Viavi Solutions has added colocation capability to its Open RAN test service.

Viavi Automated Lab-as-a-Service for Open RAN (VALOR) has been updated with a colocation lab to address increased demand for comprehensive testing from Open RAN customers. According to Viavi, VALOR users can access the lab for a longer period and conduct comprehensive testing throughout the product lifecycle with a semi-permanent setup.

Network data in the lab is segregated using VLANs to ensure secure, isolated environments for each client’s testing requirements, ensuring optimal performance and data integrity across various testing scenarios.

VALOR, Viavi notes, is funded by the US National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) Public Wireless Supply Chain Innovation Fund (PWSCIF). The test service leverages VIAVI’s NITRO Wireless Open RAN Test Suite, the VAMOS unified framework for hybrid physical and cloud-based testing, reference O-RUs, O-DUs, and O-CUs.

Erik Probstfield, senior director, VALOR, Viavi, commented: “This colocation framework builds upon the NTIA PWSCIF model. Focused on wireless infrastructure, PWSCIF acts as a force multiplier where federal spending is a catalyst drawing additional investment from private industry.

"Ultimately, this accelerates the development of open, secure wireless ecosystems with industry-wide investment value significantly greater than the base federal funding. We look forward to providing this expanded service offering to our customers in alignment with the mission and objectives of the NTIA and PWSCIF.”

The colocation update follows April’s expansion of VALOR with the addition of an RF-shielded anechoic chamber and new customer labs. The RF Chamber was designed for testing Massive MIMO and beamforming over-the-air (OTA) validation, offering system-level performance testing for up to 16 parallel spatial layers.

The OTA testing simulates real-world conditions by using wireless signals instead of traditional electrical cabling to assess the device within a shielded environment.