Test and Measurement: Data center testing; Asian market trends

Testing within and between data centers is becoming more important, due to the increase in network functions virtualization and dependence on cloud-based applications as well as ever-faster network speeds.
IEEE recently published its latest standard for 25 Gigabit Ethernet interconnection between data center servers. Anritsu was part of a multicompany demo at the recent Data Center World conference in London that included CommScope, Dell Networking and Finisar to showcase 40G Shortwave Wavelength Division Multiplexing over wideband multimode fiber. All three companies are alliance members of a group focused on that technology, and the demo was aimed at addressing design challenges in high-bandwidth data center applications. The demo focused on the ability to verify and troubleshoot 40G traffic, but 100G is also expected to play an increasing role across networks and the set-up by the three companies can also be used for 100G traffic.
Anritsu and companies like Keysight and Ixia also have been looking forward to even faster 400G networks. Anritsu this week launched an integrated test offering for design of 400G networks, with accurate measurements on high-speed interconnects and backplanes under development. The solution combines Anritsu’s Signal Quality Analyzer MP1800A bit-error-rate testers and G0361A 64Gbaud 2-bit D/A Converter with MUX.
In other test news:
• TechNavio has some new reports on the test equipment market in Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand. The analysis group has laid out the top six test and measurement vendors that it expects to dominate the market in Indonesia between 2016-2020: Anritsu, Fluke, Keysight Technologies, National Instruments, Rohde & Schwarz and Tektronix, with other minor players factoring in as well. The test market in Indonesia will be driven by a combination of government initiatives to expand broadband and military spending, as well as mobile penetration expected to reach 100% by 2019, according to TechNavio.
In Malaysia, TechNavio sees the emergence of “5G” as the primary booster for the test market between now and 2020, due to its position as a data outsourcing destination, with data centers expected to be primary users of test equipment. In Thailand, growth in the automotive industry and increasingly connected vehicles is expected to shape the test space.
• Averna has launched an infotainment radio frequency signal source for validating automotive infotainment systems, which is based on NI’s newest vector signal transceiver. The software-defined AST-1000 solution supports all broadcast radio signals now, and Averna is planning to add support for other wireless and automotive protocols, such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and controller area network bus monitoring.
• Anritsu also is boosting its connected-car testing capabilities, with new Cellular Module Test Application software for MD8475A and B signaling testers. The CMTA enables a set of semiautomated test scenarios though Anritsu’s SmartStudio graphical user interface, according to the company, which simplifies testing by replicating real-world conditions in lieu of drive testing.
• The University of New Hampshire’s Interoperability Lab has made some proprietary Ethernet testing tools available for licensing and in-house use. A Universal FPGA-based Ethernet Test System and a 10 gigabit system will be available  to UNH-IOL member companies. UNH-IOL recently launched an SDN interoperability consortium.
• Ixia reported its financial results, with revenue that fell on the high-end of its guidance, but down year-over-year. Ixia’s revenue for the second quarter of 2016 was $120.1 million, down from $131.6 million during the same period last year. Net income was $1.5 million, which also slipped from the prior year’s Q2 of $5.8 million, but was an improvement from the net loss of $2.7 million that Ixia recorded in the first quarter of this year.
Ixia also announced that its VP of sales for the Americas, Patti Key, will move into the role of SVP for global sales and has taken up leadership of the company’s global sales team. Key will replace Hans-Peter Klaey in his role as SVP of global sales, as Klaey leaves the company in what Ixia described as a mutual agreement.
Key has worked for Ixia since 2008, when she started as VP of sales for the eastern U.S. and worked her way up to leading sales in the Americas, Ixia’s largest multinational sales region, according to the company. Ixia added that “each Ixia sales region led by Key experienced double-digit sales growth over the course of her tenure.” Key previously held sales and marketing roles with Agilent and Hewlett-Packard; she has a Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering from North Carolina State University and holds two patents.
• Keysight Technologies won a contract to manage test equipment assets for aerospace and defense company Leonardo-Finmeccanica in the United Kingdom. The company is a Keysight equipment customer, and now Keysight is providing a Test Equipment Managed Service for Leonardo as well. The TEMS offering builds on Keysight’s acquisition of U.K.-based Electroservices late last year.
• GL Communications recently added new features to its voice quality testing for Bluetooth phones and headsets.
• Tektronix has a new parameter analyzer for chipset testing that is designed for particularly simple setup and use, as well as a new basic oscilloscope with features aimed at providing faster signal evaluation and troubleshooting while maintaining a relatively low cost.