The news is pretty much all about earnings releases, with some interesting insights gained from analyst questions during the earnings calls.
Companies and Products
API Technologies is acquiring Cobham's Inmet and Weinschel businesses. The $80 million purchase price buys $51.4 million in 2014 calendar year revenue (1.56x).
Apple reported quarterly revenue of $58 billion, 27% above the same quarter last year. 61 million iPhones were sold, up 40% from the year-ago quarter. iPhone sales were up 72% year-over-year in China. Apple ended the quarter with $194 billion in cash.
Cree released a new GaN PA for the 13.5 to 14.75 GHz satcom band. The PA provides 42 dBm average power, 20 dB linear gain, and 20 percent drain efficiency. Links to the data sheets: packaged and die.
GigOptix reported Q1 revenue of $9.1 million, which was up slightly from the prior quarter and 23 percent above the year-ago quarter. The company noted strong demand from “Web 2.0” data centers.
Huawei's CEO told Reuters that he disagrees with China's cyber-security rules, saying they will actually undermine security.
Speaking of Huawei, will the Nokia-Alcatel Lucent deal actually open the door for Huawei to do business in the U.S.? Business blogger Doug Young thinks so.
MACOM reported quarterly revenue of $124.9 million, which was up 8.7 percent sequentially and 28 percent year-over-year. Optical (100G metro) and automotive (Ford) markets were strong.
During MACOM's earnings call, CEO John Croteau responded to analyst questions about the 1) timing of announcing their GaN on silicon manufacturing partner and 2) impact of NXP's sale of their HPRF business. Listen to his responses:
MACOM released a DC to 50 GHz MMIC amplifier. In die form, the amplifier has 15.5 dB gain, 3.5 dB NF, 20 dBm P1dB, and 15 dB return loss.
National Instruments reported record Q1 revenue of $290 million, despite foreign exchange headwinds and order softness from their largest customer. RF growth was strong.
NXP also reported Q1 results. During the Q1 earnings call, CEO Rick Clemmer said he expects to reach an agreement to sell their HPRF business within a "couple of months." He also said BTS demand is flattening. Listen to his remarks, responding to analyst questions:
Separately, NXP announced their planned executive organization following the close of the Freescale acquisition.
Peregrine Semi released three glitch-less digital step attenuators that cover 9 kHz to 6 GHz. The attenuators have 31.75 dB range with steps of 0.25, 0.5, and 1 dB.
Subhash Deshmukh will join POET Technologies as COO beginning June 8. He is leaving Applied Materials.
Beating guidance, Skyworks reported Q2 revenue of $762 million, up 58 percent year-over year. Their integrated mobile systems segment grew 139 percent year-over-year, confirming their integration strategy according to CEO Dave Aldrich.
WIN Semiconductors reported Q1 revenue of 2807 NT$M, which is about $89 million. Revenue was up 68 percent from the year-ago quarter and 3 percent sequentially. Cellular and Wi-Fi contributed 75 to 85 percent of the revenue.
Here are a couple of interesting articles on 5G: First, from Nokia: “The cornerstones of 5G radio technology are in place,” from 10 key rules of 5G deployment. Light Reading compiled a list of 12 groups that are working to shape the definition and development of 5G.
An MIT report argues the benefits of basic research and raises concerns that U.S. funding has significantly declined.
Markets, Applications, and Technology