VIAVI (NASDAQ: VIAV) has validated the over-the-air (OTA) performance of Nokia’s Massive MIMO radio operating in the upper 6 GHz frequency band. This testing, conducted using VIAVI’s NITRO Wireless test portfolio, demonstrates the radio’s ability to enhance capacity for 5G-Advanced and future 6G networks. The upper 6 GHz band is expected to provide operators with up to 200 MHz of new TDD mid-band spectrum, following global regulatory discussions at the World Radio Conference 2023.
To evaluate Nokia’s AirScale Massive MIMO platform in real-world scenarios, Nokia and VIAVI established a proof-of-concept test at Nokia’s Otava lab in Oulu, Finland. The test system featured a 128TRX Massive MIMO radio operating in the n104 band (6425–7125 MHz). VIAVI’s NITRO Wireless solution enabled testing of spectrum performance, carrier aggregation, and network capacity using real-world traffic simulations. The results further validate the readiness of upper 6 GHz spectrum to support next-generation wireless networks.
VIAVI’s test setup included:
• TM500 Network Tester – Used globally by network equipment manufacturers to evaluate functional, integration, and performance aspects of base stations.
• OneAdvisor 800 Spectrum and Signal Analyzer – Assessed downlink signal integrity, RF characterization, beamforming, synchronization, and overall transmission performance.
Key validated test cases:
• Spectrum analysis and peak throughput validation – Tested single (1CC) and dual (2CC) Component Carrier (CC) configurations with downlink and uplink Carrier Aggregation (CA).
• Network capacity and real-world traffic simulation – Evaluated performance using hundreds of emulated User Equipment (UEs) under practical conditions.
This proof-of-concept builds on previous trials by Nokia, further proving the OTA performance of its Massive MIMO radio in upper 6 GHz. It reinforces the viability of this spectrum for expanding 5G and enabling early 6G development.
