NZQA Expiring unit standard
17493 version 7
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Title
Demonstrate basic knowledge of telecommunications switching and
transmission
Level
3
Purpose
Credits
20
This unit standard covers basic underpinning knowledge for
people engaged in installation and maintenance of
telecommunications switching and transmission systems.
People credited with this unit standard are able to demonstrate:
–
basic knowledge of alternating current and transmission
line theory;
–
basic knowledge of digital multiplexing and hierarchies;
–
basic knowledge of digital switching principles;
–
basic knowledge of telecommunications bearers and
bearer systems;
–
basic knowledge of telecommunications transmission
installation and testing practices;
–
basic knowledge of the principles of a broadcast control
system and a coaxial or fibre cable communication
system for provision of customer services;
–
basic knowledge of data transmission;
–
basic knowledge of telecommunications alarm
management and monitoring systems;
–
basic knowledge of common switching and transmission
support services; and
–
an awareness of emerging telecommunications switching
and transmission technologies.
> Telecommunications is
- Service Delivery
ThisTelecommunications
unit standard
expiring
Available grade
Achieved
Classification
Explanatory notes
1
This unit standard has been designed for learning and assessment off-job.
2
The term basic knowledge is used to describe the underpinning knowledge required
by trainees to support the range of practical installation and maintenance activities
assessed by Unit 17487, Install and maintain basic telecommunications bearer or
switch plant and equipment. This knowledge is typically acquired during second and
third years of training of a 4 to 5 year training programme.
3
References
Electricity Act 1992;
Electricity Regulations 1997;
The Skills Organisation
SSB Code 100401
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA Expiring unit standard
17493 version 7
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Telecommunications Act 2001;
Telecommunications [(Residual Provisions)] Act 1987;
and their subsequent amendments and replacements.
4
Definitions
ASR – an Alarm Sender and Receiver.
BSF – Basic Signalling Frequencies, or Basic Signalling Frames.
Cable – any or all of copper cable, fibre optic cable, coaxial cable.
DDN – Digital Data Network.
DSTN – Digital Services Transmission Network.
EFTPOS – Electronic Funds Transfer Point Of Sale.
Emerging technology – any technology which is at the development stage, or in early
stages of production and commercial use overseas, but is not yet used commercially
in New Zealand.
Industry practice – those practices, which competent practitioners within the industry
recognise as current industry best practice.
ISDN – Integrated Services Digital Network.
LDC – Leased Direct Circuit.
MFC – Multi Frequency Codes.
MUX – Multiplexing equipment.
PCM – pulse code modulation systems.
PDH – Plesiochronous Digital Hierarchy.
PMUX – Primary Multiplexing equipment.
POTS – Plain Old Telephone Service.
PSTN – Public Switched Telephone Network.
RNMU – Remote Network Management Unit.
SDH – Synchronous Digital Hierarchy.
SS7 – Signalling System No.7.
VMUX – V-Multiplexing equipment.
xDSL – various (x) digital subscriber line systems.
5
Range
a
The phrase in accordance with current industry practice is implicit in all
evidence requirements in this unit standard.
b
The use of mathematics is not required except where calculation is specifically
mentioned.
6
The depth of knowledge of the subject matter is such as could typically be learnt
during a six week full-time course.
This unit standard is
expiring
Outcomes and evidence requirements
Outcome 1
Demonstrate basic knowledge of alternating current and transmission line theory.
Evidence requirements
1.1
Reactance and impedance are defined, units stated, and calculated.
Range
The Skills Organisation
SSB Code 100401
impedance calculations – at any given frequency for simple threeelement series and parallel circuits.
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA Expiring unit standard
17493 version 7
Page 3 of 8
1.2
Vectors are used to show phase relationships of voltages and currents in series
and parallel circuits, and to calculate their resultants graphically.
1.3
Resonant frequencies for simple series and parallel circuits are calculated.
1.4
The properties of transmission lines are outlined.
Range
1.5
The basic principles of 2-wire and 4-wire transmission are described.
Range
1.6
reference to – primary constants, definition of transmission loss,
variation of loss with frequency, characteristic impedance,
reflections, termination, noise, near and far end crosstalk.
resistive, transformer, and electronic hybrids; balance networks;
formation and prevention of echoes and instability.
The properties of fixed and adjustable attenuating networks and equalisers are
described.
Outcome 2
Demonstrate basic knowledge of digital multiplexing and hierarchies.
Evidence requirements
2.1
The principles of digital multiplexing are outlined from speech to 64Kb/s channel
(time slot) to a single frame.
Range
2.2
2.3
This unit standard is
Range
lower order – DS1 (1.55Mb/s and/or E1 (2Mb/s).
expiring
The principles of different types of digital multiplexing systems are outlined.
The digital hierarchy is developed from lower order to higher order MUX.
Range
2.4
VMUX, Skip MUX, drop and insert MUX.
SDH and PDH hierarchies are outlined and compared in terms of what they are,
application, and configurations.
Range
2.5
analogue – digital conversion, sampling, time division multiplexing,
demultiplexing, digital-analogue conversion.
outline to include function of drop and insert MUX.
The concept of diversity is described with reference to self healing rings and
hitless switching.
Outcome 3
Demonstrate basic knowledge of digital switching principles.
The Skills Organisation
SSB Code 100401
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA Expiring unit standard
17493 version 7
Page 4 of 8
Evidence requirements
3.1
The operation of a typical local digital exchange is outlined with the aid of a
block diagram indicating all major functions of the switch.
3.2
Network architectures and synchronisation principles are outlined.
3.3
Basic principles and practices of ISDN are outlined.
3.4
Basic principles of signalling systems are outlined.
Range
BSF, MFC, SS7.
3.5
The principle of operation of remote line units is outlined.
3.6
Basic practices relating to the installation and maintenance of switching
systems are outlined.
Outcome 4
Demonstrate basic knowledge of telecommunications bearers and bearer systems.
Evidence requirements
4.1
The characteristics and limitations of copper cable for use in POTS, xDSL, and
PCM systems are outlined.
Range
4.2
typical impedance, variation of loss with distance and conductor
size, maximum effective distance.
Principles of operation of digital subscriber line systems are outlined.
digital subscriber – typically include 2Mb/s line systems interfaces.
This
unit standard is
PCM bearer system principles and practices are outlined.
expiring
Range
nature of line signal, line terminals, power feeding, regenerators,
Range
4.3
permissible error rates, limitations through crosstalk, regenerator
drawings.
4.4
The characteristics of coaxial cables are outlined.
Range
4.5
typical impedance, variation of loss with distance and conductor
size, maximum effective distance.
Fibre optic cable principles and practice are outlined.
Range
The Skills Organisation
SSB Code 100401
construction, principles of operation, low and high power fibres,
typical losses and how they are minimised, power measurement,
safety precautions, crash test, fibre splitters, fibre reticulation
plans.
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA Expiring unit standard
17493 version 7
Page 5 of 8
Outcome 5
Demonstrate basic knowledge of telecommunications transmission installation and testing
practices.
Evidence requirements
5.1
The principles of earthing for safety and for minimisation of noise and
interference are outlined.
5.2
Installation requirements for location, space, and support mechanisms are
outlined in relation to small and large equipment installations.
5.3
The principles of common transmission measurements are outlined, and units
stated where appropriate.
Range
5.4
The use of common transmission measuring instruments is outlined or
demonstrated.
Range
5.5
bit error rate (BER), loss v. frequency, psophometric noise,
attenuation, crosstalk, time division reflectometry (TDR), optical
time division reflectometry (OTDR), clocking and synchronisation
jitter and slipping.
frequency sweep set, transmission impairment measuring set
including measurements of psophometric noise and loss, data line
analyser, PCM line test set, bit error rate measuring set, crosstalk
measurement, time domain reflectometer.
The uses of high and low impedance terminations are explained in terms of
effects on the measurement and the network if wrongly used.
This unit standard is
Range
loop back cards, standout jigs.
expiring
Outcome 6
5.6
The principles of PCM fault location are outlined.
Demonstrate basic knowledge of the principles of a broadcast control system and a
coaxial or fibre cable communication system for provision of customer services.
Evidence requirements
6.1
A typical control system of commercial radio programmes is outlined with the
aid of a block diagram, and with reference to major components and their
functions.
6.2
A typical coaxial or fibre cable communication system for provision of customer
services is outlined with the aid of a block diagram, and with reference to major
components and their functions.
The Skills Organisation
SSB Code 100401
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA Expiring unit standard
17493 version 7
Page 6 of 8
Outcome 7
Demonstrate basic knowledge of data transmission.
Evidence requirements
7.1
Basic concepts of data transmission are explained.
Range
typical analogue and digital data transmission systems,
synchronous and asynchronous data transfer, typical transmission
levels and their adjustment, handshaking, simplex, half duplex, full
duplex.
7.2
Commonly used data protocols and interfaces are identified and their key
features and applications stated.
7.3
A typical ISDN network is described with reference to purpose, operation, major
hardware components, and typical interfaces.
7.4
A typical digital service transmission network is described with reference to
purpose, operation, major hardware components, and typical interfaces.
Range
point-to-point and point-to-multi-point circuits, connection and
network management devices.
7.5
The function and operation of a typical network terminal unit (NTU) is explained.
7.6
The simultaneous carrying of various networks on digital transmission systems
is outlined.
Range
7.7
7.8
DDN, POTS, ISDN, Internet, LDCs.
This unit standard is
A typical telemetry system
is described with reference to operation and
expiring
functional components.
An EFTPOS terminal is described with reference to operation and functional
components.
Outcome 8
Demonstrate basic knowledge of telecommunications alarm management and monitoring
systems.
Evidence requirements
8.1
A typical alarm management and monitoring system currently available in New
Zealand is outlined.
Range
The Skills Organisation
SSB Code 100401
outline to include reference to – facilities provided, network
structures, network administration, components, network centre,
customer equipment.
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA Expiring unit standard
8.2
Alarm collection devices are described with reference to principles of operation.
Range
8.3
17493 version 7
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devices may include but are not limited to – ASRs, interface
management and collection units, for example, RNMU, exchange
test access devices.
An outline of maintenance practices is given, with particular mention of work
clearances.
Outcome 9
Demonstrate basic knowledge of common switching and transmission support services.
Evidence requirements
9.1
Typical power supply systems are outlined with reference to battery backup and
emergency generator.
9.2
The operation of security access and fire protection systems are outlined with
reference to purpose and function.
Range
9.3
fire protection – gas suppression, sprinklers, smoke alarms.
The purpose and function of air-conditioning systems is outlined in relation to
equipment rooms.
Outcome 10
Demonstrate an awareness of emerging telecommunications switching and transmission
technologies.
This unit standard is
expiring
Evidence requirements
10.1
Emerging technologies are briefly described with reference to purpose, facilities
offered, and how the technology will integrate with existing switching and
transmission systems.
Range
any two emerging technologies which are currently of interest to
the industry.
This unit standard is expiring. Assessment against the standard must take place by
the last date for assessment set out below.
The Skills Organisation
SSB Code 100401
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA Expiring unit standard
17493 version 7
Page 8 of 8
Status information and last date for assessment for superseded versions
Process
Version Date
Last Date for Assessment
Registration
1
30 May 2000
31 December 2016
Revision
2
3 April 2001
31 December 2016
Revision
3
13 November 2002
31 December 2016
Rollover and
Revision
4
20 April 2006
Review
5
18 July 2013
31 December 2016
Rollover
6
17 April 2014
31 December 2016
Rollover
7
16 April 2015
31 December 2018
31 December 2016
Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR) reference
0003
This CMR can be accessed at http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/framework/search/index.do.
Please note
Providers must be granted consent to assess against standards (accredited) by NZQA,
before they can report credits from assessment against unit standards or deliver courses
of study leading to that assessment.
Industry Training Organisations must be granted consent to assess against standards by
NZQA before they can register credits from assessment against unit standards.
Providers and Industry Training Organisations, which have been granted consent and
which are assessing against unit standards must engage with the moderation system that
applies to those standards.
Requirements for consent to assess and an outline of the moderation system that applies
to this standard are outlined in the Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR). The
CMR 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.
This unit standard is
expiring
The Skills Organisation
SSB Code 100401
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016