TripleBeam™ Technology

TripleBeam™ Technology – Outdoor LED Displays, Reimagined

Cree LED’s TripleBeam Technology sets a new standard for large-pitch outdoor LED displays by combining the image quality and directional brightness of P2 through-hole LEDs with the assembly efficiency and modern design of SMD LEDs. The result: displays that are brighter, sharper, easier to build and more reliable than ever.

The Legacy Option: P2 Through-Hole Signage LEDs

For decades, P2 through-hole LEDs were the only option for outdoor LED displays. Using three separate LEDs (red, green and blue) placed closely together, they formed bright, colorful pixels well-suited for very large pixel pitches.

Through-hole LEDs offered excellent brightness and optical control, but they came with significant drawbacks:

• Bulky and heavy designs due to added packaging (leads, encapsulation, housings)
• Thicker cabinets that limited placement options
• Assembly challenges since the rest of the electronics industry had long since moved to surface-mount automation
• Pixel pitch limitations caused by the physical size of the LEDs, preventing higher resolution

In an era where people are surrounded by ultra-high-resolution displays on phones, TVs, cars and in cinemas, through-hole technology can no longer keep up with expectations for sharper, more immersive LED experiences.

The New Option: Outdoor Surface-Mount Signage LEDs

The industry shifted with the introduction of outdoor SMD LEDs, with most of the new technologies invented by Cree LED. Key advances such as IPX6 and IPX8 waterproofing and high-contrast packages enabled thinner, lighter and higher-resolution outdoor displays.

Outdoor SMD solutions quickly became the technology of choice for applications requiring shorter viewing distances, such as stadium scoreboards, retail signage and spectacular advertising boards. These displays delivered:

• Higher resolution than through-hole
• Brighter, thinner, lighter cabinets
• Lower costs and easier integration

But challenges remained when scaling SMD technology for larger pixel pitches and long-distance viewing:

• No directional optics, resulting in limited brightness and efficiency compared to P2
• Higher power consumption and shorter lifetimes when LEDs are overdriven to close the brightness gap
• Light pollution (sky glow) due to uncontrolled light spread

SMD technology couldn’t fully solve the performance needs of large-scale outdoor displays.

The Breakthrough: Cree LED’s TripleBeam™ Technology

TripleBeam Technology solves these challenges by combining the best aspects of through-hole and SMD LEDs in one patented solution. At the core is Cree LED’s CV94 package, a black 3-in-1 SMD pixel package with integrated RGB lenses that deliver the brightness and beam control of P2 LEDs without the drawbacks of older designs. The patented CV94 package represents years of R&D investment. It integrates Cree LED’s expertise in optics, packaging and reliability into a single high-performance SMD solution.

Key Advantages:

• Best Image Quality – Even color blending, improved contrast and no pixel tilt issues
• Directional Beam Control – Brightness equivalent to P2 while reducing sky glow and light pollution
• Smarter, Lower-Cost Assembly – Built with modern SMD processes for automation and scalability
• Resilient-Rated Reliability – Confidence in all installation conditions, tested to Cree LED’s toughest standards
• Patented Innovation – Protected by global IP, including US11094852 and US12183720

The Cree LED Advantage

Cree LED has been at the forefront of LED display innovation for decades – pioneering the very outdoor SMD technologies that reshaped the market. With TripleBeam Technology, Cree LED once again redefines what’s possible in outdoor LED displays.

TripleBeam Technology is the solution for manufacturers seeking to:

• Upgrade resolution without sacrificing brightness
• Reduce system complexity and cost with automated assembly
• Improve reliability with resilient-rated components
• Deliver next-generation outdoor displays that meet modern expectations for sharpness, efficiency and sustainability