Unit of Competency Mapping – Information for Teachers/Assessors – Information for Learners

ICTOPN604 Mapping and Delivery Guide
Analyse optical transmission systems

Version 1.0
Issue Date: March 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency ICTOPN604 - Analyse optical transmission systems
Description
Employability Skills
Learning Outcomes and Application This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to verify the characteristics of Next Generation Networks (NGN) to ensure they will support the new modulation requirements of the equipment.It applies to individuals who are experienced technicians from telecommunications carriers, service providers, or other private and public organisations, who have experience in the optical transmission area. No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Duration and Setting X weeks, nominally xx hours, delivered in a classroom/online/blended learning setting.

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

test equipment and manufacturer’s technical documentation.

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

Prerequisites/co-requisites
Competency Field
Development and validation strategy and guide for assessors and learners Student Learning Resources Handouts
Activities
Slides
PPT
Assessment 1 Assessment 2 Assessment 3 Assessment 4
Elements of Competency Performance Criteria              
Element: Prepare to conduct characterisation tests on existing optical network
  • Obtain relevant legislation, codes, regulations and standards and follow work health and safety (WHS) and environmental requirements for the given work
  • Identify hazards and work safely according to relevant safety legislation and company work practices using personal protective equipment
  • Construct test procedures for each test to be conducted
  • Notify customer and arrange for site access
       
Element: Conduct link characterisation tests and analyse existing optical network
  • Perform optical tests to characterise existing fibre link
  • Analyse results of optical tests, and determine extent and nature of future upgrades based on the tests
       
Element: Document analysis of optical network with recommendations
  • Produce final drawings and plans of proposed upgrade requirements for optical transmission and submit to project manager according to enterprise policy
  • Prepare report on measured performance of the network and recommendations on future upgrades
       


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 conduct characterisation tests on existing optical network

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 Identify hazards and work safely according to relevant safety legislation and company work practices using personal protective equipment

1.3 Construct test procedures for each test to be conducted

1.4 Notify customer and arrange for site access

2. Conduct link characterisation tests and analyse existing optical network

2.1 Perform optical tests to characterise existing fibre link

2.2 Analyse results of optical tests, and determine extent and nature of future upgrades based on the tests

3. Document analysis of optical network with recommendations

3.1 Produce final drawings and plans of proposed upgrade requirements for optical transmission and submit to project manager according to enterprise policy

3.2 Prepare report on measured performance of the network and recommendations on future upgrades

Evidence of ability to:

conduct optical transmission measurements

analyse complex optical measurement results

liaise with the customer as required.

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:

list and describe legislative and regulatory frameworks that govern optical transmission systems

list and describe work health and safety (WHS) and environmental issues associated with optical transmission systems

describe attenuation characteristics of optical fibres

summarise the chromatic dispersion (CD) test

explain principles of operation of dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM)

discuss dispersion and outline dispersion characteristics of various fibres and devices used for compensation

discuss precautions required to minimise electrostatic discharge

identify features and operating requirements of test equipment including:

a hand-held optical power meter

an optical spectrum analyser

a transmission test set

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

explain gain equalisation

describe the insertion loss test

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

discuss measurement of dispersion

summarise methods to reduce dispersion

discuss optical amplifier operation

identify optical fibre connector types and characteristics

identify optical fibre types and characteristics

summarise the optical return loss (ORL) test

outline the optical signal-to-noise ratio (OSNR) test

discuss the optical time domain reflectometer (OTDR) test

clarify path protection and protection switching

explain performance qualification of 40 Gbit/s and 100 Gbit/s transceivers

summarise the polarisation mode dispersion (PMD) test

outline protocols used on optical DWDM systems

explain reflectance in fibre optic systems

discuss ring topologies and linear network topologies

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


Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assignment, 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 conduct characterisation tests on existing optical network

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 Identify hazards and work safely according to relevant safety legislation and company work practices using personal protective equipment

1.3 Construct test procedures for each test to be conducted

1.4 Notify customer and arrange for site access

2. Conduct link characterisation tests and analyse existing optical network

2.1 Perform optical tests to characterise existing fibre link

2.2 Analyse results of optical tests, and determine extent and nature of future upgrades based on the tests

3. Document analysis of optical network with recommendations

3.1 Produce final drawings and plans of proposed upgrade requirements for optical transmission and submit to project manager according to enterprise policy

3.2 Prepare report on measured performance of the network and recommendations on future upgrades

This field allows for different work environments and conditions that may affect performance. 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) should be included.

Measurements that must be conducted include:

optical time-domain reflectometer (OTDR) testing from both ends

optical loss test set (OLTS)

optical return loss (ORL)

chromatic dispersion (CD)

polarisation mode dispersion (PMD)

non-linearity (four wave mixing)

optical signal-to-noise ratio (OSNR)

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 
Identify hazards and work safely according to relevant safety legislation and company work practices using personal protective equipment 
Construct test procedures for each test to be conducted 
Notify customer and arrange for site access 
Perform optical tests to characterise existing fibre link 
Analyse results of optical tests, and determine extent and nature of future upgrades based on the tests 
Produce final drawings and plans of proposed upgrade requirements for optical transmission and submit to project manager according to enterprise policy 
Prepare report on measured performance of the network and recommendations on future upgrades 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

ICTOPN604 - Analyse optical transmission systems
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

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

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Result: Competent Not yet competent

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Assessor name:

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Assessment Record Sheet

ICTOPN604 - Analyse optical transmission systems

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

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Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

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