SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Perform routing and switching in a broadcast environment 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
115033  Perform routing and switching in a broadcast environment 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Audio-visual Media Production 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 04 - Communication Studies and Language Communication Studies 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  9 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2026-06-30   2029-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
This unit standard will be essential to technically skilled people who work in the broadcasting environment and need to use sophisticated methods and equipment to install, set-up, operate and fault find professional microwave and satellite broadcasting equipment.

Learners are required to systematically analyse a range of problems and isolate and diagnose their causes. The ability to perform tasks adequately will come from repetition.

People credited with this standard will be able to:
  • Route audio and video signals in a broadcast environment
  • Set up audio and video routers
  • Maintain routers and switchers
  • Create backups
  • Solve routing and switching problems
  • Maintain good relations with clients and colleagues when routing and switching signals 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    The credit value is based on the assumption that people starting to learn towards this unit standard already understand:
  • Audio, video and data principles
  • Electronic principles
  • Digital audio
  • Fibre optics
  • Audio and video (analog)
  • Computer basics

    And are already competent in:
  • Using test equipment
  • Making audio, video and data cables
  • Installing broadcast equipment 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    Specific range statements are provided in the body of the unit standard where they apply to particular specific outcomes or assessment criteria. 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Route audio and video signals in a broadcast environment. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Audio and video sources and destinations are identified and located with or without flow diagrams. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The audio and video sources routed reach the selected destinations without breaking the transmission or interfering with other signals or programs. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Routers, where needed, are bypassed manually with the same desired end-result. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Signals are routed and switched correctly with the help of hardware panels and computer interfaces. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The transmission path is described in terms of the role of routing in the broadcast environment. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Set up audio and video routers. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The different types of routers and switchers used are described in terms of signal types, switching method, uses and their role in the transmission path. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Bookings of routes are confirmed and conflicts reported and corrected timeously. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Log files are interpreted and faults identified. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The IN/OUT's are configured for correct signals, types of signals and positions. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    New users are created with the correct authority and rights. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Maintain routers and switchers. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Routers/switchers are identified correctly and their control methods described accurately. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The purpose of each internal component of controllers is described accurately. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The description identifies the components of a control system correctly. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Interfaces, peripherals and displays of the router are identified and described accurately in terms of their functions and uses. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    A-D and D-A converters, Digital I/O's, Fiber I/O's, CPU's (Central Processing Unit), PSU's (Power supply unit), Displays and other peripherals (fans,cables,keyboards etc.)
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The components of a control system are replaced and software reloaded according to the Standard Operating Procedures. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Create backups. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    A backup of User Files is created daily. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    A backup of changes to the controller settings is created according to the Standard Operating Procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    A copy of controller software and settings is created and verified as correct. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Future switches are correctly compiled using the computer interface. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The required software is loaded into the interface according to the Standard Operating Procedures of the company. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Backups are stored or filed in a safe, easily retrievable place. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
    Solve routing and switching problems. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Technical, work related, tangible or conceptual problems. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Potential routing and switching problems are identified and evaluated for impact. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Appropriate responses are formulated to deal with potential routing and switching problems effectively. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Technical routing and switching problems are identified, diagnosed and solutions formulated that are appropriate and effective. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Tangible and conceptual problems within own area of responsibility, standard or non-standard procedures.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Problems that cannot be resolved are reported to relevant persons. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 6 
    Maintain good relations with clients and colleagues when routing and switching signals. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Routing instructions are interpreted and verified as correctly understood. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Any uncertainties about the requirements are clarified promptly with clients. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Communication is clear and courteous at all times. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Clients are advised promptly and courteously when interruptions to existing services become apparent. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Providers of learning towards this unit standard will need to meet the accreditation requirements of the relevant ETQA.
  • Anyone assessing a learner against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA.


    Moderation Option:
  • The moderation requirements of the relevant SETA's ETQA must be met in order to award credit to learners for this unit standard. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    Essential embedded knowledge will be assessed through assessment of the specific outcomes in terms of the stipulated assessment criteria. Candidates are unlikely to achieve all the specific outcomes, to the standards described in the assessment criteria, without knowledge of the listed embedded knowledge. This means that for the most part, the possession or lack of the knowledge can be directly inferred from the quality of the candidate's performance. Where direct assessment of knowledge is required, assessment criteria have been included in the body of the unit standard.

    The following embedded knowledge is addressed in an integrated way in the unit standard:
  • Know broadcast router and switcher equipment and its application
  • Know how to effectively communicate with clients
  • Own responsibilities and accountabilities in the workplace
  • Know different patchbay systems / types
  • Understand technical symbols and how to read flow diagrams
  • Know how to identify audio and video sources and destinations
  • How to identified, diagnosed and formulated solutions
  • Know the Standard Operating Procedures of the company when software is loaded
  • Know how to backup files
  • How to read a fault log 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identify and solve problems and make decisions using critical and creative thinking to take remedial action. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others (clients and colleagues) as a member of a team, group, organisation to achieve the required end-result. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage themselves in the work areas and their activities responsibly and effectively to complete tasks within deadlines. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect and analyse engineering information and critically evaluate the effect of this on work performance. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively (with clients and colleagues), using visual and / or language skills. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology (broadcast equipment) effectively and critically showing responsibility towards the environment (work areas and venues) and health of others (clients and colleagues). 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrate an understanding that the engineering world is a set of related systems and that problem-solving does not exist in isolation. 

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    Assessors should keep the following principles in mind when designing and conducting assessments against this unit standard:
  • Focus the assessment activities on gathering evidence in terms of the main outcome expressed in the title to ensure assessment is integrated rather than fragmented. Remember we want to declare the person competent in terms of the title. Where assessment at title level is unmanageable, then focus assessment around each specific outcome, or groups of specific outcomes.
  • Make sure evidence is gathered across the entire range, wherever it applies. Assessment activities should be as close to the real performance as possible, and where simulations or role-plays are used, there should be supporting evidence to show the candidate is able to perform in the real situation.
  • Do not focus the assessment activities on each assessment criterion. Rather make sure the assessment activities focus on outcomes and are sufficient to enable evidence to be gathered around all the assessment criteria.
  • The assessment criteria provide the specifications against which assessment judgements should be made. In most cases, knowledge can be inferred from the quality of the performances, but in other cases, knowledge and understanding will have to be tested through questioning techniques. Where this is required, there will be assessment criteria to specify the standard required.
  • The task of the assessor is to gather sufficient evidence, of the prescribed type and quality, as specified in this unit standard, that the candidate can achieve the outcomes again and again and again. This means assessors will have to judge how many repeat performances are required before they believe the performance is reproducible.
  • All assessments should be conducted in line with the following well documented principles of assessment: appropriate, fair, manageable, integrated into work or learning, valid, direct, authentic, sufficient, systematic, open and consistent. 
    		•

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    N/A 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  48792   Certificate: Broadcast Engineering  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  MICTS 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    1. Facilitation Development (PTY) LTD 
    2. HILLCROSS BUSINESS SCHOOL (PTY 
    3. OPELONG BUSINESS INSTITUTE (PT 
    4. SUPREME ICT CONSULTANTS 
    5. Varsity Institute of Science & Technology (Pty)Ltd 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.