Press Release | ASTRI - Hong Kong Applied Science And Technology Research Institute Company Limited

ASTRI’s Smart Water IoT system received an international recognition at the WITSA Global ICT Excellence Awards 2018

ASTRI’s Smart Water IoT System has received yet another global recognition – this time from World Information Technology and Services Alliances (WITSA). The innovative smart city solution, which has the potential to revolutionise the way water supply is monitored, measured and analysed, won a Merit Award at the WITSA Global ICT Excellence Awards 2018. The award presentation ceremony took place on 19 February 2018 in Hyderabad, the international ICT hub of India.

ASTRI’s Smart Water IoT System won the Merit Award in the ‘Public Sector Excellence’ category in this international platform. This award-winning solution allows utility service operators to monitor water systems in real-time. Applied through both wired and wireless detectors across systems, it facilitates data analysis, supports user enquiry, allows timely access to water quality information, and detects water leakage to improve the overall efficiency of water usage. The solution is currently being trialled by Hong Kong’s Water Supplies Department. It has already been successfully deployed in four provinces in Mainland China.

Commenting on this feat, ASTRI’s CEO Mr Hugh Chow congratulated the project team for this “innovative solution that modernises water supply systems with significant potential benefits for the densely populated urbanscape of Hong Kong.” He referred to the project’s current pilot run by the Hong Kong Water Supplies Department and added that “this recognition will reinforce our efforts to innovate state-of-the-art smart city solutions and forge strong collaborations to support local industries and the communities.”

WITSA is a leading consortium of the global ICT industry – its members represent over 80 countries and territories around the world. The annual WITSA Global ICT Excellence Awards are organised to recognise industry players that have added exceptional value to the sector through their achievements, by leveraging ICT for the benefit of the society. The awards are given out in seven categories, usually with one winning award and two merit awards conferred on deserving nominees in each category.

ASTRI’s Smart Water IoT System won a series of local, regional and international accolades in the past. The impressive list includes: Best Business Solution (Application) Bronze Award in the Hong Kong ICT Awards 2017 and Merit Award in the Industrial Application category of the Asia Pacific ICT Alliance Awards 2017 (APICTA).

Chief Executive Officer Mr Hugh Chow and Chief Technology Officer Dr MeiKei Ieong with ASTRI’s award winning team of the Smart Water IoT R&D project, which was honoured at the WITSA Global ICT Excellence Awards 2018

Congratulating the winning team, Chief Executive Officer Mr Hugh Chow noted that the award is a recognition of ASTRI’s innovative R&D efforts

ASTRI’s Smart Water IoT system received an international recognition at the WITSA Global ICT Excellence Awards 2018

2018-19 budget looks to invest in innovation and technology to secure a strong future for Hong Kong: Financial Secretary visits ASTRI and reiterates his resolve to drive development and growth powered by technology

On 28 February 2018, Mr Paul Chan, Financial Secretary (FS) of the HKSAR Government, delivered Hong Kong’s 2018-19 budget. Promoting the development of innovation and technology is high on Government’s agenda. A total of $50 billion has been earmarked for I&T development, focusing on Hong Kong’s areas of strength, namely biotechnology, artificial intelligence, smart city and financial technologies (Fintech) Innovation and Technology. Resources will also be provided to support various players within the I&T ecosystem and enabling organisations.

Today, 18 April 2018, Mr Chan visited ASTRI to learn about its latest R&D and innovation and endeavours, and expressed his strong support for ASTRI’s various initiatives in line with the Government’s I&T agenda. ASTRI’s senior executives and R&D professionals briefed the FS on a number of projects in FinTech, AI and Robotics and health technologies.

Some of the technology demonstrations witnessed by Mr Chan included an AI-based Mixed Natural Language Processing Chatbot system, a Digital Pathological Image Analytics Platform, Next Generation Capsule Endoscopy System, Optical Character Recognition and Industrial Robot for Random Bin Picking. He was impressed with other projects such as Connected Cars powered by Cellular Vehicle to Everything technologies; ASTRI’s 5G research and related applications for railway signalling system, Smart Airport, Mission Critical Communications; naked-eye 3D display; and Satellite Communications for Maritime Safety. Focusing on the core domain he is in charge of, the FS was also briefed on some of ASTRI’s FinTech projects including various Blockchain applications for financial services, Cybersecurity intelligent and trainings, and Palm Fusion Biometric Authentication System. The FS also took a glimpse of an artwork collaboration project between ASTRI and the City University of Hong Kong that celebrate the power of technology and the imaginative potential of the human brain.

In his budget speech, Mr Chan made it very clear that he would like to see Hong Kong shining bright “in the fierce I&T race amidst keen competition” from regional and global players. Leveraging its traditional and proven strengths and banking on emerging prospects, “Hong Kong must optimise its resources” while focusing on areas like biotechnology, artificial intelligence, smart city and FinTech. During his visit to ASTRI, he reiterated his commitment to advancing I&T for Hong Kong, and commented that “Innovation and Technology (I&T) hold the key to a bright and prosperous future for Hong Kong. The passion and commitment from ASTRI’s R&D team play a vital role in advancing Hong Kong’s I&T endeavours. The HKSAR Government remains steadfast in supporting ASTRI, and all the other players in our I&T ecosystem, to pursue innovation-led development and growth”.

Mr Chan was accompanied by, among other Government officials, Ms Annie Choi, Commissioner for Innovation and Technology of the HKSAR Government, and Ms Jane Lee, Secretary-General (Testing and Certification) of the Innovation and Technology Commission. Mr Hugh Chow – CEO, Dr MeiKei Ieong – CTO, Ms Cammy Yung – CFO, Ms Gcae Hui – CAO, Dr Justin Chuang – Vice President of Next Generation Network, Dr Y K Li – Senior Director of Advanced Digital Systems, Dr Luca Hui – Senior Director of Security and Data Sciences, and Ms Eunice Cheng – Director of Public Affairs welcomed the FS and his entourage to ASTRI.

While announcing the budget for 2018-19, Mr Chan referred to the eight key areas in I&T development previously announced by the HKSAR Chief executive: investing more resources into R&D, nurturing a talent pool, promoting venture capital, strengthening scientific research infrastructure, carrying out legislation review, opening up data, streamlining government procurement, and boosting STEM education. In line with the Chief Executive’s Policy Speech, the Financial Secretary said the Government will offer a significant tax-reduction for R&D investment. This, coupled with the Government’s continued support to basic and applied R&D institutions, aims to Hong Kong’s Gross Domestic Expenditure on R&D as a percentage of the Gross Domestic Product from the current 0.73% to 1.5% within the current Government’s five‑year tenure.

Commenting on the visit, Mr Hugh Chow said, “We have been greatly encouraged by the strong support and interest expressed by the FS in his visit to ASTRI. We are grateful for the strategic boost to I&T he announced in the budget – the significant funding will provide inspiring support to I&T development in Hong Kong. As the largest Government-funded R&D institution in Hong Kong, ASTRI will continue to focus on exploring and applying new technological solutions in areas such as AI, machine learning, smart city health technologies and FinTech.”

The visit by the FS reinforces the strategic priority attached to I&T development by the HKSAR Government. It strengthens ASTRI’s commitment to leveraging the power of technology to collaborate with different stakeholders in the I&T ecosystem in enhancing the competitiveness of businesses and enriching the lives of people.

From left to right: Ms Jane Lee, Secretary-General (Testing and Certification) of the Innovation and Technology Commission, Mr Hugh Chow – Chief Executive Officer of ASTRI, Mr Paul Chan – Financial Secretary of the HKSAR Government, Ms Annie Choi – Commissioner for Innovation and Technology of the HKSAR Government, and Dr MeiKei Ieong – Chief Technology Officer of ASTRI

AI-based industrial robots were one of the technology demonstrations witnessed by Mr Paul Chan, Financial Secretary of the HKSAR Government during his visit to ASTRI

Mr Paul Chan – Financial Secretary of the HKSAR Government, trying out ASTRI’s AI-based Handwritten Chinese Character Optical Recognition solution

Mr Paul Chan – Financial Secretary of the HKSAR Government, and Ms Annie Choi – Commissioner for Innovation and Technology of the HKSAR Government, with ASTRI’s senior executives

ASTRI Board Appoints New Directors

[Hong Kong, 28 February 2018] The Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (ASTRI) today announced the appointment of three new Directors to the ASTRI Board for a term of two years with effect from 1 March 2018. The new appointees are:

Mr Stephen Ho Wai-chung
CEO, CITIC Telecom International CPC Limited
Prof Liew Soung-chang
Professor and Division Head, Department of Information Engineering
The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Dr Archie Yeh Tsuei-chi
CEO, Solomon Systech Limited

Also commencing 1 March 2018, Mr Chuck Cheng Cheuk-wing and Prof Ching Pak-chung, will retire from the ASTRI Board.

Chairman of ASTRI’s Board of Directors Mr Wong Ming-yam welcomed the new members to the Board. He said, “We are pleased and privileged to have these three distinguished professionals joining the ASTRI Board. Their experience and talent will surely bring new inspirations to ASTRI in the pursuit of our mission to serve the Hong Kong industry through innovation and technology. While we look forward to working with our new members, we would also like to express our heart-felt thanks to Mr Cheng and Prof Ching for their valuable service and significant contributions made to ASTRI during their service period.”

As from 1 March 2018, the composition of ASTRI’s Board of Directors is as follows:

Chairman

Mr Wong Ming-yam, BBS, JP

Members

Ms Cally Chan Shan-shan
Prof Roland Chin Tai-hong, BBS, JP
Mr Duncan Chiu
Mr Humphrey Choi Chor-ching, JP
Mr Tony Choi Siu-chow, JP
Mr Ha Yung-kuen, BBS
Mr Stephen Ho Wai-chung
Mr Kwong Chi-keung, JP
Ir Dr Alan Lam Hiu-fung
Mr Sunny Lee Wai-kwong, JP
Prof Liew Soung-chang
Mr Andy Liu An-ting
Dr Davy Lo Kwok-wai
Ms Hera Siu Kit-wan
Mr Denis Tse Tik-yang
Mr Wong Pin-dar
Dr Archie Yeh Tsuei-chi

(In alphabetical order according to surname)

Official Members

Mr Cheuk Wing-hing, JP, Permanent Secretary for Innovation and Technology
Ms Annie Choi Suk-han, JP, Commissioner for Innovation and Technology

– END –

ASTRI is showcasing its latest LTE and 5G communications R&D at the Mobile World Congress 2018 in Barcelona

[27 February 2018, Hong Kong] ASTRI is showcasing a series of latest LTE and 5G communications technologies at the Mobile World Congress 2018 from 26 February to 1 March 2018 in Barcelona, Spain. Collaborating with Fujian Sunnada Network Technology Co. Ltd., Rohde & Schwarz, Keysight Technologies and Intel Corporation, ASTRI is performing joint technology demonstrations at the respective booths of its partners.

Technologies being showcased by ASTRI at the Mobile World Congress 2018 include:

Technology	Booth No.
Cloud Radio Access Network (C-RAN) virtualisation with live migration for 4G and 5G networks	Joint demo with Sunnada at Hall 5 Stand 5G70
5G Ultra-Reliable and Low-Latency Communication (URLLC) and Cloud Radio Access Network (C-RAN) base-station The ultra-low latency round trip signalling is validated with testing equipment from Keysight Technologies and Rohde & Schwarz
Software Defined Wide Area Network (SD-WAN) Throughput Optimisation and Orchestration Prototype
Control and User Plane Separation in EPC Nodes (CUPS) towards 5G core network
Mobile Core/Edge Network on Next Generation Central Office (NGCO)	Joint demo with Intel at Hall 3 Stand 3E31
V2X Networking System for enabling Edge Applications and Autonomous Driving	Joint demo with Intel at Hall 3 Stand 3E31

In addition, ASTRI is showcasing its mini EPC (Evolved Packet Core) and Portable LTE Base Station innovation at the Hong Kong Technology Pavilion (Booth No. Hall 1 Stand 1E20), introducing its Next Generation Network R&D and the application of these technologies across different industries.

ASTRI thrives on partnership with the industry. Its mission is to help businesses to become more competitive through applied research. ASTRI delivers that by partnering with the industry ecosystem. It has had a strong and fruitful relationship with GSMA – the organiser of MWC – registering successive participation in the global event over the years.

Organised by the GSMA, Mobile World Congress is an annual event that provides unique business opportunities and a platform for relationship building for the mobile industry. It includes over 2,300 exhibitors showcasing the latest innovations; a world-class conference featuring inspiring keynotes and discussions; networking opportunities; and the annual Global Mobile Awards ceremony which recognises leading mobile solutions and initiatives from around the world. For details of the event, please visit https://www.mobileworldcongress.com.

About ASTRI

Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute Company Limited (ASTRI) was founded by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in 2000 with the mission of enhancing Hong Kong’s competitiveness in technology-based industries through applied research. ASTRI’s core R&D competences in various areas are organised under seven Technology Divisions, namely Communications Technologies, Electronics Components, Mixed Signal Systems IC, Advanced Digital Systems, Opto-electronics, Security and Data Sciences, and Intelligent Software and Systems. Five areas of applications including financial technologies, intelligent manufacturing, next generation network, health technologies, and smart city are identified for major pursuit. Please visit www.astri.org, for further information about ASTRI.

Media enquiries

Mr Raymond Woo Tel: (852) 3406 2536 Email: [email protected]

ASTRI and Sunnada Network jointly demonstrate a series of latest LTE and 5G technologies at the Mobile World Congress 2018 in Barcelona

[Hong Kong, 27 February 2018] The Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (ASTRI), together with Fujian Sunnada Network Technology Co. Ltd. (Sunnada Network) (Hall 5, Stand 5G70), are demonstrating a series of latest next generation network technologies including Long Term Evolution (LTE), Software Defined Wide Area Network (SD-WAN), and 5G network infrastructure and solutions at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2018 in Barcelona, Spain.

The key technologies demonstrated include:

Cloud Radio Access Network (C-RAN) virtualisation with live migration

It allows running virtual base stations to be moved between different physical machines with minimal service interruption to users. This technology enables network operators to reduce capital expenditures and have increased flexibility in their networks through dynamic allocation and migration of computational resources.

5G Ultra Reliable and Low-Latency Communication (URLLC) C-RAN Base-Station

This solution is based on the latest 3GPP New Radio (NR) standard which was completed in December 2017. The demonstration shows the end-to-end system consisting of reference design of 5G C-RAN base-station and 5G user terminal (UE) running URLLC traffics. The ultra-low latency round trip signalling along with video stream traffic can be observed based on 3GPP 5G standard compliant signal, which is monitored with testing equipment from Keysight Technologies and Rohde & Schwarz. This solution is useful for public network deployment, such as autonomous driving, augmented reality. It can also be customised for task-specific requirements in other markets applications such as wireless industrial robots and automated guided vehicles.

Control and User Plane Separation in EPC Nodes (CUPS) towards 5G core network technology

This technology enables flexible network deployment and operation. The user plane of ASTRI’s CUPS supports up to 20Gbps throughput with cost effective INTEL® XEON® D based hardware platform.

Software Defined Wide Area Network (SD-WAN) Throughput Optimisation and Orchestration Prototype

ASTRI’s SD-WAN optimisation technology can significantly increase the effective Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) throughput by over 200 times (under over 600ms round-trip-time (RTT) and 1% packet loss in network condition)

Sunnada Network’s CEO Mr Haven Huang said, “Along with our newly established Hong Kong-based subsidiary Anktion Limited, Sunnada Network collaborates increasingly closely with ASTRI for 4G and 5G R&D. The results of our joint efforts should strengthen our market position in the Hong Kong and overseas markets.”

Dr Justin Chuang, ASTRI’s Vice President for Next Generation Network, said: “We are very pleased to collaborate with Sunnada Network and its subsidiary Anktion Limited to develop C-RAN and mobile core/edge technologies towards 5G. Once launched and made available in the market, these technologies will bring significant benefits to the entire industry. We expect our long-term cooperation to bring even more ground-breaking technologies to add strong, practical value in the 5G era.”

ASTRI started its collaboration with Sunnada Network on the development of TD-LTE small cell and small cell gateway solutions back in 2011. The commercial TD-LTE small cells with LTE and WLAN functionality have been developed in over 10 countries and regions. ASTRI will continue to work closely with Sunnada Network, jointly developing next generation wireless communications technologies and providing private and public network solutions that support industry users.

Sunnada and ASTRI are performing the joint demonstrations at Sunnada booth (Hall 5, Stand 5G70) at the MWC which is being held at Fira Gran Via, Barcelona, Spain, from 26 February to 1 March 2018.

About ASTRI

Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute Company Limited (ASTRI) was founded by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in 2000 with the mission of enhancing Hong Kong’s competitiveness in technology-based industries through applied research. ASTRI’s core R&D competences in various areas are organised under seven Technology Divisions, namely Communications Technologies, Electronics Components, Mixed Signal Systems IC, Advanced Digital Systems, Opto-electronics, Security and Data Sciences, and Intelligent Software and Systems. Five areas of applications including financial technologies, intelligent manufacturing, next generation network, health technologies, and smart city are identified for major pursuit. For further information about ASTRI, please visit www.astri.org.

Media enquiries:

For enquiries, please contact Raymond Woo (Tel: 3406 2536, email: [email protected])

ASTRI and Intel demonstrate Virtualised Mobile Core and V2X Networking System in Mobile World Congress 2018

ASTRI is showcasing the latest technologies in Next Generation Central Office (NGCO) and Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) Networking System in the Intel booth (Hall 3, Stand 3E31) at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2018 in Barcelona, Spain.

1. Mobile Core/Edge on Next Generation Central Office (NGCO)

The demonstration in Intel’s booth showcases how ASTRI’s technologies in mobile core/edge network functions can be effectively deployed in the Next Generation Central Office (NGCO) architecture.

The NGCO is a three-tier virtualised architecture namely central office at edge, regional and central locations to host mobile and fixed network functions with simultaneous applications. The scalable architecture enables low-latency and delay-sensitive data to be forwarded and processed at the edge tier, while computational and data intensive operations are processed at the regional and central tiers.

ASTRI’s next generation mobile core (vEPC) and mobile edge (vMEC) software can be flexibly deployed in NGCO to support 4G and pre-5G core network capabilities, and can also be evolved to 5G. With Intel® Xeon® Scalable Processors and network acceleration hardware, ASTRI’s user plane function can deliver over 200Gbps throughput while leaving CPU headroom for applications processing on a single Intel architecture-based x86 server.

ASTRI’s configurable NFV orchestrator supports the network evolution towards an application-driven system architecture, which is an essential factor in the leap to 5G. ASTRI demonstrated how our V2X networking system as the connected-vehicle network slice works closely with edge and central office. It delivers significantly lower latency for time-critical events and also enables flexible scalability of V2X commercial deployments.

2. V2X Networking System for enabling Edge Applications & Autonomous Driving

In the V2X Networking System demonstration at Intel’s booth, ASTRI also demonstrates how its V2X Networking System can enable V2X edge applications and autonomous driving.

The end-to-end V2X system features include:

(1) V2X in-car processing unit: consists of gateway software and E-V2X communications module to facilitate information exchange between vehicles and infrastructure, decision making alerts, and autonomous driving integration;

(2) V2X algorithm at network edge for real-time road alerts and traffic management; and

(3) Centralised V2X cloud for large scale vehicle management and traffic data analytics.

ASTRI’s V2X in-car processing unit and algorithms at network edge ensures enhanced road safety through intelligent alerts for various unique situations such as: ‘V2V Do Not Pass’, ‘V2P Vulnerable Road User’, and ‘V2I Intersection Collision’ warnings. The system detects threats and can alert vehicle drivers and other individual road users in real time to avoid accidents. Through the coordination and policy provisioning of multiple V2X Road Side Units (RSU), road users can be altered of unexpected traffic conditions (e.g. traffic accident, congestion etc.) in affected areas with promptness. ASTRI’s V2X networking system is a key technology enabler for assisted driving and 5G autonomous driving.

The system prototype demonstrates the cost-effective deployment of edge processing servers by HPE Edgeline EL4000 Converged Edge Systems and Intel® Xeon® D Processors, and how they can scale out a V2X system, delivering high throughput and low-latency packet forwarding and processing capabilities.

The innovative design of V2X Networking System benefits equipment manufacturers (OEMs), Tier-1 suppliers and autonomous vehicle (AV) vendors in enabling V2X edge applications and see-through-enabled autonomous driving. It also benefits operators, service providers and equipment vendors by enabling commercial roll-out of scalable V2X, and provision of 5G services for their customers. It also enables city administrators and transport operators to implement real-time and intelligent traffic management, to ensure safer and more efficient traffic management.

ASTRI is demonstrating the NGCO and V2X technologies at Intel booth (Hall 3, Stand 3E31) at the MWC which is being held at Fira Gran Via, Barcelona, Spain, from 26 February to 1 March 2018. ASTRI has been an Intel® Network Builders ecosystem partner since 2016. ASTRI and Intel published through this ecosystem, a solution brief and whitepaper on NFV for small cell networks, and whitepaper for C-RAN.

Rohde & Schwarz and ASTRI jointly demonstrated latest 3GPP Release 15 NR signal analyser solutions at Mobile World Congress 2018 in Barcelona

[26 February 2018, Hong Kong] Rohde & Schwarz and Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (ASTRI) showcased a 3GPP release 15 standard compliance New Radio (NR) Centralised Radio Access Network (C-RAN) solution with the latest R&S FSW26 signal and spectrum analyser from Rohde & Schwarz at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain.

The demonstration revealed ASTRI’s latest NR C-RAN Base Station (BS) and User Equipment (UE) emulator consisting of Intel x86-based C-RAN Baseband Unit (BBU) and Sunnada Network Radio Remote Unit (RRU). 3GPP release 15 NR standard compliant signals from BS to UE are analysed by the R&S FSW26.

The R&S FSW26 together with its analyser software R&S FSW-K144 can successfully demodulate the 3GPP release 15 NR compliant signals, i.e. Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH), Demodulation Reference Signal (DMRS), Primary Synchronisation Signal (PSS) and Secondary Synchronisation Signal (SSS).

ASTRI’s C-RAN solution supports Network Functions Virtualisation (NFV), running on virtual machines on real time operating system. The demonstration shows different numerologies of 5G traffics including enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) and ultra-reliable and low-latency (URLLC) traffics and analysed by the R&S FSW26.

The demonstration took place at the booth of Fujian Sunnada Network Technology Co. Ltd. (Hall 5 Stand 5G70) in MWC 2018 being held at Fira Gran Via, Barcelona, Spain from 26 February to 1 March 2018.

About ASTRI

About Rohde & Schwarz

The Rohde & Schwarz technology group develops, produces and markets innovative test and measurement, information and communications technology products for professional users. Rohde & Schwarz focuses on test and measurement, broadcast and media, cybersecurity, secure communications and monitoring and network testing, areas that address many different industry and government-sector market segments. Founded more than 80 years ago, the independent company has an extensive sales and service network in more than 70 countries. On 30 June 2017, Rohde & Schwarz had approximately 10,500 employees. The group achieved a net revenue of approximately EUR 1.9 billion in the 2016/2017 fiscal year (July to June). The company is headquartered in Munich, Germany, and also has regional hubs in Asia and the USA. R&S ® is a registered trademark of Rohde & Schwarz GmbH & Co. KG.

Media enquiries

ASTRI: Mr Raymond Woo Tel: (852) 3406 Email: [email protected]

Rohde & Schwarz: Ms Virginia Chan Tel: (852) 2264 3788 Email: [email protected]

Keysight and ASTRI demonstrates test and measurement solutions for validating 3GPP Release 15 NR compliant 5G base-station reference designs at MWC18

5G NR-ready modulation analysis software decodes base-station reference design

[Hong Kong, 26 February 2018] Keysight Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: KEYS) has announced today that together with Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (ASTRI, it demonstrated a 3GPP Release 15 5G NR base station reference design using Keysight’s performance signal analyser (PXA) and its 5G NR ready 89601B VSA software for modulation analysis at the Mobile World Congress 2018 in Barcelona. The demonstration took place at the booth of Fujian Sunnada Network Technology Co., Ltd and showcased a 3GPP release 15 5G New Radio (NR) full standard compliance base-station transmitter measurement and decoding of a base-station reference design developed by ASTRI.

Keysight recently launched the industry’s first commercially available 5G NR software solutions covering the full product design cycle with simulation, signal creation and analysis, with uplink and downlink directions, enabling both transmitter and receiver simulation and test. The VSA with its in-depth analysis and troubleshooting tools, enables developers to see through the complexity in their 5G NR designs. The 5G NR modulation analysis capability enables users to demodulate the initial access channel and signals (SS/PBCH block) and 5G Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) using the 256 Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (QAM), which is the highest modulation order used by 5G NR. The demodulated results showed a constellation diagram and error summary with exceptional EVM performance as well as frequency and timing errors.

The software uses colour coding based on physical channel type and marker coupling across different measurements to highlight aspects of the complex NR signal structure, revealing specific signal and channel effects and impairments, enabling engineers to gain insights faster. Used in conjunction with Keysight high performance X-Series and modular signal analysers with wide bandwidth and wide frequency coverage, designers are able to make 5G NR measurements in both sub-6GHz and mmWave frequencies with excellent performance.

ASTRI has partnered with Keysight on 5G research and development for the past three years. “Keysight’s strong local and worldwide support combined with its industry-leading capabilities in terms of demodulation and vector signal analysis of today’s most complex signals have made it a reliable partner, helping us solve 5G NR design and test challenges”, said Dr Justin Chuang, VP, Next Generation Network of ASTRI.

Powered by the Keysight analyser, ASTRI’s 5G base-station reference design conforms to the 3GPP standard; it is based on x86 general purpose programmable platform and supports Network Function Virtualisation (NFV). The design supports different numerologies of 5G traffic such as enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) and ultra-reliable and low-latency (URLLC) and can be accurately analysed by the Keysight equipment.

Keysight and ASTRI are performing the joint demonstrations at Sunnada booth (Hall 5, Stand 5G70) at the MWC which is being held at Fira Gran Via, Barcelona, Spain, from 26 February to 1 March 2018.

About ASTRI

Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute Company Limited (ASTRI) was founded by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in 2000 with the mission of enhancing Hong Kong’s competitiveness in technology-based industries through applied research. ASTRI’s core R&D competences in various areas are organised under seven Technology Divisions, namely Communications Technologies, Electronics Components, Mixed Signal Systems IC, Advanced Digital Systems, Opto-electronics, Security and Data Sciences, and Intelligent Software and Systems. Five areas of applications including financial technologies, intelligent manufacturing, next generation network, health technologies, and smart city are identified for major pursuit. For further information about ASTRI, please visit www.astri.org.

About Keysight in 5G

The development of 5G depends on up-to-date tools that let designers easily explore new signals, scenarios and topologies. Keysight’s 5G solutions are ready to enable deeper insights as development evolves with the standard. In design and test, Keysight is helping industry leaders innovate across new and existing technologies as they transform ideas into reality. Additional information about Keysight’s 5G design, test and measurement solutions is available at www.keysight.com/find/5G.

About Keysight Technologies

Keysight Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: KEYS) is a leading technology company that helps enterprises, service providers, and governments accelerate innovation to connect and secure the world. Keysight’s solutions optimise networks and bring electronic products to market faster and at a lower cost with offerings from design simulation, to prototype validation, to manufacturing test, to optimization in networks and cloud environments. Customers span the worldwide communications ecosystem, aerospace and defense, automotive, energy, semiconductor and general electronics end markets. Keysight generated revenues of USD3.2B in fiscal year 2017. In April 2017, Keysight acquired Ixia, a leader in network test, visibility, and security. More information is available at www.keysight.com.

ASTRI Media enquiries

Raymond Woo

Tel: (852) 3406 2536

Email: [email protected]

Keysight Media enquiries

Geri Lynne LaCombe, Americas

Tel: +1 303 662 4748

Email: [email protected]

Magda Antone, Europe

Tel: +34 (93) 3434612

Email: [email protected]

Connie Wong, Asia

Tel: +852 3197-7818

Email: [email protected]

ASTRI and Red Hat collaboration aims to support the endeavours of the ASTRI-HKMA FinTech Innovation Hub

Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (ASTRI) has announced a collaboration with Red Hat to bring some additional features to the users of the HKMA-ASTRI Fintech Innovation Hub. The collaboration involves leveraging Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform to create a collaborative and open environment.

HKMA-ASTRI Fintech Innovation Hub provides a collaborative and open space for different players within Hong Kong’s FinTech ecosystem to develop innovative technological solutions for the financial services industry. Red Hat’s enterprise-grade Kubernetes container application platform will be installed in the Hub’s isolated virtual machines – benefitting the Hub users in their application incubation process. It will enhance the Hub’s ability to offer a scalable and segregated network to help emulate, validate and analyse different FinTech tools and solutions before they are launched in the market. Using this platform, the application development cycle will become shorter and more efficient. Users can trial their solution prototypes in a single platform across multiple locations with minimal disruption to current processes.

ASTRI will continue to strengthen the features and benefits in the Hub – providing enhanced flexibility and a strong, collaborative environment for innovative FinTech application development. This collaboration demonstrates ASTRI’s commitment to work with other stakeholders in the FinTech ecosystem to deliver enabling tools, platforms and solutions in an increasingly complex digital world. Details of this collaboration between ASTRI and Red Hat were recently shared with representatives of the media. The attending journalists took keen interest and asked many questions on the development initiatives of the ASTRI-HKMA FinTech Innovation Hub.

Mr Peter Man (L), Red Hat’s Regional Director for Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macau Dr Meikei Ieong (R), ASTRI’s Chief Technology Officer at the event

silk base toppers — Attending journalists took keen interest and asked many questions

FinTech Career Accelerator Scheme 2.0 officially launched

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) has launched the second edition of the FinTech Career Accelerator Scheme (FCAS) today, 31 January 2018. Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (ASTRI), Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Ltd (Cyberport), and Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) are co-organisers in this programme. The launch ceremony was officiated by Mr Norman Chan, Chief Executive of the HKMA; Mr Wong Ming-yam, Chairman of ASTRI; Dr George Lam, Chairman of Cyberport; and Mr Albert Wong, Chief Executive Officer of HKSTP.

FCAS aims to nurture Hong Kong’s financial and technological talents to meet the emerging and ever-evolving needs of the industry. Last year, in the programme’s inaugural edition, ASTRI joined hands with HKMA, sourcing potential FinTech talents from 10 academic institutions who were groomed for practical exposure in 12 banks. As the co-organiser of the scheme, ASTRI provided core FinTech training to the 70 odd selected candidates, and used its network across the universities to encourage potential talents to embrace FinTech as an inspiring career choice. FCAS 2.0 offers a number of exciting opportunities and development initiatives for the participating students. The number of students admissible to the programme has also been extended to over 200.

Speaking at the event, Mr Hugh Chow, ASTRI’s Chief Executive Officer, said: “The technology ecosystem thrives on three key elements: talent, capital and market. Having a strong talent pipeline is a prerequisite for the development of science and technology.” Mr Chow shared ASTRI’s belief that “FCAS 2.0 will not only benefit the students, but also add significant value to the banking industry and the entire innovation and technology ecosystem of Hong Kong.” He added that “ASTRI fully supports the various initiatives under FCAS 2.0, and is delighted to be working alongside HKMA as well as two major players in Hong Kong’s technology system – Cyberport and Hong Kong Science Park.”

Four participants from last year’s FCAS shared their experience on the occasion – how they learned from the programme and applied the FinTech knowledge and skills in the practical field. The students also explained how they “realised the importance of communication skills during the FCAS internship and were inspired by the colleagues they got to work with.”