Munich, and Scottsdale, Ariz. 21.02.2022

Rohde & Schwarz and VIAVI Solutions jointly offer O-RAN Radio Unit conformance test solution

O-RU Test Manager delivers unified user experience, combining both companies’ test solutions.

Rohde & Schwarz and VIAVI Solutions Inc. today announced they have partnered to offer an integrated solution for conformance testing of O-RAN Radio Units (O-RUs). The two companies, leaders in wireless communication test and active in specifications development in the O-RAN Alliance, have combined their industry-leading capabilities. Central to the joint solution is the O-RU Test Manager which provides a seamless user experience. The solution will be demonstrated at MWC Barcelona 2022, February 28 to March 3, at the Rohde & Schwarz booth 5A80.

O-RAN is making radio access networks more open, disaggregated and flexible. Opening the network architecture can foster innovation, accommodate individual needs and enhance network efficiency. Therefore, O-RAN is experiencing rapid advancement and growth in the technology ecosystem. The O-RAN Alliance includes over 300 service providers, vendors and research institutions, and the number of participants in O-RAN Global PlugFest 2021 doubled from the previous year.

Network disaggregation as in O-RAN brings new challenges in terms of interoperability between the network equipment of different vendors. Fronthaul conformance tests, defined by the O-RAN Alliance, ensure that the evolving O-RUs are interoperable with the O-RAN distributed unit (O-DU). The joint test solution, which already supported benchmarking and validation tests at multiple locations during PlugFests and will now be showcased at MWC Barcelona 2022, includes:

• The R&S SMW200A vector signal generator, R&S FSVA3000 signal and spectrum analyzer and the R&S VSE signal analysis software from Rohde & Schwarz, to emulate a real-world radio environment by generating, capturing and analyzing RF signals, extended for O-RAN applications.
• The TM500 O-RU Tester from VIAVI, implementing the O-RAN Distributed Unit (O-DU) side of the M-plane and C/U-plane functionality necessary to configure the interface with the O-RU and exchange of I/Q data over the Open Fronthaul.
• The O-RU Test Manager application, providing a single point of control for the integrated system, simplifying testcase workflow while allowing deeper data inspection and analysis as needed.

Alexander Pabst, Vice President Market Segment Wireless Communications at Rohde & Schwarz, said: "The number of companies involved in O-RAN continues to grow, including traditional network operators and network equipment manufacturers, as well as new vendors, system integrators, chipset developers, OTICs and other labs. This large ecosystem will benefit from a partnership of two industry leaders, including the long-standing experience in RF testing and high-performance test and measurement solutions from Rohde & Schwarz, and VIAVI’s experience in network emulation, including demonstrator competency and CUSM plane generation.”

Ian Langley, Vice President and General Manager, Wireless Business Unit, VIAVI, said: “Both VIAVI and R&S have collaborated with top service providers and vendors on rolling out previous generations of mobile technology, and our partnership delivers a best-of-breed approach with a unified customer experience. As software and hardware become disaggregated in O-RAN, testing has proven invaluable in helping the industry identify and fix potential issues earlier in the development cycle, so the technology can move from lab to trial to live deployment.”

At MWC Barcelona 2022 at the Rohde & Schwarz booth 5A80, VIAVI and Rohde & Schwarz will jointly demonstrate O-RAN WG4 fronthaul conformance testing. An O-RU Reference Design is validated by VIAVI’s automated TM500 O-RU tester with R&S SMW200A vector signal generator, R&S FSVA3000 signal and spectrum analyzer and the R&S VSE signal analysis software.

For more information on O-RAN testing solutions from Rohde & Schwarz, go to: www.rohde-schwarz.com/_255230.html

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Rohde & Schwarz

Rohde & Schwarz is striving for a safer and connected world with its Test & Measurement, Technology Systems and Networks & Cybersecurity Divisions. For over 90 years, the global technology group has pushed technical boundaries with developments in cutting-edge technologies. The company's leading-edge products and solutions empower industrial, regulatory and government customers to attain technological and digital sovereignty. The privately owned, Munich based company can act independently, long-term and sustainably. Rohde & Schwarz generated net revenue of EUR 2.93 billion in the 2023/2024 fiscal year (July to June). On June 30, 2024, Rohde & Schwarz had more than 14,400 employees worldwide.

R&S® is a registered trademark of Rohde & Schwarz GmbH & Co. KG.

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.