Rohde & Schwarz and VIAVI Offer Joint Network Test Solutions Supporting Open Radio Commercialization and Innovation

Rhea-AI Summary

Rohde & Schwarz and Viavi Solutions announced an expansion of their partnership to deliver advanced O-RU testing solutions, focusing on supporting Open Radio Commercialization and Innovation. These solutions target radio manufacturers competing for the NTIA's Public Wireless Supply Chain Innovation Fund.

The joint solutions include:

• O-RU Conformance Test for interoperability with O-RAN distributed units.
• Test Scalability with a compact, single-box solution ideal for R&D teams.
• Network Energy Saving with a fully automated testbed for O-RU energy efficiency.

The partnership has already seen success in global plugfests and OTIC labs, and aims to advance Open Radio technology further.

Positive

• Expansion of partnership to deliver advanced O-RU testing solutions.
• Focus on supporting Open Radio Commercialization and Innovation.
• Solutions targeting NTIA's Public Wireless Supply Chain Innovation Fund.
• Successful global plugfests and OTIC lab presence.
• Scalable test solutions ideal for R&D teams.
• Automated testbed for O-RU energy efficiency.

Negative

• No specific financial data or revenue projections provided.
• Potential high costs associated with implementing new testing solutions.
• No mention of immediate commercial deployment or market adoption.

Insights

Tech Expert

The expanded partnership between Rohde & Schwarz (R&S) and VIAVI Solutions Inc. targets the growing Open Radio Access Network (O-RAN) market, which is an area of significant innovation within 5G technology. O-RAN aims to standardize and open the radio access network architecture, fostering interoperability and vendor diversity. The inclusion of the U.S. Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) Public Wireless Supply Chain Innovation Fund as a target for these solutions shows a strategic alignment with national priorities, potentially boosting the credibility and demand for these testing solutions.

The R&S SMW200A vector signal generator and FSVA3000 signal and spectrum analyzer, alongside the VIAVI TM500 O-RU Tester, create a comprehensive suite for O-RU conformance testing. This allows radio manufacturers to ensure their products meet industry standards, which is essential for market entry and competition. The scalability feature, addressing the transition from lab validation to real-world deployment, highlights a key market need. Simplification and cost-effectiveness are important for R&D teams, potentially speeding up innovation cycles and reducing time-to-market.

Moreover, the emphasis on energy efficiency in O-RUs reflects a critical industry trend towards sustainable 5G deployments. The automated testbed developed by the companies shows a forward-thinking approach, likely appealing to both manufacturers and network operators focused on reducing operational costs and environmental impact.

This partnership therefore appears to strengthen the market position of both R&S and VIAVI within the O-RAN testing ecosystem, aligning with broader industry trends of efficiency and interoperability.

Market Research Analyst

Rohde & Schwarz and VIAVI Solutions Inc. are targeting a niche but rapidly growing segment within the telecommunications market. The focus on O-RU (Open Radio Unit) testing solutions is particularly timely, given the global shift towards O-RAN (Open Radio Access Network) technologies. This approach not only breaks vendor lock-in but also encourages a more competitive and innovative market landscape.

The strategic move to align with the NTIA Public Wireless Supply Chain Innovation Fund can be seen as a calculated effort to capture the U.S. market, an area of heightened interest due to national security and supply chain resilience concerns. By offering state-of-the-art testing solutions that meet NTIA standards, R&S and VIAVI can position themselves as key players in the U.S. 5G supply chain.

Another significant aspect is the scalability of their test solutions. As the market for O-RAN matures, the demand will shift from basic conformance testing to more comprehensive performance metrics, including energy efficiency. This scalability ensures that their solutions remain relevant through various stages of product development and deployment, offering long-term value to their customers.

This partnership could thus attract a wide array of stakeholders, from radio manufacturers to network operators, eager to leverage these advanced testing capabilities. The emphasis on a unified customer experience further underlines a user-centric approach, potentially increasing customer retention and satisfaction.

CHANDLER, Ariz., June 6, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Rohde & Schwarz (R&S) and Viavi Solutions Inc. (VIAVI) (NASDAQ: VIAV) today announced an expansion of their partnership delivering state-of-the-art O-RU testing. These solutions are ideally suited to the needs of radio manufacturers planning to bid for the United States Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) Public Wireless Supply Chain Innovation Fund (PWSCIF) Second Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO 2), which focuses on Open Radio Commercialization and Innovation. Since the launch of this partnership, Rohde & Schwarz and VIAVI have established a reputation for compact, flexible solutions drawing from the strengths of both companies while delivering a seamless user experience.

The two companies offer:

O-RU Conformance Test. Fronthaul conformance tests, defined by the O-RAN ALLIANCE, ensure that O-RUs are interoperable with the O-RAN distributed unit (O-DU). The joint test solution includes:

• The R&S SMW200A vector signal generator, R&S FSVA3000 signal and spectrum analyzer and the R&S VSE signal analysis software from Rohde & Schwarz, to emulate a real-world radio environment by generating, capturing and analyzing RF signals, extended for O-RAN applications.
• The TM500 O-RU Tester from VIAVI, implementing the O-RAN Distributed Unit (O-DU) side of the M-plane and C/U-plane functionality necessary to configure the interface with the O-RU and exchange of I/Q data over the Open Fronthaul.
• The O-RU Test Manager application, providing a single point of control for the integrated system, simplifying testcase workflow while allowing deeper data inspection and analysis as needed.

The same set-up can be also used for performing conformance cases defined by 3GPP TS 38.141/36.141 for 5G/LTE base stations (BS).

Test Scalability. As O-RAN radios move to commercial deployment, development testing needs to move beyond lab validation of conformance to greater use case and functionality testing within R&D. These newer use cases prioritize simplicity, speed and cost effectiveness in testing. The R&S PVT360A is a compact, single-box vector signal analyzer (VSA) and vector signal generator (VSG) that combines with the VIAVI TM500 O-RU Tester and VIAVI O-RU Test Manager Application for a more scalable solution, providing a cost-optimized and simpler setup that is well-suited for R&D teams that require multiple test lines to accelerate time to market. The TM500 O-RU Tester can also be scaled to provide direct performance testing such as uplink and downlink data performance and capacity testing.

Network Energy Saving. O-RAN radio units (O-RU) consume the majority of power in 5G radio access networks. Network equipment manufacturers and service providers are prioritizing O-RU energy efficiency without sacrificing performance. Rohde & Schwarz and VIAVI have developed a fully automated testbed to verify O-RU energy efficiency, including the R&S RTO6 oscilloscope, R&S NGP800 power supply and the VIAVI TM500 O-RU Tester. The TM500 O-RU Tester emulates the DU, synchronizes and configures the O-RU and offers several test scripts to verify O-RU energy efficiency under different load conditions. The R&S equipment can then monitor dynamic device activities versus power consumption: The oscilloscope monitors energy dynamics under various traffic conditions by tracking power changes over time, while the power supply – besides powering the O-RU – also provides high measurement resolution and accuracy over a long period of time. The O-RU Test Manager Application ensures a seamless user experience across the testbed.

"Our joint O-RU conformance test solution has been used  to test a wide range of different O-RUs at  global plugfests of the O-RAN ALLIANCE over the last years. It has a solid presence at Open Testing and Integration Center (OTIC) labs worldwide and was instrumental in initial O-RU certifications in Asia and most recently also in the first certification in Europe," said Alexander Pabst, Vice President Market Segment Wireless Communications at Rohde & Schwarz. "With this long track record, we are now set to serve the efforts of the NTIA to bring forward Open Radio technology. This is putting the successful collaboration between Rohde & Schwarz and VIAVI to the next level."

"Rohde & Schwarz and VIAVI are proud to support the NTIA Open RAN Innovation and Commercialization based on our best-of-breed approach with a unified customer experience," said Ian Langley, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Wireless Business Unit, VIAVI. "Since we first began offering O-RU conformance testing, open radios have advanced significantly, and test requirements – from scalability for use across the development cycle, to energy saving, have become critical. We are pleased to expand our partnership into these new areas."

About Rohde & Schwarz
Rohde & Schwarz is striving for a safer and connected world with its Test & Measurement, Technology Systems and Networks & Cybersecurity Divisions. For 90 years, the global technology group has pushed technical boundaries with developments in cutting-edge technologies. The company's leading-edge products and solutions empower industrial, regulatory and government customers to attain technological and digital sovereignty. The privately owned, Munich based company can act independently, long-term and sustainably. Rohde & Schwarz generated net revenue of EUR 2.78 billion in the 2022/2023 fiscal year (July to June). On June 30, 2023, Rohde & Schwarz had around 13,800 employees worldwide.

About VIAVI
VIAVI (NASDAQ: VIAV) is a global provider of network test, monitoring and assurance solutions for telecommunications, cloud, enterprises, first responders, military, aerospace and railway. VIAVI is also a leader in light management technologies for 3D sensing, anti-counterfeiting, consumer electronics, industrial, automotive, government and aerospace applications. Learn more about VIAVI at www.viavisolutions.com. Follow us on VIAVI Perspectives, LinkedIn and YouTube.

Media Inquiries:

North America Sonus PR Martin Smith viavi@sonuspr.com

Europe, Middle East & Africa Sonus PR Chevaan Seresinhe viavi@sonuspr.com

Asia Pacific Voila Communications Manish Sharma manish@voilacomm.in

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SOURCE VIAVI Solutions

FAQ

What is the primary focus of the expanded partnership between Rohde & Schwarz and VIAVI?

The primary focus is to deliver advanced O-RU testing solutions supporting Open Radio Commercialization and Innovation.

How do the solutions from Rohde & Schwarz and VIAVI support the NTIA's PWSCIF?

The solutions are ideally suited for radio manufacturers competing for the NTIA's Public Wireless Supply Chain Innovation Fund by ensuring O-RU interoperability and energy efficiency.

What components are included in the O-RU Conformance Test solution?

The O-RU Conformance Test solution includes the R&S SMW200A vector signal generator, R&S FSVA3000 signal and spectrum analyzer, R&S VSE signal analysis software, and VIAVI TM500 O-RU Tester.

What are the benefits of the scalable test solutions offered by Rohde & Schwarz and VIAVI?

The scalable test solutions provide a compact, cost-effective setup ideal for R&D teams, accelerating time to market and supporting multiple test lines.

How do the joint solutions address O-RU energy efficiency?

The joint solutions include a fully automated testbed with the R&S RTO6 oscilloscope, R&S NGP800 power supply, and VIAVI TM500 O-RU Tester to verify O-RU energy efficiency under different load conditions.

What has been the impact of the Rohde & Schwarz and VIAVI partnership in global plugfests and OTIC labs?

The partnership has successfully tested various O-RUs at global plugfests and established a solid presence in OTIC labs, contributing to initial O-RU certifications in Asia and Europe.