VIAVI: Accelerating network readiness from lab to live deployment

With widespread adoption of AI/ML, expanding role of data centers and move from traditional networking to higher speeds 800G/1.6Tb, the ecosystem is advancing rapidly, setting the stage for long-term growth and resilience. In an interview with tele.net, Monojit Samaddar, country director, VIAVI talks about the company’s network test and optimisation solutions and advancements in 6G, non-terrestrial networks (NTN), quantum-safe and open networks to innovations in critical communications and how VIAVI is playing a leading role in enabling next-generation mission-critical networks.

What are the key test and measurement (T&M) solutions currently being offered by VIAVI?

VIAVI is a global provider of network test, monitoring and assurance solutions and enables customer innovation in industries ranging from communication networks, hyperscale and enterprise data centers to mission-critical avionics. VIAVI engages with leading CSPs, equipment manufacturers, software companies, engineering enterprises and chipset developers providing comprehensive testing and assurance solutions from the lab to the field. Our deep expertise brings unparalleled efficiency in developing, enabling, assuring, and optimising networks with speed and success in both the lab and the field.

MU-MIMO and O-RAN Lab Test: To meet the unique challenges of radio unit and fronthaul testing for disaggregated O-RAN networks, VIAVI TM500 network tester provides an ideal platform for advanced multi-carrier MU-MIMO testing and validation, with dynamic digital channel modeling and fully integrated UE emulation.

NTN: TM500 network tester to test the performance of 5G NTN, which includes both satellite and High-Altitude Platform Stations (HAPS).

6G: VIAVI’s 6G Forward program is leading the way in 6G innovation. The 6G Forward research is focused on: Energy efficient neuromorphic receivers, AI beam management technology, Semantic communications for Extended Reality (XR), Near-time Ray Tracing for network digital twin, Joint Communications and Sensing (JCAS) and AI Testing AI.

Quantum-Safe: TeraVM security test for Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) system validation and MAP-300 Multiple Application Platform for quantum key distribution (QKD) testing.

Fiber and Transport Field Test Solutions: Comprehensive portfolio of field test solutions for fiber construction and remote fiber test and monitoring. INX 660 and INX 760 Probe Microscope, MTS-4000 optical test platform, 400G Transport Module for up to 400Gbps testing and solutions that guarantee and protect DCI, including the FiberComplete PRO, Test Process Automation (TPA) and VIAVI ONMSi solution – FTH-5000 fiber test head.

RF Field Test and Resilience: OneAdvisor 800 wireless platform – an all-in-one cell site tool designed for RAN field testing and service assurance, particularly for 5G and Open RAN deployments and SecurePNT for critical infrastructure and high-speed network applications. CX300 capable of testing everything from portable radios, to complex infrastructure and broadband networks and CX200 for mission-critical radio infrastructure field testing.

Service Assurance: Geolocation AIOps, based on NITRO Location Intelligence platform that generates subscriber-centric insights for network automation, optimization and monetization.

High-Speed Ethernet Test: ONE LabPro 800G – Ethernet network performance test system that accelerates high-speed Ethernet tests in labs and live test bed environments.

How are 5G networks changing the data centre landscape? How does VIAVI test solutions help in faster deployment and monetisation of data centre networks?

The intricacies of distributed, disaggregated and cloudified 5G networks are pushing data centre design to the limit. Data centre costs are rising just as their scale and complexity continue to escalate. Virtualised RAN, massive MIMO and antenna beamforming complicate the performance testing requirements within hyperscalers, introducing new spectrum analysis, demodulation, and service level agreement (SLA) challenges. Overcoming these requires end-to-end network slicing to be orchestrated seamlessly for each unique vertical – in other words, hyperscalers need to have a seamless, holistic approach to network management. To deliver fully automated and programmable network slicing and edge computing, hyperscalers require a next-generation approach to network test and assurance. Critical 5G internet of things (IoT) use cases leave no margin for error with respect to network performance and reliability.

New technology and applications will continue to drive the demand for testing. As the monetisation opportunities presented by 5G and the IoT expand, new entrants will create applications that further challenge density, throughput, and efficiency limits.

VIAVI offers a comprehensive test suite spanning all phases of hyperscale construction, activation, monitoring, and maintenance. Its solutions include the INX 660 and INX 760 for high-speed fibre inspection, ONMSi RFTS for automated fibre monitoring, MPO test tools for dense connections, OneAdvisor 800 with 400G/800G modules for transport testing, TeraVM for validating 5G networks, and test process automation (TPA) for enhanced efficiency, reliability, and coordination across workflows.

Aerospace and defense industry is witnessing a robust growth trajectory. Can you elaborate on the role testing plays in ensuring the safety and reliability of aerospace and defense systems? 

Modern aerospace and defense systems are experiencing a remarkable technological shift enhancing the effectiveness and precision of tactical radio communication and military aviation. Defense modernisation programs, expansion of aviation infrastructure and the government’s strong push to become self-reliant is creating a strong ecosystem for long-term partnerships, accelerating development and deployment of advanced technologies.

In aerospace and defense systems, testing plays a pivotal role in ensuring that every component, system, and operation is rigorously evaluated. In military aviation operation and tactical radio communication, safety, and security hinge on the impeccable functioning of radio communication and avionics systems. Comprehensive testing and assurance of critical airborne electronic systems is crucial to ensure accuracy, safety, and reliability. It validates the functionality of components under diverse operating conditions and prevents system failure.

Testing in aerospace and defense systems not only enhances operational readiness but also ensures optimal performance of mission-critical systems.

How do VIAVI test solutions simplify and accelerate high-speed network test in lab and production?

AI, machine learning (ML), high-performance computing (HPC), virtualisation and quantum computing are driving bandwidth and scale at an accelerating rate, creating increasingly difficult challenges for manufacturers of chips, pluggables and network equipment’s.  The need for high data rates in data centres, essential for providing low-latency and high-throughput services, IoT, rapid expansion of cloud services, AI-driven infrastructure and many such applications are pushing higher optical networks to 1.6Tb/s and beyond.

To address this, architects and developers need modern, sophisticated instrumentation to test at these higher speeds while maintaining accuracy, deployment and testing efficiency, and overall cost effectiveness. As AI networks continue to fuel ethernet demand, advanced, next-gen testing platform designed for challenges of speed and scale is essential for testing RMDA over Converged Ethernet networks v2 (RoCEv2) traffic and validate the performance and reliability of AI network fabrics.

Perfect for high-speed module suppliers, integrated communications providers (ICPs), network equipment manufacturers (NEMs), and service providers who work on high-speed ethernet projects, ONE LabPro ONE-1600 supports manufacturers of integrated circuits (ICs), transceivers, and switching systems operating up to 1.6Tb/s with research and development, system verification testing (SVT), and live production and manufacturing testing.

The ONE LabPro ONE-1600 provides a highly advanced test platform for physical layer silicon fully aligned with emerging standards, the ability to test framed and unframed traffic, and enables support for high-bandwidth network switching devices at the heart of Ethernet fabric for AI at scale. Featuring the highest levels of port density and scalability in the market, ONE LabPro scales to 102Tb/s of test bandwidth such as 64 x 1.6Tb/s test ports using ONE-1600 modules or 128 x 800Gb/s test ports using HSE-800 modules, orchestrated by a single controller.

Going forward what trends and advancement will shape the future of telecommunication industry? What are VIAVI’s future growth strategies?

As digital technologies advance and consumer demands shift, the telecommunications industry is rapidly changing, requiring faster networks and lower latencies to support emerging applications such as; IoT, AI, cloud computing, and seamless automation. In this dynamic landscape, network testing and optimisation is becoming even more critical and VIAVI is proud to support its partners in the delivery of these advances and enable customers to accelerate technology development while reducing TCO and time to market.

India is playing a significant role in the advancement of 6G technologies, and the government is strengthening the sector by boosting domestic manufacturing, simplifying regulations and investments in infrastructure. With rapid AI adoption, extensive fibre roll-out and expanding role of data centres in the digital ecosystem, network operators are setting the stage for long-term growth and resilience.

Working closely with NEMs and communication service providers VIAVI is helping them streamline the complex process of validating new technologies in the lab and in the field. We are actively engaging in aerospace and defence networks, satellite communications, 5G/6G, AI, cyber security, data centres and enterprise solutions. VIAVI continues to be at the forefront of testing to validate equipment performance, providing manufacturers and service providers with confidence to deploy networks at scale.