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Title / 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 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.
Classification / Electrical Engineering > Electrotechnology
Available grade / Achieved
Explanatory notes
1This unit standard has been developed for learning and assessment off-job.
2This 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.
3References
AS/NZS 3000:2007, Electrical installations (known as the Australian/New Zealand Wiring Rules);
AS/NZS 3080:2013: Information technology - Generic cabling for customer premises;
Building Act 2004;
Electricity Act 1992;
Electricity Regulations 1997;
Health and Safety at Work Act 2015;
IEEE 802.16-2009 - IEEE Standard for Local and metropolitan area networks Part 16: Air Interface for Broadband Wireless Access Systems;
ISO/IEC/IEEE 8802-11:2012 Wireless LAN medium access control (MAC) and physical layer (PHY) specifications;
NZS 2772.1:1999 Radiofrequency fields – Maximum exposure levels – 3 kHz to 300 GHz;
Radiocommunications Act 1989;
Search and Surveillance Act 2012;
Telecommunications Act 2001;
and all subsequent amendments and replacements.
4Definitions
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.
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 telephonenetwork.
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.
5Range
aThe phrase in accordance with industry practice is implicit in all evidence requirements in this unit standard.
bThe use of mathematics is only required where calculation is specifically mentioned.
Outcomes and evidence requirements
Outcome 1
Demonstrate knowledge of the telecommunications OSI model.
Evidence requirements
1.1The seven layers of the OSI model are defined in terms of their attributes.
Rangelayers – physical, data link, network, transport, session, presentation, application.
1.2Examples of applications and types of transmission media used are outlined for the seven layers of the OSI model.
Outcome 2
Demonstrate knowledge of data cabling used to support broadband applications.
Rangecable types include but are not limited to – twisted pair, coaxial, fibre optic.
Evidence requirements
2.1Cable types are described with reference to physical construction, electrical characteristics, optical characteristics, and broadband applications.
Rangeelectrical 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.
2.2A typical building and data cabling system for a modern high-rise building is designed with reference to components, their purposes, and interconnections.
Rangedesign includes but is not limited to – building entrance, equipment room, earthing facilities, backbone system, closets, horizontal system, outlet boxes, access points, ONU, fire stopping.
2.3Regulations, codes of practice, and standards of relevance to building and data cabling are identified and their scopes stated.
2.4The purpose of and practices associated with telecommunications bonding and earthing are described in accordance with industry practice.
Rangecables, equipment, frames, backbone and horizontal systems.
Outcome 3
Demonstrate basic knowledge of radio transmission.
Evidence requirements
3.1The fundamental principles of propagation are explained in simple terms.
Rangespectrum, 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.
3.2Regulatory standards requirement is briefly described.
Rangestandards include but are not limited to – radio licensed, spectrum licensed, general user radio licensed bands; EIRP; interference management; other users; EMR health and safety.
Outcome 4
Demonstrate basic knowledge of unlicensed wireless access networks.
Evidence requirements
4.1The technical standards are briefly described with respect to purpose, function, and example applications.
Rangestandards include but are not limited to – ANSI/IEEE 802.11-1999, IEEE 802.16-2004, Bluetooth, Zigbee.
4.2Typical system performance of unlicensed wireless access networks is explained in simple terms.
Rangesecurity, data rates, powers, range, interference, spectrum use, bandwidth sharing, roaming, monitoring, error rates, propagation, quality of service.
4.3Planning principles for unlicensed wireless access networks are explained in simple terms.
Rangecoverage, frequency channel utilisation, EIRP, site surveys to position access points, physical security, antenna directional properties.
Outcome 5
Demonstrate basic knowledge of cellular mobile telephony.
Evidence requirements
5.1Mobile system infrastructures are described in terms of components, interfaces, transmission media, and suitability for ICT applications.
Rangesystems include but are not limited to – AMPS, DAMPS, GSM, CDMA, GPRS, UMTS.
5.2Principles of cellular switching networks are explained with the aid of simple block diagrams with reference to all major components and their attributes.
Rangemajor components 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.
5.3Base station functions are described in simple terms.
RangeRF 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.
Outcome 6
Demonstrate knowledge of ICT network topologies, architectures, transport mechanisms and protocols, and hardware components.
Rangehardware 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.
Evidence requirements
6.1Common network topologies, architectures, and applications are described with the aid of a diagram depicting a multi-site multi-node network.
Rangeincludes but is not limited to – ATM, IP, xDSL;
description includes reference to – differences, limitations, interfaces, protocols.
6.2Typical end-user ICT system applications are described with reference to a multi-site multi-node network diagram.
Rangehardware – functional elements, interconnection;
software – systems, application.
6.3The connectivity (access) layer elements are identified and their functionality described with the aid of diagrams.
Rangelayer 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.
6.4The control layer elements are identified and their functionality described with the aid of diagrams.
Rangeelements may include but are not limited to – gateways, routers, switches, interconnection points, interconnection media (such as copper, fibre, wireless), typical interconnection transmission mechanisms.
6.5The 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.
Rangeinterfaces 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.
6.6The application layer elements are identified and their functionality described with the aid of diagrams.
Rangethe 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.
Outcome 7
Demonstrate knowledge of end-to-end ICT configurations and systems.
Rangeseven layer OSI model; physical layer, protocols, transport layer, hardware, applications.
Evidence requirements
7.1The 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.
RangeICT applications may include but are not limited to – web, email, peer-to-peer, data transfer, video, voice applications, remote login access.
7.2A 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.
Rangedefinitions include but are not limited to – connection oriented, connectionless data transport.
7.3ICT voice related data and non-voice data transport mechanisms and related issues are described with reference to diagram(s) depicting a multi-site multi-node network.
Rangemechanisms may include but are not limited to – transport layer management, use of different protocol types.
7.4Voice 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.
Rangeissues 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.
Outcome 8
Demonstrate knowledge of emerging fixed and mobile ICT networks.
Evidence requirements
8.1Emerging technologies are briefly described with reference to purpose, facilities offered, and how the technology will integrate with existing networks and systems.
Rangeevidence of any two emerging technologies of current interest to the industry is required.
Planned review date / 31 December 2019Status information and last date for assessment for superseded versions
Process / Version / Date / Last Date for AssessmentRegistration / 1 / 25 February 2008 / N/A
Rollover and Revision / 2 / 16 March 2017 / N/A
Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR) reference / 0003
This CMR can be accessed at
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 (CMRs). 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.
Comments on this unit standard
Please contact the The Skills Organisation you wish to suggest changes to the content of this unit standard.
The Skills OrganisationSSB Code 100401 / New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2018