Application
Technical staff from regulatory authorities or other private and public organisations apply the skills and knowledge in this unit. They combine technical radio communications skills with broader organisational and administrative skills to evaluate and select antenna systems in a range of commercial and community contexts. Technical staff may be responsible for small projects or parts of larger projects, and for the coordination and direction of small technical groups. |
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENT | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
1. Prepare to select antenna system | 1.1. Establish extent of project from design brief or specification within a team environment 1.2. Obtain and review plans and drawings of existing or proposed installation site 1.3. Determine whether antenna system hardware requires a secure hut or shelter 1.4. Determine antenna requirements and antenna feedline requirements from design brief or specifications and research available commercial products 1.5. Determine earthing components to meet regulatory and earthing requirements of antenna system 1.6. Prepare the antenna feedline route to comply with job specifications and regulatory requirements 1.7. Identify installation options and assess against performance requirements and customer requirements |
2. Select antenna system | 2.1. Evaluate potential antenna system solutions which satisfy required performance, budgetary and regulatory requirements, and are suitable for installation in the specified environment 2.2. Make recommendations and select optimum antenna system |
3. Document antenna system selection | 3.1. Document calculations, final specifications and reasons for selection of antenna system 3.2. Prepare a final report, including documentation and drawings of selected antenna system and distribute to appropriate persons in accordance with enterprise policies and procedures |
Required Skills
Required skills |
communication skills to liaise with internal and external personnel on technical, operational and commercial matters literacy skills to: interpret technical documentation write final reports in required format numeracy skills to: convert decibel gain values to ratios evaluate and calculate effective isotropic radiated power (EIRP) evaluate different types of technical data interpret results planning and organisational skills to: plan, prioritise and monitor own work coordinate teamwork with others problem solving and contingency management skills to adapt requirements of particular sites and customers, and modify activities depending on differing operational contingencies, risk situations and environments research skills to examine and evaluate antenna patterns, specifications and data, and be able to synthesise antenna systems from commercially available products spatial skills to interpret and convert between two-dimensional and three-dimensional antenna patterns task management skills to work systematically with required attention to detail |
Required knowledge |
antenna and propagation theory and industry practice antenna array theory transmission line theory and industry practice specific issues related to antenna installations and the creation of particular radiation patterns |
Evidence Required
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: select an antenna system justify and document antenna system selection. |
Context of and specific resources for assessment | Assessment must ensure: antenna resources such as manufacturers' data sheets, specifications and catalogues transmission line resources such as manufacturers' data sheets, specifications and catalogues. |
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 evaluating and selecting suitable antenna systems review of reports completed by the candidate oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of the selection of a radio communications antenna. |
Guidance information for assessment | Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example: ICTRFN4095A Conduct radio frequency measurements ICTRFN5179A Evaluate and analyse radio frequency signal coverage plots. 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. |
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. | |
Antenna system may include: | antenna array directional coupler duplexer earthing components ferrite isolator filter: cavity bandpass band reject low pass stub lightning protection multiple feedlines phasing harness single antenna single feedline. |
Antenna requirements may include: | antenna height above ground bandwidth: specified in MHz specified as % of centre frequency beamwidth specifications in the: E plane H plane front to back ratio: gain: dBi dBd minor lobes mounting method polarisation: circular horizontal vertical radiation pattern coverage: bi-directional irregular pattern omnidirectional unidirectional radiation pattern specifications in the: E plane H plane radome shroud. |
Feedline requirements may include: | allowable loss in dB characteristic impedance mechanical characteristics method of securing RF connector type weatherproofing. |
Appropriate persons may include: | customer engineer project manager supervisor. |
Sectors
Unit sector | Telecommunications |
Competency Field
Radio frequency networks |
Employability Skills
This unit contains employability skills. |
Licensing Information
Refer to Unit Descriptor