Wireless Network Development and Validation

Our lab test tools have been leading the way for many years. The TM500 had been the defacto industry-standard in network test since 3G and it showcased a 5G proof of concept back in 2013. The TeraVM was the first virtualised test product and the first 5G Core network emulator, now the first O-RAN Cloud-deployed test solution. 

Operators building disaggregated O-RAN networks will need to invest in multi-vendor testing themselves and will require a comprehensive test suite with modules for lab validation, field deployment and network assurance.

VIAVI has adopted and contributes to the O-RAN Alliance fronthaul specifications, developing O-RAN compliant RAN and fronthaul test practices and establishing diverse partnerships within industry workgroups. This led to VIAVI creating an industry’s first Test Suite for O-RAN Specifications. This Test Suite can be seen as part of the O-RAN Alliance Virtual Exhibition.

VIAVI enables operators to test O-RAN network configurations in a lab environment, before rolling it out in a live network. Operators can stress test new O-RAN technology alongside legacy 4G technology, helping them understand how the introduction of the technology will impact the entire network. VIAVI helps support the aims of OTIC and help ensure that new O-RAN compliant infrastructure can be effectively deployed into networks and are compatible with legacy equipment.

Testing the 5G core in this new cloud environment presents new challenges for operators and engineers. The cloud is great as it enables remote testing of components, but it therefore also requires a tool that multiple engineers can use from multiple dispersed locations. Engineers also need a controllable and repeatable environment, that has the openness and agility to support new 3GPP standards as and when they’re implemented.

VIAVI’s fully virtualized TeraVM solution allows testing to be carried out in the cloud, reducing the need for test hardware, freeing up the test engineers to run testing from remote locations, and increasing the flexibility to share test licences. It offers a controllable, repeatable test environment that can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection.

With years of experience testing in the cloud and the world’s first virtualized test solution, TeraVM is the ideal test partner for service providers as they look to test and develop 5G core networks, in both public and private cloud environments. Learn more at viavisolutions.com/inthecloud

There are many challenges faced with private 5G networks and the testing of it e.g. security, reliability and maximum performance. Imagine if the network in an automotive factory went down or there was a performance issue meaning that the efficiency of the smart factory was impacted? Or if the network failed in robotic surgeries.  it’s not only mission-critical URLLC and mMTC applications that’ll require private networks. An office block, a leisure complex, a football stadium, a shopping center – enterprises of this nature will also increasingly turn to private 5G networks in support a range of mobility scenarios. Small cells will be a key part of deployment plans for such networks.  small cells provide coverage for small areas in a similar way as traditional base stations. They’re capable of supporting the high data rates needed for consumer mobile use as well as low-speed and low-power devices: just the kind of UE profiles you might expect in an office building or shopping center. In addition to supporting thousands of UEs, small cells are also low cost to deploy, democratizing access to private network deployments and allowing smaller enterprises – as well as major IIoT player – to benefit. With the support from VIAVI, businesses – from multi-site energy giants to regional firms managing leisure complexes – can rapidly and cost-effectively deliver private 5G networks, ensuring the benefits of smart connectivity are available to all.

VIAVI remain on the cutting-edge of network development and has helped the industry test and ready networks from lab to field during earlier standards transitions, and we’ll play a critical role in the testing and development of 6G over the next decade.

6G R&D must start now. It will require a new mindset and flexible, lab-based methodologies, which, working with a partner like VIAVI, will allow NEMs and service providers to easily and cost-effectively make the journey from 4.5G, 5G, all the way through to 6G. VIAVI continues to work with leaders in technology research creating proof of concepts for next generation networks. 

VIAVI offers unparalleled global support with multi-level support from engineering to senior management with long term onsite presence on customer premises when required, with our highly experienced and highly trained support teams.

With the hype growing around 5G non-terrestrial networks providing much larger coverage and resilience compared to terrestrial networks. If they are to be used for mission critical communications, it is essential that they are reliable, stable and tested cost-effectively before they are launched into space. VIAVI has you covered to deliver on the technical challenges NTN creates but we also provide you with the reassurance that these are delivered with quality. For 5G NTN to succeed, you need to be able to rely on continuity and reliability of service, when mission critical communications demand it.

Find out more about Non-Terrestrial Networks for 5G

The RIC enables the optimization of RAN resources through near real-time analytic processing and provides adaption recommendations. The RAN intelligent Controller (RIC) is cloud native, and a central component of an open and virtualized RAN network. The RIC is an O-RAN Alliance defined network component that aligns with 3GPP Release 15 and beyond, it supports network slicing, mobile broadband, mission critical communications etc. TeraVM RIC Test can provide the emulated RAN (the measurements) to the RIC under test and then receive the outputs/decisions from the RIC and modify according to the proposed changes from the RIC. This makes it easy to see if changes improve the RAN efficiency. This ensures RIC developers can test their RIC effectively. The TeraVM is a virtualized test tool that ramps up quickly and can change inputs at ease.

Find out more about TeraVM RIC Test

5G networks are being developed and deployed globally faster than ever. To avoid the increasing, complex threats, security must also evolve.

The VIAVI Lab portfolio offers 5G. O-RAN, cloud and Enterprise security test solutions to ensure your security infrastructure and protocols are working as expected prior to deployment, your network performance is our priority.

Find out more about 5G Security