[Hong Kong, August 2015] The Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute Company Limited (ASTRI) announced that Dr. Enboa Wu, Vice-President & Group Director of Opto-electronics has moved on for further career development after a rewarding career at ASTRI. Dr. Wu has taken up the position of Associate Vice-President for Knowledge Transfer (AVP-KT) of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) with effect from 1 August 2015. Dr. Wu is also the Professor of Engineering Practice in Department of Electronic and Computer Engineering of HKUST.
Dr. Wu joined ASTRI in 2005 and was the Founding Director of former Material & Packaging Technologies Group. In the past decade, under Dr. Wu’s leadership, his team has accomplished 250 technology transfers to 140 companies. Dr. Wu and his team have granted 300 patents, which is 60% of the total patents granted and an even higher percentage on patent licensing at ASTRI.
Dr. Wu also has a strong connection with China. In addition to his team’s four start-up companies all with operations in China and strong partnership collaboration through technology transfer with big, small and medium enterprises in different provinces of China, he was also awarded Top Ten Persons of the Year in China LED Industry in 2012 and Special Contribution Person to China LED Industry in 2013. Dr. Wu is recognized in wide engineering fields, he is IEEE Fellow and ASME Fellow, and a registered professional civil engineer in California and Taiwan.
ASTRI is grateful to Dr. Wu for his contributions to ASTRI in performing innovative R&D and nurturing technology entrepreneurs and talents in the past 10 years. We wish Dr. Wu all the best in his new endeavors and we look forward to his continuous contributions to further develop the knowledge transfer endeavors in the industry and university community.
ASTRI and Shanghai Huahong Integrated Circuit to set up joint laboratory of wireless IoT technologies for applications of smart cities and intelligent transportation
(Hong Kong, 29 July 2015) Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (ASTRI) and Shanghai Huahong Integrated Circuit Co., Ltd. (SHHIC) announced today (29 July) the opening of a joint laboratory on wireless Internet of Things (IoT) technologies and applications, fostering the collaboration between ASTRI and SHHIC and developing single-chip system level solutions for smart cities and intelligent transportation applications.
The opening ceremony of the joint lab was officiated by Dr. Frank Tong, Chief Executive Officer of ASTRI and Mr. Rongxin Li, General Manager of SHHIC. Also joining the ceremony were Mr. Ming-yam Wong, Chairman of the Board of ASTRI, Dr. Justin Chuang, Vice President and Group Director, Communications Technologies of ASTRI, Mr. Bill Zhang, Director of IC Design (Analog) of ASTRI, Mr. Xinhua Ji, Deputy General Manager of SHHIC, Mr. Yongliu Wang, Design Director of SHHIC, and Mr. Jing Liu, Technology Development Manager of SHHIC.
The establishment of “Joint Laboratory of Wireless IoT Technologies & Applications” aims to strengthen the long-term collaboration between two parties. SHHIC has strong expertise in smart card and information security chips design. ASTRI has strong expertise in wireless, radio frequency (RF) and analog design. The joint laboratory is a perfect match of expertise from both parties to develop wireless IoT chips at terminals and sensor nodes side. These IoT chips are single-chip system level solutions which include all functionalities of RF transceiver, baseband, security, protocol and CPU for applications of smart cities and intelligent transportation locally and nationally. In addition, ASTRI will also provide consultancy service to assist SHHIC’s on-going projects.
Dr. Frank Tong is very pleased that ASTRI can collaborate with SHHIC to set up the joint laboratory. He said, “SHHIC is one of the top chip vendors in Mainland China providing smart card, information security chips and solutions for various applications such as identity card, financial security, telecom and intelligent transportation. We will work together to develop cutting-edge IoT technologies that will bring significant impacts on smart cities and intelligent transportation applications.”
Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Rongxin Li said, “ASTRI is the largest research institute in Hong Kong. ASTRI has about 400 R&D personnel with strong expertise in wireless and integrated circuit design. With the establishment of joint laboratory, researchers and engineers of both parties can exchange with each other and create synergy to develop system level chips and total solutions for the rapidly growing wireless IoT markets.”
The joint laboratory will physically be located in ASTRI. The fund contributed by ASTRI comes from Innovation and Technology Fund managed by the Innovation and Technology Commission.
About Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (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://archive.astri.org/
About Shanghai Huahong Integrated Circuit Co., Ltd
Shanghai Huahong Integrated Circuit Co., Ltd. (SHHIC) is a leading smart card and information security chip solution supplier. SHHIC can provide contactless IC card chips, contact IC card chips, dual interface card chips, USBKEY chips, ultra low power MCU chips, intelligent transportation products and solutions of RFID, public transportation one-card-express, social security, financial security, telecoms, mobile payment, high-end identification, medical treatment appliance, smart instruments, consumer electronics and intelligent transportation. As one of China top chip suppliers, SHHIC annual shipment amounts to 600 million chips. SHHIC has over a decade of experience of smart card and information security chips in Egypt, India, Indonesia, South Korea, Nepal, Vietnam, Nigeria, Singapore, Australia, Luxemburg, Germany and Russia etc.
A warm hand-shaking between Dr. Frank Tong (front, left), Chief Executive Officer of ASTRI, and Mr. Rongxin Li (front, right), General Manager of SHHIC, after the agreement was signed.(From the left) Mr. Bill Zhang, Director of IC Design (Analog) of ASTRI, Dr. Justin Chuang, Vice President and Group Director, Communications Technologies of ASTRI, Dr. Frank Tong, Chief Executive Officer of ASTRI, Mr. Ming-yam Wong, Chairman of the Board of ASTRI, Mr. Rongxin Li, General Manager of SHHIC, Mr. Xinhua Ji, Deputy General Manager of SHHIC, Mr. Yongliu Wang, Design Director of SHHIC, and Mr. Jing Liu, Technology Development Manager of SHHIC.
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
ASTRI to demonstrate brand new LTE Category 0 UE solution for Machine Type Communications (MTC) with Keysight Technologies at Mobile World Congress Shanghai 2015
(Hong Kong, 6 July 2015) Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (ASTRI) will perform a live demonstration of the brand new LTE Category 0 UE solution for Machine Type Communications (MTC) with the Keysight MXG vector signal generator at the Mobile World Congress Shanghai 2015 in Shanghai, China.
In the demonstration, a live downlink data transfer will be performed to showcase the new TD-LTE release 12 category 0 UE solution developed by ASTRI. ASTRI’s Category 0 UE prototype demodulates the TD-LTE category 0 UE downlink signal and output the decoding statistics. The signal is generated by Keysight N5182B MXG vector signal generator using the latest Keysight N7625B Signal Studio software.
Today, majority of MTC devices are still based on 2G network such as EGPRS (Enhanced Data Rate for GSM Evolution) because of 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. It is estimated that the introduction of 3GPP Release 12 LTE Category 0 UE specifications can help to reduce the cost of using LTE modem by 50% which is comparable to the cost of traditional EGPRS modem. Being one of the pioneers in the LTE technology industry, ASTRI has been working with Keysight in developing the new LTE Category 0 UE solution running on a Software Defined Radio (SDR) platform. This new LTE Category 0 UE solution is compatible to the 3GPP Release 12.
“We are very pleased that ASTRI is including our MXG vector signal generator in the demonstration of its Category 0 UE prototype product,” said Mr. David Wei, General Manager of Keysight’s China Communications Operation. “We will continue to work closely with customers who are developing emerging technologies, aiming to help them to meet the new market opportunities.”
Dr Justin Chuang, Vice President and Group Director, Communications Technologies, ASTRI, is very pleased for ASTRI’s breakthrough in the LTE technology development. Dr Chuang said, “With the latest test solutions provided by Keysight, ASTRI is able to accelerate the time to market our LTE Machine-Type Communications solution.”
ASTRI’s new solution can also be upgraded to support the upcoming 3GPP Release 13 with a number of key features, including extended power saving mode, enhanced physical channels with data repetition, and reduced UE bandwidth. These features enable reduction in power consumption and extension of cell coverage of the UEs. It is possible for the UEs to operate for over 10 years with only two AA batteries. The production cost will be 25% of existing category 1 UEs. This can further reduce the production cost of MTC devices. The 3GPP Release 13 standard is expected to be published in March 2016.
The new LTE Category 0 UE solution 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 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 was successfully transferred to multiple companies. ASTRI will also provide base-station to support the Category 0 UEs.
About 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://archive.astri.org
Hong Kong’s financial industry experts joining advisory committee of ASTRI Security Lab
The Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute Company Limited (ASTRI) has recently set up the ASTRI Security Lab (ASL), a cyber-security focused research lab with a world-class R&D Team. ASL is committed to building effective solutions against cyber attacks through investigations and knowledge exchange.
To build a stronger FinTech alliance for defending against cyber threats, ASTRI is pleased to announce that a few financial industry experts in Hong Kong have joined the advisory committee of ASL as advisors, including
Mr Raymond Cheng, Group General Manager & Chief Operating Officer, Asia Pacific, The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited
Mr CK Chan, Global Head of Digital Mobile and Channels Engineering, The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited
Mr Rocky Cheng, Deputy General Manager, Information Technology Department, Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited
The advisors will offer strategic advice to ASTRI to support our mission of strengthening cyber security in the financial industry, which is Hong Kong’s major economic pillar. ASL will continue working with international experts and academia to enhance finance industry’s security measures and create substantial value in enterprises in Hong Kong.
ASTRI and Megasoft Limited join hands in an Industry Collaborative Project
[Hong Kong, 4 June 2015] Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (ASTRI) and Megasoft Limited signed an agreement to officially kick-start their partnership on the Industry Collaborative Project (ICP). Mr Matthew Man, Chief Executive Officer of Megasoft Limited and Dr Frank Tong, Chief Executive Officer of ASTRI, signed the agreement on behalf of the respective companies.
The Industry Collaborative Project aims to develop a big data analytics platform for luxury jewellery and fashion brands.
Retailers can currently obtain comprehensive customer data from a variety of in-house and external sources. Through scalable distributed computing and data analysis, this data can be transformed into valuable business intelligence to provide insightful predictions for wiser decision-making, strategic planning and proactive management.
Exploring the correlation between multiple data sources from customers and stores, the big data analytics platform derives predictive and descriptive insights to maximize sales performance and improve operational and marketing effectiveness.
The project is supported by the Innovation and Technology Commission of The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. The Innovation and Technology Fund subsidizes projects that increase productivity and competitiveness of the local economic activities.
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. Website: archive.astri.org
Myndar, a registered brand name under Megasoft Limited, offers unique IoT solutions for luxury retail infrastructure. Myndar revolutionised how the retail environment operates and offers a new dimension and holistic view to big data and business analytics. Website: www.myndar.com
ASTRI strengthens collaboration with TRULY to accelerate commercialization of new technology
[Hong Kong, 1 June 2015] Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (ASTRI) has strengthened collaboration with TRULY International Holdings Limited (TRULY) to jointly set up the ASTRI-TRULY Joint Research and Development Centre for accelerating professionalization and commercialization of new technology.
An opening ceremony was held today to officiate the setting up of ASTRI-TRULY Joint Research and Development Centre with Dr. Jack Lau, Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of ASTRI and Mr. James Wong, Chief Operation Officer (COO) and Group Executive Director of TRULY, as the officiating guests. The ceremony was witnessed by Mr. Wong Ming-yam, Chairman of the Board, ASTRI, Dr. Enboa Wu, Vice President and Group Director, ASTRI, Prof. Yue On-ching, Science Advisor, Innovation and Technology Commission, The HKSAR Government, Mr. Kevin Xie and Mr. Mengxiang Li, Vice General Managers, R&D Center of TRULY Semiconductors Ltd, and Mr. Bruce Ma, Vice General Manager, R&D Department of TRULY Opto-electronics Ltd.
TRULY’s production facilities in Shanwei and Huizhou will also be engaged in the collaboration, covering various technology areas such as internet intelligent terminal, intelligence automobile, Industry 4.0, etc. With the establishment of ASTRI-TRULY Joint Research and Development Centre, a number of joint research projects will be launched, including “Industry Collaborative Project” program. Both parties will jointly set up the state-of-the-art LCoS (Liquid Crystal on Silicon) Display Technology Joint Laboratory to develop head up display (HUD) parts and technology.
The aim of setting up this Joint Research and Development Centre is to develop a collaborative platform that can benefit to both parties in the long run. Through this collaboration, both parties can leverage on each other’s strengths, incorporating ASTRI’s latest R&D technology and TRULY’s manufacturing capacity together. This can also facilitate a more integrated and professional strategic partnership development which is different from the independent format of project collaboration in the past.
ASTRI Acting CEO Dr. Jack Lau is very pleased that ASTRI and TRULY can join hands in R&D development. Dr. Lau said, “Not only is TRULY a manufacturer with strengthens and technical capacities, it is also the leader of intelligent display technology in the industry in recent years. With the establishment of Joint Research and Development Centre and Laboratory, we can accelerate commercialization R&D projects in the market through this platform, grasping the business opportunities in the growing markets in Mainland China. In addition, the collaboration set a good example in the industry, attracting more excellent companies like TRULY to set up research centre in Hong Kong. We strongly believe that such collaboration is mutually benefit and long-lasting.
Speaking at the ceremony, TRULY COO Mr James Wong said, “ASTRI strives to develop IC Design, software system, and communications technologies. It has teams of brilliant researchers for developing R&D projects. ASTRI has about 400 R&D personnel from renowned universities from national and overseas in ASTRI, with 27% holding PhD degree and more than 50% holding Master’s degree. Since its inception, ASTRI has been granted more than 500 patents, creating tremendous economic impacts. Being a collaborative partner of ASTRI, TRULY is endeavour in developing R&D projects. TRULY has invested a lot in specific areas like LTPS (Low Temperature Poly-silicon), AMOLED display technology, compact cameras, and fingerprint identification technology, etc. in recent years. The setup of Joint Research and Development Centre between TRULY and ASTRI will further strengthen TRULY’s development in internet intelligent terminal, intelligence automobile, Industry 4.0, etc. It can also consolidates and expand the development of TRULY’s research team in Hong Kong.
The Joint Research and Development Centre will be directed by an Executive Board composed of management representatives from TRULY and ASTRI. The Centre will physically be located in ASTRI. The fund contributed by ASTRI comes from Innovation and Technology Fund managed by the Innovation and Technology Commission.
About Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (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 archive.astri.org
About TRULY International Holdings Limited (TRULY)
Established in 1978, TRULY International Holdings Limited was listed its shares on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong in 1991. TRULY currently has 6 holding companies including Truly Semiconductors Limited, Truly Opto-electronics Limited, Truly (Huizhou) Smart Display Limited, Truly Electronics Manufacturing Limited, and Truly Industrial Limited, Truly Instrument Limited. It mainly focuses on manufacturing display module of LTPS、AMOLED、PMOLED, etc., capacitive touch panel of film and OGS, etc., compact camera module, fingerprint identification module, PCB (Printed circuit board) and other electronic parts. Our clients come from all over the world from various industries like automobile, smart phone, medical consumer electronics. As of today, TRULY has become the biggest supplier of major smart phone parts in Mainland China and become one of the top suppliers of automotive display in the world. For details, please visit www.truly.com.hk
Dr. Jack Lau (front, left), Acting Chief Executive Officer of ASTRI, and Mr. James Wong (front, right), Chief Operation Officer (COO) and Group Executive Director of TRULY, sign an agreement on behalf of the respective companies to strengthen the collaboration.The signing was witnessed by (back row, from left) Prof. Yue On-ching, Science Advisor, Innovation and Technology Commission, The HKSAR Government, Mr. Wong Ming-yam, Chairman of the Board, ASTRI, Mr. Kevin Xie, Vice General Manager, R&D Center of TRULY Semiconductors Ltd, Dr. Enboa Wu, Vice President and Group Director, ASTRI, Mr. Mengxiang Li, Vice General Manager, R&D Center of TRULY Semiconductors Ltd; and Mr. Bruce Ma, Vice General Manager, R&D Department of TRULY Opto-electronics Ltd.
Guests officiate at the opening ceremony of ASTRI-TRULY Joint Research and Development Centre
ASTRI hosts FinTech Seminars Series (2) cum ASTRI Security Lab Launching Ceremony as FinTech cyber-security platform
[Hong Kong, 5 May 2015] Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (ASTRI) hosted FinTech Seminars Series (2) cum ASTRI Security Lab Launching Ceremony today (5 May) at InnoCentre to introduce ASTRI’s new cyber-security platform and to invite the finance industry to join its FinTech alliance against cyber attacks.
The ASTRI Security Lab (ASL) is ASTRI’s targeted R&D and knowledge-sharing lab with a world-class R&D team committed to cyber-security through investigations and knowledge exchange to build effective solutions against cyber attacks. ASTRI invites the finance industry, which is Hong Kong’s major economic pillar, to join the Lab as a strong FinTech alliance to defend against cyber threat. Providing high-level and impartial cyber-security services to financial institutions, finance-related government agencies and FinTech entrepreneurs, ASTRI aims to be their preferred consultant and independent cyber-security assessment agency while nurturing information security experts for FinTech.
ASTRI is pleased to have invited Mr Esmond Lee, Executive Director, Financial Infrastructure Department of Hong Kong Monetary Authority as Guest of Honor at the Launching Ceremony. He said, “Innovative payment services – one of the key elements of FinTech – have been a focus of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority in recent years. We will keep up with our efforts in developing the hard and soft infrastructures necessary for their healthy development in Hong Kong.”
Mr Johann C Y Wong, Deputy Commissioner of The Innovation and Technology Commission also addressed the audience at the Ceremony, “Every day we hear about computers and accounts being hacked. It is crucial that we have a concerted effort in research, information sharing, and finding the means to deal with all these threats. I am glad that ASTRI has taken this very important step forward on cyber-security.”
The importance of cyber-security was reiterated by Mr Wong Ming-yam, Chairman of the Board, ASTRI. “Security is a key concern for all money- related transactions on-line. Hong Kong needs to be a ‘fort’ when it comes to cyber-security”, he stated.
After the Launching Ceremony, ASTRI leveraged the success of the inaugural series in March to host FinTech Seminar Series (2). Ms Melissa C Guzy, Managing Director of Arbor Ventures and Mr Alex T W Leung, Director of Information Security of ASTRI elaborated on the urgency of cyber-security with talks on FinTech Industry Investment Landscape and Fintech’s Worst Nightmare Only a Few Clicks Away: N Ways in Cyber-security to Hack Your Corporate Information respectively to a large audience comprised of finance and IT experts.
Cyber-security is increasingly becoming one of the world’s top security issues, with over 80 million security events being reported annually across the globe. With the use of mobile and other novel devices, heightened cyber attacks on the digital infrastructure of financial institutions could cause huge loss to the entire society. ASTRI Security Lab features SecShare, a smart and secure proprietary cyber-security information sharing platform. Closely connected with academia and international experts and having HSBC and Bank of China as advisors, ASTRI as a neutral body is uniquely positioned to meet the crucial yet formerly unaddressed need in Hong Kong’s FinTech to enhance cyber-security.
(From the left) ASTRI CMO Dr Jack Lau, Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation Chief Corporate Development Officer Mr Allen Yeung, Hong Kong Liaison Office of Education Science and Technology Deputy Inspector Mr Liu Zhiming, Arbor Ventures Managing Director Ms Melissa Guzy, Hong Kong Monetary Authority Executive Director of Financial Infrastructure Mr Esmond Lee and The Innovation and Technology Commission Deputy Commissioner Mr Johann C.Y. Wong cut the ribbon to officially mark the opening of ASTRI Security Lab
ASTRI and Guangdong Rising to collaborate on integrated power module and new technology research
[Hong Kong, 23 April 2015] Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (ASTRI) will collaborate with state-owned Guangdong Rising Assets Management Co. Ltd (GRAM) to jointly develop next generation integrated power module (IPM) and other new technologies for electronic and communication products.
A special signing ceremony was held today to mark the beginning of the joint collaboration between the two parties. Dr Frank Tong, CEO of ASTRI and Mr Li Zezhong, General Manager of GRAM signed a Memorandum of Understanding covering joint initiatives to design and develop new ICs, photonics, electronic components and packaging, communications technology, software and systems. The signing was witnessed by ASTRI Chairman Mr Wong Ming-yam and Chairman of GRAM Mr Zhu Wei. The ceremony was also graced with the presence of Deputy Director General Mr Gong Guoping and Director Mr Zeng Lu of Guangdong Provincial Department of Science and Technology, and Deputy Inspector Mr Liu Zhiming and Director Mr Li Xiao of the Department of Educational, Scientific and Technological Affairs of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
West Dynamic Enterprises Ltd (WDEL), a subsidiary under GRAM has already embarked on a joint research project with ASTRI to develop integrated power module for networking and telecommunication equipment. An Industrial Collaborative Project was signed earlier this year with funding support from both the HKSAR Government and industry partner.
Integrated power module is a core component for switching power supply unit required in all electronic products. With the market size of switching power supply unit reaching USD30 billion in 2013 and increasingly stringent requirement of future power modules to be used in big data, cloud computing, high speed telecom equipment, etc., there is huge market potential for next generation IPM.
ASTRI’s IPM solution involves a 3-level integration to achieve single and power-supply-in package. The new IPM is expected to greatly improve power density (≥30W/cm3) and reduce form factor by 40%. The design will also include a direct cooling interface to improve heat dissipation efficiency by 100% or more.
ASTRI CEO Dr Frank Tong is very pleased that ASTRI and GRAM can join hands in technology research. He said, “Guangdong Rising is a giant conglomerate with strengths and technical capacities for electronics. Its subsidiaries Fenghua and West Dynamic are among the biggest manufacturers of electronic components in the world. I believe through this collaboration, ASTRI and our partner can leverage on each other’s strengths to drive the development of new power module and transform technologies into innovative solution for the market.”
In addressing the ceremony, Mr Zhu Wei, Chairman of GRAM said, “We will capitalize on each other’s strengths to create a win-win collaboration. I firmly believe GRAM’s competitive advantages in manufacturing, management and market leadership, combining with ASTRI’s innovative R&D, technologies and talents will expedite technology transfers and will bring new ideas, profits, new markets and create a bright future for the industry.”
GRAM is a state-owned company with a successful track record in five industry sectors including mining, electronic, hospitality tourism, real estate and finance. It is also the second biggest shareholder of China Telecom. Its subsidiary Guangdong Fenghua Advanced Technology (Holdings) listed on Shenzhen Stock Exchange is one of the world’s eight chip component manufacturers. WDEL is wholly owned by Fenghua and it is the number one passive component manufacturer on the Mainland.
ASTRI has core competence in package and module level product development for power electronics. The new IPM under development is targeted for industry transfer for mass production in two years.
ASTRI CEO Dr Frank Tong (right) and GRAM General Manager Mr Li Zezhong exchange a warm hand shake after signing the agreement. (Second row from the left) GRAM Deputy General Manager Mr Liu Wei, Deputy Director General Mr Gong Guoping of Guangdong Provincial Department of Science and Technology, Deputy Inspector Mr Liu Zhiming of the Department of Educational, Scientific and Technological Affairs of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in HKSAR, GRAM Chairman Mr Zhu Wei and ASTRI Chairman Mr Wong Ming-yam witness the signing.
Largest IP pool on technology patents in Hong Kong to be established
[Hong Kong, 6 March 2015] Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (ASTRI) has recently signed Memorandums of Understanding with PolyU Technology and Consultancy Company Limited (PTeC), HKBU R&D Licensing Limited and Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) to form the largest pool of intellectual properties (IP) related to information and communication technologies (ICT) developed locally in Hong Kong.
Putting together their respective ICT patents, more than 560 in total, the four institutions intend to establish a one-stop shop readily accessible by potential industry buyers. The partners agree to let ASTRI group related patents into portfolios in selected areas for stronger appeal, optimal valuation and the best product strategy to meet market needs.
Chairman of ASTRI Mr Wong Ming-yam explained, “The formation of an IP pool bringing together research efforts of universities and research institutes is in line with the Government’s recent call for organizations to provide support to facilitate industry to fully utilize intellectual properties for growth and strengthen Hong Kong’s position as a world technology hub.” He added, “An IP pool grouped by technology sectors will facilitate the selection and integration of IPs for product development. It also provides a convenient one-stop platform for start-ups including those from recent university graduates, small and medium-sized enterprises and multinationals to acquire cost-saving and appropriate patents to support R&D and enhance their competitiveness. I expect the IP pool to grow over time, as more entities from within and outside Hong Kong join the pool.”
According to a report published by Hong Kong Trade Development Council in March 2013*, Hong Kong surpasses Singapore and Shanghai in terms of its geographical location, institutional structure, staff’s efficiency and professionalism, as well as other factors, and as a result is considered to be the best option to become an IP trading hub in the Asia-Pacific Region. The Working Group on IP Trading was set up about the same time to advise on the overall strategies to promote the development of Hong Kong as an IP trading hub and to identify appropriate policy and other support measures to facilitate IP trading in Hong Kong.
“We are pleased to join hands with PTeC, HKBU R&D Licensing Limited and HKPC to spearhead this initiative in support of the SAR Government’s plan in this area,” said Dr Frank Tong, ASTRI’s CEO. “The IP pool will bring about synergistic effect in creating value for both IP owners, such as universities and research centres, and other stakeholders in the supply chain to exploit the opportunities IP trading may offer to Hong Kong.”
The four-partite collaboration is the first phase of a comprehensive effort to cultivate the business potential of ICT patents in Hong Kong. Other universities and R&D institutions will be invited to join the programme in hope of creating the greatest economic impact.
*Hong Kong: Asia’s hub for IP trading, HKTDC Research, 12 March 2013
