NZQA registered unit standard
27973 version 1
Page 1 of 7
Title
Demonstrate basic knowledge of telecommunications radio
technologies
Level
3
Purpose
Credits
15
This unit standard covers basic underpinning knowledge for
people engaged in installation and maintenance of
telecommunications radio services including cellular radio.
People credited with this unit standard are able to demonstrate
basic knowledge of:
–
radio frequency theory;
–
radio transmission theory;
–
fibre optic cables;
–
digital multiplexing and hierarchies;
–
TDM networks; and
–
testing and commissioning of radio frequency services.
Classification
Telecommunications > Telecommunications - Service Delivery
Available grade
Achieved
Entry information
Recommended skills
and knowledge
Unit 27975, Perform installation and maintenance of
telecommunications radio systems and services.
Explanatory notes
1
Evidence against this unit standard may be demonstrated through either knowledge
assessment or practical assessment. The use of diverse forms of evidence in
assessment against this unit standard is encouraged. Evidence must be in
accordance with industry practice and, where appropriate, must reflect environmental
considerations.
2
The term telecommunications radio technologies includes radio, wireless, and
cellular technologies.
3
The term basic knowledge is used to describe the underpinning knowledge required
by candidates to support the range of practical installation and maintenance activities
assessed by Unit 27975, Perform installation and maintenance of
telecommunications radio systems and services.
The Skills Organisation
SSB Code 100401
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA registered unit standard
27973 version 1
Page 2 of 7
4
References
Electricity Act 1992;
Electricity (Safety) Regulations 2010;
NZS 2772.1:1999, Radiofrequency fields – Maximum exposure levels – 3 kHz to 300
GHz;
Radiocommunications Act 1989;
Radiocommunications Regulations 2001;
Search and Surveillance Act 2012;
Telecommunications Act 2001;
and all subsequent amendments and replacements.
5
Definitions
3G – Third Generation cellular services.
APC – Angled Physical Contact.
Cable – any or all of – copper cable, fibre optic cable, coaxial cable.
CDMA – Code Division Multiple Access.
DECT – Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications.
DMR – Digital Mobile Radio.
E(x) – refers to a frame descriptor. x= 1, 2, 3….6.
EDGE – Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution.
eDMR – Ethernet Digital Mobile Radio (IP Radio).
EVDO – Evolution Data Optimised.
FDD – Frequency Division Duplex.
FDMA – Frequency Division Multiple Access.
FTTN – Fibre To The Node.
GPRS – General Packet Radio Service.
GSM – Global System for Mobile communications.
HSPA – High Speed Packet Access.
Industry practice – those practices which competent practitioners within the industry
recognise as current industry best practice.
IP – Internet Protocol.
LCR – any circuit containing combinations of inductive, capacitive and/or resistive
components.
LTE – Long Term Evolution (4G Cellular Services).
MPLS – Multi-Protocol Label Switching.
MUX – Multiplexer.
OTDR – Optical Time Domain Reflectometer.
PC – Physical Contact.
PDH – Plesiochronous Digital Hierarchy.
RF – Radio Frequency.
SDH – Synchronous Digital Hierarchy.
SIP – Session Initiation protocol.
SONET – Synchronous Optical Network.
TCP – Transmission Control Protocol.
TDD – Time Division Duplex.
TDM – Time Divisions Multiplex.
TDMA – Time Division Multiple Access.
UDP – User Datagram Protocol.
UMTS – Universal Mobile Telecommunications System.
xPON – various (x) Passive Optical Networking systems.
The Skills Organisation
SSB Code 100401
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA registered unit standard
6
27973 version 1
Page 3 of 7
Range
The use of mathematics is not required except where calculation is specifically
mentioned.
Outcomes and evidence requirements
Outcome 1
Demonstrate basic knowledge of radio frequency theory.
Evidence requirements
1.1
Define, calculate, and state the units of measurement for reactance and
impedance of RF Circuits.
Range
impedance calculations – at any given frequency for simple threeelement series and parallel circuits.
1.2
Use vectors to show phase relationships of voltages and currents in series and
parallel circuits and calculate their resultants.
1.3
Calculate resonant frequencies for simple series and parallel circuits.
1.4
Explain the operation of simple LCR filters in non-mathematical terms.
Range
highpass, lowpass, bandpass, bandstop, duplexers, diplexers.
Outcome 2
Demonstrate basic knowledge of radio transmission theory.
Evidence requirements
2.1
Explain basic concepts of frequency, RF spectrum, wavelength, and bandwidth
and make conversions between frequency and wavelength, and units of
measurement.
2.2
Explain the principles of modulation with the aid of waveform sketches.
Range
2.3
amplitude modulation, frequency modulation, phase modulation.
analogue modulation, digital modulation, harmonics, single side
band.
Outline the basic operation of transmission lines and cables at radio frequency.
Range
The Skills Organisation
SSB Code 100401
transmission lines – primary components of a line, definition of
transmission loss, variation of loss with frequency, characteristic
impedance, reflections, standing waves, effect of terminations;
cables – twisted pair, coaxial.
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA registered unit standard
2.4
Explain the principles of antenna and feeders with reference to operation,
physical construction, and feeder to antenna matching in non-mathematical
terms.
Range
2.5
antenna – isotropic, ¼ Wave, ½ Wave, 5∕8 Wave, full Wave;
feeder – delta match, quarter wave transformer, LC network
match, transformer match.
Outline the principles of propagation of radio waves in free space in nonmathematical terms.
Range
2.6
27973 version 1
Page 4 of 7
ground wave, sky wave, space wave.
Explain waveguides with reference to how they guide a radio wave, physical
construction, and termination requirements.
Outcome 3
Demonstrate basic knowledge of fibre optic cables.
Evidence requirements
3.1
Explain method of fibre optic cable construction, principle of light transmission,
application, and losses of fibre optic cables.
Range
3.2
Identify fibre patch cords and connectors used in radio applications in terms of
colour coding and construction.
Range
3.3
patch cords – multi-mode, laser optimised multi-mode, single
mode;
connectors – LC, SC, ST, MPO;
types of polish – PC, APC, UPC.
Explain the requirement for fibre hygiene and fibre inspection and cleaning
procedures.
Range
3.4
fibre optic cables – single mode, multi-mode.
requirements – perfect core alignment, physical contact, pristine
connector interface;
contamination effects – reflection, loss, equipment damage;
inspection – inspect before you connect, inspect after cleaning,
connector inspection, bulkhead inspection, transceiver inspection;
cleaning procedures – connectors, bulkhead adaptors,
transceivers.
Explain basic fibre optical testing tools in terms of features, applications and
limitations.
Range
The Skills Organisation
SSB Code 100401
optical testing tools include – visual fault locator, light source,
power meter, OTDR, fibre identifier, launch and receive cables.
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA registered unit standard
27973 version 1
Page 5 of 7
Outcome 4
Demonstrate basic knowledge of digital multiplexing and hierarchies.
Evidence requirements
4.1
Outline the principles of TDM multiplexing from speech to 64Kb/s channel time
slot to a single E1 frame.
Range
4.2
Develop the European PDH digital hierarchy from lower order to higher order
MUX.
Range
4.3
European PDH –E1 (2Mb/s), E2 (8Mb/s), E3, (34Mb/s), E4
(140Mb/s), E5 (565Mb/s).
Outline and compare SDH and PDH hierarchies in terms of function,
application, and features.
Range
4.4
analogue – digital conversion, sampling, demultiplexing, digitalanalogue conversion, b channels, d channels, frame
synchronisation, alarm transport.
terminating MUX, drop and insert MUX, DS1, STM1, STM4,
STM16, STM64.
Explain the concepts of self-healing and hitless switching with reference to
diversity routing.
Range
may include but is not limited to – self healing, hitless switching.
Outcome 5
Demonstrate basic knowledge of TDM networks.
Evidence requirements
5.1
Explain concisely the function and associated features of radio networking
technologies with reference to standards and protocols.
Range
5.2
Explain basic principles of signalling systems used across a radio network with
reference to functions and features.
Range
5.3
may include but is not limited to – MPLS, H.248, SIP, IP, TCP,
UDP, Ethernet, ATM, xPON, FTTN, FDD, TDD,FDMA, TDMA,
CDMA, SONET, PDH, SDH, DMR, eDMR, GSM, UMTS, GPRS,
3G, EVDO, DECT, EDGE, WiMAX, HSPA, LTE.
one in band signalling system, one out of band signalling system.
Explain network synchronisation principles with respect to function and
operation.
The Skills Organisation
SSB Code 100401
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA registered unit standard
27973 version 1
Page 6 of 7
Outcome 6
Demonstrate basic knowledge of testing and commissioning of radio frequency services.
Evidence requirements
6.1
Explain test equipment used in the commissioning of radio frequency services
in terms of features, operation, and protection of the equipment.
Range
power meter, local craft terminal(s), spectrum analyser, RF sweep
set;
may include but is not limited to – optical time domain
reflectometer, modulation meter, passive intermodulation meter,
built in test equipment.
6.2
Identify the effect of incorrect termination impedance on RF systems and RF
test equipment with reference to damage to test equipment and, erroneous
readings.
6.3
Identify typical units of measurement for radio frequency test equipment.
6.4
Explain methods of performing antenna alignment and the test equipment
required.
Planned review date
31 December 2017
Status information and last date for assessment for superseded versions
Process
Version Date
Last Date for Assessment
Registration
1
18 July 2013
N/A
Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR) reference
0003
This CMR can be accessed at http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/framework/search/index.do.
Please note
Providers must be granted consent to assess against standards (accredited) by NZQA,
before they can report credits from assessment against unit standards or deliver courses
of study leading to that assessment.
Industry Training Organisations must be granted consent to assess against standards by
NZQA before they can register credits from assessment against unit standards.
Providers and Industry Training Organisations, which have been granted consent and
which are assessing against unit standards must engage with the moderation system that
applies to those standards.
Requirements for consent to assess and an outline of the moderation system that applies
to this standard are outlined in the Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR). The
CMR also includes useful information about special requirements for organisations wishing
The Skills Organisation
SSB Code 100401
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA registered unit standard
27973 version 1
Page 7 of 7
to develop education and training programmes, such as minimum qualifications for tutors
and assessors, and special resource requirements.
Comments on this unit standard
Please contact The Skills Organisation reviewcomments@skills.org.nz if you wish to
suggest changes to the content of this unit standard.
The Skills Organisation
SSB Code 100401
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016