest configuration to make white light	Low lumen output and LPW CRI drops when mixing a CCT lower (warmer) than the die’s CCT
RGB+PC Amber	Highest CRI across a wide CCT tuning range Better saturation for yellows and oranges	Lowest lumen output and LPW
RGB+PC Lime	High lumen output and LPW Can address a very wide white CCT tuning range with CRI above 80	Low CRI R9 red saturation at lower (warmer) CCTs

If you want more information about the performance of these configurations in the context of mixing them to achieve high-quality white light, then check out the Optimizing 4-Channel Color Mixing Systems for Color Rendering application note. While this app note was written for a different LED, the same patterns of lumen output, LPW and CRI will apply to the X21 Multi-Color LEDs.

Stay Updated

I acknowledge that I have been given access to the Cree LED and Smart Global Holdings Privacy Policy.

Communication Acknowledgements*

I acknowledge that I may, and am willing to, receive future communications from Cree LED and Smart Global Holdings regarding this inquiry.

Contact Us

Buy Cree LED

Find a Distributor

XLamp® X21 Multi-Color LEDs

Technical Information

Frequently Asked Questions

Category:

XLamp^® X21 Multi-Color LEDs