Technical staff from regulatory authorities, private and public organisations apply the skills and knowledge in this unit. They combine technical radio communications skills with organisational and administrative skills to generate and evaluate coverage maps 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.

This unit applies to radio and television broadcasting, radio base station coverage, and point-to-point links.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Plan and prepare for coverage prediction

1.1. Prepare for given work according to relevant legislation, occupational health and safety (OHS), codes, regulations and standards

1.2. Arrange access to the site according to required procedure

1.3. Establish type of coverage required

1.4. Determine specifications and the minimum acceptable signal level or timing signal delay within the coverage area

1.5. Use prediction software specific to the enterprise

1.6. Verify mapping coordinate system to be used

1.7. Create custom antenna pattern files representative of the expected antenna type for the type of coverage required

2. Load data into the software program and create coverage plot

2.1. Select and load systemparameters

2.2. Select and load antenna elements or antenna pattern files

2.3. Select suitable propagation model settings applicable to the study

2.4. Load appropriate clutter properties

2.5. Create the coverage plot using appropriate plot options settings

3. Analyse coverage plot outcomes

3.1. Evaluate the initial coverage plot against initial specifications

3.2. Adjust system parameters and antenna elements until coverage plot is within specifications

3.3. Compare measured signal strength at various locations with the predicted values

3.4. Use measured data to correct and fine tune the model

3.5. Evaluate a range of possible solutions and make appropriate recommendations to ensure transmission meets operational requirements

4. Complete documentation

4.1. Tabulate results

4.2. Prepare report with final recommendations

Required skills

analytical skills to:

be able to synthesise antenna systems from commercially available products

examine and evaluate antenna patterns, specifications and data

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:

evaluate and convert RF field strength measurements

evaluate different types of technical data

interpret results

planning and organisational skills to:

coordinate teamwork with others

plan, prioritise and monitor own work

problem solving and contingency management skills to:

adapt requirements of particular sites and customers

modify activities depending on differing operational contingencies, risk situations and environments

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

technical skills to select and use appropriate propagation models and practices to suit different situations

Required knowledge

antenna and propagation theory

antenna array theory

overview of various mapping coordinate systems and their datums

propagation models and their limitations in various environments

specific issues related to antenna installations and the creation of particular radiation patterns

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:

plan and coordinate activities to produce coverage plots using appropriate software settings

generate:

an RF signal coverage plot

a path profile for a point-to-point link

evaluate, analyse and make recommendations on antenna installation specifications.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure:

access to computer facility on which coverage plots and paths may be generated

use of propagation prediction software

access to digital terrain database.

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 creating a coverage map and a point-to-point path profile

review of reports completed by the candidate

oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of the planning of terrestrial radio facilities using software.

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

ICTRFN4096A - Conduct field tests of radio and wireless networks

ICTRFN4158A Select an antenna system for radio communications.

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.

Type of coverage may include:

directional pattern

omnidirectional

point to point.

Prediction software may include:

ATDI

Atoll

CRC Predict

EDX

Planet EV

Radio Mobile

TEMS.

Mapping coordinate system may include:

AGD-66

AGD-84

GDA94

WGS-84.

System parameters may include:

'k' value

feeder loss

frequency

latitude and longitude

nominal receive antenna height

polarisation

site elevation

transmit antenna height above ground

transmitter power

transmitter site name.

Antenna elements may include:

antenna gain (dBi)

broadside array of dipoles

collinear array of dipoles

dipole

dipole panel

half power beamwidth.

Propagation model may include:

Egli

FCC point-to-point

International Telecommunications Union Radiocommunications sector (ITU-R) 1546

ITU-R 1812

ITU-R 525

Longley-Rice

Okumura-Hata.

Clutter properties may include:

average clutter height

buildings and trees

open

reflection coefficient of the land

RMS roughness of an area

suburban

urban.

Plot options may include:

0.6 First Fresnel zone clearance

azimuth range or degrees

First Fresnel zone

first threshold level

path profile

polar plot

radial range (km)

radio horizon map

rainbow colour plot

second threshold level

signal strength prediction map

third threshold level

threshold units

timing signal delay study map.

Unit sector

Telecommunications

Radio frequency networks

This unit contains employability skills.