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Title / Demonstrate knowledge of telecommunications core networks theory
Level / 3 / Credits / 15
Purpose / This unit standard covers basic underpinning knowledge for people engaged in the provisioning and restoration of telecommunications core networks (fixed networks and mobile networks).
People credited with this unit standard are able to demonstrate basic knowledge of:
–regulations and standards impacting on core technology equipment installation;
–safety considerations when installing core technology equipment;
–analogue and digital transmission for core networks;
–analogue and digital signalling, multiplexing and hierarchies;
–fixed and mobile TDM networks; and
–core network test and measurement equipment and procedures.
Classification / Telecommunications > Telecommunications - Service Delivery
Available grade / Achieved
Guidance Information
1Unit 27972, Provision, commission, diagnose and restore telecommunication core network technology and services is recommended for entry.
2The term basic knowledge is used to describe the underpinning knowledge required by candidates to support the range of practical installation and maintenance activities assessed by Unit 27972, Provision, commission, diagnose and restore telecommunication core network technology and services.
3References
Electricity Act 1992;
Electricity Safety Regulations 2010;
NZS 2772.1:1999, Radiofrequency fields - Maximum exposure levels - 3 kHz to 300 GHz;
Resource Management Act 1991;
Resource Management (National Environmental Standards for Telecommunication Facilities) Regulations;
Search and Surveillance Act 2012;
Telecommunications Act 2001;
and all subsequent amendments and replacements.
4Definitions
3G – Third Generation cellular services.
ATM – Asynchronous Transfer Mode.
CDMA – Code Division Multiple Access.
CWDM – Coarse Wave Division Multiplexing.
DECT –Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications.
DMR – Digital Mobile Radio.
DWDM – Dense Wave Division Multiplexing.
EAS – Dense Wave Division Multiplexing.
EDGE – Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution.
eDMR– Ethernet Digital Mobile Radio (IP Radio).
EST – Electrical Service Technician Registration (EWRB).
EVDO –Evolution Data Optimised.
FDMA – Frequency Division Multiple Access.
FR – Frame Relay.
FTTH – Fibre To The Home.
FTTN – Fibre To The Node.
GPRS – General Packet Radio Service.
GSM –Global System for Mobile communications.
HSPA –High Speed Packet Access.
LTE – Long Term Evolution (4G).
MPLS – Multi-Protocol Label Switching.
NTU – Network Terminating Unit.
OSI – Open Systems Interconnect Model.
PCM – Pulse Code Modulation systems.
PDH – Plesiochronous Digital Hierarchy.
xPON – Passive Optical Networks, where x=variable.
SDH – Synchronous Digital Hierarchy.
SIP – Session Initiation Protocol.
SONET – Synchronous Optical Network.
TCP –Transmission Control Protocol.
TDM – Time Division Multiplex.
TDMA – Time Division Multiple Access.
UDP – User Datagram Protocol.
UMTS – Universal Mobile Telecommunications System.
WDM – Wavelength Division Multiplexing.
xDSL –digital subscriber line. Where x =
A –asynchronous,
H –high bit rate,
S –synchronous,
SH – synchronous high bit rate,
V – very high bit rate.
5Range
The use of mathematics is not required except where calculation is specifically mentioned.
Outcomes and performance criteria
Outcome 1
Demonstrate basic knowledge of regulations and standards impacting on core technology equipment installation.
Performance criteria
1.1Identify legislation impacting on core technology equipment installation.
1.2Identify company requirements and procedures to ensure compliance with legislation, regulations, and standards and industry practice.
Rangemay include but is not limited to – site access procedures, arrival procedures, permit to work, work restrictions.
1.3Define limits of work imposed by the Electricity Act.
Rangeunregistered persons, trainee, EAS registered, EST registered.
Outcome 2
Demonstrate basic knowledge of safety considerations when installing core technology equipment.
Performance criteria
2.1Explain hazards and health and safety considerations when working on core network sites and equipment.
Rangeelectrical, optical, working at heights, fire, seismic, chemicals, site access, security.
Outcome 3
Demonstrate basic knowledge of analogue and digital transmission for core networks.
Performance criteria
3.1Explain Layer 1 to Layer 4 hierarchies.
3.2Explain basic concepts of data transmission.
Rangebasic information theory, typical analogue and digital data transmission systems, synchronous and asynchronous data transfer, typical transmission levels and their adjustment, handshaking, simplex, half duplex, full duplex, modulation techniques.
3.3Explain analogue to digital media converter principles with respect to function and operation.
3.4Identify commonly used data interfaces with reference to their key features and applications.
3.5Explain a current New Zealand digital service transmission network with reference to purpose, operation, major hardware components, and interfaces.
3.6Explain the function and operation of a NTU for the network identified above in evidence requirement for 3.5.
RangeNTU, basic router, media converter.
Outcome 4
Demonstrate basic knowledge of analogue and digital signalling, multiplexing and hierarchies.
Performance criteria
4.1Outline the principles of digital multiplexing with reference to creating a 2Mb/s PCM frame and higher order PCM multiplexing systems.
Rangeincludes but is not limited to – sampling, quantising, encoding of analogue signals.
4.2Outline and compare SDH and PDH hierarchies in terms of what they are, application, and configurations. The digital hierarchies are developed from lower order to higher order MUX.
RangeSDH – DS1, STM1, STM4, STM16, STM64;
PDH – North American Signal Hierarchy, European Signal Hierarchy.
4.3Outline the principles of operation of different types of digital multiplexing systems.
RangexDSL, xPON.
4.4Outline the principles of WDM systems.
Rangemay include but is not limited to – CWDM, DWDM.
4.5Explain the concepts of self-healing and hitless switching with reference to diversity routing.
Outcome 5
Demonstrate basic knowledge of fixed and mobile TDM Networks.
Performance criteria
5.1Explain the function and associated features of fixed and mobile network technologies with reference to standards and protocols.
Rangemay include but is not limited to – MPLS, H.248, SIP, IP, TCP, UDP, Ethernet, ATM, FR, xPON, FTTH, FTTN, xDSL, FDMA, TDMA, CDMA, SONET, PDH, SDH, DMR, eDMR, GSM, UMTS, GPRS, 3G, EVDO, DECT, EDGE, WiMAX, HSPA, LTE.
5.2Outline with the aid of a labelled block diagram indicating major functions the operation of any digital (TDM) exchange used in New Zealand.
5.3Outline the functional and physical elements of core networks, access (aggregation) networks, transport networks, and customer networks with reference to the OSI model.
5.4Explainwith reference to functions and features basic principles of signalling systems used across core networks.
Rangeone in band signalling system, one out of band signalling system.
5.5Explain network synchronisation principles with respect to function and operation.
Outcome 6
Demonstrate basic knowledge of core network test and measurement equipment and procedures.
Rangesystems – fixed and mobile core switching, fibre optic systems, radio systems, transmission systems.
Performance criteria
6.1Identify testing equipment to suit particular applications and environments.
Rangetesting environment – centralised, point, and handheld.
6.2Identify units of measure for given equipment.
6.3Describe test equipment and tools used for commissioning of core network technology and services with reference to environment, features and operation.
6.4Describe test equipment and tools used for diagnosing faults in core network technology and services with reference to environment, features and operation.
6.5Explain testing methods and procedures for fault location and commissioning.
Planned review date / 31 December 2020Status information and last date for assessment for superseded versions
Process / Version / Date / Last Date for AssessmentRegistration / 1 / 18 July 2013 / N/A
Rollover and Revision / 2 / 23 November 2017 / N/A
Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR) reference / 0101
This CMR can be accessed at
Comments on this unit standard
Please contact Infrastructure ITO you wish to suggest changes to the content of this unit standard.
Connexis Infrastructure ITOSSB Code 101813 / New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2018