In a move expected to transform the Wi-Fi industry, technology companies Adtran and Candela Technologies have announced a new partnership aimed at making next-generation Wi-Fi 7 testing more accessible and affordable. By integrating Adtran’s latest SDG 8700 Series Wi-Fi 7 technology with Candela’s modular, automated testing platform, the collaboration addresses the traditionally high costs and technical barriers associated with testing complex Wi-Fi systems, especially those involving advanced 4×4 antenna configurations.
The new testing solution allows broadband providers and Wi-Fi equipment manufacturers to verify the performance of Wi-Fi 7 systems in a cost-effective and efficient manner, an innovation the companies say will lead to faster market adoption of Wi-Fi 7. According to early test results, Adtran’s SDG 8733 Wi-Fi 7 technology has already demonstrated throughput speeds exceeding 8.3 Gbit/s, showcasing the potential for Wi-Fi 7 to deliver hyper-speed connectivity to homes and businesses alike.
Ben Greear, CEO of Candela Technologies, explained how the integration of Adtran’s SDG 8700 Series into their modular platform significantly streamlines the testing process. “With our automated, off-the-shelf solutions, we’re able to deliver a seamless and cost-effective way to ensure robust performance for advanced 4×4 MIMO systems,” Greear noted. “Our partnership with Adtran supports Wi-Fi 7 manufacturers and providers in meeting the highest standards of performance, reliability, and scalability, ultimately enhancing the user experience.”
Adtran’s SDG 8700 Series Wi-Fi 7 technology, which includes multigigabit performance, 4×4 MIMO tri-band radios, and support for advanced features like MU-MIMO and 4096 QAM, allows for comprehensive testing across diverse Wi-Fi 7 systems. The platform’s open architecture offers the flexibility to integrate with Candela’s automated testing suite, thereby simplifying what has traditionally been a complex process. Designed with future expansions in mind, the SDG 8700 series will also feature software upgrades to enhance testing capabilities, including tri-band MLO and expanded test case automation.
As the Wi-Fi 7 era begins, with its promise of low latency and 10 Gbit/s connectivity speeds, maintaining rigorous testing standards becomes crucial for service providers aiming to deliver Ethernet-grade reliability and exceptional performance to end-users. The joint solution between Adtran and Candela addresses this need, ensuring Wi-Fi 7 networks are rigorously tested under a variety of conditions.
Eric Presworsky, General Manager of Subscriber Solutions at Adtran, expressed confidence in the collaboration’s potential impact. “Wi-Fi 7 promises to bring a new era of hyper-speed connectivity, and to support that, our customers need testing methods that are both rigorous and adaptable,” Presworsky said. “With Candela’s automated platform integrated into our Wi-Fi 7 radio modules, we’re setting a new standard in Wi-Fi testing, particularly for 4×4 systems. This partnership enables faster and more reliable Wi-Fi deployments, leading to happier subscribers who can rely on seamless, high-quality connectivity.”
This development represents a significant step for both companies and for the broader Wi-Fi ecosystem, where reliable testing has been seen as a barrier to progress. By offering a streamlined solution for testing Wi-Fi 7 technology, Adtran and Candela aim to make advanced connectivity more attainable for service providers, paving the way for widespread adoption of Wi-Fi 7 and a future of faster, more robust wireless internet.
