Carrying out the configuration of communication-electronic systems

URN: SEMEMI237
Business Sectors (Suites): Engineering Maintenance and Installation Suite 2
Developed by: Enginuity
Approved on: 2015

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 communication-electronic system. You will need to carry out the configuration activities to ensure that the system, sub-system or assembly performs to specified levels.

Your responsibilities will require you to comply with organisational policy and procedures for the configuration activities undertaken, and to report any problems with these activities, or with the tools and equipment used, that you cannot personally resolve, or are outside your permitted authority, to the relevant people. You will be expected to work to instructions, alone or in conjunction with others, taking personal responsibility for your own actions, and for the quality and accuracy of the work that you carry out.

Your underpinning knowledge will be sufficient to provide a sound basis for your work, and will provide an informed approach to the configuration of communication-electronic systems. You will have an understanding of the configuration, and its application, and will know about the configuration requirements and methods, in adequate depth to provide sound basis for carrying out the activities, and for ensuring that the configured system is to the required specification.

You will understand the safety precautions required when carrying out the configuration activities, especially those for isolating the equipment. You will also understand your responsibilities for safety, and the importance of taking the necessary safeguards to protect yourself and others in the workplace.


Performance criteria

You must be able to:

  1. work safely at all times, complying with health and safety and other relevant regulations, directives and guidelines
  2. follow all relevant setting up and operating specifications for the products or assets being configured
  3. follow the defined procedures and set up the equipment correctly ensuring that all operating parameters are achieved
  4. deal promptly and effectively with problems within your control and report those that cannot be solved
  5. check that the configuration is complete and that the equipment operates to specification
  6. complete all relevant documentation accurately and legibly

Knowledge and Understanding

You need to know and understand:

  1. 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)
  2. what constitutes a hazardous voltage and how to recognise victims of electric shock
  3. the health and safety requirements of the work area where you are carrying out the activities, and the responsibility these requirements place on you
  4. the hazards associated with configuring communication-electronic systems, and how they can be minimised
  5. the personal protective equipment (PPE) that you need to use during the configuration activities
  6. how to reduce the risks of a phase to earth shock (such as insulated tools, rubber mating and isolating transformers)
  7. how to obtain and interpret information from job instructions and other documentation used for the configuration activity (such as drawings, standards, operating specifications)
  8. the components to be configured, and their basic function within the particular communications-electronic systems
  9. the quality control procedures to be followed during the configuration process
  10. the techniques used to check the position, alignment and security of the components in a communication-electronic system
  11. why electrical bonding is critical, and why it must be both mechanically and electrically secure
  12. how to conduct any necessary basic checks and adjustments to the equipment, to ensure the system's integrity, functionality, accuracy and quality
  13. the various system operating procedures and their specific configuration requirements
  14. the tools and equipment used in the configuration process, and their calibration/care and control procedures
  15. 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
  16. 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


Scope Performance

  1. Carry out all the following during the configuration activities:

    1. obtain and use the correct issue of company publications and/or manufacturers' documentation
    2. adhere to procedures or systems in place for risk assessment, COSHH, personal protective equipment and other relevant safety regulations
    3. configure communication-electronic systems, using approved methods and techniques
    4. apply safe working practices and procedures at all times
    5. take electrostatic discharge (ESD) precautions when handling sensitive components
    6. leave the work area in a safe and tidy condition
  2. Configure systems that contain at least two communication-electronic sub-systems or assemblies (at least one of which must be selected from group A):
    note: Any of the items below can be identified as a sub-system or assembly in its own right

group 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, co-axial, 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.  system software
17.  any other identifiable electronic sub-system or assemblies to LRU level  

group B - associated equipment
18. environmental control systems (such as temperature, humidity, vibration, shock, alarm and protection)
19. electromechanical systems (such as servos, motors, relays, complex switches)
20. power generation systems (such as fixed/transportable AC/DC generators, batteries)
21. power distribution systems (such as single phase/3-phase distribution panels)
22. power supply control systems (such as voltage/current series/shunt regulator/stabiliser)
23. hybrid systems (such as ADC, DAC)

* *

  1. Configure systems using a range of tools and equipment, to include four of the following:

    1. oscilloscope
    2. ammeter
    3. logic analyser
    4. Q meter
    5. current tracer
    6. signal generator
    7. multimeter
    8. computer aided diagnostic equipment
    9. special-purpose testing equipment
    10. temperature testing devices
    11. power meters
    12. valve tester
    13. spectrum analyser
    14. time domain reflectometer
    15. frequency counter
    16. protocol analyser
    17. breakout box
    18. automatic test equipment
    19. software
    20. other specific equipment

* *

  1. Adjust the systems using six of the following, as applicable to the equipment being configured:

    1. logic states
    2. DC voltage/current levels
    3. AC voltage/current levels
    4. clock/timer switching
    5. pulse width/rise time
    6. open/short circuit
    7. resistance
    8. heat dissipation
    9. frequency modulation/demodulation
    10. performance of system, sub-system or assembly
    11. conditions of assemblies and components
    12. signal noise/interference levels

* *

  1. Carry out all of the following checks during the configuration process:

    1. system location and security are correct
    2. system earth bonding is correct
    3. all connections are correctly made (mechanical and electrical)
    4. the system powers up correctly
    5. the system powers down correctly

* *

  1. Ensure that the configured system meets all of the following quality and accuracy standards:

    1. the system operates to specifications
    2. any potential defects are identified and reported to the appropriate authority for further action
    3. all relevant documentation is completed accurately and legibly
    4. the system is formally accepted by the end user

* *

  1. Provide a record/report of the configuration outcome(s), using one of the following:

    1. job card
    2. company-specific reporting procedure
    3. specific configuration report

Scope Knowledge


Values


Behaviours


Skills


Glossary


Links To Other NOS


External Links


Version Number

2

Indicative Review Date

2018

Validity

Current

Status

Original

Originating Organisation

Semta

Original URN

SEMEMI2-37

Relevant Occupations

Maintenance Fitter

SOC Code

5223

Keywords

Engineering; maintenance; configure; communication; electronic; transmitters; receivers; aerial systems; display systems