Microwave Journal
www.microwavejournal.com/articles/20433-cree-rf-technology-helps-capture-hollywood-aerial-action-sequence

Cree RF technology helps capture Hollywood aerial action sequence

August 21, 2013

Cree’s GaN RF technology played a critical behind-the-scenes role in the upcoming action film, “Escape Plan,” starring Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger. The film features aerial stunt sequences captured using a low-latency HD camera and transmitter and Array Wireless’ S-Band linear power amplifier, which employs Cree’s world-class GaN HEMT semiconductors to meet the stringent linearity requirements for wide bandwidth HD digital transmission. 

Mounted in the nose ball turret of a filming helicopter to capture near-in, high action shots of another helicopter while both aircraft were in free flight, the powerful combination of Cree and Array technology was essential for providing the director with low distortion, low latency, high definition video in addition to real-time viewing, editing, and staging capabilities from more remote distances than were previously possible.  As such, the director had greater freedom to pursue more exciting action footage of the aerial stunt sequences that were occurring far from his location. 

Cree’s leading-edge GaN HEMT devices enable a broader transmission range, higher efficiency performance, improved reliability, and smaller, lighter product packages than are possible using traditional gallium arsenide (GaA) or silicon (Si) RF technology.  Consequently, they are a critical component of Array Wireless’ patent-pending linearization technology, which minimizes distortion and provides superior signal quality for complex multi-carrier modulations while also minimizing DC power consumption, heat, and weight.  In addition to enabling smaller, more efficient product packages well-suited for the wireless HD camera system mounts used during the filming process, including rigs that are fitted to motor and airborne vehicles and head-mounted and hand-held devices, the combination of Cree and Array technology also results in greater link range without distortion when operating in multi-path environments, such as canyons and cities.

“Escape Plan” is scheduled to hit theaters on October 18, 2013.  To see the trailer, which includes a brief clip of a Cree- and Array-enabled aerial action sequence, please visit http://escapeplanmovie.com/