He notes that there are hints of trouble for IRF in recently weak results from rivals Texas Instruments, Linear Technology and Silicon Laboratories.

FORBES: Connect

Essentially, as Texas Instruments continue to cite weak demand, Qualcomm has been growing margins and raising guidance.

FORBES: Why Texas Instruments Shares Are Still Too Expensive

The weak signal can cause a ship's instruments to gradually drift out of true, without setting off any alarms, leaving the ship in a different position to where it "thinks" it is.

BBC: Navigational backup to aid ships in Dover straits