Field officers and technicians who perform diagnostic and repair tasks on cellular network equipment apply the skills and knowledge of this unit.

They may be responsible under supervision for small projects or parts of larger projects and for the coordination of projects in sites remote from the organisational headquarters.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Prepare to test cellular network equipment

1.1. Produce an alarm list from cellular network subsystem which shows faults or disturbances

1.2. Reset sub-element according to manufacturer's specifications

1.3. Clear or block alarms and adjust alarm thresholds according to manufacturer's specifications

2. Test cellular network sub-element equipment

2.1. Test parameters influencing cell performance and record performance for a range of field settings

2.2. Test, record and report sub-element performance according to manufacturer's specifications

2.3. Run diagnostic test on sub-element

2.4. Swap the working or executing sub-element with the spare or idle unit to allow software upgrades

2.5. Swap the working or executing sub-element with the spare or idle sub-element to allow replacement of hardware

3. Rectify faults in cellular network equipment subsystems

3.1. Locate faulty sub-element within subsystem and identify fault

3.2. Identify faulty parts or equipment and replace or repair according to service agreement

3.3. Record fault details and rectification summary

3.4. Hand over and sign off with customer

Required skills

communication skills to liaise with internal and external personnel on technical requirements

literacy skills to read, interpret and prepare technical documentation

numeracy skills to read and interpret measurements and report to supervisors

planning and organisational skills to plan the test in coordination with supervisors

safety awareness skills to:

apply precautions and required action to minimise, control or eliminate hazards that may exist during work activities

work systematically with required attention to detail without injury to self or others, or damage to goods or equipment

technical skills to:

install network equipment

perform fault clearance

select and use appropriate test equipment and practices to suit different network applications

recognising and interpreting alarms

Required knowledge

anti static protection

cellular antenna installation

electrical concepts and measurements

electromagnetic radiation (EMR) and mitigation

network components and their basic functions

occupational health and safety (OHS) relevant to work activity

overview knowledge of:

1st, 2nd and 3rd generations of cellular networks

features and operating requirements of test equipment

procedures for repairs and swap activities

test operation of cellular network equipment

testing network components

voltage levels and polarity

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:

measure cell performance

measure output power received at around a cell

produce an alarm list and use this to locate faults

run diagnostic tests on sub-elements and subsystems

locate and repair faulty sub-elements and subsystems.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure:

site for mobile phone network tests and measurements

performance testing software

relevant legislation and documentation to test and repair network equipment.

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 performing measurements and repairing faults

review of fault details, rectification summary and recommendations prepared by the candidate

oral or written questioning to assess required knowledge.

Guidance information for assessment

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:

ICTTEN3056A Install telecommunications network equipment

ICTTEN3089A Repair and replace telecommunications network hardware.

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 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.

Cellular network may include:

GSM (2G)

2.5G GPRS

2.75G EGPRS

3G and associated 3GPRS

4G.

Disturbances may relate to:

common channel signalling unit

link performance or sub-elements:

charging unit (CHU)

statistical unit (STU).

Reset sub-element may include:

hardware

software.

Adjust alarm thresholds may relate to:

increasing or decreasing thresholds for:

links between carriers

links between elements

subsystem units.

Cell performance may include:

bit error rate (BER) of air interface

handover

hysteresis parameter

power measurements from neighbour cells

power measurements within a cell.

Sub-element may refer to:

CHU

common channel signalling control unit (CCSCU)

group switch unit (GSU)

home location register unit (VLRU)

STU

visitor location unit (VLRU).

Swap may refer to:

units in:

faulty out of use mode

spare or idle mode

testing mode

working or executing mode.

Faulty sub-element may refer to:

hardware

software.

Subsystem may include:

authentication centre (AUC)

base station controller (BSC)

base transceiver station (BTS)

equipment Identity Register (EIR)

gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN)

home Location Register (HLR)

media gateway (MGW)

mobile Switching Centre (MSC)

Node-B

Radio Network Controller (RNC)

Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN)

Transcoder Rate Adapter Unit (TRAU)

visitor location register (VLR).

Replace or repair may refer to:

cold swap procedure

hot swap procedure.

Unit sector

Telecommunications

Radio frequency networks

This unit contains employability skills.