Testing is evolving beyond components to system behavior, trust, and resilience at scale

As digital infrastructure advances toward AI-driven intelligence, ultra-fast optical networks, and resilient connectivity, the role of test and measurement is becoming increasingly strategic. In this conversation with Semiconductor For You, Monojit Samaddar, Country Director, VIAVI discusses how VIAVI Solutions is shaping the future of network assurance across telecom, data centers, avionics, and emerging digital ecosystems.

As AI, automation, and cloud-native architectures reshape the Test & Measurement industry, how is VIAVI evolving its portfolio to enable smarter, more predictive network testing?

As digital transformation accelerates and customer expectations reach unprecedented levels, the industry is experiencing a profound and transformative shift. The demand for ultra-reliable, high-capacity, low-latency networks is intensifying—driven by the rapid emergence of AI, cloud, data centers, quantum-safe technologies and end-to-end automation. In this environment, rigorous network testing and intelligent optimization are no longer optional; they are mission-critical.

Testing is evolving beyond individual components to focus on validating and optimizing system behavior, trust, and resilience at scale. VIAVI is redefining the future of network testing by integrating advanced automation, AI-driven analytics, and next-generation instrumentation to deliver intelligent, predictive, end-to-end solutions—from lab validation to live network operations.

VIAVI is at the forefront of emerging technologies, delivering advanced test and assurance across critical domains—AI infrastructure, from AI data centers to hollow core fiber; next-generation wireless networks, spanning AI-RAN and non-terrestrial networks (NTN); and advanced security and resilience, with quantum-safe communications and assured PNT safeguarding critical systems—while providing industry-leading testing solutions for 400G, 800G, and 1.6T Ethernet networks, combining AI-driven insights, end-to-end visibility, and precision validation to ensure unmatched performance, reliability, and scalability.

Backed by a robust ecosystem of NEMs, CSPs, system integrators, and academic partners, VIAVI enables customers to accelerate and confidently deploy next-generation networks at scale.

What are the emerging application areas for hollow core fiber? How is the industry adapting its testing approaches to ensure performance, scalability, and long-term reliability?

Hollow core fiber marks a transformative advancement in optical networking, enabling ultra-low latency, exceptional bandwidth, and high-performance connectivity for next-generation demands. Its air-guided architecture supports AI and high-performance computing workloads, enhances data center interconnect speed and reach, enables low-noise quantum communications, strengthens secure defense networks, and minimizes latency in financial trading environments. It enables the ultra-responsive, real-time connectivity required for smart cities, edge computing, and advanced 5G/6G networks—positioning it as a critical foundation for the next phase of the digital economy.

However, realizing the full potential of HCF depends on rigorous testing and validation. As deployments scale, advanced and standardized test methodologies become critical to ensuring reliability, interoperability, and long-term network integrity.

Validating HCF links demands specialized OTDR configurations and enhanced performance capabilities, including advanced bidirectional analysis to deliver precise splice and fiber loss measurements and verify overall link integrity. Detailed link characterization is vital to safeguard performance, reduce rework, protect return on investment, and meet the stringent requirements of 400G, 800G, and future high-capacity architectures. Without this level of validation, operators risk performance gaps that can compromise mission-critical applications.

Building on decades of optical test innovation, VIAVI delivers one of the industry’s most comprehensive portfolios for hollow-core fiber validation. Our solutions combine precision measurement, automated workflows, and intuitive user experiences to streamline every stage of the HCF lifecycle—from activation and certification to troubleshooting and long-term performance assurance.

Data centers and transport networks are rapidly moving toward 800G and terabit speeds. How is VIAVI addressing the challenges of high-speed network validation?

AI, machine learning, high-performance computing (HPC), virtualization, and quantum computing are accelerating bandwidth demand and network scale at an unprecedented pace. This surge is creating new levels of complexity for chipmakers, pluggable module vendors, and network equipment manufacturers. Data centers—under pressure to deliver ultra-low latency and high-throughput services for cloud expansion, IoT ecosystems, and AI-driven infrastructure—are rapidly evolving toward 1.6Tb/s optical networks and beyond.

Meeting these requirements demands a new generation of sophisticated test and validation solutions capable of operating at extreme speeds without compromising accuracy, efficiency, or cost effectiveness. As AI workloads continue to drive exponential growth in Ethernet traffic, advanced testing platforms purpose-built for scale are essential—particularly for validating RoCEv2 (RDMA over Converged Ethernet v2) traffic and ensuring the performance, stability, and reliability of AI network fabrics.

Designed for high-speed module suppliers, ICPs, NEMs, and service providers engaged in next-generation Ethernet deployments, VIAVI’s ONE LabPro ONE-1600 platform enables comprehensive L0 to L2 validation up to 1.6Tb/s. It supports integrated circuit manufacturers, transceiver vendors, and switching system providers across R&D, system verification testing (SVT), and high-volume manufacturing—delivering the precision and scalability required for next-generation data center innovation.

Complementing ONE LabPro, VIAVI TestCenter extends validation into full L2–3 AI fabric and network testing, creating a complete end to end solution for next generation data center architectures. While ONE LabPro delivers deep physical layer and optical validation up to 1.6Tb/s, TestCenter provides high capacity traffic generation, multi-protocol emulation, and performance analytics tailored to the behavior of AI scale Ethernet fabrics. It emulates real world AI/ML workload patterns, including RoCEv2 based CCL traffic, enabling users to validate congestion management (PFC/DCQCN), microburst tolerance, GPU to GPU transport performance, and fabric stability under full load. Together, ONE LabPro and TestCenter form a complementary, vertically integrated validation suite that spans L0 through L3, empowering Hyperscalers, Neoclouds, cloud providers, and equipment vendors to verify optical modules, switching systems, and AI fabrics capacities and robustness.

VIAVI has a strong presence in avionics test solutions. How are your testing platforms evolving to support next-generation aircraft systems?

Avionics testing is fundamental to ensuring the safety, performance, and regulatory compliance of modern aircraft systems. As the aerospace and defense sectors continue to evolve, aircraft platforms are becoming increasingly sophisticated—integrating advanced software, digital architectures, and complex communication, navigation, and surveillance technologies. In this environment, the need for highly accurate, reliable, and efficient test solutions has never been greater. Testing must be precise, repeatable, and fast to support both operational readiness and uncompromising safety standards.

Globally, civil and military aviation maintenance organizations rely on advanced avionics test equipment to manufacture, validate, troubleshoot, and maintain airborne systems. Whether verifying fuel quantity systems or performance-testing communication, navigation, and surveillance platforms, on-site precision testing is essential to ensure seamless functionality and mission reliability.

Modern avionics demand portable, field-deployable, and precision-engineered test solutions capable of addressing complex system architectures. VIAVI provides advanced avionics test systems that deliver the critical data essential for safe and efficient flight operations. Our solutions are trusted worldwide by designers, engineers, and maintenance professionals and are developed in alignment with the technical standards of global regulatory authorities, including FAA, EASA, ECAC, ICAO, and JAA.

As advanced avionics platforms become more widely deployed, high-precision testing will continue to play a critical role in ensuring system integrity, operational reliability, and regulatory adherence.

As we move through 2026, what major trends are shaping the Test & Measurement industry?

The Test and Measurement (T&M) industry enters 2026 with accelerating momentum, driven by rapid automation and expanding demand across high-growth, mission-critical sectors. Transformational forces—quantum-safe technologies, resilient PNT, 6G, Open RAN, NTN, HPC, and AI-driven data center workloads—are redefining how networks are built, tested, secured, and monetized.

AI data centers are rapidly scaling from 400G to 800G and towards 1.6T architectures, with Ethernet emerging as the high-performance, cost-efficient backbone powering bandwidth-hungry AI workloads. At the same time, Open RAN and AI-driven RAN architectures are transforming 5G and future 6G networks, driving multivendor innovation while intensifying demands for rigorous interoperability, performance, and security validation. Quantum-safe communications and secure GNSS-based timing are moving from concept to real-world deployment, reshaping the resilience and security landscape.

Across telecom, data centers, semiconductors, aerospace, automotive, and critical infrastructure, the complexity of next-generation networks is accelerating at an unprecedented pace. In this environment, VIAVI Solutions plays a vital role in simplifying deployment and operational challenges through installation, maintenance, monitoring, optimization, and monetization solutions—ensuring performance, compliance, security, and reliability in an increasingly AI-driven, software-defined, and mission-critical world.