Assessor Resource

ICTOPN6128A
Design a dense wavelength division multiplexing system

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: May 2024


Technical officers and supervisors apply the skills and knowledge in this unit when designing DWDM systems for the deployment of high capacity networks using optical technologies.

Optical networks using DWDM provide services in Next Generation Networks (NGN) using emerging technologies.

NGN services include internet protocol TV (IPTV), video on demand (VoD), interactive TV and cloud computing.

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to design a high capacity dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) optical network suitable for a metropolitan area network (MAN) or long haul applications.

It involves link budget design and providing specification details for configuration and commissioning teams.

DWDMs use optical multiplexing techniques to increase the carrying capacity of a fibre network by transmitting multiple optical wavelengths each carrying high speed data stream over a single fibre. DWDM systems offer up to 128 wavelengths, with each wavelength carrying up to 100 Gbps.

No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement but users should confirm requirements with the relevant federal, state or territory authority.

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

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:

determine the fibre loss between sites

calculate link budget and link margin

prepare DWDM shelf configuration and specifications

produce a configuration document

investigate an emerging DWDM technology.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure:

sites on which design of a DWDM system may be conducted

manufacturer's technical documentation, relevant regulations and specifications.

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 undertaking DWDM calculations

review of data gathered, reports and project plans prepared by the candidate

oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of design and configuring of DWDM systems.

Guidance information for assessment

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

ICTOPN6125A Manage dense wavelength division multiplexing transmission system

ICTOPN6129A Analyse optical transmission systems.

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

analytical skills to identify details relating to the project from the approved network plan

communication skills to discuss project brief with enterprise design and installation personnel, vendors, customers and contractors

literacy skills to:

write project briefs and interpret results and evaluate different types of technical data

interpret technical documentation and write reports in required formats

numeracy skills to:

interpret results and evaluate different types of technical data

analyse site survey data

planning skills to:

consider current, new technology, facilities and features when developing options

plan, prioritise and monitor own work and that of others

problem solving skills to address and analyse specific customer requirements

research skills to:

analyse impacts on planning processes

obtain and study information relating to emerging DWDM technologies

obtain geographical site information

study relevant legislation and associated operational codes

technical skills to identify barriers to plan realisation and evaluate emerging DWDM technologies

Required knowledge

configuration of DWDM shelf

DWDM principles of operation

electrostatic discharge

features and operating requirements of test equipment including:

optical time domain reflectometer (OTDR)

hand-held optical power meter

transmission test set

optical spectrum analyser

functions of optical add drop multiplexer (OADM)

functions of reconfigurable optical add drop multiplexer (ROADM)

IP addressing, subnet mask, dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) and default gateway

International Telecommunications Union (ITU) wavelength grid for DWDM

laser stability

dispersion compensation devices

link budget calculations and link margins

optical fibre connector types and characteristics

optical fibre types and characteristics

path protection and protection switching

physical optical loopbacks and software loopbacks

traditional protocols and emerging OTN technologies used on optical DWDM systems

ring topologies and linear network topologies

specific occupational health and safety (OHS) requirements that impact on the safe inspection of optical connectors and the safe measurement of optical power from laser transmission systems

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.

Appropriate person may include:

consultant

planning engineer

project engineer

project supervisor

site supervisor.

Site details may include:

location of network sites

number of network sites

optical fibre path distance between sites

straight line distance between sites

type of site:

OADM

ROADM

terminal.

Service type may include:

interface requirements

protocol and bit rate:

digital video broadcasting - asynchronous serial interface (DVB-ASI)

enterprise system connection (ESCON)

ethernet

fast ethernet 100 Mbps

1 GbE

10 GbE

fibre channel

OTN

synchronous digital hierarchy (SDH)

synchronous optical networking (SONET)

STM-1 155 Mbps

STM-4 622 Mbps

STM-16 2.48 Gbps

STM-64 10 Gbps

STM-256 40 Gbps

100 Gbps

HD-SDI

SD-SDI.

Protection may include:

equipment protection

path protection.

Specifications may include:

chromatic dispersion (ps/nm*km)

cladding diameter

core diameter

end-to-end attenuation or dB loss per km at nominated wavelength

fibre type

non-zero dispersion shifted fibre (NZDSF) ITU-T G.655

non-dispersion shifted fibre (NDSF) ITU-T G.652 also known as standard single mode fibre 'SMF'

dispersion-shifted fibre (DSF) ITU-T G.653

1550-nm loss-minimised fibre (ITU-T G.654)

ITU-T G.656

LEAF fibre

number of fusion splices

polarisation mode dispersion

refractive index profile of core.

Optical fibre may include:

existing fibre

fibre optimised for DWDM system

new fibre.

Detailed requirements may include:

actual wavelengths specified

chirp parameter

dispersion compensation devices

maximum allowable span length

optical amplifier

optical signal to noise ratio (OSNR)

receiver threshold

transmit laser:

maximum power

minimum power

stability

type.

Configuration document may include:

channel configuration information

fixed optical attenuators

protection details

slot positions and circuit card type

type and quantity of circuit cards.

IP address allocation may include:

default gateway IP address

shelf IP addresses

subnet mask.

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 the planning document from appropriate person and determine site details 
Obtain the service type and the number of channels required between customer traffic sources and destinations and the type of protection required 
Obtain specifications of the optical fibre between sites 
Determine the fibre loss between sites 
Use vendor's engineering design rules, specifications and data to calculate link budget and link margin for each DWDM wavelength and path 
Evaluate link budget and assess the calculated margin and make recommendations for improvement if warranted 
Analyse the specifications of the installed optical fibre and determine if dispersion will limit the maximum traffic data rate 
Generate options for system design that are realistic for the enterprise and network 
Evaluate and select preferred option based on enterprise business strategy outcomes, service policy and compliance with relevant legislation 
Discuss and confirm selected option with customer 
Outline the detailed requirements of the DWDM system for configuration document 
Prepare a configuration document according to the customer's traffic needs 
Prepare an internet protocol (IP) address allocation for all DWDM shelves and associated routers and gateways 
Submit documentation to appropriate person for approval and sign off 
Investigate the option of using a reconfigurable optical add-drop multiplexer (ROADM) and make recommendations outlining the benefits 
Investigate the feasibility of a future upgrade up to 100 Gbps system using optical transport network (OTN)-DWDM technology 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

ICTOPN6128A - Design a dense wavelength division multiplexing system
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Assessment Record Sheet

ICTOPN6128A - Design a dense wavelength division multiplexing system

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