Rohde & Schwarz and VIAVI collaborate for O-RAN testing

Rohde & Schwarz (R&S) and Viavi Solutions have partnered to offer an integrated solution for conformance testing of O-RAN radio units (O-RUs). 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.

O-RAN is making radio access networks more open, disaggregated and flexible, experiencing rapid advancement and growth in the technology ecosystem. Network disaggregation brings 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 R&S SMW200A vector signal generator, R&S FSVA3000 signal and spectrum analyser and the R&S VSE signal analysis software emulate a real-world radio environment by generating, capturing and analysing RF signals, extended for O-RAN applications. The TM500 O-RU Tester from VIAVI implements the 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, simplifies testcase workflow while allowing deeper data inspection and analysis as needed.

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