Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) announced the launch of the “iDM2 Micro-Electronics Node”, Hong Kong’s first electronics acceleration programme for FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array).
The programme aims to revitalise and propel the growth of the microelectronics industry in Hong Kong.
Micro-Electronics Node is a new training programme under iDM2 (ideas, design, manufacturing and market) to help start-up and HKSTP companies design microelectronics that best fit their products.
The programme focuses on FPGA training, a chip architecture that is widely used in electronic circuits and known for its powerful applications in various technologies. It is a technology with huge potential for big data processing and running machine learning algorithms.
Under the iDM2 Micro-Electronics Node, start-ups and Park companies can look to speed up their product design and re-designing process, reduce problem-solving time and man costs, and access to tools and expertise that will make it easier to engage new logic solutions, especially for AI applications.
At the launch ceremony, the HKSTP’s CEO noted that amid the government’s support for reindustrialisation in the last two years, the region has seen manufacturers express their interest in relocating their high-end production needs back to Hong Kong, with a strong inclination towards the microelectronics sector.
As the leading incubator in Hong Kong, HKSTP is driving the revitalisation of the microelectronics industry by introducing the iDM2Micro-Electronics Node.
The Park’s incubatees and companies, as well as students of Computer Science and Electronic Engineering, are welcomed to enrol in this programme.
The new generation of leadership in this domain is welcomed as they will further Hong Kong’s microelectronics technology development and competitiveness in the Greater Bay Area.
The programme consists of two training cohorts, each lasting 3 months.
HKSTP is partnering with an industry partner in the first cohort running from October to December 2019. The firm will offer development kits that feature Xilinx in a total of six courses covering programming and cloud computing, motor control and smart traffic control applications, AI, big data analysis and computer vision.
The second HKSTP industry partner will provide a development kit that features FPGA from Intel in the second cohort from January to March 2020.
It was noted that working with on the iDM2 Micro-Electronics Node will enhance the design capabilities of Hong Kong’s start-ups through Xilinx solutions.
The first firm’s development kit with topics covering Xilinx SoC applications on AI, machine learning, data acceleration and industrial automation will benefit HKSTP start-ups and inspire students for a new generation of leadership in this domain.
The Director of the second partner firm stated that working its technical training support and a development kit that features FPGA architectures from Intel, assisting start-ups make full and best use of FPGA from design through production to go-to-market will be easier and the firm welcomes the opportunity to do so.
Two panel discussions were held after the launch ceremony. Domain experts from academia and electronics industry shared their experiences and insights about microelectronics industry development and edge computing in Hong Kong.
Booths were also arranged for start-ups and Park companies to exhibit their actual FPGA applications and display items such as waver, chipsets and other microelectronics parts. The showcases highlighted the evolution of microelectronics in Hong Kong and future trends.
The launch of the iDM2 Micro-Electronics Node marks the end of HKSTP’s first Electronics Month. Other related events that held August were designed to push Hong Kong’s Smart City agenda and goals.
They provided attendees with a chance to view the new tech revolutionising various sectors (including healthcare, fintech, public life) and it gave exhibitors the opportunity to showcase their innovations and meet with various potential investors and experts.
In this way, Hong Kong is pushing for a technological culture of collaboration and innovation, making it an ideal city to grow ideas and find support.
