Technical staff who design and operate mobile wireless systems that meet the industry implementation of wireless convergence in telecommunications apply the knowledge and skills in this unit. They would be employed in the ICT industry by companies deploying convergence technologies in their Core and Access networks to meet their business needs.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Plan and prepare for the design of cellular mobile networks

1.1. Analyse the requirements of the mobile network

1.2. Examine technical characteristics of the GPRS systems

1.3. Develop network architecture for a GPRS network in addition to the circuit-switched domain of 2G

1.4. Review 3G structure and identify requirements of the network to provide a wide variety of services ranging from voice and paging services to interactive multimedia, including teleconferencing and internet access

1.5. Examine the technical characteristics, data rates, operating frequencies and multiplexing schemes of the 3G system

1.6. Establish the positioning and types of antennas, terminals, processors, required protocols and architecture, based on technical specifications and requirements

2. Design a GPRS (2.5G) cellular network

2.1. Investigate how 2.5G GPRS overlays the GSM network to transmit and receive transmission control protocol (TCP)/ internet protocol (IP) based data to and from GPRS mobile devices

3. Design a 3G cellular network

3.1. Develop the network architecture for a 3G network and explain the functions of the network elements

3.2. Integrate a 3G network with a wireless local area network (WLAN)

4. Research and evaluate design features of a proposed 4G cellular network

4.1. Investigate how a fully IP based 4G system will provide an end-to-end IP integrated solution for voice, data and streamed multimedia to end users roaming anytime and anywhere

4.2. Investigate access schemes of a 4G network

4.3. Investigate implication for IPv6. 4G support to greater number of IP based wireless devices with applications such as improved multicast, security and route minimisation capabilities

4.4. Investigate the use of advanced antenna systems to enable 4G with high rate, high reliability and long range communications

5. Produce reports for architectural design for cellular networks

5.1. Report on the impact of competing technologies on each other

5.2. Investigate the potential interoperability and global roaming issues that may be faced by GSM, 2.5G, 3G and 4G cellular technologies

Required skills

design skills to technically enhance cellular networks to include IP convergence

group facilitation and presentation skills to transfer and collect information and gain consensus on concepts

literacy and communication skills to analyse, evaluate and present information, when documenting network design and presenting it to senior managers, client users and sponsors for approval

problem solving skills to predict traffic and the impact on input and output devices and processors from current and future demand requirements

research skills to specify, analyse and evaluate broad features of current security issues and best practice in security devices, products and procedures

technical skills to operate cellular networks

Required knowledge

broad knowledge of the client business domain when designing network

current industry accepted network hardware and software products and their general features and capabilities, and detailed knowledge when designing a GPRS (2.5G) and 3G network

current industry security products, devices and procedures and their general features and capabilities, and detailed knowledge when finalising GSM, GPRS (2.5G) and 3G network design

detailed knowledge of current industry accepted cellular mobile network protocols

technical characteristics of GPRS systems:

capability classes and multi-slot classes

coding schemes

data rates

management systems when evaluating roaming features

operating frequencies and modulation schemes

remote user issues when establishing siting and types of antennas, terminals, processors, required protocols and GPRS (2.5G) and 3G network architecture, based on technical specifications and user requirements

theoretical concepts of three or more current industry network development and design methodologies when designing 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:

design viable GPRS (2.5G) and 3G network solutions to meet particular business needs

research design features of 4G cellular networks.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure:

budget for designs for convergent cellular mobile networks

cellular mobile network structures

client requirements

expected traffic volume

information on a range of IT business solutions

technical specifications

vendors and vendor offerings and pricing.

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:

oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of current industry networks and design methodologies

review of report prepared by the candidate outlining evaluation process undertaken, including challenges faced and how these were addressed

direct observation of the candidate undertaking multiple antenna positioning

evaluation of network designed by the candidate in terms of performance and suitability of business needs.

Guidance information for assessment

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

ICTRFN6098A Monitor the capacity of and recommend changes to the mobile cellular network.

ICTRFN6171A Produce and evaluate architecture designs for WiMAX networks

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.

Requirements may include:

network

system

the business.

Network may include:

cellular mobile networks

internet

national WANs

public switched telephone network (PSTN):

data

voice.

Technical characteristics may include:

capability classes

coding schemes

data rates

operating frequencies and modulation schemes.

Systems may include:

hardware components that run a cellular mobile network

software components that run a cellular mobile network.

GPRS network may include:

GGSN of 2.5G and 3G

SGSN of 2.5G and 3G.

Circuit-switched may include:

GSM core network:

authentication centre (AUC)

equipment identity register (EIR)

home location register (HLR)

mobile services switching centre (MSC)

public switched telephone network (PSTN) and associated signalling.

Architecture may include:

configuration of GPRS (2.5G), 3G and 4G topologies

network management:

global roaming issues faced by cellular technologies

interoperability.

Specifications may include:

current system functionality

technical requirements

user problem statement.

Advanced antenna systems may include:

adaptive antennas

multiple input multiple output (MIMO).

Report may include:

audit trails

client training

ISO, European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) and Australian standards

maintaining equipment inventory

naming standards

project management templates and report writing

satisfaction report

technical report

version control.

Competing technologies may include:

4G

802.11n

worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX).

Unit sector

Telecommunications

Telecommunications networks engineering

This unit contains employability skills.