Viavi Launches Mobile Core Emulator To Speed 5G Deployments

Test equipment maker Viavi launched a 5G Core Emulator that provides a test of 5G gNodeB (gNB) base stations for both 3GPP standards-based 5G non-standalone and standalone networks.

The Viavi Core Emulator is a small, portable test that can run in both a virtual machine (VM) and in standard x86 hardware. The software-based emulator enables the 5G core network to be simulated in a virtualized environment to test the RAN network. It provides a controllable and repeatable test environment that can quickly implement 3GPP standards.

The core emulator is designed to serve mobile operators as they develop products to meet 3GPP standards ahead of their 5G network launches. Using it, RAN engineers have the ability to test 5G services in an environment that simplifies troubleshooting and doesn’t disrupt their current service delivery.

Viavi has a number of testing portfolios dedicated to mobile networks and 5G. The Core Emulator is part of its TeraVM product which is part of its greater RANtoCore portfolio. The RANtoCore also includes a scalable network performance test system, TM500. The Core Emulator leverages TM500 to identify and pinpoint issues in the simulation and roll out agile releases.

TeraVM was part of Viavi’s acquisition of British manufacturer Cobham’s wireless test and measurement business unit in February. It offers a test environment that customers can build and scale based on test speed and test location. Customers can centrally manage and allocate their test resources in the Tera VM test bed.

With the addition of the Core Emulator, Viavi can provide complete, end-to-end 5G base station testing and validation.

Earlier this year, Viavi worked with China Mobile on hardware and software to support a Slicing Packet Network (SPN) for flexible Ethernet (FlexE) technology. The operator was intending to use the SPN and FlexE as its 5G transport technology. – SDX Central