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VIAVI Solutions Validates Nokia's Massive MIMO Radio Performance in Upper 6 GHz Band

VIAVI Solutions Inc. recently announced a significant achievement in the realm of wireless technology. Their NITRO® Wireless test portfolio has completed validation of the over-the-air (OTA) performance of Nokia's Massive MIMO radio, specifically within the upper 6 GHz frequency band. This development is pivotal as it strengthens the capacity of existing cell sites, facilitating the ongoing evolution towards 5G-Advanced and eventually 6G networks.

As the demand for faster and more efficient wireless communication grows, it is essential to explore new frequency bands capable of accommodating this need. The upper 6 GHz band, which was confirmed for mobile services during the World Radio Conference 2023, offers operators an additional 200 MHz of mid-band TDD spectrum. This allocation is expected to be critical as operators increase their spectrum holdings in the upcoming years to support new generation technologies.

The collaborative effort between VIAVI and Nokia included a proof of concept that took place at Nokia's Otava lab in Oulu, Finland. The focus was to replicate real-world scenarios to accurately assess the capabilities of the Nokia AirScale platform within the upper 6 GHz range. The configuration used for testing incorporated a 128TRX Massive MIMO radio based on the Nokia AirScale Habrok platform, focusing on the upper segment of the n104 band (6425-7125 MHz).

For this test, VIAVI deployed its renowned NITRO Wireless test solution, which included the TM500 Network Tester - a widely recognized platform utilized by network manufacturers worldwide for various testing phases. This included functional tests, system integration, capacity and performance evaluations, and regression testing for base stations.

Additionally, the OneAdvisor 800 spectrum and signal analyzer was used to ensure the signals transmitted in the downlink conformed to testing standards. This comprehensive analysis incorporated RF characterization, examination of beamforming, and assessments of timing and synchronization across the air.

The validation process covered several test cases designed to verify the efficacy of the upper 6 GHz OTA performance, including:

• - Spectrum analysis and peak throughput validation with an evaluation of one Component Carrier (1CC) and two Component Carriers (2CC) in conjunction with downlink and uplink Carrier Aggregation (CA).
• - Performance and capacity assessments based on hundreds of emulated User Equipment (UEs) and real-world data traffic applications.

This proof of concept builds upon prior lab and field trials that Nokia had undertaken, aiming to further validate the Nokia Massive MIMO radio's performance capabilities under actual operating conditions. This successful validation signifies an important step towards advancing the development and deployment of next-generation networks, including 5G-Advanced and 6G.

Manuel Mato, Regional Vice President for Europe, Middle East, and Africa at VIAVI, expressed pride in this achievement, stating, "VIAVI is honored to have been selected for such a groundbreaking milestone in wireless technology. As the industry transitions from 4G to 5G and beyond, VIAVI is prepared to support manufacturers and operators at every step of the way."

As a leading provider of network testing, monitoring, and assurance solutions, VIAVI (NASDAQ: VIAV) continues to enhance communication technologies across various industries. With an eye towards the future of telecommunications, VIAVI also specializes in advanced light management technologies relevant to 3D sensing, anti-counterfeiting, and other applications. For more information about VIAVI Solutions, visit www.viavisolutions.com or follow them on social media platforms such as LinkedIn and YouTube.