Assessor Resource

ICTBWN3082B
Perform tests on optical communication system and components

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


Installation contractors, technical staff and field officers from telecommunications service providers or other private and public organisations or regulatory authorities apply the skills and knowledge in this unit.

They combine technical skills with organisational and administrative skills to perform tests on broadband passive optical networks (PON), fibre to the x (FTTx) networks, hybrid fibre coaxial (HFC) networks and dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) systems during installation, maintenance, commissioning and troubleshooting phases.

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to test optical communication systems and components in the field using portable test instruments.

It covers testing of point-to-point networks as well as next generation optical fibre networks which use passive optical network (PON) technologies in fibre to the home (FTTH) deployment.

You may want to include more information here about the target group and the purpose of the assessments (eg formative, summative, recognition)

Prerequisites

Not applicable.

Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.



Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Evidence of the ability to:

measure optical power level

measure insertion loss of a passive device

measure end-to-end fibre loss (bi-directional)

measure splice loss

measure distance to fault, event, end of fibre using OTDR

comply with all related OHS requirements and work practices.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure:

sites on which optical measurements can be conducted

tools and equipment required for measurements

manufacturer’s documentation for test instruments and equipment under test.

Method of assessment

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:

direct observation of the candidate performing optical measurements

review of a written reports and test results completed by the candidate

oral or written questioning to assess required knowledge.

Guidance information for assessment

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:

ICTBWN3100B Work safely with live fibre to test and commission a fibre to the x installation

ICTBWN3205B Use optical and radio frequency measuring instruments.

Aboriginal people and other people from a non-English speaking background may have second language issues.

Access must be provided to appropriate learning and assessment support when required.

Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate, and appropriate to the oral communication skill level, and language and literacy capacity of the candidate and the work being performed.

In all cases where practical assessment is used it will be combined with targeted questioning to assess required knowledge. Questioning techniques should not require language, literacy and numeracy skills beyond those required in this unit of competency.

Where applicable, physical resources should include equipment modified for people with special needs.

Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assingnment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)

Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

Required skills

communication skills to liaise with customers and enterprise staff

literacy skills to read and interpret work instructions and document work

numeracy skills to gather and record data from measurements

planning and organisational skills to plan, prioritise and manage own work

safety awareness skills to:

apply precautions and required action to minimise, control or eliminate hazards that may exist during work activities

select and use required personal protective equipment conforming to industry and OHS standards

work systematically with required attention to detail without injury to self or others, or damage to goods or equipment

technical skills to:

clean an optical connector to an acceptable industry standard

safely inspect an optical connector for contamination and determine if cleaning is necessary

safely operate:

optical loss test set (OLTS)

optical time domain reflectometer (OTDR)

PON power meter.

Required knowledge

consequences of mating contaminated optical connectors

downstream and upstream signals

DWDM metro and long haul system architecture

HFC architecture (optical section)

logarithmic power levels (decibels, dBm)

optical connector types

optical fibre safety, practices, handling and theory

optical spectrum limits, wavelengths used in various applications and International Telecommunications Union (ITU) grid

optical transmitters and receivers

PON architecture

safe handling procedures with optical fibres

transmission system line rates:

optical Ethernet

synchronous digital hierarchy (SDH)

wavelength division multiplexing (WDM), coarse wavelength division multiplexing (CWDM) and DWDM principles and optical multiplexers.

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Relevant legislation, codes, regulations and standards may include:

appropriate licences:

crane

EWP

forklift

winch

Australian Construction Industry Forum (ACIF) standards and codes

AS Communications Cabling Manual (CCM) Volume 1

AS/NZS 3000:2007

AS/NZS 3080:2003

AS/NZS 3084:2003

AS/NZS 3085.1:2004

AS/NZS IEC 61935.1:2006

AS/NZS IEC 61935.2:2006

AS/NZS ISO/IEC 14763.3:2007

AS/NZS ISO/IEC 15018:2005

AS/NZS ISO/IEC 24702:2007

cabling security codes and regulations

Environmental Protection Acts

OHS

technical standards AS/ACIF S008:2006 and AS/ACIF S009:2006.

Customer may be:

asset manager

installation manager

maintenance manager

nominated customer representative

outage manager

project manager.

Optical system may contain:

add-drop multiplexer

DWDM system

fibre hub

HFC network

optical line termination (OLT)

optical network termination (ONT)

optical amplifier

optical splitter.

Hazards may include:

building debris

earth potential rise

glass fibre

live power lines

manual handling

mud and water

natural gas and other gas build up

optical fibre cable may contain hazardous light

radio frequency (RF) equipment emitting radiation

remote power feeding services which operate at above telecommunications network voltage

vermin.

Testing plan may include:

correct test set-up

recording and evaluation of measurements

test layout

test procedures

test purpose

test sites and location

type of measurements

use of appropriate test equipment.

Type of measurement may include:

end-to-end continuity using visual fault locator

fibre loss (bi-directional)

insertion loss:

coupler

filter

optical splitter

WDM

optical power level at:

drop terminal

OLT

ONT

optical transmitter

patch panel

optical return loss (ORL)

splice loss

total end-to-end loss, including splices and connectors.

Wavelengths may include:

850 nm

1310 nm

1490 nm

1550 nm.

Tools may include:

alcohol swabs

dry type cleaning cassette for optical connectors

hand tools

lint-free dry wipes

microscope for examining optical connector with:

integral safety infra-red filter

video microscope display

optical connector adaptors

FC to LC

FC to SC

FC to ST

SC to ST

optical reference cable

optical termination.

Test instruments may include:

bi-directional automated optical loss test set

hand-held optical power meter

hand-held optical source

launch cable for OTDR

OFI-FTTx active ONT detector

OLTS

ORL test set

OTDR multimode

OTDR single mode

PON – OTDR

PON meter

visual fault locator (VFL).

OHS and environmental requirements may include:

decommissioning and isolating worksite and lines prior to commencement

identifying other services, including power and gas

personal protective equipment:

earmuffs

gloves

head protection

masks

protective suits

safety boots

safety glasses

safe working practices, such as the safe use and handling of:

chemicals

materials

tools and equipment

work platforms

safety equipment:

flashing lights

safety barriers

warning signs and tapes

witches hats

special access requirements

environmental considerations:

clean-up protection

stormwater protection

waste management.

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Obtain relevant legislation, codes, regulations and standards and prepare for the given work 
Notify customer for site access, security arrangements and location details of optical system and test purpose 
Identify site hazards and notify appropriate personnel to make site safe 
Devise and implement risk control measures of hazards with handling optical fibres and lasers in consultation with appropriate personnel 
Prepare a testing plan indicating the type of measurement at the nominated wavelength and seek approval from customer 
Select the appropriate tools and test instruments according to the required measurement and enterprise practice 
Set up test instrument according to manufacturer’s instructions according to occupational health and safety (OHS) and environmental requirements 
Perform measurement using knowledge of appropriate testing techniques and in a safe manner to assess the performance of optical system and component 
Record test results and compare with standard test specifications from manufacturer and enterprise guidelines 
Evaluate the test results and report on the functionality of the optical component or equipment and the performance of the optical system 
Document test results for future reference and make recommendations on optimising component and system performance 
Clean work site and make safe according to the enterprise requirements and to customer satisfaction 
Notify appropriate personnel of job completion for sign off and present test documentations 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

ICTBWN3082B - Perform tests on optical communication system and components
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

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Assessment Record Sheet

ICTBWN3082B - Perform tests on optical communication system and components

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

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Student signature:

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