Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 5:23 AM AWST
22/07/2026 5:23 AM AWST
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Design a dense wavelength division multiplexing system
Design a dense wavelength division multiplexing system
Unit of competency
National Code
ICTOPN6128A
ICTOPN6128A
State Code
D3380
D3380
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
12/06/2014
Field of Education
031307 - Communications Technologies
Original Release Date
12/06/2014
Nominal Hours
45
Description
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to design a high capacity dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) optical network suitable for a metropolitan area network (MAN) or long haul applications.It involves link budget design and providing specification details for configuration and commissioning teams.DWDMs use optical multiplexing techniques to increase the carrying capacity of a fibre network by transmitting multiple optical wavelengths each carrying high speed data stream over a single fibre. DWDM systems offer up to 128 wavelengths, with each wavelength carrying up to 100 Gbps.No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement but users should confirm requirements with the relevant federal, state or territory authority.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Prepare to produce a DWDM system design
- 1.1. Obtain the planning document from appropriate person and determine site details
- 1.2. Obtain the service type and the number of channels required between customer traffic sources and destinations and the type of protection required
- 1.3. Obtain specifications of the optical fibre between sites
- 1.4. Determine the fibre loss between sites
2. Calculate link budget for each wavelength path
- 2.1. Use vendor's engineering design rules, specifications and data to calculate link budget and link margin for each DWDM wavelength and path
- 2.2. Evaluate link budget and assess the calculated margin and make recommendations for improvement if warranted
- 2.3. Analyse the specifications of the installed optical fibre and determine if dispersion will limit the maximum traffic data rate
- 2.4. Generate options for system design that are realistic for the enterprise and network
- 2.5. Evaluate and select preferred option based on enterprise business strategy outcomes, service policy and compliance with relevant legislation
- 2.6. Discuss and confirm selected option with customer
3. Prepare detailed configuration documents for the DWDM system
- 3.1. Outline the detailed requirements of the DWDM system for configuration document
- 3.2. Prepare a configuration document according to the customer's traffic needs
- 3.3. Prepare an internet protocol (IP) address allocation for all DWDM shelves and associated routers and gateways
- 3.4. Submit documentation to appropriate person for approval and sign off
4. Investigate upgrade options using emerging technologies
- 4.1. Investigate the option of using a reconfigurable optical add-drop multiplexer (ROADM) and make recommendations outlining the benefits
- 4.2. Investigate the feasibility of a future upgrade up to 100 Gbps system using optical transport network (OTN)-DWDM technology
RANGE STATEMENT
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.
Appropriate person may include:
consultant
planning engineer
project engineer
project supervisor
site supervisor.
Site details may include:
location of network sites
number of network sites
optical fibre path distance between sites
straight line distance between sites
type of site:
OADM
ROADM
terminal.
Service type may include:
interface requirements
protocol and bit rate:
digital video broadcasting - asynchronous serial interface (DVB-ASI)
enterprise system connection (ESCON)
ethernet
fast ethernet 100 Mbps
1 GbE
10 GbE
fibre channel
OTN
synchronous digital hierarchy (SDH)
synchronous optical networking (SONET)
STM-1 155 Mbps
STM-4 622 Mbps
STM-16 2.48 Gbps
STM-64 10 Gbps
STM-256 40 Gbps
100 Gbps
HD-SDI
SD-SDI.
Protection may include:
equipment protection
path protection.
Specifications may include:
chromatic dispersion (ps/nm*km)
cladding diameter
core diameter
end-to-end attenuation or dB loss per km at nominated wavelength
fibre type
non-zero dispersion shifted fibre (NZDSF) ITU-T G.655
non-dispersion shifted fibre (NDSF) ITU-T G.652 also known as standard single mode fibre 'SMF'
dispersion-shifted fibre (DSF) ITU-T G.653
1550-nm loss-minimised fibre (ITU-T G.654)
ITU-T G.656
LEAF fibre
number of fusion splices
polarisation mode dispersion
refractive index profile of core.
Optical fibre may include:
existing fibre
fibre optimised for DWDM system
new fibre.
Detailed requirements may include:
actual wavelengths specified
chirp parameter
dispersion compensation devices
maximum allowable span length
optical amplifier
optical signal to noise ratio (OSNR)
receiver threshold
transmit laser:
maximum power
minimum power
stability
type.
Configuration document may include:
channel configuration information
fixed optical attenuators
protection details
slot positions and circuit card type
type and quantity of circuit cards.
IP address allocation may include:
default gateway IP address
shelf IP addresses
subnet mask.
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.
Appropriate person may include:
consultant
planning engineer
project engineer
project supervisor
site supervisor.
Site details may include:
location of network sites
number of network sites
optical fibre path distance between sites
straight line distance between sites
type of site:
OADM
ROADM
terminal.
Service type may include:
interface requirements
protocol and bit rate:
digital video broadcasting - asynchronous serial interface (DVB-ASI)
enterprise system connection (ESCON)
ethernet
fast ethernet 100 Mbps
1 GbE
10 GbE
fibre channel
OTN
synchronous digital hierarchy (SDH)
synchronous optical networking (SONET)
STM-1 155 Mbps
STM-4 622 Mbps
STM-16 2.48 Gbps
STM-64 10 Gbps
STM-256 40 Gbps
100 Gbps
HD-SDI
SD-SDI.
Protection may include:
equipment protection
path protection.
Specifications may include:
chromatic dispersion (ps/nm*km)
cladding diameter
core diameter
end-to-end attenuation or dB loss per km at nominated wavelength
fibre type
non-zero dispersion shifted fibre (NZDSF) ITU-T G.655
non-dispersion shifted fibre (NDSF) ITU-T G.652 also known as standard single mode fibre 'SMF'
dispersion-shifted fibre (DSF) ITU-T G.653
1550-nm loss-minimised fibre (ITU-T G.654)
ITU-T G.656
LEAF fibre
number of fusion splices
polarisation mode dispersion
refractive index profile of core.
Optical fibre may include:
existing fibre
fibre optimised for DWDM system
new fibre.
Detailed requirements may include:
actual wavelengths specified
chirp parameter
dispersion compensation devices
maximum allowable span length
optical amplifier
optical signal to noise ratio (OSNR)
receiver threshold
transmit laser:
maximum power
minimum power
stability
type.
Configuration document may include:
channel configuration information
fixed optical attenuators
protection details
slot positions and circuit card type
type and quantity of circuit cards.
IP address allocation may include:
default gateway IP address
shelf IP addresses
subnet mask.
EVIDENCE GUIDE
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:
determine the fibre loss between sites
calculate link budget and link margin
prepare DWDM shelf configuration and specifications
produce a configuration document
investigate an emerging DWDM technology.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure:
sites on which design of a DWDM system may be conducted
manufacturer's technical documentation, relevant regulations and specifications.
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 undertaking DWDM calculations
review of data gathered, reports and project plans prepared by the candidate
oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of design and configuring of DWDM systems.
Guidance information for assessment
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:
ICTOPN6125A Manage dense wavelength division multiplexing transmission system
ICTOPN6129A Analyse optical transmission systems.
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 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:
determine the fibre loss between sites
calculate link budget and link margin
prepare DWDM shelf configuration and specifications
produce a configuration document
investigate an emerging DWDM technology.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure:
sites on which design of a DWDM system may be conducted
manufacturer's technical documentation, relevant regulations and specifications.
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 undertaking DWDM calculations
review of data gathered, reports and project plans prepared by the candidate
oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of design and configuring of DWDM systems.
Guidance information for assessment
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:
ICTOPN6125A Manage dense wavelength division multiplexing transmission system
ICTOPN6129A Analyse optical transmission systems.
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.
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| AWE16 | ICTOPN603 | Design a dense wavelength division multiplexing system | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| W817 | ICT60110 | Advanced Diploma of Optical Networks | Qualification |