Here's a recap of last week's news:

Companies and Products

ANADIGICS released a 0.5 W small-cell PA for Band 8 (925 to 960 MHz). The device has 13% efficiency and 29 dB gain and is housed in a 7 x 7 mm surface mount plastic package.

After ceasing operations, Auriga Measurement Systems is seeking to sell their IP in five areas the company developed since 2004. Expressions of interest are due by May 15. Hilco Streambank is the exclusive agent.

Custom MMIC released a 10 to 14 GHz LNA with 1.4 dB NF, 19 dB gain, and +4 dBm P1dB. The IC is matched to 50 ohms and is in a 3 x 3 mm surface-mount plastic package.

Dialog Semiconductor launched a Bluetooth on a chip IC, optimized for the wearable market.

Huawei reported 2014 revenue of $46.5 billion, 21% above 2013. 38% of their 2014 revenue came from China. Carrier revenue was $31 billion, reflecting 16% year-over-year growth.

Peregrine Semiconductor introduced SPDT and SP4T switches for automotive infotainment and safety applications. The switches meet Grade 2 of the AEC-Q100 automotive requirements.

POET Technologies, aiming to monolithically integrate digital and analog electronics with optics, appointed David Lazovsky and Todd DeBonis to their board. DeBonis was TriQuint's VP of sales and strategy prior to the merger with RFMD.

Markets and Applications

The Pew Research Center reports that 64% of American adults own a smartphone. For 10% of this group, the smartphone is their only means for high speed Internet access.

The Small Cell Forum reported that approximately 2 million small cells shipped in 2014. Most were femto-cells for residential and small office, home office (SOHO). The installed base of small cells is now over 10 million.

Akami's latest state of the Internet report documents broadband speeds around the globe as well as penetration by region. South Korea had the fastest download speed in Q4, averaging 22.2 Mbps. The fastest U.S. state was Virginia, at 17.7 Mbps.

Comcast plans to offer symmetrical 2 Gbps fiber Internet to 1.5 million customers in Atlanta. Take that Google Fiber!

As a counterpoint, Glenn Fleischmann argues you don't need gigabit broadband, you just need consistent throughput.

Remember citizens' band (CB) radio? Now comes CBB, citizens broadband, an FCC proposal to use 3.5 GHz spectrum for broadband access.

The Guardian reported that Amazon is testing delivery drones in Canada, frustrated by the FAA's slow response to company requests. Shortly after that was published, the FAA approved Amazon test flights up to 400 ft altitude and 100 mph.

An IEEE Internet of Things (IoT) survey finds mind control the preferred interface that respondents want to use by 2025. Most men want autonomous driving; women feel differently.

Are there other companies or markets that you'd like me to follow? Leave a comment or send an email to glerude at mwjournal.com. Feedback welcome.