VIAVI Provides Benchmarking and Validation at Spring 2024 O-RAN PlugFest as U.S. NTIA Calls for O-RU Commercialization

Rhea-AI Summary

Viavi Solutions (NASDAQ: VIAV) announced its participation in the Spring 2024 O-RAN PlugFest, organized by the O-RAN ALLIANCE. VIAVI, alongside Rohde & Schwarz, conducted extensive conformance and interoperability testing on O-RAN Radio Units (O-RUs) from multiple vendors. Testing took place across nine labs in six countries, focusing on Open Radio Unit commercialization and innovation, aligning with the U.S. NTIA's recent funding opportunity. Key outcomes included successful O-RU conformance tests, end-to-end and subsystem testing, and security validations. VIAVI's advanced tools, including the TM500 and XhaulAdvisor, supported these activities.

Positive

• Participation in an eighth consecutive O-RAN PlugFest highlights VIAVI's consistent leadership and expertise in the field.
• Conducted successful conformance and interoperability testing of various O-RUs, enhancing product credibility.
• Involvement in NTIA's focus on O-RU commercialization and innovation aligns with industry advancements.
• Extensive testing across nine labs in six countries signifies a comprehensive global approach.
• Use of advanced tools like TM500, TM500 O-RU Tester, and XhaulAdvisor to support testing enhances credibility.

Negative

• No direct mention of financial gains or revenue increases stemming from the testing activities.
• Absence of concrete data on potential market impact or commercial benefits of the tested products.

CHANDLER, Ariz., June 25, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Viavi Solutions Inc. (VIAVI) (NASDAQ: VIAV) today shared the company's role in the Spring 2024 PlugFest organized by the O-RAN ALLIANCE. Participating in its eighth consecutive PlugFest, VIAVI contributed its solutions and expertise to validate new products, specifications and use cases in order to improve deployment outcomes. In particular, VIAVI and Rohde & Schwarz conducted conformance testing of O-RAN Radio Units (O-RUs) from multiple vendors, based on a joint testbed focused on Open Radio Commercialization and Innovation.

This year's Spring PlugFest is particularly significant, as the U.S. National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) Public Wireless Supply Chain Innovation Fund (PWSCIF) has recently published a Second Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO 2), which focuses on Open Radio Unit (O-RU) Commercialization and Innovation.

"VIAVI is proud to be a leader within the O-RAN ALLIANCE and to have contributed to every PlugFest the organization has ever sponsored," said Dr. Sameh Yamany, Chief Technology Officer, VIAVI. "Over time, testing has evolved from conformance of new products to higher order needs such as security and energy savings. However, the recent announcement from U.S. NTIA on Open Radio commercialization and innovation makes it clear that fundamental performance and interoperability remain critical."

From February through May, VIAVI participated in testing in nine labs across six countries: the United States; United Kingdom; Japan; Korea; Singapore and Taiwan. By providing an open, collaborative, and neutral environment, the labs test and verify the conformity, interoperability, functionality, and performance of RAN equipment based on O-RAN test specifications. Major outcomes included:

• O-RU Testing. Fronthaul conformance tests ensure that O-RUs are interoperable with the O-RAN Distributed Unit (O-DU). VIAVI and Rohde & Schwarz conducted conformance testing of an Eridan O-RU at CableLabs (U.S.A), LITEON and VVDN O-RUs at the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD), and Actiontec and LITEON O-RUs in Taiwan. VIAVI and Rohde & Schwarz also conducted energy efficiency testing of the Actiontec and LITEON O-RUs in Taiwan.
• End-to-End and Subsystem Testing. VIAVI validated conformance and interoperability of an Effnet O-RAN Central Unit (O-CU) at CableLabs, an OpenAirInterface O-DU and O-CU at University of New Hampshire InterOperability Lab and at Iowa State University, and another vendor's O-DU and O-CU at Digital Catapult's SONIC Labs (U.K.).
• Security testing. Network security must be protected in an open, multi-vendor environment. VIAVI provided security testing with automation across a Mavenir end-to-end O-RAN at CableLabs, and another vendor's O-DU and O-CU at Digital Catapult's SONIC Labs.
• RIC Testing. When the conformance and performance of the RAN Intelligent Controller (RIC) is verified, vendors can implement xApps or rApps to unlock RAN intelligence and deliver cutting-edge use cases such as energy savings and enhanced QoS. VIAVI validated conformance and interoperability of a Rakuten Symphony RIC at Nakao Labs (Japan), and RICs from two major vendors at SUTD. VIAVI also generated scenarios to train energy-saving r/xApps from Rakuten Symphony, SUTD, and another vendor.

The test platforms supporting these activities were:

• VIAVI TM500, the industry's leading UE emulator, supporting conformance, performance, interoperability, security and end-to-end testing.
• VIAVI TM500 O-RU Tester in combination with the R&S SMW200A or R&S SMM100A Vector Signal Generator (VSG), R&S FSV/A or R&S FSW Signal and Spectrum Analyzer (VSA), R&S VSE signal analysis software from Rohde & Schwarz, used for O-RU conformance testing, with VIAVI O-RU Test Manager providing a seamless user experience.
• VIAVI TeraVM, a virtualized application emulation and security performance platform, used in 5G, Open RAN, RIC testing and training, and cybersecurity testing.
• VIAVI XhaulAdvisor, a scalable software solution offering real-time data for fronthaul verification, analysis, emulation and channel utilization. The first solution in the market to feature real-time analytics, XhaulAdvisor enables Open RAN vendors, operators and OTIC labs to accelerate interoperability and end-to-end testing and troubleshooting.

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.

VIAVI, the VIAVI logo, TM500, TeraVM and XhaulAdvisor are trademarks or registered trademarks of VIAVI Solutions Inc. All other brand and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of the companies named, their subsidiaries in the U.S. or in other countries.

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 VIAVI's involvement in the Spring 2024 O-RAN PlugFest?

VIAVI participated in the Spring 2024 O-RAN PlugFest, providing solutions and expertise for conformance and interoperability testing of O-RAN Radio Units (O-RUs).

What were the key outcomes of VIAVI's participation in the Spring 2024 O-RAN PlugFest?

VIAVI's participation resulted in successful O-RU conformance tests, end-to-end and subsystem testing, and security validations across nine labs in six countries.

How does VIAVI's involvement align with the U.S. NTIA's recent funding opportunity?

VIAVI's focus on O-RU commercialization and innovation aligns with the U.S. NTIA's Second Notice of Funding Opportunity, emphasizing advancements in Open Radio Units.

Which testing tools did VIAVI use during the Spring 2024 O-RAN PlugFest?

VIAVI utilized advanced tools such as the TM500, TM500 O-RU Tester, and XhaulAdvisor to support conformance, performance, interoperability, and security testing.

What is the significance of VIAVI's testing across nine labs in six countries?

Testing across nine labs in six countries demonstrates VIAVI's comprehensive global approach to validating RAN equipment's conformity, interoperability, functionality, and performance.