This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to troubleshoot communications systems.

It includes fault finding and repairing communications systems. It also includes working safely, interpreting circuit diagrams, applying logical fault-finding procedures, conducting repairs, safety and functional testing, and completing the necessary service documentation.

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

ELEMENTS

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1

Prepare to find and repair communications system faults

1.1

Work health and safety (WHS)/occupational health and safety (OHS) requirements and workplace procedures for a given work area are identified obtained

1.2

WHS/OHS risk control measures and workplace procedures are followed in preparation for work

1.3

Nature of the communications system fault is obtained from relevant documentation or from work supervisor to determine the scope of work to be undertaken

1.4

Advice is sought from work supervisor to ensure the work is coordinated effectively with relevant person/s

1.5

Sources of materials required for work are established in accordance with workplace procedures

1.6

Tools, equipment and testing devices needed to carry out the work are obtained in accordance with workplace procedures and checked for correct operation and safety

2

Find communications system faults

2.1

WHS/OHS risk control measures and workplace procedures for carrying out communications systems work are followed

2.2

Need to test and measure live work is determined in accordance with WHS/OHS requirements and conducted within workplace safety procedures

2.3

Communications system apparatus is checked and isolated in accordance with WHS/OHS requirements and workplace procedures

2.4

Communications system fault finding is approached methodically using measured and calculated values of apparatus parameters

2.5

Apparatus components are dismantled, as required, and parts stored to protect against loss or damage

2.6

Faulty components are rechecked and their fault status confirmed

2.7

Unplanned situations are responded to in accordance with workplace procedures in a manner that minimises risk to personnel and equipment

2.8

Fault-finding activities are carried out efficiently without waste of materials or damage to apparatus, the surrounding environment or services using sustainable energy practices

3

Repair communications system fault

3.1

WHS/OHS risk control measures and workplace procedures for carrying out work are followed

3.2

Apparatus is checked and isolated in accordance with WHS/OHS requirements and workplace procedures

3.3

Materials required for the repair work are sourced and obtained in accordance with workplace procedures

3.4

Repairs are affected efficiently without damage to other components apparatus or circuits

3.5

Effectiveness of the repair is inspected and tested in accordance with workplace procedures

3.6

Apparatus is reassembled, inspected, finally tested and prepared for return to customer

4

Complete and report repair activities

4.1

WHS/OHS work completion risk control measures and workplace procedures are followed

4.2

Work area is cleaned and made safe in accordance with workplace procedures

4.3

Written justification is documented for repairs to communications system apparatus

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria on at least two separate occasions and include:

analysing and interpreting measurement results

applying fundamental knowledge in finding faults efficiently

applying relevant work health and safety (WHS)/occupational health and safety (WHS/OHS) requirements, workplace procedures and practices, including using risk control measures

applying sustainable energy principles and practices

checking tools and test equipment forcorrect operation and safety

consulting with relevant stakeholders regarding the nature of the problem and impacts of work to diagnose and repair

dealing with unplanned situations in accordance with workplace procedures in a manner that minimises risk to personnel and equipment

demonstrating signal testing and signal analysis

demonstratingthe making of relevant adjustments

dismantling and reassembling equipment as required

finding and repairing faults in communications system

identifying faulty components and replacing components without damage

making relevant measurements and calculations

providing written justification for the repairs

selecting and using relevant radio frequency (RF) test equipment

selecting appropriate components and/or materials for the repairs

using methodical fault-finding techniques.

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria and include knowledge of:

measurement techniques to verify system performance and signal quality of analogue and digital signals, including parameters such as bit error rate and inter-symbol interference.

methods to reduce effects of spurious emissions, harmonics, over-modulation and intermodulation distortion (IMD) on the radio frequency (RF) spectrum

modulation and demodulation techniques, including complex modulation schemes, e.g. multiple-input/multiple-output (MiMo) and spread-spectrum

RF and intermediate frequency (IF) amplifier principles

RF filtering principles, including quality (Q), bandwidth and typical filter types

RF safety precautions

RF signal generation and conversion principles

receiver operating principles and characteristics, including practical troubleshooting and test techniques

regulatory and technical requirements for efficient RF spectrum access

relevant industry standards, codes of practice and regulations

relevant job safety assessments or risk mitigation processes

relevant manufacturer specifications

relevant WHS/OHS legislated requirements

relevant workplace documentation

relevant workplace policies and procedures

transmitter operating principles and characteristics, including practical troubleshooting and test techniques.

Assessors must hold credentials specified within the Standards for Registered Training Organisations current at the time of assessment.

Assessment must satisfy the Principles of Assessment and Rules of Evidence and all regulatory requirements included within the Standards for Registered Training Organisations current at the time of assessment.

Assessment must occur in suitable workplace operational situations where it is appropriate to do so; where this is not appropriate, assessment must occur in simulated workplace operational situations that replicate workplace conditions.

Assessment processes and techniques must be appropriate to the language, literacy and numeracy requirements of the work being performed and the needs of the candidate.

Resources for assessment must include access to:

a range of relevant exercises, case studies and/or suitable simulations

relevant and appropriate materials, tools, equipment and personal protective equipment (PPE) currently used in industry

resources that reflect current industry practices in relation to finding and repairing faults in communication systems

applicable documentation, including workplace procedures, equipment specifications, regulations, codes of practice and operation manuals.

Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.

Range is restricted to essential operating conditions and any other variables essential to the work environment.

Non-essential conditions may be found in the UEE Electrotechnology Training Package Companion Volume Implementation Guide.

Electrotechnology

Electronics and Communications