VIAVI Leads the Way in O-RAN PlugFest as U.S. NTIA Pushes O-RU Commercialization: A Look at the Latest Innovations in Radio Unit Testing

Viavi Solutions participated in the Spring 2024 PlugFest organized by the O-RAN ALLIANCE, showcasing their expertise and solutions to validate new products, specifications, and use cases to enhance deployment results. Specifically, Viavi and Rohde & Schwarz collaborated on conformance testing of O-RAN Radio Units (O-RUs) from various vendors, using a joint testbed focused on Open Radio Commercialization and Innovation.

The Spring PlugFest this year holds special importance because the U.S. National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has released a Second Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO 2) for the Public Wireless Supply Chain Innovation Fund (PWSCIF). This funding opportunity specifically highlights the Commercialization and Innovation of Open Radio Units (O-RU).

Dr. Sameh Yamany, VIAVI's Chief Technology Officer, expressed pride in the company's leadership role in the O-RAN ALLIANCE and its consistent participation in all PlugFests organized by the alliance. The evolution of testing has shifted from simply confirming new product compatibility to addressing more advanced needs like security and energy efficiency. Despite advancements, the recent announcement from the U.S. NTIA regarding Open Radio emphasizes the ongoing importance of performance and interoperability.

Between February and May, VIAVI was involved in testing activities in nine different laboratories spanning six countries: the US, UK, Japan, Korea, Singapore, and Taiwan. These labs offer a cooperative and unbiased setting for testing and confirming the compliance, compatibility, functionality, and effectiveness of RAN equipment according to O-RAN test standards. Key results from these testing activities were:

O-RU Testing involves ensuring that O-RUs can work together with the O-RAN Distributed Unit (O-DU) through conformance tests. VIAVI and Rohde & Schwarz conducted conformance testing for various O-RUs in different locations such as CableLabs in the U.S.A, Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD), and Taiwan. Energy efficiency testing was also conducted for certain O-RUs in Taiwan by VIAVI and Rohde & Schwarz.

· Through end-to-end and subsystem testing, VIAVI confirmed that an Effnet O-RAN Central Unit (O-CU) met standards and could work with other systems at CableLabs. They also tested an OpenAirInterface O-DU and O-CU at the University of New Hampshire InterOperability Lab and Iowa State University, as well as another vendor's O-DU and O-CU at Digital Catapult's SONIC Labs in the UK.

To ensure network security in a diverse vendor environment, VIAVI conducted security testing using automation on a Mavenir O-RAN system at CableLabs, as well as on another vendor's O-DU and O-CU at Digital Catapult's SONIC Labs.

· Testing the RAN Intelligent Controller (RIC). By verifying the compliance and functionality of the RAN Intelligent Controller (RIC), vendors are able to develop xApps or rApps that can access RAN intelligence and enable advanced use cases like energy efficiency and improved Quality of Service. VIAVI confirmed the compliance and compatibility of a Rakuten Symphony RIC at Nakao Labs in Japan, as well as RICs from two other major vendors at SUTD. VIAVI also created scenarios to test energy-saving r/xApps from Rakuten Symphony, SUTD, and another vendor.

The platforms used to support these activities were:

The VIAVI TM500 is a top UE emulator in the industry that offers support for a variety of testing needs, including conformance, performance, interoperability, security, and end-to-end testing.

The VIAVI TM500 O-RU Tester is used in conjunction with the R&S SMW200A or R&S SMM100A Vector Signal Generator, as well as the R&S FSV/A or R&S FSW Signal and Spectrum Analyzer, and the R&S VSE signal analysis software from Rohde & Schwarz. This setup is utilized for O-RU conformance testing, with the VIAVI O-RU Test Manager ensuring a smooth user experience.

VIAVI TeraVM is a platform that emulates applications and tests security performance in virtual environments. It is commonly utilized in 5G, Open RAN, RIC testing, training, and cybersecurity testing.

VIAVI XhaulAdvisor is a software solution that can be adjusted to fit the needs of the user. It provides up-to-the-minute information for verifying, analyzing, emulating, and utilizing channels in the fronthaul. This is the first solution available that includes real-time analytics, helping Open RAN vendors, operators, and OTIC labs speed up their interoperability testing, end-to-end testing, and problem-solving processes.

To find out more information about VIAVI, visit their website at www.viavisolutions.com.

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