Application
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to analyse and integrate specialised optical devices into existing optical networks to support higher bandwidths associated with Next Generation Networks (NGN).
It applies to individuals who work for telecommunications carriers, service providers or other private and public organisations, who have experience in optical transmission. They combine technical expertise with a range of analytical, research and planning skills to develop integration solutions for particular business needs.
No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Elements and Performance Criteria
Element | Performance Criteria |
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. |
1. Analyse specialised optical device and prepare for integration in the network | 1.1 Obtain relevant legislation, codes, regulations and standards and follow work health and safety (WHS) and environmental requirements for the project work 1.2 Work safely according to relevant safety legislation and company work practices, identifying hazards and using personal protective equipment 1.3 Obtain plans and drawings of existing optical network from appropriate person and review potential locations for suitability of integrating additional hardware 1.4 Analyse and evaluate a range of integration options using device specifications which satisfy the customer’s network requirements 1.5 Prepare and submit the business case for adopting recommended integration solution 1.6 Prepare design plan with interconnection details to existing system and installation options and seek approval to proceed from customer 1.7 Undertake an impact risk assessment of the hardware integration with the network operations centre (NOC) and prepare for contingencies using contingency plan |
2. Integrate specialised optical device in the network | 2.1 Install and integrate specialised optical devices into existing network according to design plan 2.2 Test the network and evaluate results to verify optical network performance with integrated specialised optical devices in operation |
3. Document integration of the specialised optical device in dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) network | 3.1 Produce an updated design plan and submit to customer with copies filed for later reference according to organisation’s policies 3.2 Prepare an evaluation report on network performance with specialised optical devices with recommendations for future enhancements 3.3 Notify NOC of job completion and obtain sign-off from appropriate person |
Evidence of Performance
Evidence of ability to:
analyse a specialised optical device and prepare a design to integrate it with a network
integrate and test the device
document integration to the network and recommend enhancements
submit relevant documentation to appropriate personnel
comply with all related 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.
Evidence of Knowledge
To complete the unit requirements safely and effectively, the individual must:
explain attenuation characteristics of optical fibres
summarise principles of operation of dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM)
describe features and operating requirements of test equipment, including:
a hand-held optical power meter
an optical spectrum analyser
a transmission test set
discuss dispersion characteristics of optical fibres
explain the role of dispersion compensation devices
explain standard electrostatic discharge precautions
explain 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
explain the measurement of dispersion in optical systems
summarise optical amplifier operation
identify optical fibre connector types and characteristics
identify optical fibre types and characteristics
outline optical return loss (ORL)
explain path protection and protection switching
clarify protocols used on optical DWDM systems
explain the role of reflectance in optical systems
explain ring topologies and linear network topologies
explain specific WHS requirements that impact the safe inspection of optical connectors and the safe measurement of optical power from laser transmission systems
describe tunable laser sources and their characteristics.
Assessment Conditions
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.
Foundation Skills
This section describes language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills incorporated in the performance criteria that are required for competent performance.
Skill | Performance Criteria | Description |
Reading | 1.1, 1.2, 1.4, 1.7, 2.1, 3.1 | Interprets textual information from relevant sources to identify and plan for all job requirements and adhere to procedures and standards |
Writing | 1.5, 1.6, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3 | Accurately completes standard reports and documentation using clear and technically specific language and numerical data |
Oral Communication | 1.5, 1.6, 3.3 | Uses listening and questioning skills to confirm understanding for technical requirements Participates in a verbal exchange of ideas and solutions and uses appropriate, detailed and clear language to address key personnel and clients |
Numeracy | 2.2 | Uses mathematical formulae to evaluate technical data and interpret results |
Navigate the world of work | 1.1, 1.2, 3.1 | Works independently within workplace parameters with a strong sense of responsibility and ownership of goals, plans, decisions and outcomes Monitors adherence to legal and regulatory rights and responsibilities with specific reference to safe industry practices |
Interact with others | 3.3 | Actively identifies requirements of important communication exchanges, selecting appropriate channels, format, tone and content to suit purpose and audience and monitoring impact |
Get the work done | 1.1, 1.3-1.7, 2.1, 2.2 | Accepts responsibility for planning and sequencing complex tasks and workload, negotiating key aspects with others taking into account capabilities, efficiencies and effectiveness Takes responsibility for high-impact decisions in complex situations involving many variables and constraints Actively identifies systems, devices and applications with potential to meet current and/or future needs When dealing with complex issues, may use intuition to identify the general problem area, switching to analytical processes to clarify goals and key issues and using lateral thinking processes to generate possible solutions |
Sectors
Telecommunications – Optical Networks