Experienced technical staff from telecommunications carriers, service providers or other private and public organisations who have experience in the optical transmission area apply the skills and knowledge in this unit.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Prepare to conduct characterisation tests on existing optical network

1.1. Obtain relevant legislation, codes, regulations and standardsrelevant legislation, codes, regulations and standards and follow occupational health and safety (OHS) 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 the existing fibre link

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

3. Document the 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 a report on the measured performance of the network and recommendations on future upgrades

Required skills

communication skills to:

liaise with internal and external personnel on technical and operational matters

relate to work associates, supervisors, team members and clients

literacy skills to:

interpret technical documentation, such as equipment manuals, specifications and service orders

write reports using standard formats

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

planning and organisational skills to plan, prioritise and monitor own work and that of others

problem solving and contingency management skills to:

adapt testing procedures to requirements of particular situations

modify activities depending on operational contingencies, risk situations and environments

safety awareness skills to:

apply precautions and required action to minimise, control or eliminate hazards that may exist during work activities especially when dealing with infra-red laser light

select and use required personal protective equipment conforming to industry and OHS standards

work systematically with required attention to detail without injury to self or others, or damage to goods or equipment

technical skills to:

backup and restore

clean optical fibre connector

examine optical fibre connector for contamination and assess whether cleaning is required

install software

measure DC and AC voltages

measure optical power using handheld optical power meter

select and use appropriate test equipment

setup IP addresses and subnet masks

Required knowledge

attenuation characteristics of optical fibres

chromatic dispersion (CD) test

dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) principles of operation

dispersion

dispersion characteristics of various fibres

dispersion compensation devices

electrostatic discharge precaution

features and operating requirements of test equipment including:

hand-held optical power meter

optical spectrum analyser

transmission test set

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

gain equalisation

insertion loss test

International Telecommunications Union (ITU) wavelength grid for DWDM

measurement of dispersion

methods to reduce dispersion

optical amplifier operation

optical fibre connector types and characteristics

optical fibre types and characteristics

optical return loss (ORL) test

optical signal to noise ratio (OSNR) test

optical time domain reflectometer (OTDR) test

path protection and protection switching

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

polarisation mode dispersion (PMD) test

protocols used on optical DWDM systems

reflectance

ring topologies and linear network topologies

specific OHS requirements that impact on the safe inspection of optical connectors and the safe measurement of optical power from laser transmission systems

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:

conduct four of the following measurements:

OTDR testing from both ends

OLTS loss test

ORL

CD

PMD

non-linearity (four wave mixing)

OSNR

analyse complex optical measurement results

recommend the most appropriate upgrades for the existing system.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure:

sites on which link characterisation testing may be conducted

use of test equipment currently used in industry

test equipment and manufacturer's technical documentation.

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 performing integration

review of test documentation completed by the candidate

oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of test and commissioning procedures.

Guidance information for assessment

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

ICTOPN5118A Plan and configure dense wavelength division multiplexing systems

ICTOPN5119A Perform acceptance test and commission an optical network

ICTOPN5120A Plan for an optical system upgrade and cut over

ICTOPN5122A Test the performance of specialised optical devices.

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.

Relevant legislation, codes, regulations and standards may include:

Australian Communications Industry Forum (ACIF) standards and codes

AS Communications Cabling Manual (CCM) Volume 1

Australian building codes and regulations

compliance with appropriate Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) technical standard requirements for underground, aerial, Category 5 or Category 6, 6A, 7 or 7A, and unshielded twisted pairs (UTP)

Environmental Protection Acts

fire regulations

International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC):

IEC 61282-3 Technical report on calculation of PMD

IEC 61290-1 Gain of optical amplifiers

IEC 61290-2 Power measurements on optical amplifiers

IEC 61291 Generic specs for optical amplifiers

IEC 61291-4 Performance template for multi-channel optical amplifiers

IEC 61941 Standard on PMD measurement for single mode optical fibre

OHS

relevant international standards

technical standards AS/ACIF S008:2006 and AS/ACIF S009:2006.

OHS and environmental requirements may relate to:

decommissioning and isolating worksite and lines prior to commencement

flashing lights

gas and other hazard detection equipment

identifying other services, including power and gas

safe working practices, such as the safe use and handling of:

asbestos

chemicals

materials

tools and equipment

work platforms

safety barriers

safety equipment

special access requirements

suitable light and ventilation

trench guards

warning signs and tapes

witches hats

environmental considerations:

clean-up protection

noise, dust and clean-up management

stormwater protection

waste management.

Hazards may include:

infra-red laser light at transmitter ports and fibres

needle stick injuries from fractured optical fibres.

Personal protective equipment may include:

dust protection

earmuffs

eye protection

gloves

hard hats

personal reflecting jackets

safety boots

safety glasses

traffic signs

warning signs and tapes.

Test procedures may include:

expected measurement results

test conditions

test instrument settings

test instruments required

test setup.

Optical tests may include:

tests:

CD

non-linearity (four wave mixing)

optical loss test set (OLTS)

ORL

OSNR

OTDR testing from both ends

PMD

wavelength:

1310 nm

1550 nm

1625 nm.

Unit sector

Telecommunications

Optical networks

This unit contains employability skills.