Technical officers or engineers from private and public organisations apply the skills and knowledge in this unit. They combine technical design skills with broader organisational skills to assess planning requirements of various access network technologies within a telecommunications network to meet future customer demands.

Technical officers or engineers may be responsible for small projects or parts of larger projects and for the operation and engineering work in the deployment or conversion to internet protocol (IP) based technologies of the telecommunications network in general.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Scope the project

1.1. Prepare for given work according to site specific safety requirements and enterprise occupational health and safety (OHS) processes and procedures

1.2. Determine the types ofaccess networks currently deployed by accessing and using network information sources

1.3. Determine the nature, quantity, architecture and condition of existing network equipment and their attributes

1.4. Produce a brief on the deployment scope of current access networks, including geographical limitations and their contribution to the larger network

2. Assess capability and technologies of current and future access networks

2.1. Produce the layout of the topology of the identified types of Access Networks with the network elements clearly indicated

2.2. Evaluate the equipment type and technologies of the access network to determine compatibility with existing network equipment and interoperability with other networks

2.3. Assess the current and future capability and limitations of the network to ensure potential growth of the network

2.4. Determine future offerings of product and services outlining the product offerings allowable over each network

3. Document capability evaluation

3.1. Assess the capability of current access networks to deliver products and services to customers

3.2. Recommend preferred solutions for network growth with future capabilities

Required skills

analytical skills to outline the product offerings allowable across all competing Access Network technologies

communication skills to liaise with internal and external personnel on technical and non-technical matters

literacy skills to:

interpret technical and non-technical documentation

write summary reports in required formats

numeracy skills to interpret data results and evaluate different types of technical data

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

research skills to:

assess the elements and architectures of the various access network technologies

assess the capability and limitations of the various Access Network technologies (present and future needs)

explain the key technologies that make up the access network

interrogate databases and investigate different audit requirements

source the equipment that will be used across the spectrum of access network technologies

technical skills to select and compare benefits and limitations of access network technologies

Required knowledge

detailed knowledge of:

typical access network technologies

the elements and architecture of the various access networks

typical problems and challenges that describe the capabilities of the various access networks

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:

evaluate the capability and limitations of the various access network technologies for present and future needs

source the equipment that will be used across the spectrum of access network technologies

outline the product offerings allowable across all competing access network technologies.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure:

network design documentation and other site related documentation

equipment specifications

live network or training facilities

organisational guidelines

networked computers

networked telecommunications components.

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 evaluating the capability of an access network

review of reports completed by the candidate for differing access network equipment and technologies

oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of equipment, technologies and the various product offerings as used within the access network.

Guidance information for assessment

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

ICTNPL4108A Plan the deployment of access network architectures.

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.

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.

Types of access networks may include:

access fibre network

copper

fibre to the premises (FTTP)

hybrid fibre coaxial (HFC)

Next Generation Networks (NGN)

wireless networks.

Network information sources may include:

network management databases for :

capacity assessment data

network performance data

traffic dimensioning data

network management tools.

Attributes may include:

capacity

condition

layout

limitations

occupancy

performance

type.

Network elements may include:

for the current copper network:

copper cable

cross connect unit

exchange

lead-in cable

lightning protection

loading coils

main distribution frame (MDF)

manhole

pair gain system

pits

for the current fibre network:

exchange

fibre access points

high density/optical fibre distribution frame (HD/OFDF)

joint enclosure

manhole

optical fibre

pits

transmission hub

for the FTTP network:

broadband passive optical network (BPON)

conduit

distribution/lead in multi-port (DLM/LM)

Ethernet broadband remote access server (EBRAS)

exchange

fibre distribution hub (FDH)

gigabit passive optical network (GPON)

head end

HD/OFDF

home optical network terminal

lead in

manhole

optical distribution network

optical fibre

packet optical line terminal (P-OLT)

pits

video optical line terminal (V-OLT)

wave division multiplexer (WDM)

for the HFC network:

coaxial cable

exchange

headend

hub

IP edge

line power supply

node

optical fibre

optical receiver

radio frequency (RF) amplifier

tap

video service centre

for the wireless network:

access points

antennas

dish

exchange

RFamplifiers

radio towers and huts

RF receivers

RF transmitters

satellite

waveguide.

Equipmenttype may include:

digital

IP based

optical:

add/drop multiplexers

amplifiers

filters

receivers

splitters/combiners

switches

transmitters

wireless:

amplifiers

filters

microwave

receivers

RF broadband

satellite

transmitters.

Technologies may include:

DSL:

ADSL, ADSL2+

xDSL

IP broadband:

IPTV

VoIP

WiFI

WiMAX

optical transmission systems:

WDM systems

DWDM systems

mobile radio.

Unit sector

Telecommunications

Network planning

This unit contains employability skills.