Starting from September 2015, Mr Dennis Lee, Director of Marketing & Sales Administration, represents ASTRI to serve on the Advisory Committee of Department of Electronic and Information Engineering (EIE), The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU).
Press Release
ASTRI Delivers NFV based LTE Mobile Core Network Solution on Intel® ONP
[Hong Kong, 5 October 2015] Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute Company Limited (ASTRI) will announce the delivery of a Network Function Virtualization (NFV) based LTE Evolved Packet Core (EPC) Solution and a LTE Small Cell Gateway on the Intel® Open Networking Platform (Intel® ONP) on 6 October 2015 at Singapore Network Virtualization & SDN Asia 2015.
With increasing demand of mobile broadband access, communications service providers are looking for more effective solutions to provide service to subscribers. LTE Small Cell is one solution that improves both mobile coverage and capacity with better quality of service, and NFV-based LTE Small Cell Gateway and LTE EPC offer an opportunity to deploy small cell in a more cost effective and flexible manner.
ASTRI Small Cell Gateway aggregates each small cell connecting to EPC, which reduces signaling loading to core networks. LTE Security Gateway authenticates and encrypts the IP data traffic from LTE Small Cell. The ASTRI EPC is very suitable for dedicated networks and LTE data offloading deployments. ASTRI’s LTE Small Cell Gateway, LTE Security Gateway and EPC together offer a LTE Mobile Core Network Solution with NFV capability with the options to deploy on top of Intel® ONP or Wind River® Titanium Cloud.
ASTRI has recently become a member of the Intel® Network Builders program, aiming to drive better NFV based solutions to the market through collaboration. Through the collaboration, ASTRI and Intel developed the LTE solution and are showcasing it during Singapore Virtualization and SDN Asia 2015. The display features a live end-to-end LTE network with LTE Mobile Core Network based on Intel® ONP and featuring the Intel® Xeon® Processor E5-2600 Product Family, enabling ASTRI to demonstrate the agility of NFV-based deployment based on Intel® Architecture.
ASTRI, being the largest R&D centre in Hong Kong, has rich experience in developing various technologies, especially in the field of communications technologies. It commenced its LTE research and development in 2008 and has since become a leader in LTE and LTE-Advanced small cell and terminal technologies, providing the first market-ready reference design for small cell and terminal baseband cores which supports both TD-LTE and LTE FDD. ASTRI’s LTE technologies have been employed in different industry partners’ chips and system solutions, serving both the public and private network markets. Its core network technology has also been successfully transferred to multiple companies in the region.
ASTRI will demonstrate its LTE EPC Solution and LTE Small Cell Gateway on Intel ONP at Booth 28 of Level 3 (Summit 2) of Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre from 6 to 7 October 2015 during the brand new Singapore Network Virtualization & SDN Asia 2015.
About Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute Company Limited (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. In 2006, ASTRI was designated the Hong Kong Research and Development Centre for Information and Communications Technologies by the Innovation and Technology Commission. In 2012, ASTRI received the approval from the Ministry of Science and Technology to establish the first Hong Kong Branch of National Engineering Research Centre. Since its inception, it has also succeeded in creating economic impact by transferring new technologies to its customers in Hong Kong, the Mainland and the region. For details, please visit http://www.astri.org
Remarks: Intel and Xeon are trademarks of Intel Corporation in the U.S. and/or other countries.
ASTRI demonstrates LTE Core Network Network Function Virtualization (NFV) Technology on Intel Open Network Platform at PT/Expo China 2015
[Hong Kong, 22 September 2015] Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute Company Limited (ASTRI) performs a live demonstration of its brand new LTE Core Network Network Function Virtualization (NFV) Technology on Intel Open Network Platform (ONP) at the PT/EXPO COMM China 2015, being held in Beijing, China, from 22 to 25 September 2015.
The demonstration features a live end-to-end LTE network with LTE core network built on top of Intel ONP to illustrate the agility of deployment using NFV approach: network entities in LTE Core Network Solution are realized as Virtual Network Functions (VNF) running on top of x86 server and Intel Open Networking Platform (ONP).
The Intel ONP Server is a platform-level reference architecture designed to make it easier for software and hardware vendors, and service providers to develop and deploy Software-Defined Networking (SDN) and NFV solutions.
ASTRI has recently become an eco-system partner with Intel on Intel® Network Builders. Under this eco-system collaboration, ASTRI will provide LTE Core Network Solutions (including Evolved Packet Core, LTE small cell gateway, and LTE Security Gateway) on Intel ONP. (https://networkbuilders.intel.com/ecosystem)
ASTRI has joined Wind River Titanium Cloud Network Functions Virtualization (NFV) Ecosystem since 2014 and is recognized as an esteemed Gold member of the Wind River Partner Program. ASTRI provides commercial grade LTE Small Cell Gateway and Security Gateway VNF based on Wind River® Titanium Cloud platform (Reference: http://www.astri.org/news/press-releases/astri-collaborates-with-wind-river-to-support-small-cell-and-security-gateway-vnf-in-nfv-environments/).
ASTRI Partners with ZyXEL to Showcase LTE Small Cell Subsystem Solution at PT/EXPO China
[Hong Kong, 22 September 2015] Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute Company Limited (ASTRI) and ZyXEL Communications have partnered to deliver the LTE Small Cell Subsystem Solution which will be showcased at the PT/EXPO China, 22-25 September 2015 at booth 1A012 in China International Exhibition Center, Beijing, China.
The LTE Small Cell Subsystem solution, jointly developed by ASTRI and ZyXEL, is designed to offload the LTE Evolved Packet Core (EPC). By supporting up to 100,000 IPSec and SCTP connections of LTE Small Cells with over 20Gbps throughput, the exceptional performance has driven telecom operators into field verifications and trial deployments.
During the show, the demonstration will feature the next generation Network Function Virtualization (NFV) function, which enhances the flexibility and scalability for LTE small cell subsystem deployments.
Packed with ZyXEL’s Home eNode B (HeNB) type LTE Small Cell with security gateways and HeNB gateways for 4G LTE network control, the solution is compatible with any third-party 3GPP standard compliant products, offering operators supreme deployment flexibility, together with ease-of-management.
The live end-to-end LTE network demonstration showcases current and forward looking technologies developed by ASTRI and partners. NFV is viewed as a major evolution to significant flexibility and cost savings to Telecom operators for provisioning the LTE infrastructure with different LTE core network subsystems. The demonstration based on Intel Open Network Platform (ONP) marks an important milestone.
About Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute Company Limited (ASTRI)
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. In 2006, ASTRI was designated the Hong Kong Research and Development Centre for Information and Communications Technologies by the Innovation and Technology Commission. In 2012, ASTRI received the approval from the Ministry of Science and Technology to establish the first Hong Kong Branch of National Engineering Research Centre. Since its inception, it has also succeeded in creating economic impact by transferring new technologies to its customers in Hong Kong, the Mainland and the region. For details, please visit http://www.astri.org
About ZyXEL Communications
Founded in 1989, with over a quarter-century of innovations, ZyXEL Communications Corp. is a world-class networking company providing comprehensive and reliable Internet solutions. Delivering cutting-edge communications innovations to more than 400,000 businesses and 100 million consumers worldwide, today ZyXEL is one of the few companies in the world capable of offering complete networking solutions on broadband access, commercial networking, and home connectivity for Telcos, business, and home users. With a strong local presence in 150 markets around the world, ZyXEL is the ideal partner to deliver tailor-made solutions to meet customers’ local needs. For more information, please visit www.zyxel.com
ASTRI to demonstrate brand new LTE Category 0 Machine Type Communications (MTC) UE solution with Rohde & Schwarz at PT/EXPO China 2015
[Hong Kong, 22 September 2015] Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute Company Limited (ASTRI) performs a live demonstration of its brand new LTE Category 0 UE solution for Machine Type Communications (MTC) with the Rohde & Schwarz (R&S) SMW200a vector signal generator at the PT/EXPO COMM China 2015 in Beijing, China.
The setup demonstrates a live 3GPP Release 12 TD-LTE downlink data communication with ASTRI’s brand new UE solution. The standard compliant signal is generated by R&S SMW200a vector signal generator. ASTRI’s UE demodulates the downlink signal and displays the real time statistics with the control computer.
Nowadays, 2G network such as EGPRS (Enhanced Data Rate for GSM Evolution) is the dominant solution in MTC market due to its advantages of low cost, low power and extensive network coverage. With the rapid growth of LTE technology worldwide, operators are now shifting from 2G networks towards LTE. 3GPP Release 12 introduced the LTE Category 0 UE which simplified the architecture of the traditional LTE UE modem, reducing the cost of a LTE modem by 50%, comparable to the cost of a traditional EGPRS modem. The competence of Category 0 UE modem further helped LTE to expand its market share in MTC applications. Being one of the pioneers in the LTE technology industry, ASTRI has developed its new LTE Category 0 UE solution on a Software Defined Radio (SDR) platform. This new solution is proven to be 3GPP Release 12 compliant with Rohde & Schwarz’s (R&S) signal generator solution.
ASTRI’s new LTE Category 0 UE solution can be further upgraded to support the upcoming 3GPP Release 13 standard. Release 13 is expected to improve the Category 0 UE with extended power saving mode, enhance physical channels with data repetition and reduce UE bandwidth. These features will significantly reduce power consumption and extend the cell coverage. The UEs will be able to operate over 10 years with only two AA batteries. The production cost will be reduced to 25% of the existing Category 1 UEs. The 3GPP Release 13 standard is most likely to be published in March of 2016.
Beside the LTE Category 0 UE demonstration, R&S equipment also supports a series of ASTRI demonstration setups on the show. An R&S RTO Digital Oscilloscope is used to observe the LTE downlink beamforming feature in ASTRI small DAS beamforming demonstration. Another R&S RTO is used to show the synchronization accuracy of sniffers in ASTRI small cell sniffer performance demonstration. R&S also provides its FSW Signal and Spectrum Analyzer to measure the interference cancellation performance in ASTRI full duplex demonstration.
ASTRI strives to develop LTE research since 2008 and has become a leader in LTE and LTE-Advanced small cell and terminal technologies, providing the first market-ready reference design for small cell and terminal baseband cores supporting both TD-LTE and LTE FDD. ASTRI’s LTE technologies have been employed in partners’ chips and system solutions serving public and private network markets. Its core network technology has been successfully transferred to multiple companies. ASTRI will also provide base-station to support the Category 0 UEs.
ASTRI’s LTE Category O UE and other demonstrations are carried out at ASTRI booth (Stand 1A012) at PT/EXPO COMM China 2015, being held at China International Exhibition Center, Beijing, China, from 22 to 25 September 2015.
About Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute Company Limited (ASTRI)
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. In 2006, ASTRI was designated the Hong Kong Research and Development Centre for Information and Communications Technologies by the Innovation and Technology Commission. In 2012, ASTRI received the approval from the Ministry of Science and Technology to establish the first Hong Kong Branch of National Engineering Research Centre. Since its inception, it has also succeeded in creating economic impact by transferring new technologies to its customers in Hong Kong, the Mainland and the region. For details, please visit http://www.astri.org
ASTRI and Sunnada to jointly demonstrate a series of commercial LTE solutions and 5G technologies at PT/EXPO China 2015
[Hong Kong, 22 September 2015] Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute Company Limited (ASTRI), together with Fujian Sunnada Communication Co. Ltd. (SHE:002417), will perform a series of live demonstrations of Sunnada’s latest LTE and 5G infrastructure solutions supported by ASTRI’s advanced wireless and network technologies at PT/EXPO China 2015 in Beijing, China.
The joint demonstration not only showcases the latest commercial LTE base stations and network infrastructure of the parties but also reveals the new 4G enhancement and 5G radio access technologies. The displays will include an end-to-end LTE infrastructure that illustrates a complete LTE infrastructure processing chain consisting of LTE small cell with embedded DAS, virtualized LTE EPC, virtualized small cell gateway and virtualized security gateway.
The full list of exhibits of ASTRI and Sunnada at PT/EXPO China 2015 includes:
- Commercial 4G solutions
1. Virtualized LTE Evolved Packet Core (EPC)
2. Virtualized Small Cell and Security Gateway
3. LTE small cell with embedded Distributed Antenna System (DAS) Aggregation unit (AU)
4. LTE small cell multi-hop sniffer
5. LTE macro cell solution
- Advanced 4G enhancement and 5G radio access technologies
6. LTE small cell DAS based beamforming prototype
7. Full duplex transceiver prototype
Commercial 4G solutions
ASTRI’s network software offers an x86 based LTE EPC, Small Cell Gateway and Security Gateway which can support the latest Network Functions Virtualizations (NFV) technologies. When compared with previous generation solutions based on Advanced Telecommunications Computing Architecture (ATCA) hardware, the x86 based solution can reduce cost by over 80% and increase performance by 100%. The solution can also deliver 40Gbps Internet Protocol Security (IPsec) throughput.
ASTRI’s small cell with embedded DAS is also a milestone towards the next generation Cloud-RAN solution. The demonstration consists of a single sector base-station which links up multiple Remote Radio Units (RRU) through Cat. 5e cables. These RRUs are powered by Power over Ethernet (PoE). It provides a simple and cost-effective solution for indoor coverage. The end-to-end LTE small cell network solution can also be extended to support multiple sectors Cloud-RAN solution for ultra-dense network deployment.
ASTRI’s small cell has built-in LTE, TDS-CDMA and GSM sniffers for cross cell synchronization and Automatic Neighbour Relation (ANR) operations. These are the key features in establishing the Self-Organizing Networks (SON) in small cell deployment. ASTRI’s sniffer is one of the earliest sniffer solutions in the small cell market. The demonstration will showcase the synchronization performance of multi-hop LTE sniffing compared with third party solution. It will also demonstrate the stability of master sniffing cell switching operation, which is essential for maintaining system robustness for real world deployment.
ASTRI is also developing its macro cell solution based on a platform of a reputable solution provider. This brand new macro cell solution can support LTE-Advanced with Carrier Aggregation (CA) with up to 8 antennas features. The display will show ASTRI’s complete LTE macro cell end-to-end solution with commercial UE. This DSP based macro cell solution is highly configurable which is suitable for both public and private network customers.
Advanced 4G enhancement and 5G radio access technologies
To strengthen its technical competence in the field of innovative communication technologies, ASTRI is delivering different 4G enhancement and 5G radio access solutions. One of the exhibits is the LTE small cell DAS based beamforming prototype. This design realizes the Active Antenna System (AAS) concept with an enhanced DAS. The prototype utilizes multiple synchronization RRUs supported by DAS to enable the beamforming features. This allows a flexible antenna deployment layout adaptable to the usage environment.
ASTRI will also demonstrate its first full duplex transceiver design during the exhibition. Full duplex is one of the key technologies in 5G standardization. It allows for simultaneous wireless transmission and reception on the same spectrum, directly doubling the spectrum efficiency as compared with all other existing wireless systems. However, full duplex receiver has to overcome the huge interference from its transmitted signals. ASTRI’s full duplex can provide 90+ dB interference cancellation to suppress the transmitted signal interference under the noise floor.
Sunnada’s Vice President Mr Haven Huang says, “We are proud to demonstrate our complete wireless network infrastructure products profile with ASTRI technologies. Collaboration with ASTRI reduces the development cycle of our existing commercial products. ASTRI also enlightens our long-term product roadmap with their forward looking researches. We believe this is a new cooperation model for enterprises and research institutions. We are working closely with ASTRI to bring more competitive solutions to the market.”
Dr Justin Chuang, ASTRI’s Vice President and Group Director of Communications Technologies Group, said, “It is our honour to support Sunnada in developing highly competitive mobile network products with our core network and base station technologies. We envision our collaboration on next generation network and radio access technologies bringing profound impact to the industry.”
ASTRI has started its collaboration with Sunnada, the China-based wireless network equipment manufacturer and service provider, on commercial TD-LTE small cell and small cell gateway solutions since 2011. The TD-LTE small cells with LTE and WLAN functionality were especially developed for the China market and are ready for deployment test in the mainland and around the world. ASTRI will continue working closely with Sunnada in the joint development of next generation wireless communications technologies.
Sunnada and ASTRI are demonstrating the latest LTE and 5G infrastructure solutions at ASTRI’s booth (Stand 1A012) at PT/EXPO COMM China 2015, being held in China International Exhibition Center, Beijing, China, from 22 to 25 September 2015.
About Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute Company Limited (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. In 2006, ASTRI was designated the Hong Kong Research and Development Centre for Information and Communications Technologies by the Innovation and Technology Commission. In 2012, ASTRI received the approval from the Ministry of Science and Technology to establish the first Hong Kong Branch of National Engineering Research Centre. Since its inception, it has also succeeded in creating economic impact by transferring new technologies to its customers in Hong Kong, the Mainland and the region. For details, please visit http://www.astri.org
ASTRI is recognized as Wind River Titanium Cloud Gold Member to accelerate deployment of NFV Solutions
[22 September 2015, Hong Kong] The Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute Company Limited (ASTRI) has joined Wind River Titanium Cloud Network Functions Virtualization (NFV) Ecosystem since 2014 and is recognized as an esteemed Gold member of the Wind River Partner Program.
Wind River’s Titanium Cloud is the ecosystem of products around Wind River Titanium Server for NFV. It provides a platform for industry hardware and software companies to ensure the availability of interoperable standard products optimized for deployment with Titanium Server.
ASTRI Network Software R&D team focuses on the development of 4G-and-beyond mobile core network software for public and private mobile networks. ASTRI provides licensable technologies including EPC, LTE Small Cell Gateway, Security Gateway, Home eNodeB Management System, and WiFi Access Controller on both COTS ATCA and x86 hardware platforms. These provide ideal solutions for both traditional telco operators and emerging markets like IOT (Internet of Things), M2M and enterprise data network.
ASTRI is also actively working on the new network function virtualization technologies. With ASTRI’s innovative design, ASTRI’s solution is quickly migrated to industry leading NFV platforms to further enhance the agility of deployments. Today, ASTRI provides POC for vEPC, vSecurity Gateway and vSmallcell Gateway on Intel ONP platform.
With Wind River’s Titanium Cloud, ASTRI’s virtualized Security Gateway and Small Cell Gateway are commercially available now followed by vEPC, vWiFiAC and vHeMS early 2016.
Please click here for further info about ASTRI joining Wind River Titanium Cloud NFV Ecosystem. For more details about Wind River Titanium Cloud, please click here.
ASTRI to Showcase the Latest Innovations on Next Generation Networks (NGN) Initiative with Industry Partners at PT/EXPO CHINA 2015
[Hong Kong, 21 September 2015] Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (ASTRI) will collaborate with key industry leaders including Intel, Fujian Sunnada Communication Co. Ltd, Rohde & Schwarz, and ZyXEL to showcase its latest innovations on Next Generation Networks (NGN) initiative including LTE/5G and network functions virtualization (NFV) technologies at the upcoming PT/EXPO CHINA 2015, to be held at International Exhibition Center in Beijing from 22 to 25 September 2015.
PT/EXPO CHINA 2015 (http://ptexpo.com.cn/en/exhibition/history/), a brand exhibition in information communication industry, is the largest in scale and the most influential in Asia. It has already been 23 years since the first PT/EXPO CHINA was successfully held in 1990, which has become the most influential international ICT event and is regarded as the best stage of showcasing the cutting edge technology.
ASTRI started LTE R&D since 2008 and has developed multiple core technologies by working with industry partners under the support of Innovation Technology Fund (ITF) provided by the Hong Kong SAR Government and industry funding contributions.
Dr Frank Tong, Chief Executive Officer of ASTRI, said “Continuing the momentum of our LTE R&D, we started 5G research in 2013 and launched the NGN initiative in 2014. We are happy to see the initial fruits of these efforts. ASTRI develops infrastructure and platform of new technologies for diverse applications, for instance, in the areas of public safety and smart cities. Our goal is to be the pivot in the development of the next generation network. With the support of Innovation Technology Fund and the collaborations from industry partners, the open-platform is contributing to the commercialization of 4G LTE’s new services, as well as supporting the emerging 5G system research and standardization in China and globally.”
ASTRI will perform live demonstrations of the following technologies jointly with industry partners during the exhibition:
a) End to end LTE small cell network with ASTRI’s LTE small cell, gateway, and EPC;
b) Network Functions Virtualization (NFV) of LTE small cell Gateway, Security Gateway, and EPC on Intel’s ONP (Open Network Platform);
c) LTE small cell coverage extension with Distributed Antenna System (DAS);
d) LTE small cell multi-hop sniffing and real-time target cell switching;
e) Brand new LTE Category 0 Machine Type Communications (MTC) UE solution with Rohde & Schwarz;
In addition, ASTRI will showcase:
f) LTE macro cell physical layer (PHY) on Freescale B4 platform;
g) Full duplex reference design for 5G.
For more information, please visit ASTRI’s booth 1A 012 during the exhibition.
About Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (ASTRI)
Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (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. In 2006, ASTRI was designated the Hong Kong Research and Development Centre for Information and Communications Technologies by the Innovation and Technology Commission. In 2012, ASTRI received the approval from the Ministry of Science and Technology to establish the first Hong Kong Branch of National Engineering Research Centre. Since its inception, it has also succeeded in creating economic impact by transferring new technologies to its customers in Hong Kong, the Mainland and the region. For details, please visit http://www.astri.org
ASTRI’s Technology Director to contribute practical R&D experience in the industry and facilitate technology development in Hong Kong
[Hong Kong, 15 September 2015] The Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute Company Limited (ASTRI) announced that Dr. Jay Liou, Director of Software and Systems Technology Division will take up the General Manager position of TCL Corporate Research (Hong Kong) Co., Limited.
Dr. Liou joined ASTRI in 2004 and has extensive experience in industry R&D, product and business development in the broad areas of multimedia, embedded and cloud computing and networking technologies. At ASTRI, under Dr. Liou’s leadership, he and his team have successfully worked on many R&D projects and their commercialization, including Interactive TV, next generation user interaction technologies, Android Extension for Digital Home, mobile distributing computing, medical image applications, etc.
Since 2011, ASTRI has entered strategic partnership with TCL in various technologies including, smart TV, wireless technology and product application development. By joining TCL in the capacity of General Manager, not only could this further strengthen our collaboration, Dr. Liou could also contribute his technology expertise and practical R&D experience in nurturing engineers, technical specialists and R&D personnel. In the long run, this helps facilitate TCL Cooperation to develop its major international R&D base in Hong Kong, promoting the technology and R&D development in the industry.
ASTRI’s Board Member Appointed President of Hong Kong Baptist University
Prof Roland Chin Tai-hong, BBS, JP, Member of Board of Directors of the Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute Company Limited, has taken up the position of President of Hong Kong Baptist University. For details, please check the university’s press release.