Telecommunications engineers apply the skills and knowledge in this unit as part of their work with radio systems for a telecommunications service provider.
The job role includes responsibility for establishing the layout of the digital radio system to minimise transmission loss and optimise the system performance.
Not applicable.
1. Analyse suitability of radio systems | 1.1 Analyse the spectral efficiency of functional elements of mobile radio systems for determining optimal frequency utilisation 1.2 Analyse the features of radio systems to evaluate the effectiveness of a particular application 1.3 Compare the features and specifications of antennas used in radio systems to assist with radio link budget 1.4 Report on the suitability of radio systems, including recommendations to improve network performance |
2. Calculate a radio link budget | 2.1 Calculate path loss using variables in appropriate propagation models for a power link budget 2.2 Evaluate the power link budget against allowable power margins specifications 2.3 Evaluate modulation types and spectral efficiency 2.4 Confirm radio power link budget achieves specified reliability |
3. Complete evaluation and planning documentations | 3.1 Complete an evaluation report on performance of radio systems with recommendations on improvements to the system 3.2 Document the processes carried out to determine the optimal power link budget for a radio system |
Required skills
analytical skills to review complex information to make judgements
communication skills to work effectively within a group and present information
information technology skills for word processing and desktop research
literacy skills to prepare reports given a specific format
numeracy skills to:
calculate link budgets
gather and record data from measurements
research skills to gather data and information
technical skills to operate test equipment.
Required knowledge
HF, VHF, UHF and microwave receiving techniques
modulation methods:
AM
FM
digital formats
multiplexing systems
operation of transmitters and receivers
organisational policy and procedures
personal safety issues
propagation methods
radio communications systems
radio frequency (RF) losses
RF technologies
workplace and industry environment.
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: analyse the signal degradation characteristics of radio paths and calculate power budgets for various distances and antenna heights versus transmitted power research the constraints imposed by mobile phone frequency allocations and simulate carrier to interference radiation patterns around a cell site complete evaluation report on radio system performance and document processes used to determine power link budget. |
Context of and specific resources for assessment | Assessment must ensure: telecommunications operations site mobile telephony devices and equipment networked computers and relevant software. |
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: oral or written questioning to assess required knowledge review of link budget reports completed by the candidate for different communication scenarios direct observation of the candidate analysing radio systems and calculating link budgets. |
Guidance information for assessment | Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplaces and job role is recommended, for example: ICTPMG7145B Underatke a telecommunications project ICTTEN7193B Plan a transmission network. 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.
Functional elements may include: | code division multiple access (CDMA) frequency division multiple access (FDMA) time division multiple access (TDMA) wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA). |
Radio systems may include: | 3G 4G CDMA GPRS Global system for mobiles (GSM) trunked WCDMA worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX). |
Path loss refers to: | received power to transmitted power ratio and may depend on: antenna height atmospheric absorption distance rain reflection coefficient. |
Variables may include: | clutter factor Doppler effect on mobile transmission frequency Fresnel distance and absorption K factor point-to-multipoint point-to-point Raleigh fading and counter measures reflection coefficient. |
Modulation types may include: | FM AM orthogonal frequency division multiplex (OFDM) COFDM quaternary phase shift keying (QPSK) 16 quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) 256 QAM. |
Specified reliability may include: | drop outs outage time power margin signal fading. |
Telecommunications - Radio frequency networks
This unit contains employability skills.
No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement but users should confirm requirements with the relevant federal, state or territory authority.