VIAVI and Calnex Collaborate for Enhanced Open RAN Testing
Plug-and-play testbeds for end-to-end and cybersecurity testing validate compliance with O-RAN ALLIANCE and 3GPP standards.
In a significant move within the telecommunications industry, VIAVI Solutions Inc. (NASDAQ: VIAV) has teamed up with Calnex Solutions plc to offer advanced testing solutions for Open RAN products. This partnership aims to simplify the testing process and make it more cost-efficient while ensuring compliance with essential industry standards.
The implementation of Open RAN, as well as AI-RAN in the realms of 5G and 6G systems, is transforming the telecom infrastructure landscape. This shift allows a broader range of companies, including startups and university spinouts, to enter the market. However, the move towards a multivendor ecosystem raises the necessity for strict adherence to performance, security, interoperability, and reliability standards.
Although final certification from O-RAN ALLIANCE and 3GPP must occur in official labs, establishing pre-certification testing is crucial to ensure a high rate of success and avoid costly failures. Through this collaboration, manufacturers of O-RU, O-DU, and O-CU equipment can benefit from three readily available testbeds:
Available Testing Solutions
These testbeds include:
- End-to-end and cybersecurity solutions focused on fronthaul and midhaul.
- Test solutions specifically for O-RUs and O-DUs, especially in S-plane testing.
- Core network emulation test bundles tailored for backhaul.
Development is ongoing for additional testbeds that will enhance this offering. The collaboration utilizes VIAVI's TM500 and XEdge test platforms that create scenarios for both emulated and real user equipment. Alongside these, the TeraVM network traffic generator is integrated to ensure comprehensive testing capabilities.
Specialist hardware from Calnex further complements these efforts, notably the Paragon-neo for synchronization challenges with O-RU and O-DU, and SNE-Ignite which addresses fronthaul and midhaul impairments. The SNE-X provides vital elements for core network emulation, making the testing process thorough and effective.
Ian Langley, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Wireless Business Unit at VIAVI, remarked on the challenges faced during the initial development phase. He highlighted that many Open RAN units only experience testing with a single O-DU/O-CU vendor, leading to failures under real-world conditions. This issue highlights the necessity for realistic fronthaul condition emulation—a gap this partnership aims to bridge.
Tommy Cook, CEO of Calnex, emphasized that companies require in-house labs to validate their Open RAN systems urgently. Traditional setups demand equipment from various vendors and can involve several months of troubleshooting to achieve interoperability. By joining forces with VIAVI, Calnex aims to simplify and accelerate lab setups to alleviate these long-standing issues faced by developers.
The integrated testing systems from VIAVI and Calnex will allow for comprehensive O-RAN and 3GPP conformance tests. These systems will enable carriers and operators to conduct thorough assessments of critical functionalities such as S-plane resilience, manage multi-cell handovers efficiently, and perform root-cause debugging coupled with cybersecurity vulnerability assessments across all O-RAN components.
About VIAVI
VIAVI (NASDAQ: VIAV) enriches the global telecommunications landscape by providing advanced network test, monitoring, and assurance solutions. Their services extend to cloud services, enterprise environments, military organizations, and more. VIAVI also specializes in light management technologies, catering to a diverse range of applications including consumer electronics and aerospace. To explore more about VIAVI, visit their official site.
About Calnex
Calnex is dedicated to designing and manufacturing test and measurement instruments that validate performance across critical telecommunication and cloud computing infrastructures. Their solutions facilitate comprehensive testing that assists customers in ensuring the integrity of their network technologies and applications. More information about Calnex's offerings is available on their official website.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the focus of the VIAVI and Calnex partnership?
The partnership focuses on creating advanced testing solutions for Open RAN products, ensuring compliance with industry standards.
What types of test solutions are available through this collaboration?
Available solutions include end-to-end tests, cybersecurity measures, and core network emulation tailored for Open RAN setups.
How does Open RAN impact the telecommunications market?
The adoption of Open RAN allows smaller companies and startups to innovate in the telecommunications field by using a more inclusive, multivendor ecosystem.
Why is pre-certification testing important?
Pre-certification testing helps manufacturers identify issues early, preventing costly failures at the final certification stage and ensuring product reliability.
What company solutions should I look out for?
Look out for innovative testbeds and equipment from VIAVI and Calnex that significantly enhance the Open RAN testing process.
