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Demonstrate knowledge of information and communications
technology (ICT) systems and services
Level
4
Credits
20
Purpose
This unit standard defines the underpinning knowledge for people engaged in
the installation and maintenance of telecommunications information and
communications technology (ICT) systems used for voice and data services.
People credited with this unit standard are able to demonstrate knowledge of:
– the telecommunications OSI model;
– data cabling used to support broadband applications;
– radio transmission;
– unlicensed wireless access networks;
– cellular mobile telephony;
– ICT network topologies, architectures, transport mechanisms and
protocols, and hardware components;
– end-to-end ICT configurations and systems; and
– emerging fixed and mobile ICT networks.
Subfield
Telecommunications
Domain
Telecommunications - Service Delivery
Status
Registered
Status date
25 February 2008
Date version published
25 February 2008
Planned review date
31 December 2012
Entry information
Open.
Accreditation
Evaluation of documentation and visit by NZQA and
industry.
Standard setting body (SSB)
ElectroTechnology Industry Training Organisation
Accreditation and Moderation Action Plan (AMAP) reference
0003
This AMAP can be accessed at http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/framework/search/index.do.
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Special notes
1
This unit standard has been developed for learning and assessment off-job.
2
This unit standard defines the underpinning knowledge required by trainees to
support the range of practical installation activities assessed by Unit 24520, Install
and maintain information and communications technology (ICT) systems and
services. This knowledge is typically acquired during the last two years of training of
a 4 to 5 year training programme.
3
References
AS/NZS 3000:2007, Electrical installations (known as the Australian/New Zealand
Wiring Rules);
AS/NZS 3080:2003: Telecommunications installations – Generic cabling for
commercial premises;
NZS 2772.1:1999 Radiofrequency fields – Maximum exposure levels – 3 kHz to 300
GHz;
Building Act 2004;
Electricity Act 1992;
Electricity Regulations 1997;
IEEE 802.11-1999 Edition (ISO/IEC 8802-11: 1999) IEEE Standards for Information
Technology – Telecommunications and Information Exchange between Systems –
Local and Metropolitan Area Network – Specific Requirements – Part 11: Wireless
LAN Medium Access Control (MAC) and Physical Layer (PHY) Specifications;
IEEE 802.16-2004 IEEE Standard for Local and Metropolitan Area Networks–Part
16;
Radiocommunications Act 1989;
Telecommunications Act 2001;
Telecommunications (Residual Provisions) Act 1987;
and all subsequent amendments and replacements.
4
Definitions
AMPS – advanced mobile phone system.
ATM – Asynchronous Transmission Mode Protocol.
Broadband – synonymous with wideband, a transmission system that combines
multiple independent signals onto one cable.
Brouter – combined bridge and router.
Building and data cabling – the telecommunications cabling systems installed in
buildings to carry voice and data.
Cable – any or all of copper cable, fibre optic cable, coaxial cable.
CDMA – code division multiple access.
DAMPS – digital advanced mobile phone system.
DWDM – dense wavelength division multiplexing.
EIRP – effective isotropic radiated power.
Emerging technology – any technology which is at the development stage, or in early
stages of production and commercial use.
EMI – electro-magnetic interference.
EMR – electro-magnetic radiation.
Ethernet – a process called Carrier Sense, Multiple Access, collision detection
(CSMA/CD), which has data collision detection, it is used to pass data across a
physical media.
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GPRS – general packet radio service.
GSM – groupe spécial mobile/global system for mobile telecommunications.
H323 – ITU audio-visual communication protocol.
ICT – information and communications technology.
Industry practice – those practices, which competent practitioners within the industry
recognise as current industry best practice.
IP – internet protocol.
IS-IS – intermediate system-to-intermediate system protocol.
ISO – International Organisation for Standardisation.
ITU – International Telecommunication Union.
LAN – local area network.
MAN – metropolitan area network.
MGCP – media gateway control protocol.
MPLS – multiprotocol label switching.
ONU – optical network unit (fibre to copper interface).
OSI – open system interconnect.
OSPF – open shortest path first.
PSTN – public switched telephone network.
R value – a number, or score, that is used to quantitatively express the subjective
quality of speech in communications systems, especially digital networks that carry
voice over IP.
RF – radio frequency.
RFI – radio frequency interference.
RIP – routing information protocol.
RTP – real-time transport protocol.
SDH – synchronous digital hierarchy.
SGCP – simple gateway control protocol.
SIP – session initiation protocol.
STM – synchronous transmission module.
TCP – transmission control protocol.
UDP – user datagram protocol.
UMTS – universal mobile telecommunications system.
WAN – wide area network.
Wireless – includes WI 5, WLAN, WMAN, Wi-Fi.
xDSL – digital subscriber line types. x can be A, S, H, V, SH.
in simple terms means a non-mathematical treatment generally employing block
diagrams identifying key points of interface.
5
Underpinning knowledge for this unit standard is covered by the National Certificate
in Telecommunications (Level 3) Information and Communications Technology
strand.
6
Range
a The phrase in accordance with industry practice is implicit in all performance
criteria in this unit standard.
b The use of mathematics is only required where calculation is specifically
mentioned.
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Elements and performance criteria
Element 1
Demonstrate knowledge of the telecommunications OSI model.
Performance criteria
1.1
The seven layers of the OSI model are defined in terms of their attributes.
Range
1.2
layers – physical, data link, network, transport, session,
presentation, application.
Examples of applications and types of transmission media used are outlined for
the seven layers of the OSI model.
Element 2
Demonstrate knowledge of data cabling used to support broadband applications.
Range
cable types include but are not limited to – twisted pair, coaxial, fibre optic.
Performance criteria
2.1
Cable types are described with reference to physical construction, electrical
characteristics, optical characteristics, and broadband applications.
Range
2.2
electrical characteristics include but are not limited to – loop
resistance, insulation resistance, loss at audio and high
frequencies, noise, EMI, RFI, bit error rate;
optical characteristics include but are not limited to – attenuation,
chromatic dispersion, modal dispersion, light reflection, light
refraction.
A typical building and data cabling system for a modern high-rise building is
designed with reference to components, their purposes, and interconnections.
Range
design includes but is not limited to – building entrance, equipment
room, earthing facilities, backbone system, closets, horizontal
system, outlet boxes, access points, ONU, fire stopping.
2.3
Regulations, codes of practice, and standards of relevance to building and data
cabling are identified and their scopes stated.
2.4
The purpose of and practices associated with telecommunications bonding and
earthing are described in accordance with industry practice.
Range
cables, equipment, frames, backbone and horizontal systems.
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Element 3
Demonstrate basic knowledge of radio transmission.
Performance criteria
3.1
The fundamental principles of propagation are explained in simple terms.
Range
3.2
spectrum, link budget, cable type’s losses, impedance matching,
frequency versus attenuation, antenna types, Fresnel zones, line
of site versus non-line of site coverage, fading, multipath,
polarisation.
A summary of the regulatory standards requirement is briefly described.
Range
standards include but are not limited to – radio licensed, spectrum
licensed, general user radio licensed bands; EIRP; interference
management; other users; EMR health and safety.
Element 4
Demonstrate basic knowledge of unlicensed wireless access networks.
Performance criteria
4.1
The technical standards are briefly described with respect to purpose, function,
and example applications.
Range
4.2
Typical system performance of unlicensed wireless access networks is
explained in simple terms.
Range
4.3
standards include but are not limited to – ANSI/IEEE 802.11-1999,
IEEE 802.16-2004, Bluetooth, Zigbee.
security, data rates, powers, range, interference, spectrum use,
bandwidth sharing, roaming, monitoring, error rates, propagation,
quality of service.
Planning principles for unlicensed wireless access networks are explained in
simple terms.
Range
coverage, frequency channel utilisation, EIRP, site surveys to
position access points, physical security, antenna directional
properties.
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Element 5
Demonstrate basic knowledge of cellular mobile telephony.
Performance criteria
5.1
Mobile system infrastructures are described in terms of components, interfaces,
transmission media, and suitability for ICT applications.
Range
5.2
Principles of cellular switching networks are explained with the aid of simple
block diagrams with reference to all major components and their attributes.
Range
5.3
systems include but are not limited to – AMPS, DAMPS, GSM,
CDMA, GPRS, UMTS.
major components to include but are not limited to – cellular
switch, location registers (home and visiting), data servers, PSTN
access, transport network, access/base stations, identity and
security registers, network edge (network termination) equipment;
attributes include but are not limited to – software management,
diversity and redundancy, routine testing, monitoring,
management, switching capacity, access interconnections and
interfaces.
Base station functions are described in simple terms.
Range
RF plant parameters and controls, base station control, call
handover and management, network parameters, signalling,
trunking, time slot management, handset limitations with respect to
transmission media.
Element 6
Demonstrate knowledge of ICT network topologies, architectures, transport mechanisms
and protocols, and hardware components.
Range
hardware components include but are not limited to – brouters, switches,
routers, work stations, servers, access points, terminals;
Configuration architecture includes but is not limited to – the connectivity
control, application functional layers.
Performance criteria
6.1
Common network topologies, architectures, and applications are described with
the aid of a diagram depicting a multi-site multi-node network.
Range
includes but is not limited to – ATM, IP, xDSL;
description includes reference to – differences, limitations,
interfaces, protocols.
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6.2
Typical end-user ICT system applications are described with reference to a
multi-site multi-node network diagram.
Range
6.3
The connectivity (access) layer elements are identified and their functionality
described with the aid of diagrams.
Range
6.4
elements may include but are not limited to – gateways, routers,
switches, interconnection points, interconnection media (such as
copper, fibre, wireless), typical interconnection transmission
mechanisms.
The functions, structure, and typical usage of the interfaces and protocols used
in the control and connection layers are briefly described with the aid of
diagrams and with reference to the appropriate and applicable OSI model
layer(s) used within the interface or protocol.
Range
6.6
layer elements may include but are not limited to – core network,
edge network, access network components and the elements;
gateways, routers, interconnection points, interconnection media
(such as copper, fibre, wireless), typical interconnection
transmission mechanisms;
interconnection transmission mechanisms may include but are not
limited to – SDH, PDH, DWDM, DSL.
The control layer elements are identified and their functionality described with
the aid of diagrams.
Range
6.5
hardware – functional elements, interconnection;
software – systems, application.
interfaces and protocols may include but are not limited to – TCP,
UDP, IP, MPLS, H323, SIP, RTP, Data Link Layer, and routing
protocols such as OSPF, IS-IS, RIP, and gateway protocols such
as MGCP and SGCP.
The application layer elements are identified and their functionality described
with the aid of diagrams.
Range
the elements may include but are not limited to – servers and
interconnection points, interconnection media, typical
interconnection protocols;
server types may include but are not limited to – media servers,
application servers, support servers, and management servers.
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Element 7
Demonstrate knowledge of end-to-end ICT configurations and systems.
Range
seven layer OSI model; physical layer, protocols, transport layer, hardware,
applications.
Performance criteria
7.1
The end-to-end ICT configuration of six user terminals on three LANs
connected via a WAN to six user terminals on another three LANs is described
with the aid of a diagram depicting a multi-site multi-node network.
Range
7.2
A typical dialogue establishment procedure and the data transfer process for
transport mechanisms are described with reference to a diagram depicting a
multi-site multi-node network.
Range
7.3
definitions include but are not limited to – connection oriented,
connectionless data transport.
ICT voice related data and non-voice data transport mechanisms and related
issues are described with reference to diagram(s) depicting a multi-site multinode network.
Range
7.4
ICT applications may include but are not limited to – web, email,
peer-to-peer, data transfer, video, voice applications, remote login
access.
mechanisms may include but are not limited to – transport layer
management, use of different protocol types.
Voice over ICT network related service delivery issues are described with
reference to diagram(s) depicting a customer to customer connection over a
multi-site multi-node network.
Range
issues include but are not limited to – factors affecting the quality
service of voice services;
factors include but not limited to – latency, propagation delay,
availability, throughput, data compression, echo, jitter;
quality of voice services to include but is not limited to – brief
descriptions of applicable ITU standards, MOS and R-value rating
systems.
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Element 8
Demonstrate knowledge of emerging fixed and mobile ICT networks.
Performance criteria
8.1
Emerging technologies are briefly described with reference to purpose, facilities
offered, and how the technology will integrate with existing networks and
systems.
Range
evidence of any two emerging technologies of current interest to
the industry is required.
Please note
Providers must be accredited by NZQA, or an inter-institutional body with delegated
authority for quality assurance, before they can report credits from assessment against
unit standards or deliver courses of study leading to that assessment.
Industry Training Organisations must be accredited by NZQA before they can register
credits from assessment against unit standards.
Accredited providers and Industry Training Organisations assessing against unit standards
must engage with the moderation system that applies to those standards.
Accreditation requirements and an outline of the moderation system that applies to this
standard are outlined in the Accreditation and Moderation Action Plan (AMAP). The
AMAP also includes useful information about special requirements for organisations
wishing to develop education and training programmes, such as minimum qualifications for
tutors and assessors, and special resource requirements.
Comments on this unit standard
Please contact the ElectroTechnology Industry Training Organisation
reviewcomments@etito.co.nz if you wish to suggest changes to the content of this unit
standard.
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016