Field officers responsible for the management and maintenance of digital communication systems apply the skills and knowledge in this unit.

They combine the technical skills of this unit with design skills to develop solutions in modern applications, such as internet protocol TV (IPTV), digital TV, fast broadband and internet applications.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Apply DSP design criteria to telecommunications system

1.1. Review DSP criteria applied to signal processing

1.2. Perform frequency domain analysis on telecommunications signals

1.3. Apply digital processing techniques to DSP baseband communications signals used in digital systems

1.4. Generate the output of a comb filter in digital filtering application using convolution theorem and autocorrelation

2. Determine linear time invariant (LTI) system properties

2.1. Simulate telecommunication entities using simulation software functions

2.2. Perform calculations to find numerical approximations of the continuous-time convolution process

2.3. Simulate echo cancellation by applying simulation software using adaptive DSP algorithms and an inverse filtering method

3. Analyse digital telecommunication signals processing

3.1. Analyse the result of digitally passing a signal through a first-order recursive discrete-time filter

3.2. Determine frequency response of a simple continuous-time system using Fourier transform

3.3. Analyse amplitude modulated signals using Fourier transform

4. Analyse time and frequency forms of signals by applying simulation of signal processing

4.1. Program a simulated software application to represent a comb filter with a signal applied from a telecommunication system

4.2. Produce a report analysing the simulated output results and relevance of a DSP filter to a telecommunications system

Required skills

analytical skills to evaluate a range of complex technical data

communication skills to work effectively within group

information technology skills for word processing, using statistical data and desktop research

literacy skills to:

read and interpret technical documentation

write reports including recommendations

numeracy skills to perform mathematical calculations

research skills to:

gather and record data from measurements

gather data, observe and analyse signal issues

technical skills to :

apply simulation software

operate telecommunication test equipment

use telecommunications management networks

Required knowledge

digital communications systems

Fourier transforms

LTI

modulation methods, amplitude (AM), frequency (FM) and phase (PM) and digital formats

organisational policy and procedures

responses to non-compliance

radio frequency (RF) awareness

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:

apply DSP criteria to a telecommunications system

evaluate LTI system properties

analyse DSP, time and frequency forms of signals by applying signal processing.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure:

a telecommunications operations site

digital communication systems, simulation software and telecommunications test equipment currently used in industry.

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

direct observation of the candidate carrying out analysis and fault solution development within a digital communication system.

Guidance information for assessment

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

ICTTEN8197A Produce engineering solutions using numerical computations and simulation.

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.

DSP criteria include:

anti-alias and reconstructive filters

distortion

Nyquist sampling rate

quantisation error and noise

sampling theory

signal conditioning

signal converters:

ADC

DAC

Z-domain representation and transforms.

Frequency domain analysis may include:

discrete Fourier transform (DFT)

fast Fourier transform (FFT)

modern spectral analysis

power spectra

signals:

aperiodic

periodic

random

time and frequency representation.

DSP baseband communications signals may include:

bandpass sigma delta systems

data equalisation

error control and coding

matched filtering

modulation:

AM

FM

PM

pulse shaping

quaternary phase shift keying (QPSK) - quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) digital communications

root raised cosine

signalling:

amplitude shift keying (ASK)

frequency shift keying (FSK)

phase shift keying (PSK).

Digital filtering refers to:

comb and ARMA filters

digital filter design parameters and methods

FIR and IIR Filters

poles and zeroes and z-domain.

Telecommunication entities may include:

discrete-time Fourier transform (DTFT) based filter of given design parameters

DTFT operation

generation of dual tone multi frequency signals

telephone touch tone system.

Simulation software functions may include:

conv

filter

isim.

Adaptive DSP algorithms include:

acoustic echo control and noise control

channel equalisation

echo control for feedback suppression

inverse system identification

Kalman

least squares

least mean squares

QR algorithms

recursive least squares (RLS).

Telecommunication system may include:

AM with carrier

FM

PSK

single-sideband AM.

Unit sector

Telecommunications

Telecommunications networks engineering

This unit contains employability skills.