MODULE DETAILS

Data Communications DMNDCO607

Nominal duration: 48 hours total time commitment

This time commitment includes the structured activities, preparation reading, and attendance at each webinar, completing exercises, practical assessments and proctored assessments.

It is also expected that students spend additional time on readings, personal study, independent research and learning, practicing on remote labs and required software and working on any projects and assignments.

This module covers the media, hardware and protocols used in mainstream industrial serial data communication systems relevant to mining industries.

MODULE PURPOSE

The purpose of this module is for participants to develop knowledge of the fundamental attributes of data communications applied in mining industries.

MODIFICATION HISTORY

Original module approved in 2011 (52438WA); December 2014 (52727WA).  This version is Version 3.

PREREQUISITE AND/OR CO‑REQUISITE MODULES

Modules that must be delivered and assessed before this module:

N/A

Modules that must be delivered concurrently with this module:

N/A

SUMMARY OF LEARNING OUTCOMES

On successful completion of this module students will be able to:

1.    Explain the fundamental characteristics of industrial data communication systems

2.    Outline attributes of wired serial communication standards

3.    Explain fundamental characteristics of industrial communication protocols

4.    Outline core attributes of copper and fibre media

LEARNING OUTCOMES

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Learning outcomes specify what students will be able to do as a result of the learning.

Assessment criteria provide the criteria by which achievement of the learning outcomes will be judged.

1

Explain the fundamental characteristics of industrial data communication systems

1.1

Outline the names and functionalities of the various layers in the OSI and TCP models

1.2

Identify applicable industrial data communication standards and regulatory bodies

1.3

Explain basic principles of encoding and modulation

1.4

Distinguish between full and half-duplex communication

1.5

Explain the difference between synchronous and asynchronous communication

2

Outline attributes of wired serial communication standards

2.1

Explain the principle of RS-232 communication

2.2

(a) Explain the principle of RS-485 communication; and

(b) Compare the basic features of RS-485 and RS-422 communication standards

2.3

Outline characteristics of Bell 202 as used in HART

3

Explain fundamental characteristics of industrial communication protocols

3.1

Explain the concept of a data communications protocol

3.2

Explain functions of data communication protocols in relation to the OSI model

3.3

Explain operation of an ASCII-based protocol in DF-1

3.4

Explain operation of a hex-based protocol in MODBUS RTU

4

Outline core attributes of copper and fibre media

4.1

Outline attributes applicable to data communications of:

(a) copper

and (b) fibre media

4.2

Outline fibre optic types and installation methods

4.3

Explain fibre optic testing and troubleshooting

DELIVERY MODE

Online and/or face-to-face.

SPECIALISED RESOURCES

Software

·         Listen32

·         Picoscope

ASSESSMENT STRATEGY

METHODS OF ASSESSMENT

Assessors should gather a range of evidence that is valid, sufficient, current and authentic. Evidence can be gathered through a variety of ways including direct observation, supervisor's reports, project work, structured assessments, samples and questioning. This will include short answer questions on the knowledge content, the use of remote and virtual labs, and writing tasks to apply the learning to academic tasks.

CONDITIONS OF ASSESSMENT

Assessor Requirements:

Assessors must satisfy the assessor requirements in the standards for registered training organisation (RTOs) current at the time of assessment.

Assessors must also hold a tertiary qualification in engineering or related field.

The RTO must also ensure that trainers and assessors keep their industry knowledge up to date through ongoing professional development.

Assessment Conditions:

Questioning techniques should not require language, literacy and numeracy skills beyond those required in this module. The candidate must have access to all tools, equipment, materials and documentation required.

The candidate must be permitted to refer to any relevant workplace procedures, product and manufacturing specifications, codes, standards, manuals and reference materials.

Assessments may be open book assessment and may be completed off campus. Invigilation software will be used for some assessments to ensure authenticity of work completed.

Model answers must be provided for all knowledge-based assessments to ensure reliability of assessment judgements when marking is undertaken by different assessors.