VIAVI Provides Benchmarking and Validation for Global O-RAN Plugfest

Rhea-AI Summary

On December 16, 2021, Viavi Solutions (NASDAQ: VIAV) announced its involvement in the third annual global O-RAN plugfest, collaborating with leading communications service providers across multiple countries. The event, held in October and November 2021, showcased advancements in the O-RAN ecosystem and emphasized the importance of the RAN Intelligent Controller (RIC) in network management. Viavi provided critical tools, including the TeraVM RIC Test, to ensure optimal performance under varied scenarios. The company continues to lead in testing solutions for O-RAN networks, maintaining a significant share in RAN development.

Positive

• Viavi's participation in the O-RAN plugfest solidifies its role as a leader in network testing solutions.
• The company showcased its TeraVM RIC Test, demonstrating effective benchmarking and validation capabilities.
• Over 85% of Network Equipment Manufacturers utilize Viavi's RANtoCore platform for 5G development.

Negative

• None.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Dec. 16, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Viavi Solutions Inc. (VIAVI) (NASDAQ: VIAV) today shared the company's role in the third annual global O-RAN plugfest hosted by Tier-1 communications service providers and the O-RAN ALLIANCE. The plugfest involved a series of on-site demonstrations across multiple countries, conducted in October and November 2021.

VIAVI was relied upon to provide benchmarking and validation for plugfest tests and demonstrations at locations including: New Brunswick, USA, hosted by AT&T and Verizon with Rutgers University; Menlo Park, USA, hosted by AT&T and Verizon at the TIP Community Lab with Meta; Berlin, Germany, hosted by Deutsche Telekom; Madrid, Spain, hosted by Telefónica; Gurgaon, India, hosted by Airtel; Tokyo, Japan hosted by Yokosuka Research Park with participation from major service providers including Rakuten Mobile; and Taiwan hosted by Auray OTIC and Security Lab and Chunghwa Telecom.

This year's plugfest demonstrated the rapid evolution of the O-RAN ecosystem with increasing focus on the RAN Intelligent Controller (RIC), which changes the way network resources are managed, bringing artificial intelligence and big data into day-to-day operations. To mitigate the risk involved in introducing this new technology, operators depended upon tools from VIAVI including the TeraVM RIC Test to test the performance of the RIC when presented with a wide range of RAN scenarios, to test the functionality of rApps and xApps, as well as provide the means to generate the data needed to train AI models.

The VIAVI Test Suite for O-RAN Specifications also supported conformance, performance, interoperability and end-to-end testing:

• Open Radio Unit (O-RU) and Open Distributed Unit (O-DU) – Casa Systems Apex 5G Evo Radio was validated using the VIAVI TM500 O-RU Tester in conjunction with the Rohde & Schwarz SMW200A Vector Signal Generator (VSG), FSW Signal and Spectrum Analyzer and Vector Signal Explorer (VSE) software. Performance testing of the Sercomm Small Cell O-RU/O-DU was conducted using the VIAVI TeraVM O-CU Simulator and TeraVM Core Emulator.
• Open Central Unit (O-CU) – Performance (load/scale) testing of the Accelleran O-CU installed on a cloud native router was conducted using the VIAVI TeraVM O-CU Tester.
• Open Fronthaul (OFH) – OFH interoperability between Intel's FlexRAN™ reference software and Capgemini Engineering O-CU, O-DU and Core, with IP Infusion fronthaul switch as grandmaster clock, was validated using the VIAVI TM500 O-DU Tester and E500 UE Emulator. VIAVI also provided the T-BERD/MTS-5800 for Xhaul Transport and Synchronization testing on the Ciena 5164 and 5168 with grandmaster, and on the Cisco NCS540.
• End-to-end interoperability testing of O-RU, O-DU and O-CU from major vendors was conducted with the VIAVI E500 UE Emulator and TeraVM Core Emulator. OFH and end-to-end interoperability was demonstrated between the TeraVM Core Emulator, a major vendor's O-RU, Capgemini O-DU/O-CU and commercial device.
• RIC – The TeraVM RIC Test was used to validate the Accelleran dRAX™ RIC and xApps, and the TCS RIC and traffic steering xApp. TeraVM RIC Test also supported a demonstration of the Rakuten Communications Platform (RCP) enabling RAN self-healing and optimization, including rApp impact compensation with RAN optimization xApps working on latest O-RAN SC RIC stack.

"With each O-RAN plugfest, we have seen commitment from more service providers, a proliferation of vendors, and clearer signs that the technology is progressing toward maturity," said Sameh Yamany, Chief Technology Officer, VIAVI. "In 2021, the scope of investigation has expanded beyond connectivity between O-RAN elements to automated assurance and optimization using the RIC and xApps."

VIAVI offers the most comprehensive test platform on the market for lab validation, field deployment and service assurance of O-RAN networks, deployable on premise, in public or private clouds, and as Test as a Service (TaaS). With over 85% of NEMs using the VIAVI RANtoCore platform for gNB development, the company uniquely offers market-leading 5G and Open RAN test solutions for conformance, performance and interoperability of O-RU, O-CU, O-DU, RIC and Core elements.

About VIAVI
VIAVI (NASDAQ: VIAV) is a global provider of network test, monitoring and assurance solutions for communications service providers, enterprises, network equipment manufacturers, government and avionics. We help these customers harness the power of instruments, automation, intelligence and virtualization to Command the network. VIAVI is also a leader in light management solutions for 3D sensing, anti-counterfeiting, consumer electronics, industrial, automotive, and defense applications. Learn more about VIAVI at www.viavisolutions.com. Follow us on VIAVI Perspectives, LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube and Facebook.

Media Inquiries:

North America Sonus PR Micah Warren viavi@sonuspr.com	Latin America Edelman Significa Monica Czeszak monica.czeszak@edelmansignifica.com	DACH Riba:BusinessTalk Michael Beyrau mbeyrau@riba.eu
EMEA & Asia Pacific/Japan Sonus PR Chevaan Seresinhe viavi@sonuspr.com	India Voila Communications Manish Sharma manish@voilacomm.in	China Archetype Geff Pan viavichina@archetype.cn

 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/viavi-provides-benchmarking-and-validation-for-global-o-ran-plugfest-301446339.html

SOURCE VIAVI Solutions

FAQ

What is Viavi's role in the O-RAN plugfest?

Viavi Solutions provided benchmarking and validation support for the O-RAN plugfest, demonstrating advancements in the O-RAN ecosystem.

When did the O-RAN plugfest take place?

The O-RAN plugfest occurred in October and November 2021.

What is the significance of the TeraVM RIC Test?

The TeraVM RIC Test is crucial for validating the performance of the RIC in various RAN scenarios, enhancing network management capabilities.

How does Viavi's testing solutions impact the 5G market?

Viavi's testing solutions are widely adopted, with over 85% of NEMs relying on its RANtoCore platform for 5G development, reinforcing its market leadership.