Configure communication-electronic systems
Overview
This standard identifies the competences you need to carry out configuration tasks on communication - electronic systems, in accordance with approved procedures. You will be required to configure a range of communication - electronic systems, sub-systems or assemblies into a complete communication - electronic operating system. You will need to carry out the configuration activities to ensure that the system, sub-system or assembly performs to the optimal level and functions as per the required specifications.
Your responsibilities will require you to comply with organisational policy and procedures for the configuration activities undertaken, and to report any problems with the configuration activities 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 own 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 configuration procedures to communication - electronic systems and equipment. You will understand the configuration activity and its application, and will know about the various sub-assemblies and their purpose within the system, in adequate depth to provide a sound basis for carrying out the activities to the required specification.
You will understand the safety precautions required when carrying out the configuration activities, especially those for isolating the equipment and for taking the necessary safeguards to protect yourself against direct and indirect electric shock. You will be required to demonstrate safe working 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
- follow all relevant setting up and operating specifications for the products or assets being configured
- follow the defined procedures and set up the equipment correctly ensuring that all operating parameters are achieved
- deal promptly and effectively with problems within your control and report those that cannot be solved
- check that the configuration is complete and that the equipment operates to specification
- complete and store all relevant documentation of the configuration outcome 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
Knowledge and Understanding
You need to know and understand:
- the specific safety practices and procedures that you need to observe when configuring communication - electronic systems (including any specific legislation, regulations/codes of practice for the activities, equipment or materials)
- 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)
- the health and safety requirements of the work area where you are carrying out the activities, and the responsibility these requirements place on you
- the hazards associated with configuring communication - electronic systems, and how to minimise them and reduce any risks
- the personal protective equipment (PPE) that you need to use during the configuration activities
- the procedures and precautions to be adopted to eliminate electrostatic discharge (ESD) hazards
- the interpretation of drawings, standards, quality control procedures and specifications used for the configuration activity
- the methods used during the configuring of a communication - electronic system
- the components to be configured, and their function within the particular communications - electronic systems
- the quality control procedures to be followed during the configuration process
- the techniques used to check the position, alignment and security of the components in a communication - electronic system
- why electrical bonding is critical, and why it must be both mechanically and electrically secure
- how to conduct any necessary checks and adjustments to the equipment to ensure the system integrity, functionality, accuracy and quality
- the various system operating procedures and their specific configuration requirements
- the tools and equipment used in the configuration process, and their calibration/care and control procedures
- why tool/equipment control is critical, and what to do if a tool or piece of equipment is unaccounted for on completion of the configuration process
- the problems that can occur with the configuration process, and how these can be overcome
- the recording documentation to be completed for the configuration activities undertaken
- the extent of your own responsibility and to whom you should report if you have problems that you cannot resolve
Scope/range
1. Carry out all of the following during the configuration activities:
- obtain and use the correct issue of organisational publications 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
- configure communication - electronic systems using approved methods and techniques
- 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
2. Configure systems that contain at least four communication-electronic subsystems or assemblies, at least two of which must be selected from group A:
Note Any of the items below can be identified as a subsystem or assembly in its own right
Group A - communication electronic
- transmitters (such as HF, VHF, UHF, microwave)
- transceivers (such as HF, VHF, UHF, microwave)
- receivers (such as HF, VHF, UHF, microwave)
- signal processing (analogue) (such as radar anti-clutter, comms audio and AGC stages)
- signal processing (digital) (such as digital MTI, multiplexers, AGC)
- aerial systems (such as phased arrays, long wire and parabolic reflectors)
- transmission lines (such as optical fibres, coaxial, baluns, twin wire, waveguide)
- display systems (such as CRT, plasma, TFT, TV tab, LED)
- man-machine interface (such as IS/ICT equipment or peripherals: keypads, keyboards, microphones)
- electro-optical systems (such as cameras, thermal imaging, targeting systems)
- hydraulic-electrical systems (such as hydraulic motors, HSUs and actuators)
- cryptographic systems (such as data encryption and de-encryption)
- built-in test equipment
- data network systems (such as LANs, WANs)
- data network interfaces (such as switch, router, bridging networks)
- any other identifiable electronic subsystem or assemblies to LRU level
Group B - associated equipment - environmental control systems (such as temperature, humidity, vibration, shock, alarm and protection)
- electromechanical systems (such as servos, motors, relays, complex switches)
- power generation systems (such as fixed/transportable AC/DC generators, batteries)
- power distribution systems (such as single phase/3-phase distribution panels)
- power supply control systems (such as voltage/current series/shunt regulator/stabiliser)
- hybrid systems (such as ADC, DAC)
3. Configure systems using a range of tools and equipment, to include four of the following:
- oscilloscope
- temperature testing devices
- ammeter
- power meters
- logic analyser
- valve tester
- Q meter
- spectrum analyser
- current tracer
- time domain reflectometer
- signal generator
- frequency counter
- multimeter
- protocol analyser
- computer aided diagnostic equipment
- breakout box
- special-purpose testing equipment
- automatic test equipment
- other specific equipment
4. Adjust the systems using all of the following, as applicable to the equipment being configured:
- logic states
- resistance
- DC voltage/current levels
- heat dissipation
- AC voltage/current levels
- frequency modulation/demodulation
- clock/timer switching
- performance of system, sub-system or assembly
- pulse width/rise time
- conditions of assemblies and components
- open/short circuit
- signal noise/interference levels
5. Carry out all of the following checks during the configuration process:
- system location and security are correct
- system powers up correctly
- system earth bonding is correct
- system powers down correctly
- all connections are correctly made (mechanical and electrical)
6. Ensure the configured system meets all of the following:
- system operates to specifications
- any potential defects are identified and reported to the appropriate authority for further action
- all relevant documentation is completed accurately and legibly
- the system is formally accepted by the end user
7. Complete and store all relevant documentation of the configuration outcome in accordance with organisational requirements, using one of the following:
- job card
- specific configuration report
- organisational-specific reporting procedure
- electronic reports