Modifying communication-electronic systems
Overview
This standard identifies the competences you need to modify communications - electronic systems, sub-systems or assemblies, in accordance with approved procedures. You will be required to change, modify and update communication - electronic systems, sub-systems or assemblies, in accordance with modification leaflets, latest issue drawings and standards. You will be expected to remove and replace cables, add new cables and change the route of cables. You will also be expected to modify LRUs (line replacement units) within communication-electronic systems. You will need to show proficiency in using various tools and techniques during the modification process.
Your responsibilities will require you to comply with organisational policy and procedures for the modifications undertaken, and to report any problems with the modification activities or components that you cannot personally resolve, or that are outside your permitted authority, to the relevant people. You will be expected to work with minimal supervision, taking full responsibility for your actions, and for the quality and accuracy of the work that you carry out.
Your underpinning knowledge will provide a good understanding of your work, and will provide an informed approach to applying modifications procedures to communication - electronic systems. You will understand the modification, and its application, and will know about the modification requirements and methods, in adequate depth to provide sound basis for carrying out the activities, correcting faults and ensuring that the completed modification is to the required specification and remains compliant with all standards and regulations.
You will understand the safety precautions required when carrying out the modifications. You will be required to demonstrate safe practices throughout, and will understand the responsibility you owe to yourself and others in the workplace.
Performance criteria
You must be able to:
- work safely at all times, complying with health and safety legislation and other relevant regulations, directives and guidelines
- obtain and follow the relevant modification specifications and job instructions
- confirm and agree what modifications are to be carried out to meet the specification
- prepare the communication electronic system for the required modification
- carry out the system modification using approved materials, methods and procedures
- complete the modification within the agreed timescale
- ensure the modified communication - electronic system meets the specified operating conditions
- complete and store all relevant modification documentation in accordance with organisational requirements
- dispose of waste materials in accordance with safe working practices and approved procedures and leave the work area in a safe condition
- deal promptly and effectively with problems within your control and report those that cannot be solved
Knowledge and Understanding
You need to know and understand:
- the specific safety precautions and procedures to be observed whilst carrying out the modification to ground communication -electronic systems (including any specific regulations or codes of practice related to the activities, equipment or materials)
- the health and safety requirements of the work area in which you are carrying out the modification activities, and the responsibilities these requirements place on you
- the hazards associated with carrying out modifications to ground communication - electronic systems, and how to minimise them and reduce any risks
- what constitutes a hazardous voltage and how to recognise victims of electric shock
- how to reduce the risks of a phase to earth shock (such as insulated tools, rubber matting, isolating transformers)
- personal protective equipment and clothing (PPE) to be worn during the modification activities
- the various types of drawing and specifications that are used during the modification (such as physical layouts, charts, specifications, manufacturers' manuals, history/maintenance reports, graphical electrical symbols)
- how to identify the components to be used; component identification systems; codes and component orientation indicators
- the procedures and precautions to be adopted to eliminate electrostatic discharge (ESD) hazards
- preparations to be undertaken on the system, prior to carrying out the modification
- the methods and techniques to be used for soldering and de-soldering, and the importance of adhering to them
- the methods and techniques to be used for crimping and heat shrinking, and the importance of adhering to them
- the procedures and precautions to be adopted to eliminate electrostatic discharge
- the basic operation of the communication - electronic system, subsystem and assembly being modified, and the purpose of associated components
- the different types of cable protection, and reasons for using each type
- the various mechanical fasteners that will be used, and their method of installation
- the importance of using the specified fasteners for the modification, and why you must not use substitutes
- the quality control procedures to be followed during the modification operations
- how to conduct any necessary checks to ensure the accuracy and quality of the modification
- how to recognise defects (such as misalignment, ineffective fasteners, foreign object damage, contamination)
- the problems that can occur with the modification operations, and how these can be overcome
- the organisational procedures to be adopted for the safe disposal of waste of all types of materials
- the documentation and/or reports to be completed following the modification activity, and the importance of ensuring that these reports are completed accurately and legibly
- the organisational policy on modification and how the process should be undertaken
- the extent of your own responsibility and to whom you should report if you have problems that you cannot resolve
Scope/range
Carry out all of the following during the modification activity:
- obtain and use the correct issue of organisational and/or manufacturers' documentation
- adhere to procedures or systems in place for risk assessment, COSHH, personal protective equipment and other relevant safety regulations and procedures to realise a safe system of work
- ensure the safe isolation of equipment
- provide and maintain safe access and working arrangements for the work area
- confirm and agree modifications to be made
- modify ground electronic systems using approved techniques and procedures
- report or take action with regard to any problems that arise
- apply safe working practices and procedures at all times
dispose of waste materials in accordance with safe working practices and approved procedures and leave the work area in a safe condition
- Carry out modification activities on four communication - electronic systems, subsystems or assemblies to LRU level, at least two of which must be selected from group A:
Note Any of the items below can be identified as a system, subsystem or assembly in its own right
Ggroup A - communication electronic
1. transmitters (such as HF, VHF, UHF, microwave)
2. transceivers (such as HF, VHF, UHF, microwave)
3. receivers (such as HF, VHF, UHF, microwave)
4. signal processing (analogue) (such as radar anti-clutter, comms audio and AGC stages)
5. signal processing (digital) (such as digital MTI, multiplexers, AGC)
6. aerial systems (such as phased arrays, long wire and parabolic reflectors)
7. transmission lines (such as optical fibres, coaxial, baluns, twin wire, waveguide)
8. display systems (such as CRT, plasma, TFT, TV tab, LED)
9. man-machine interface (such as IS/ICT equipment or peripherals: keypads, keyboards, microphones)
10. electro-optical systems (such as cameras, thermal imaging, targeting systems)
11. hydraulic-electrical systems (such as hydraulic motors, HSUs and actuators)
12. cryptographic systems (such as data encryption and de-encryption)
13. built-in test equipment
14. data network systems (such as LANs, WANs)
15. data network interfaces (such as switch, router, bridging networks)
16. any other identifiable electronic system, sub-system or assemblies
Group B - associated equipment
17. environmental control systems (such as temperature, humidity, vibration, shock, alarm and protection)
18. electromechanical systems (such as servos, motors, relays, complex switches)
19. power generation systems (such as fixed/transportable AC/DC generators, batteries)
20. power distribution systems (such as single phase/3-phase distribution panels)
21. power supply control systems (such as voltage/current series/shunt regulator/stabiliser)
22. hybrid systems (such as ADC, DAC)
Carry out six of the following types of modification:
- removing cables
- upgrading mechanical systems
- adding cables
- upgrading electrical systems
- changing routes of cables
- upgrading electronic systems
- making changes to looms
- improving equipment safety
- making changes to LRUs
- improving personal safety
- adding or removing LRUs
- improving equipment performance
- altering settings
Carry out six of the following processes during the modification activities:
- soldering and de-soldering
- repositioning units
- heat shrinking (devices or boots)
- removing cable protection
- crimping
- making mechanical/screwed/clamped connections
- stripping
- allocating identification markings
- removing cable end fittings
- changing LRUs
- changing components
Produce modifications which comply with one of the following:
- customer standards and requirements
- Ministry of Defence (MOD)
- organisational standards and requirements
- manufacturers' standards and requirements
- BS, ISO and/or BSEN standards
Complete and store all relevant maintenance documentation in accordance with organisational requirements, using one of the following:
- job cards
- permit-to-work/formal risk assessment and/or sign-on/off procedures
- maintenance log or report
- organisational-specific documentation
- modification record
- electronic reports