Assessor Resource

ICTOPN505
Test the performance of specialised optical devices

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to use specialised equipment for integration into existing optical networks or part of an upgrade for higher bandwidths required by services and applications of Next Generation Networks (NGN).

It applies to individuals who design and plan networks using emerging technologies and who work with telecommunications carriers, service providers, public utilities and broadcasting companies. They combine technical optical communications skills with broader organisational and administrative skills in a range of commercial contexts and environments.

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

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


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.

Element

Performance Criteria

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1. Prepare to test specialised optical devices

1.1 Obtain relevant legislation, codes, regulations and standards and follow work health and safety (WHS) and environmental requirements for the given work

1.2 Work safely according to relevant safety legislation and company work practices, identifying hazards and using personal protective equipment

1.3 Determine type of optical device using the design plan and obtain manufacturer’s specifications for testing

1.4 Determine test procedures and test equipment required to evaluate optical device suitability

2. Test specialised optical device

2.1 Set up test layout according to safe industry practice and connect specialised optical device into the test set-up

2.2 Undertake a test regime to determine performance characteristics of specialised optical device

2.3 Analyse test results to determine suitability and compatibility of optical device for integration into the network

3. Document performance of specialised optical device

3.1 Prepare evaluation report with recommendations on suitability of the specialised optical device

3.2 Present test results and evaluation report to appropriate person with copies filed for later reference according to organisation’s policies

Evidence of ability to:

plan and coordinate test activities and equipment

test specialised optical devices and determine suitability for integration into a network

analyse test results

report and make recommendations on suitability for integration

comply with all work health and safety (WHS) requirements and work practices.

Note: If a specific volume or frequency is not stated, then evidence must be provided at least once.

To complete the unit requirements safely and effectively, the individual must:

explain what an amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) source test shows

summarise attenuation characteristics of optical fibres

outline the principles of operation for dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM)

identify features and operating requirements of test equipment including:

a hand-held optical power meter

an optical spectrum analyser

a transmission test set

outline dispersion characteristics of various fibres

describe dispersion compensation devices

explain standard electrostatic discharge precautions

outline functions of an optical add-drop multiplexer (OADM) and reconfigurable optical add-drop multiplexer (ROADM)

explain gain equalisation

summarise the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) wavelength grid for DWDM

describe the measurement of dispersion

explain optical amplifier operation

name optical fibre connector types and describe their characteristics

list optical fibre types and describe their characteristics

explain ‘optical return loss’ (ORL)

clarify path protection and protection switching

explain polarisation dependent loss (PDL)

identify protocols used on optical DWDM systems

explain reflectance in optical systems

summarise ring topologies and linear network topologies

explain specific work health and safety (WHS) requirements that impact the safe inspection of optical connectors and the safe measurement of optical power from laser transmission systems

discuss tuneable laser sources and their characteristics.

Gather evidence to demonstrate consistent performance in conditions that are safe and replicate the workplace. Noise levels, production flow, interruptions and time variances must be typical of those experienced in the Telecommunications – Optical Networks field of work and include access to:

test equipment currently used in industry

manufacturer’s technical documentation, legislation, codes and standards.

Assessors of this unit must satisfy the requirements for assessors in applicable vocational education and training legislation, frameworks and/or standards.

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.

Element

Performance Criteria

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1. Prepare to test specialised optical devices

1.1 Obtain relevant legislation, codes, regulations and standards and follow work health and safety (WHS) and environmental requirements for the given work

1.2 Work safely according to relevant safety legislation and company work practices, identifying hazards and using personal protective equipment

1.3 Determine type of optical device using the design plan and obtain manufacturer’s specifications for testing

1.4 Determine test procedures and test equipment required to evaluate optical device suitability

2. Test specialised optical device

2.1 Set up test layout according to safe industry practice and connect specialised optical device into the test set-up

2.2 Undertake a test regime to determine performance characteristics of specialised optical device

2.3 Analyse test results to determine suitability and compatibility of optical device for integration into the network

3. Document performance of specialised optical device

3.1 Prepare evaluation report with recommendations on suitability of the specialised optical device

3.2 Present test results and evaluation report to appropriate person with copies filed for later reference according to organisation’s policies

Evidence of ability to:

plan and coordinate test activities and equipment

test specialised optical devices and determine suitability for integration into a network

analyse test results

report and make recommendations on suitability for integration

comply with all work health and safety (WHS) requirements and work practices.

Note: If a specific volume or frequency is not stated, then evidence must be provided at least once.

To complete the unit requirements safely and effectively, the individual must:

explain what an amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) source test shows

summarise attenuation characteristics of optical fibres

outline the principles of operation for dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM)

identify features and operating requirements of test equipment including:

a hand-held optical power meter

an optical spectrum analyser

a transmission test set

outline dispersion characteristics of various fibres

describe dispersion compensation devices

explain standard electrostatic discharge precautions

outline functions of an optical add-drop multiplexer (OADM) and reconfigurable optical add-drop multiplexer (ROADM)

explain gain equalisation

summarise the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) wavelength grid for DWDM

describe the measurement of dispersion

explain optical amplifier operation

name optical fibre connector types and describe their characteristics

list optical fibre types and describe their characteristics

explain ‘optical return loss’ (ORL)

clarify path protection and protection switching

explain polarisation dependent loss (PDL)

identify protocols used on optical DWDM systems

explain reflectance in optical systems

summarise ring topologies and linear network topologies

explain specific work health and safety (WHS) requirements that impact the safe inspection of optical connectors and the safe measurement of optical power from laser transmission systems

discuss tuneable laser sources and their characteristics.

Gather evidence to demonstrate consistent performance in conditions that are safe and replicate the workplace. Noise levels, production flow, interruptions and time variances must be typical of those experienced in the Telecommunications – Optical Networks field of work and include access to:

test equipment currently used in industry

manufacturer’s technical documentation, legislation, codes and standards.

Assessors of this unit must satisfy the requirements for assessors in applicable vocational education and training legislation, frameworks and/or standards.

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 follow work health and safety (WHS) and environmental requirements for the given work 
Work safely according to relevant safety legislation and company work practices, identifying hazards and using personal protective equipment 
Determine type of optical device using the design plan and obtain manufacturer’s specifications for testing 
Determine test procedures and test equipment required to evaluate optical device suitability 
Set up test layout according to safe industry practice and connect specialised optical device into the test set-up 
Undertake a test regime to determine performance characteristics of specialised optical device 
Analyse test results to determine suitability and compatibility of optical device for integration into the network 
Prepare evaluation report with recommendations on suitability of the specialised optical device 
Present test results and evaluation report to appropriate person with copies filed for later reference according to organisation’s policies 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

ICTOPN505 - Test the performance of specialised optical devices
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:

Signature:

Date:

Assessment Record Sheet

ICTOPN505 - Test the performance of specialised optical devices

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:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: