For busy people, here's a summary of company, product, market and technology news from the past week:
Companies and Products
Analog Devices announced a 24 to 35 GHz PA MMIC with 25 dBm saturated output power and >20 dB gain. The amplifier is biased at +5 V and draws 225 mA. Review the product data sheet.
Anokiwave appointed Andy Crofts as their VP of applications. Like several at Anokiwave, Andy is a MACOM veteran.
CommScope completed their $3 billion acquisition of TE Connectivity's telecom, enterprise and wireless businesses. The company also announced a new antenna factory in Brno, Czech Republic, to better support the European market.
Cree revealed the name of their Power and RF business: Wolfspeed. To help fund growth, Cree plans an IPO for the segment, although Cree will retain majority ownership.
![Wolfspeed logo](https://www.microwavejournal.com/ext/resources/images/Newsletters/Microwave-Flash-2015-B/Wolfspeed_Logo-reversed-purple-background.jpg)
GigOptix announced that Koichi Murata and Tony Jackson have joined the company to lead telecom and wireless/RF marketing, respectively. These staff additions were part of a larger organizational change that formed a "global customer operations organization" that will have marketing and profit/loss responsibility for the company's four product lines. In addition to telecom and wireless/RF, Tom Kapucija will lead datacom marketing, Dan Takise ASIC marketing and sales.
If you're a frequent flyer, you've probably noted that prices for Gogo Internet service doubled as airline Wi-Fi became mainstream, reflecting that demand is exceeding the limited bandwidth — which is doubly frustrating when the speed reminds you of the old days of dialup. Gogo says their next-generation satellite-based service will add bandwidth and reduce prices. To wit, they have received the final Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) from the FAA for the 2Ku satellite Internet service, which will provide 70 Mbps to each aircraft. Commercial service is planned to launch late-year.
Keysight acquired U.K. firm Electroservices Enterprises, which strengthens Keysight's electrical, mechanical and physical calibration, repair and asset management services to defense, telecom and industrial customers in Europe. Keysight also introduced a multiport VNA designed for high volume manufacturing. The VNA, which is 30 percent faster than competitive products, can be configured with up to 24 ports.
MACOM released 2 and 4 watt (saturated) PAs for Ka-Band satellite terminals. The four-stage amplifiers provide 22 to 23 dB gain and 23 to 24 percent power-added efficiency.
Nokia will create a JV with China Huaxin, mirroring the structure Alcatel-Lucent has with the state-owned firm. This paves the way for the Chinese government to approve the Nokia-ALU deal.
SpaceX is reviewing their own and suppliers' QA processes before proceeding with the next launch of their Falcon 9 rocket, which they estimate will be within "a couple of months." WSJ article
Verizon's answer to OnStar: hum, an aftermarket telematics solution that ensures your car is always connected.
Markets and Technology
Wi-Fi and Cellular — Verizon and T-Mobile are preparing to launch LTE-U, which uses Wi-Fi channels for cellular. Will this strangle Wi-Fi, as some fear? For background on these two wireless technologies, this presentation by Plum Technologies provides a good overview of the relationship between Wi-Fi and cellular.
China — China's plateauing cell phone sales and economic downturn are hurting electronic components suppliers. Yet with too many to fail, many factories become zombies, churning out products no one wants.
Not surprisingly, technology moves faster than language and what we say no longer reflects reality. How many of these expressions do you use?
Have a good week. I'm posting this from the European Microwave conference in Paris. If you're attending too, send me a tweet @MWJGary.