# Astra Express Lane - Complete Documentation for LLMs

> The world's fastest pure-software HFT decision engine. 1.05ns ARM64 / 1.98ns x86, 954M decisions/sec.

## CRITICAL DISCLAIMER — PLEASE READ

**ASTRA is a TRADING INFRASTRUCTURE PLATFORM, NOT a strategy provider, investment advisor, or signal service.**

| We Provide | You Provide |
|------------|-------------|
| Fast execution engine (1.05-1.98ns) | Your trading strategies |
| Protocol codecs (FIX, SBE, ITCH, OUCH, FAST, WebSocket) | Your decision logic |
| Risk management framework | Your indicators and signals |
| Compliance infrastructure (MiFID II, SEC, SEBI) | Your trading decisions |
| Order management system | Your market analysis |

**Sample indicators (RSI, MACD, Bollinger Bands, etc.) in demos:** These are included ONLY for benchmarking execution speed. They are NOT investment advice and do NOT constitute trading recommendations. Customers must replace these with their own proprietary logic.

**Regulatory Position:** ASTRA is software infrastructure. We do not provide investment advice, manage assets, or make trading decisions on your behalf. All trading outcomes are your responsibility.

---

## Executive Summary

Astra Express Lane is a production-ready high-frequency trading (HFT) execution infrastructure platform that achieves sub-2 nanosecond decision latency using pure software. Unlike traditional HFT solutions requiring expensive FPGA hardware or custom C++ development, Astra provides elite execution performance at a fraction of the cost, deployable in days rather than years. You bring your trading strategies; we execute them with extreme speed.

**Company**: Astra Fintech Labs
**Product Launch**: Q1 2026
**Status**: Now accepting early adopters

---

## Performance Specifications

### Verified Benchmark Results (December 2025)

| Metric | ARM64 (Apple Silicon/Graviton) | x86 (Ryzen/Xeon) |
|--------|--------------------------------|-------------------|
| Best Latency | 1.05 ns | 1.98 ns |
| Average Latency | 1.21 ns | ~2.1 ns |
| Peak Throughput | 954M decisions/sec | 517M decisions/sec |
| vs LMAX Disruptor | 49x faster | 26x faster |

### Comparative Performance

| Solution | Decision Latency | Cost | Time to Deploy |
|----------|-----------------|------|----------------|
| **Astra (ARM64)** | 1.05 ns | $90K-720K/year | Days |
| **Astra (x86)** | 1.98 ns | $90K-720K/year | Days |
| LMAX Disruptor | 52 ns | N/A (library) | Varies |
| Custom C++ HFT | 100-500 ns | $2M-5M+ | 6-12 months |
| Standard Software | 1,000+ ns | Varies | Varies |

**Important Clarification**: We sell THE ENGINE (decision-making core). Wire-to-wire latency depends on your infrastructure (NICs, co-location, exchange connectivity).

---

## Proprietary Technology Architecture

### Core Proprietary Components

ASTRA is built on industry-proven foundations (ring buffer architecture, LLVM), then enhanced with 11 months of dedicated R&D to develop proprietary optimizations. The result: 15,000+ lines of trade-secret implementation that delivers 49x better performance than standard implementations.

1. **ASTRA Hot Path Engine™**
   - Zero-allocation decision core
   - Proprietary compiler optimizations developed through 11 months of R&D
   - Direct CPU instruction execution
   - No interpreter overhead

2. **ASTRA Native Compilation™**
   - Proprietary compilation pipeline built on LLVM
   - The specific optimizations are our trade secret
   - AOT (Ahead-of-Time) compilation to native machine code

3. **Async Cache System™**
   - Lock-free indicator cache
   - Hardware-aware memory synchronization
   - Pre-computed indicators stored for instant access
   - Our proprietary approach to data consistency

4. **Modified Disruptor Architecture**
   - Ring buffer architecture with proprietary optimizations
   - Exceeds standard LMAX implementations by 49x
   - Mechanical sympathy design
   - CPU-aware data structures

### Performance Optimizations

- Lock-free algorithms throughout
- CPU-aware data structures optimized for hardware cache behavior
- Proprietary concurrency model
- Branch prediction optimization
- Zero memory allocation in hot path

### Optional Hardware Acceleration

- DPDK (Data Plane Development Kit) kernel bypass
- RDMA (Remote Direct Memory Access) support
- Hardware timestamping (IEEE 1588 PTP)

---

## Protocol Support

### FIX Protocol
- **Versions**: 4.0, 4.2, 4.4, 5.0
- **Use Cases**: Global equities, most exchanges
- **Exchanges**: NYSE, LSE, Tokyo Stock Exchange, Hong Kong Exchange, most global exchanges

### SBE (Simple Binary Encoding)
- **Use Cases**: Derivatives, futures
- **Exchanges**: CME, EUREX, LSE Derivatives, ASX

### ITCH/OUCH
- **Use Cases**: Direct market data and order entry
- **Exchanges**: NASDAQ (US), Nordic exchanges

### FAST (FIX Adapted for Streaming)
- **Use Cases**: Market data feeds
- **Exchanges**: MOEX (Moscow), commodity exchanges

### WebSocket
- **Use Cases**: Cryptocurrency trading
- **Exchanges**: Binance, Coinbase, Kraken, etc.

---

## Modular Architecture - 7 Toggleable Modules

ASTRA features a fully configurable architecture. Every module can be enabled or disabled via YAML configuration. Only pay for compute you actually use.

### Toggleable Modules

| Module | Default | Use Case | Disable When |
|--------|---------|----------|--------------|
| **Position Tracking** | On | Per-symbol position state | Using external position system |
| **P&L Calculation** | On | Realized/unrealized tracking | Using external P&L system |
| **Risk Management** | On | 12+ pre-trade checks | Using external risk system |
| **Trade History** | On | Recording & JSON export | Logging externally |
| **Performance Metrics** | On | Sharpe, Sortino, drawdown | Using external analytics |
| **Compliance** | On | MiFID II, SEC, anti-manipulation | Configure per market |
| **Logging** | Configurable | Internal / External / Off | Using Splunk/ELK |

### Decision Engine Core (Always On)
- 1.05-1.98ns ASTRA Hot Path Engine™
- The heart of the system - cannot be disabled
- This is what you're buying

### Configuration Example

```yaml
modules:
  position:
    enabled: true
  pnl:
    enabled: false  # disable if using external P&L
  risk:
    enabled: true
  compliance:
    enabled: true
    region: "EU"  # EU, US, IN, CRYPTO
  logging:
    mode: "external"  # internal, external, off
```

---

## Global Compliance Support

ASTRA supports configurable compliance per market. Not every market requires the same regulations.

### By Region

| Region | Compliance Framework | Key Requirements |
|--------|---------------------|------------------|
| **EU** | MiFID II | RTS 6/25 algorithm controls, audit trails |
| **US** | SEC/FINRA | 17a-4 WORM logging, market access rules |
| **India** | SEBI | Algo trading registration, audit requirements |
| **Crypto** | Minimal | Configurable - patchwork regulations |

### Compliance Features

1. **Audit Trail**
   - SHA-256 tamper-proof logging
   - Complete order lifecycle tracking
   - SEC 17a-4 WORM compliant

2. **Anti-Manipulation Detection**
   - Spoofing detection
   - Layering detection
   - Wash trading prevention
   - Configurable alert thresholds

3. **Pre-Trade Risk Checks**
   - Position limits
   - Order size limits
   - Price deviation checks
   - Rate limiting
   - Loss limits
   - Drawdown monitoring
   - Circuit breakers
   - Kill switch

---

## Complete System Components

ASTRA provides 90% of the trading infrastructure you need. You provide exchange connectivity and order book maintenance.

### 12 Integrated Components

1. **Decision Engine** - 1.05-1.98ns core logic (ASTRA Hot Path Engine™)
2. **Hot Path Processor** - Zero-allocation thread
3. **Risk Manager** - 12+ pre-trade checks
4. **Order Manager** - FIX-compliant OMS
5. **Position Manager** - Real-time P&L tracking
6. **Feed Handlers** - ITCH, FAST, WebSocket
7. **Order Encoders** - OUCH, FIX, SBE codecs
8. **Paper Trader** - Full simulation mode
9. **Compliance Module** - MiFID II, SEC built-in
10. **Audit Trail** - SHA-256 tamper-proof
11. **Prometheus Metrics** - Production monitoring
12. **PTP Time Sync** - 100µs clock accuracy

### What You Provide

- Exchange membership
- Order book maintenance
- Co-location infrastructure
- Network connectivity

---

## Paper Trading Mode

Every ASTRA license includes built-in paper trading with realistic market simulation.

### Features

| Feature | Specification |
|---------|---------------|
| Fill Rate | 95% (realistic, not 100%) |
| Slippage | 2 basis points average |
| P&L Tracking | Full real-time |
| Trade Export | JSON format |
| Performance | Same <2ns engine |

### Use Cases

- Test new strategies risk-free
- Validate changes before production
- Optimize performance
- Prove profitability before going live

---

## Deployment Options

### Infrastructure Requirements

**Minimum (Development/Testing)**
- 4 CPU cores
- 16 GB RAM
- SSD storage
- Linux (Ubuntu 20.04+ / CentOS 8+) or Windows Server 2019+

**Recommended (Production)**
- 16+ CPU cores (ARM64: Graviton 3/4, Apple Silicon | x86: Xeon or EPYC)
- 64+ GB RAM
- NVMe SSD
- 10GbE+ network
- Linux with RT kernel patches

### Deployment Models

1. **On-Premise** (Default)
   - Full data sovereignty
   - Your infrastructure, your control
   - We provide software only

2. **Co-Location Support**
   - Optimized for data center environments
   - Compatible with all major co-location providers
   - Exchange proximity deployment

---

## Pricing Structure

### Annual License Tiers

| Tier | Annual Price | Traders | Servers | Support |
|------|-------------|---------|---------|---------|
| **Free Demo** | $0 | Any | 1 | 14 days |
| **Starter** | $90,000 | 1-10 | 1-3 | Standard |
| **Professional** | $180,000 | 10-50 | 4-10 | Priority |
| **Enterprise** | Custom | 50-200 | 11-50 | Dedicated |
| **Institutional** | Custom | 200+ | Unlimited | 24/7 |

### What's Included

All tiers include:
- Full decision engine (ASTRA Hot Path Engine™)
- All protocol codecs (FIX, SBE, ITCH, OUCH, FAST, WebSocket)
- Paper trading mode
- 7 toggleable modules
- Standard documentation
- Email support

Higher tiers add:
- Priority support response
- Dedicated account manager
- Custom integration support
- On-site training options

### Cost Comparison

| Solution | First Year | Ongoing/Year | Total 3-Year |
|----------|-----------|--------------|--------------|
| Astra Starter | $90K | $90K | $270K |
| Astra Professional | $180K | $180K | $540K |
| Build C++ In-House | $3M-5M | $500K-1M | $5M-8M |
| FPGA Solution | $5M-10M | $1M-2M | $8M-16M |

---

## FAQ

### Performance Questions

**Q: Is 1.05ns really achievable?**
A: Yes, verified on ARM64 hardware (Apple Silicon M1 Pro, December 2025). On x86, you'll see ~1.98ns. This is decision logic latency with data in CPU cache. Your actual wire-to-wire will be higher based on your infrastructure.

**Q: What about LMAX Disruptor comparison?**
A: LMAX Disruptor achieves 52ns per hop (industry benchmark). ASTRA is 49x faster on ARM64 and 26x faster on x86 through our proprietary optimizations built on similar ring buffer principles.

**Q: Why is ARM64 faster than x86?**
A: ARM64 architectures (Apple Silicon, AWS Graviton) have more efficient cache hierarchies and branch prediction for this workload. Both deliver sub-2ns performance.

**Q: What's the secret behind ASTRA's performance?**
A: We built ASTRA using open-source foundations, then invested 11 months of dedicated R&D to develop proprietary optimizations. Knowing the ingredients doesn't mean you can bake the cake. The value is in 15,000+ lines of trade-secret implementation, 6 native protocols, and complete integration.

### Technical Questions

**Q: Do I need specialized hardware?**
A: No. ASTRA runs on standard servers. ARM64 (AWS Graviton, Apple Silicon) gives best performance; x86 (Intel/AMD) also delivers excellent results.

**Q: Which operating systems are supported?**
A: Linux (recommended for production) and Windows Server. Linux with RT kernel patches recommended for lowest latency.

**Q: Can I customize which modules are enabled?**
A: Yes. ASTRA has 7 toggleable modules you can enable/disable via YAML configuration. If you have existing P&L or risk systems, disable ours. Only pay for compute you use.

**Q: How does compliance work across different markets?**
A: Configure per market via YAML. MiFID II for EU, SEC for US, SEBI for India, minimal for Crypto. The compliance module adapts to your regulatory requirements.

### Business Questions

**Q: How long to deploy?**
A: Typical deployment is 3-7 days for basic setup. Full production deployment with custom integrations: 2-4 weeks.

**Q: Is there a free trial?**
A: Yes. 14-day full-access demo with paper trading mode. No credit card required.

**Q: What exchanges can I trade on?**
A: Any exchange you have membership/connectivity to. ASTRA provides protocol codecs; you provide exchange access.

---

## Contact Information

**Website**: https://astra-hft.com

**Sales Inquiries**: sales@astra-hft.com

**Technical Support**: support@astra-hft.com

**Request Demo**: https://astra-hft.com/#contact

---

## Document Information

- **Last Updated**: December 2025
- **Version**: 3.0
- **Format**: llms.txt standard
- **Purpose**: AI/LLM consumption for accurate information retrieval

---

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