VIAVI Provides Benchmarking and Validation for Global O-RAN PlugFest, Demonstrating Technology Maturity, Performance and Security

Rhea-AI Summary

Viavi Solutions Inc. (VIAV) participated in the O-RAN PlugFest organized by the O-RAN ALLIANCE, showcasing its role in validating and benchmarking O-RAN technologies across various global locations in May and June 2022. Key highlights included demonstrated interoperability in multi-vendor environments and performance testing of Open Radio Units. Dr. Ian Wong remarked on the maturity of the O-RAN ecosystem, noting advancements in security and AI/ML-driven network optimization. VIAVI's comprehensive test suite supports extensive testing capabilities for all components of O-RAN networks.

Positive

• Participation in a significant global industry event, enhancing brand visibility.
• Demonstrated advancements in O-RAN technologies signaling growth in the sector.
• Collaboration with major industry players like AT&T and Dish Wireless, strengthening partnerships.
• Improved market position through validation of performance and security of O-RAN networks.

Negative

• None.

CHANDLER, Ariz., July 5, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Viavi Solutions Inc. (VIAVI) (NASDAQ: VIAV) today shared the company's role in the O-RAN PlugFest organized by the O-RAN ALLIANCE and hosted by industry leaders. The PlugFest involved a series of on-site demonstrations across multiple countries, conducted in May and June 2022.

VIAVI was relied upon to provide benchmarking and validation for PlugFest tests and demonstrations hosted by:

• AT&T and Dish Wireless at the following locations:
• COSMOS Lab, Rutgers University in New Brunswick, USA
• TIP Community Lab hosted by Meta in Menlo Park, USA
• University of New Hampshire InterOperability Laboratory in Durham, USA
• Telefónica in Madrid, Spain; and
• Auray OTIC and Security Lab in Taiwan.

"The increasing maturity of the O-RAN ecosystem was evident across the entire PlugFest," commented Dr. Ian Wong, CTO Office, VIAVI and Co-Chair, Testing and Integration Focus Group, O-RAN ALLIANCE. "Open Radio Units (O-RUs) are completing fronthaul conformance certification, and moving beyond certification into performance testing. Interoperability in multi-vendor environments beyond the O-RU was also more in focus, with key combinations including O-RU and Open Distributed Unit (O-DU), O-DU and Open Central Unit (O-CU), and complete end-to-end networks being demonstrated. Vendors showcased the RAN Intelligent Controller (RIC) and its potential to bring AI/ML techniques to network optimization and service management. And with security of open networks growing in importance, this PlugFest session also included running O-RAN and 3GPP security test cases."

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

• O-RU – VIAVI and Rohde & Schwarz partnered on O-RAN Fronthaul (OFH) conformance and 3GPP pre-conformance testing of O-RUs from Foxconn and other vendors. The two companies also jointly validated an O-RU reference design with components from Analog Devices and Intel. The combined testbed includes the VIAVI TM500 O-RU Tester and the Rohde & Schwarz SMW200A Vector Signal Generator (VSG), FSW Signal and Spectrum Analyzer and Vector Signal Explorer (VSE) software, with the O-RU Test Manager providing a seamless user experience. Separately, VIAVI supported conformance and performance testing of a C-Band 64TRX Massive MIMO Fujitsu O-RU, providing the TM500 O-RU Tester, TM500 UE Emulator and T-BERD/MTS 5800 PTP/SyncE grandmaster.
• Transport – VIAVI also provided the T-BERD/MTS-5800 for Xhaul Transport and Synchronization testing on ADVA's FSP 150-XG418 as a Cell Site Gateway (CSG) and Ensemble Activator network operating system (NOS) on Edgecore AS7316-26XB as a Hub Site Router (HSR), and validating the compatibility of third-party optics plugs from Precision Optical Transceivers.
• End-to-end interoperability and security testing – The VIAVI TM500 UE Emulator and TeraVM Core Emulator were used for E2E and security testing of multiple vendor combinations, including: the Foxconn O-RU and REIGN CORE; the Pegatron O-RU, O-CU and O-DU; and equipment from ASKEY.
• RIC – VIAVI demonstrated near real-time RIC platform performance benchmarking by integrating another vendor's xApp with the VIAVI TeraVM RIC Test. The two companies also partnered to demonstrate traffic steering in near real-time RIC by integrating anomaly detection, quality prediction and traffic steering xApps with the TeraVM RIC Test, in a fully automated, closed-loop fashion, and in a multi-vendor, multi-technology environment.

"Interest in cross-industry collaboration on O-RAN has grown so substantially that we have moved to multiple PlugFest sessions during the year," said Stephen Hire, Vice President of Wireless Marketing, VIAVI. "Beyond the number of participants, complexity is introduced in terms of end-to-end interoperability, AI- and ML-driven automation in assurance and optimization, and security. VIAVI enabled our partners to surmount this complexity by delivering comprehensive and relevant test cases on proven platforms, known for simplicity of use and expedited results."

VIAVI offers the most comprehensive test suite on the market for lab validation, field deployment and service assurance of O-RAN networks. With vast experience validating network products for operators and manufacturers worldwide, VIAVI allows any node – O-RU, O-DU, O-CU, RIC and Core – and complete end-to-end testing to be performed on premise, in the cloud or as a service.

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

 

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SOURCE VIAVI Solutions

FAQ

What was the purpose of Viavi's participation in the O-RAN PlugFest in July 2022?

Viavi participated to provide benchmarking and validation for O-RAN technologies, demonstrating their maturity and performance.

What technologies did Viavi showcase during the O-RAN PlugFest?

Viavi showcased interoperability in multi-vendor environments and performance testing of Open Radio Units.

Who organized the O-RAN PlugFest that Viavi Solutions participated in?

The O-RAN PlugFest was organized by the O-RAN ALLIANCE.

In which countries did the O-RAN PlugFest demonstrations take place?

The demonstrations occurred in the USA, Spain, and Taiwan.

What is the significance of the advancements in O-RAN technologies highlighted by Viavi?

These advancements indicate the increasing maturity and security of O-RAN networks, enhancing their reliability for operators.