Field officers and supervisors from telecommunications carriers, service providers, contractors and other public or private organisations apply the skills and knowledge of this unit. They perform measurements during equipment upgrades or during commissioning, acceptance testing and routine maintenance on cellular network equipment.

The skills are mainly related to testing cellular sub-elements and subsystems. Field officers under supervision may be responsible for projects and for the coordination of projects in sites remote from the organisational headquarters. Technical officers also participate in design activities.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Prepare to test cellular phone and network equipment

1.1. Obtain and follow relevant legislation, codes, regulations and standards

1.2. Scope the work by obtaining work details from appropriate personnel and arrange for site access to comply with security arrangements

1.3. Evaluate manufacturer's technical documentation and network procedures to plan a test schedule for the cellular network

1.4. Verify calibration of test equipment to ensure that tested cellular equipment is compliant

1.5. Prepare cellular equipment for testing according to manufacturer's test procedure

1.6. Notify operational staff of test and measurement schedule to ensure minimal impact on the cellular network

2. Test and measure cellular phone and network equipment

2.1. Work safely following occupational health and safety (OHS) and environmental requirements for the given work, identifying hazards and using personal protective equipment

2.2. Configure network equipment for testing and set options to record test results

2.3. Block or mask alarms that may be triggered and interfere with test programme

2.4. Run the performance measurement software with options set and record test results

2.5. Re-establish alarms and normal operational status at conclusion of tests and notify appropriate personnel of the completion of the test schedule

3. Analyse measurement and prepare an evaluation report

3.1. Analyse the results of the performance tests and measurements and determine the performance level of the cellular equipment and compatibility with the network

3.2. Prepare an evaluation report making recommendations on network modifications or changes to configurations settings for improved quality of service (QoS)

3.3. Present test results and evaluation report to appropriate personnel according to enterprise policy

Required skills

analytical skills to interpret test results

communication skills to:

liaise with internal and external personnel on technical and operational matters

relate to work associates, supervisors, team members and clients

literacy skills to:

read and interpret technical documentation, such as equipment manuals, specifications and service orders

write reports using standard formats

numeracy skills to:

interpret results

evaluate different types of technical data

planning and organisational skills to plan, prioritise and monitor own work and that of others

problem solving and contingency management skills to:

adapt testing procedures to requirements of particular situations

modify activities depending on operational contingencies, risk situations and environments

safety awareness skills to:

apply precautions and required action to minimise, control or eliminate hazards that may exist during work activities when dealing with radio frequency (RF) radiation

select and use required personal protective equipment conforming to industry and OHS standards

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

technical skills to:

confront typical issues and challenges that occur in cellular network testing

prepare and interpret technical documentation

recognise and interrogate the network element alarms and record fault conditions

select and use appropriate test equipment following industry practices

Required knowledge

features and operating requirements of cellular test equipment, including the digital cellular test set, spectrum analyser and RF power meter

network components, their functions and approved specifications

overview knowledge of transmission lines, transmitter and receiver architecture and associated cellular network

specific knowledge related to cellular antenna and feedlines, and their impact on mobile spectrum interference

testing network components

types of adjustments that need to be made when measuring cellular transmission

types of networks that will influence the transmission either on the radio path and/or transmission line

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 test activities and equipment

test cellular phone and network equipment according to test procedure

analyse test results

report and make recommendations on performance.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure:

sites on which cellular network testing may be conducted

use of test equipment currently used in industry

manufacturer's and enterprise technical documentation

relevant regulations and standards.

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 tests

review of test documentation and reports completed by the candidate

oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of testing procedures and required knowledge.

Guidance information for assessment

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

ICTRFN5097A Test cellular handset enhancements and international roaming agreements.

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.

Relevant legislation, codes, regulations and standards may include:

Australian Communications Industry Forum (ACIF) standards and codes

AS Communications Cabling Manual (CCM) Volume 1

Australia building codes and regulations

Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) Radiation Protection standard - Maximum Exposure Levels to Radio Frequency Fields - 3 kHz to 300 GHz

ACIF C564:2004 Deployment of mobile phone network infrastructure

Environmental Protection Acts

fire regulations

OHS

relevant international standards

technical standards AS/ACIF S008:2006 and AS/ACIF S009:2006.

Work details may include:

cellular equipment type:

base station equipment

location registers

network management module

switching

transmitter

cellular network type:

3G

4G

GPRS

GSM

WiMAX

reasons for tests

service level agreement (SLA) details.

Appropriate personnel may refer to:

design engineer

network manager

network operations centre

planning engineer.

Test schedule may include:

cellular network equipment tests:

blockage

congestion

interference

latency

packet loss

path loss

QoS

cellular phone performance tests:

firmware

network connectivity

roaming facilities

SIM card test

software

transmitter tests.

Test equipment may include:

built-in test equipment (BITE)

cable and antenna analyser

digital radio test set

E1 analyser

proprietary software

RF power meter

spectrum analyser

variable attenuator.

OHS and environmental requirements may relate to:

decommissioning and isolating worksite and lines prior to commencement

flashing lights

gas and other hazard detection equipment

identifying other services, including power and gas

safety barriers

safety equipment

safe working practices such as the safe use and handling of:

asbestos

chemicals

materials

tools and equipment

work platforms

special access requirements

suitable light and ventilation

trench guards

warning signs and tapes

witches hats

environmental considerations:

clean-up protection

noise, dust and clean-up management

stormwater protection

waste management.

Hazards may include:

activating equipment without notifying other staff who may be working remotely on the network

cleaning alcohol, epoxy resins and other solvents and chemicals may be carcinogenic, cause allergies or be dangerous to health in other ways

environmental hazards:

air pollution

dangerous gases

heavy or noxious metals pollution

noise

petrochemical spillage

release of hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFC)

flammable cleaning chemicals fluids and solvents

health hazards:

electromagnetic energy (EME) exposure

dangerous or harmful substances

risk of sustained injury from repetitive tasks

laser damage to eyes.

Personal protective equipment may include:

personal protective clothing:

earmuffs

gloves

head protection

knee pads

mask

safety boots

safety glasses

safety harness

safety line.

Options may include:

file setting

macro setting.

Unit sector

Telecommunications

Radio frequency networks

This unit contains employability skills.