Keysight Technologies has signed a memorandum of understanding with IBM focused on supporting Open Radio Access Network (Open RAN) deployments in Europe. IBM plans to use Keysight’s tools for Open RAN testing and emulation at its Open RAN center of excellence in Madrid, Spain, and also to integrate them into IBM’s Cloud Pak for Network Automation, which is its telco cloud platform that supports automation of network operations.
Kalyan Sundhar, VP and GM for Keysight’s wireless network access business, said that the integration “will help service providers in automating applications that are critical to delivering a wide range of connectivity services.”
“IBM’s hybrid cloud, automation and security solutions are utilized by some of the world’s largest telcos to support their efforts for the next era of communication,” said Oscar Gonzalez Nogueira, industry partner at IBM. “The integration of Keysight’s tools into IBM’s Cloud Pak for Network Automation will further support our ecosystem of CSPs to enhance application and network automation.”
In other test news:
–Rohde & Schwarz has introduced new signal and spectrum analyzers with a range up to 50 GHz, and an option to extend signal analysis up to 54 GHz.
–Teledyne LeCroy‘s Voyager M4x Analyzer/Exerciser system for USB testing has been approved by the USB Implementer’s Forum (USB-IF) for compliance testing of USB power delivery, USB Type-C functional testing and USB 3.2 link layer compliance testing. The platform already supports logical and protocol layer compliance testing for USB.
“The Voyager M4x Analyzer/Exerciser system has always been considered essential for certifying USB4 devices and systems. And now the addition of USB Type-C, USB PD and USB 3.2 Link Layer compliance brings together all the critical technologies that USB developers care about,” said Joe Mendolia, VP of marketing at Teledyne LeCroy’s protocol solutions group. “There are literally hundreds of automated compliance tests available right now on the Voyager M4x that can serve as the foundation for any USB protocol verification program for years to come.”
–Credo Technology Group says that Keysight Technologies is using its retimer/gearbox devices in Keysight’s Layer 1-3 800GE network device and Ethernet protocol test solutions for network infrastructure in the data center.
–Broadband Forum and HomeGrid Forum announced a new, joint certification program for gigabit-plus broadband network access equipment. The GHNA (G.hn Access) certification program is “designed to combine Broadband Forum-based performance testing with HomeGrid Forum-based compliance and interoperability testing”—specifically, for access equipment that relies on the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) G.hn standard (ITU-T G.996x series), which focuses on extending fiber networks through existing last-mile infrastructure such as phone lines or coax-based lines.
“The new collaboration will have widespread ramifications to benefit broadband players across the industry,” HomeGrid Forum President Livia Rosu said.
The certification program has two parts: One specified by the HomeGrid Forum focused on compliance and interoperability testing, and a second part based on performance testing that is specified by Broadband Forum and ongoing work. Testing is available through both organizations, and equipment that passes receives the official certification logo and certificate on behalf of both organizations.
“Service providers have been leveraging G.hn Access technology for addressing MDUs, SFUs and a variety of complicated fiber extension scenarios to deliver multi-Gigabit Internet over coax and phonelines,” said Tom Barnett, VP of the HomeGrid Forum and Lumen’s director of strategic innovation. He added: “We worked very closely with GiGAWire system vendors to pre-test and solve service delivery challenges. The launch of the G.hn Access certification is designed to accelerate our deployments with pre-approved system vendors.”
The next step in the collaboration is beta trials, which will be held the University of New Hampshire Interoperability Laboratory (UNH-IOL) during the last week week of September.
