Testing O-RAN

Open RAN testing

Open radio access networks (O-RAN)

Innovative solutions for O-RAN test and measurement

The evolution of Open RAN (O-RAN) is making radio access networks (RAN) more open, disaggregated and flexible. Opening the network architecture can foster innovation, enable customization to individual needs and enhance network efficiency.

Interface standardization allows a network to mix and match vendors. However, this introduces new challenges in ensuring interoperability between network components. As such, advanced equipment is key for the development, certification and regression test of individual network elements, such as O-RAN radio units (O-RU). Automation has always been a valuable tool for saving resources, but it is essential for comprehensive O-RAN testing due to the asynchronous hardware and software releases of O-RAN elements.

Interoperability between O-RAN elements is ensured by the O-RAN ALLIANCE, which defines the O-RAN.WG4. CONF specification. This specification is relevant for the O-RAN fronthaul open interface, and O-RUs must conform to it in addition to the 3GPP specification.

O-RAN ALLIANCE

The O-RAN ALLIANCE is a global community of mobile network operators, vendors and research institutions. It defines new open interfaces and nodes that complement 3GPP specifications. It also organizes global plugfests that push progress in integrating and testing O-RAN building blocks. The O-RAN Alliance has established a Certification and Badging Program. The certificate ensures that equipment or functions conform to O-RAN specifications, and the badges confirm the interoperability or end to end functionality of an O-RAN solution.

O-RAN architecture and disaggregated networks

In O-RAN architecture, the interface between the distributed unit (O-DU) and the radio unit (O-RU) is known as the fronthaul interface, and it includes several planes, each serving a specific purpose:

  • C-plane: real-time control
  • S-plane: synchronization
  • U-plane: user data
  • M-plane: management

The O-RAN 7.2x split is a functional split in the radio access network (RAN) architecture that distributes the physical layer (PHY) functional modules between the Low-PHY (O-RU) and High-PHY (O-DU).

Master your O-RAN testing challenges

O-RAN deployment presents a range of unique testing challenges that require careful consideration to ensure optimal performance and interoperability.

  • Complexity: O-RAN testing requires validation of conformance, performance and interoperability across multiple network domains.
  • Potential for wider variation across operators or deployments: O-RAN allows for a variety of potential implementation points, leading to significant variations across different operators and deployments.
  • Interoperability: Ensuring seamless operation of components from multiple vendors is crucial in O-RAN.
  • Troubleshooting and isolation of problems: Identifying and isolating issues can be particularly challenging in a multi-vendor environment, complicating the troubleshooting process.

Proven mobile communication test methods are essential for verifying the quality of RF components, radios and the air interface, as well as for debugging digital designs and power management. Innovative test solutions are particularly important for assessing O-RU performance during different phases of R&D and production testing.

O-RAN WG4 conformance testing is necessary to ensure that the O-RAN fronthaul open interface meets the O-RAN.WG4.CONF. specification. Additionally, O-RUs must be tested against the 3GPP 36.141/381.141 base station conformance specifications to validate their transceiver characteristics.

Deploying an O-RAN network requires comprehensive network testing solutions to verify interoperability, end-to-end performance and user experience. The disaggregated nature of O-RAN means that there are multiple ways to synchronize infrastructure components, making time synchronization and verification crucial for maintaining proper time alignment.

Rohde & Schwarz competence for O-RAN testing

Discover the best O-RAN test solution for you

Rohde & Schwarz provides a comprehensive range of test solutions to ensure the optimal performance of O-RAN equipment and networks. Our industry leading signal generation and analysis tools are perfectly suited to verify the RF performance of radio network equipment - from design all the way to production.

  • Signal generators and analyzers for verifying O-RU RF performance that provide complete capabilities for 3GPP conformance testing
  • Oscilloscopes and power supplies to ensure overall O -RU performance by verifying digital design and power management
  • Over-the-air (OTA) and beamforming test solutions
  • Mobile network test solutions that cover the entire O-RAN test cycle and ensures end user satisfaction through end-to-end quality benchmarking and monitoring

Together with VIAVI Solutions, Rohde & Schwarz offers a proven, powerful test solution to verify O-RU conformance. The joint setup can be also configured to check O-RU quality between different hardware and software releases.

The Rohde & Schwarz Smart platform uses real smartphones (UEs) to benchmark end-to-end service performance with standardized QoE and QoS scoring methods. It also captures the functional performance of network access and mobility management procedures - both of which are key to O-RAN interoperability. In addition, our market-leading, high-performance RF scanner is used to characterize RF coverage, measure interference robustness and assess network synchronization integrity.

Fully automated test setup for O-RU testing:

How to test an O-RAN system

Benefits of our O-RAN test solutions

The O-RU tester developed in partnership with VIAVI Solutions is designed with two versatile test setup modes to cater to a variety of testing requirements and budget constraints. The benefits of this solution include:

  • Top-tier RF capabilities
  • Scalable design from R&D to production
  • Single point of control and automation as a default capability
  • Single point of contact for support, providing global access to the expertise of Rohde & Schwarz and VIAVI

If you have any questions please contact us

Products for O-RAN testing

R&S®FSW signal and spectrum analyzer

High end signal and spectrum analyzer for the most challenging tasks

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R&S®FSV(A)3000 signal and spectrum analyzer

For the most demanding signal analysis tasks in the lab and on the production line

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R&S®SMBV100B vector signal generator

Perfect combination of performance usability - ideal for mobile communications and GNSS

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R&S®SMM100A vector signal generator

Signal generator with wide frequency range, excellent signal quality and high output power

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R&S®SMW200A vector signal generator

Flexible modular design that can be equipped with the exact options your application needs

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R&S®PVT360A performance vector tester

Vector tester optimized for FR1 base station, small cell and RF component testing

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R&S®VSE vector signal explorer software

Powerful software tool for signal analysis, troubleshooting and design optimization

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R&S®NGP800 power supply series

Stable output for powering (O-)RU for high voltage and current, with built in measurements

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R&S®QualiPoc Android for smartphone based QoE/QoS testing

Powerful and flexible software for RF testing and service quality assessment; offers full set of service quality tests for voice, data and video together with complete air interface logging.

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R&S®TSMx6 RF scanner family

Advanced multiband and multi-technology RF scanners; decodes all channels in multiple technologies with market leading speed, sensitivity and frequency coverage.

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R&S®5G STS site testing solution

All-in-one portable tool - TSMA6 high speed RF scanner for passive measurements controlled by R&S®ROMES4 software or QualiPoc Android software and active end-to-end measurements executed by the QualiPoc Android smartphone.

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R&S®SmartAnalytics data analytics software

Powerful web-based analytics software that provides QoE and QoE focused insights and O-RAN network performance metrics.

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More O-RAN testing resources

Poster: Open RAN network topology

Download this poster for an overview of the O-RAN disaggregated RAN architecture, the various lower layer split (LLS) options and the O-RAN fronthaul interface.

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App Card: Verify your O-RAN radio units

Learn how you can measure O-RU performance with the powerful test solution from Rohde & Schwarz in cooperation with VIAVI Solutions.

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O-RU energy efficiency testing

Video: O-RU energy efficiency testing

Watch this video and discover how the R&S NGP power supply units power the radio unit and monitor voltage and current statistics over time.

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AppCard: Verify the energy efficiency of your O-RAN radio units

O-RAN radio units (O-RU) contribute significantly to the high power consumption of 5G networks. Making O-RUs energy efficient without sacrificing O-RAN innovations is a top priority.
Read this application card to learn more.

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Case study: Mastering O-RAN radio unit (O-RU) testing

Learn all about how Kyrio found its perfect O-RAN conformance T&M solution from Rohde & Schwarz and VIAVI Solutions.

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Conformance test for O-RAN fronthaul from Rohde & Schwarz, VIAVI Solutions, and Analog Devices

Video: Conformance test for O-RAN fronthaul from Rohde & Schwarz, VIAVI Solutions, and Analog Devices

Watch a demonstration of O-RAN radio unit conformance test. Using a test setup from Rohde & Schwarz and VIAVI Solutions run tests conforming to O-RAN ALLIANCE specifications on an Analog Devices 8T8R radio reference platform.

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Video: O-RAN fronthaul conformance testing

O-RAN, with option 7-2 split, enables the disaggregation of Radio Access Networks. Rohde & Schwarz together with VIAVI enables O-RU verification by offering a complete test and automation system.

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Webinar: Open RAN – network performance in the lab and field

Get an overview of the O-RAN disaggregation aspects and learn how T&M can guarantee the successful deployment of an O-RAN network.

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A concise introduction to O-RAN technology

Video: A concise introduction to O-RAN technology

Discover the technology and test aspects of Open RAN radio access networks (O-RAN).

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Introduction to O-RAN radio unit testing

Video: Introduction to O-RAN radio unit testing

Learn how to verify the interoperability of your O-RAN network equipment.

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