ICTRFN406 — Maintain hybrid fibre coaxial broadband cable network

Elements & performance criteria

Performance evidence

• determine the performance of and maintenance requirements for the hybrid fibre coaxial (HFC) broadband cable
• prepare a maintenance schedule and planned activities, and arrange resources
• carry out maintenance activities following appropriate procedures and techniques, using approved equipment where specified
• perform radio frequency (RF) and optical measurements and analyse results
• administer corrective measures where required, and verify and document actions
• comply with site risk control, work health and safety (WHS), environmental, quality and communication requirements.
• Note: If a specific volume or frequency is not stated, then evidence must be provided at least once.

Knowledge evidence

• the following terms: 16 QAM, 64 QAM, 256 QAM
• relevance of alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC) electrical equipment in HFC broadband cable network
• forward error correction (FEC) and Reed-Solomon Code
• bit error ratio (BER) and acceptable values
• constellation diagrams
• digital modulation techniques
• Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification (DOCSIS) cable modem characteristics
• future broadband cable network (BCN) and migration to all-optical cable networks
• HFC broadband cable network principles, architecture and associated equipment
• minimum standards allowable in the return path for ingress
• optical fibre characteristics
• quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK)
• services carried on the HFC broadband cable network
• spectrum utilisation of the return path showing location of telephony and data channels, and signalling and test frequencies
• video stream transport formats including: digital video broadcasting (DVB) - asynchronous serial interface (ASI), high definition serial digital interface (HD-SDI), motion picture experts group 2 (MPEG-2), standard definition serial digital interface (SD-SDI)
• modulation error ratio (MER) and acceptable values
• types of amplifier and placement in a HFC broadband cable network
• bi-directional RF amplifier and unidirectional RF amplifier
• eye diagram interpretation
• frequency spectrum and RF frequency plan HFC broadband cable network
• use of passive devices including filter, attenuator, power inserter, coaxial splitter, coupler, multitap and equaliser
• calculation of overall gain or loss when given signal levels in dBmv
• coaxial transmission line characteristics including cable tilt or slope
• forward path from head end to subscriber showing expected signal levels at key points
• power supply requirements in a HFC broadband cable network
• return path from subscriber to head end showing expected signal levels at key points
• RF amplifier characteristics including gain and tilt adjustment, equalisation and overload
• forms of ingress and where they may fall in the return path
• set up, operation and interpretation of test equipment for complex tests including: optical time domain reflectometer (OTDR), optical power meter, digital signal level meter, RF sweep equipment, spectrum analyser, hand and power tools required to assemble and disassemble equipment in pits and in elevated work situations.

Foundation skills

• Reading: Recognises and interprets enterprise, regulatory and technical information from relevant sources to determine all specifications and frameworks
• Writing: Uses clear, specific and industry related terminology to complete and update workplace documentation and in written communications to relevant personnel
• Oral Communication: Liaises with a diverse range of personnel to provide advice and guidance using relevant language Uses listening and questioning techniques to confirm understanding
• Numeracy: Interprets numerical information and applies basic calculations to conduct performance measurements
• Navigate the world of work: Takes personal responsibility for adherence to legal and regulatory responsibilities relevant to own work, with specific reference to safety and environmental requirements Seeks advice from others when a situation becomes too complex to manage personally
• Get the work done: Determines job priorities, resources and equipment and works logically and systematically to undertake clearly defined and familiar tasks Implements actions according to a predetermined plan, making slight adjustments if necessary and addressing some unexpected issues Takes responsibility for routine decision making by selecting from a range of predetermined options in routine situations, identifying and taking situational factors into account Responds to typical problems in different situations and implements standard solutions Understands the purposes and specific functions of common digital systems and uses them effectively to complete routine tasks Uses experiences to evaluate and identify improvements for future work

Unit content sourced from training.gov.au — © Commonwealth of Australia, licensed under CC BY 4.0. Auditori is not affiliated with the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations.

Questions about assessing ICTRFN406