ASTRI and Sunnada to jointly demonstrate an end-to-end LTE small cell network solution ready for the next generation networking at Mobile World Congress Shanghai 2015

(Hong Kong, 14 July 2015) Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (ASTRI), together with Fujian Sunnada Communication Co. Ltd. (SHE:002417), will perform a live demonstration on Sunnada’s end-to-end LTE small cell network solution powered by ASTRI’s latest LTE technologies at the Mobile World Congress Shanghai 2015 in Shanghai, China. The demonstration shows the complete mobile network infrastructure solutions which are ready for the next generation networking. The network infrastructure consists of:

LTE small cell with embedded Distributed Antenna System (DAS) Aggregation unit (AU) which supports up to 8 Power over Ethernet (PoE) remote radio units (RRU) linking up with Cat. 5e cables, and
LTE Evolved Packet Core (EPC), Small Cell Security Gateway on x86 architecture

ASTRI’s network software offers the x86 based LTE EPC, Small Cell Gateway and Security Gateway which can support the latest Network Functions Virtualizations technologies. When comparing with the solution in previous generation based on ATCA hardware, x86 based solution enables over 80% cost reduction with 100% increase in performance. The solution can deliver 40Gbps IPSec throughput.

ASTRI’s small cell with embedded DAS is also a milestone towards the next generation Cloud-RAN solution. The demonstration consists of single sector base-station which links up with multiple remote radio units (RRU) through Cat. 5e cables. These RRUs are powered up by Power over Ethernet (PoE). This provides a simple and cost-effective solution for indoor coverage. The end-to-end LTE small cell network solution could be extended to support multiple sectors Cloud-RAN solution for ultra-dense network deployment.

Sunnada’s Vice President Mr Haven Huang said, "We are glad to demonstrate our complete mobile network infrastructure solutions with ASTRI's technologies. Mobile network operators have adopted and started deploying these high performance and cost-efficient network virtualization, small cell and cloud-RAN solutions. We are working closely with ASTRI to further enhance our product line.”

Dr Justin Chuang, ASTRI’s Vice President and Group Director of Communications Technologies Group, said, “It is our honour to support Sunnada for the development of highly competitive mobile network products with our leading core network and small cell technologies. Moving forward, we envision our collaboration on the next generation network and radio access technologies, bringing further impact to the industry.”

The TD-LTE end-to-end demonstration will be carried out at ASTRI booth (hall W5, stand W5.H28) at Mobile World Congress Shanghai 2015 which will be held at Shanghai New International Expo Centre in Shanghai, China from 15 to 17 July 2015. Mobile World Congress Shanghai 2015 is a dynamic platform that gathers people from mobile industry across the world to exchange ideas and showcase the cutting-edge technologies as well as innovative products in an exhibition and conference. Over 25,000 business and consumer participants were attracted to attend the congress last year. ASTRI has started collaboration with Sunnada, a 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 have been developed for the China market with LTE and WLAN functionality. These TD-LTE small cells are ready for deployment test in China and worldwide. ASTRI will continue working closely with Sunnada on the joint development of next generation wireless communications technologies.

About 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://archive.astri.org