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: 

Plan and execute a survey using GNSS/GPS 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
11760  Plan and execute a survey using GNSS/GPS 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Surveying 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 12 - Physical Planning and Construction Physical Planning, Design and Management 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  8 
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 has been developed for the surveying occupational area and is intended for persons who aim to achieve career advancement within social and economic transformation by gaining surveying skills leading to a qualification based on unit standards. A person who has successfully completed this unit standard is able to determine the position of survey points using the Global Positioning System (GPS).

A qualifying learner credited with this unit standard will be able to:
  • Display a knowledge of Global Positing Systems GPS positioning principles and procedures
  • Prepare for positioning of survey points by GPS
  • Determine the preliminary position of survey points.
  • Complete the work sequence in accordance with survey standards. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    NQF Level 4 numeracy, literacy and computer skills.

    Coordinate transformations and conversions, a basic knowledge of error propagation and adjustment and a basic knowledge of electromagnetic wave forms will facilitate better understanding and proficiency in this unit standard. 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Display knowledge of GPS positioning principles and procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1. Theory and principles associated with GPS practice is understood and explained in accordance with task specific survey requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    GNSS, GPS satellites, orbits, ephemerides, satellite signals & frequencies, carrier phase, pseudo-ranging, single and dual frequency receivers, antenna, antenna phase centre, base station, integer ambiguity, multi-path, autonomous position, baselines, static positioning, post processing, real time positioning (DGPS & RTK).
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2. Theory and principles associated with GPS positioning are understood and explained in accordance with task specific survey standards. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    3. GPS operating and elementary processing procedures are understood and explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    4. Co-ordinate systems associated with GPS are understood and explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    5. Errors associated with GPS positioning are understood and explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    6. Applicable task specific legal and safety requirements are understood and explained. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Prepare for positioning of survey points by GPS. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1. GPS equipment and software required for the task is verified for use in accordance with manufacturers' specifications. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2. GPS survey is planned in accordance with manufacturers' specifications and project requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    3. Permission to enter the work place, if necessary, is obtained in accordance with task specific requirements. The consequences of non-compliance are explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    4. Details of the work place and other relevant information, if required, are obtained in accordance with task requirements and instructions. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    5. Workplace hazards and sub-standard conditions are explained and, if found during continuous examination, dealt with in accordance with task specific requirements. The consequences of non-compliance are explained. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Determine the preliminary position of survey points. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1. Work related hazards and associated risks are explained, and if found, dealt with in accordance with legal and task specific requirements. The consequences of non-compliance are explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2. Personal protective equipment is used throughout in accordance with task and manufacturers' specifications. The consequences of non-compliance are explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    3. GPS stations are located and identified in accordance with the job instruction. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    4. Base stations are identified and GPS receivers positioned (if necessary) in accordance with manufacturers' specifications. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    5. GPS data and attributes of survey points are recorded in accordance with task specific and precision and accuracy requirements. The consequences of non-compliance are explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    6. Preliminary co-ordinates of points are computed. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    7. The advantages and disadvantages of fixing the position of survey points by GPS are explained. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
  • National Control Survey points, GPS ephemerides.
  • Planning of survey, site selection of survey points, baseline solution selection, preliminary autonomous position and baseline processing.
     
    		•

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Complete the work sequence in accordance with survey standards. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1. Survey point information is stored in accordance with legal and project requirements.. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Indexing, filing, cross-referencing (manually or electronically).
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2. Equipment and software is collected and accounted for before leaving the work place. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    3. Equipment and software is maintained and kept up-to date and if found defective, dealt with in accordance with manufacturers' specifications and managerial instructions. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    4. Reporting requirements are dealt with in accordance with managerial instructions. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    5. The importance of completing the work sequence is explained. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
    1. Anyone assessing a learner against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA.

    2. Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this unit standard or will assess this unit standard must be accredited as a provider with the relevant ETQA and registered with the FE /HE registrar.

    3. Moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA according to the moderation guidelines in the relevant qualification and the agreed ETQA procedures.

    4. Anyone wishing to become an assessor or provider of learning must provide an affordable assessment / learning service.

    Therefore anyone wishing to be assessed against this unit standard may apply to be assessed by any assessment agency, assessor or provider institution that is accredited by the relevant ETQA. 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Solve problems. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as a member of a team/group/organisation or community. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, organise and critically evaluate information. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively using visual, mathematics and language skills in the modes of oral and written presentations. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically (showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others). 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO CONTRIBUTING 
    Contribute to the full development of each learner and the social and economic development of society at large. 

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    For an applicant to register as an assessor, the applicant needs:
  • A minimum of 2 (two) years' practical, relevant occupational experience.
  • Declared competent in all the outcomes of the National Assessor Unit Standards as stipulated by SAQA.

    Detailed documentary proof of educational qualification, practical training undergone, and experience gained by the applicant must be provided (Portfolio of Evidence). 
    		•

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

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    Supplementary Information

    The relevant information is contained in one or more of the following documents:
  • Training manuals
  • Survey Codes of Practice
  • Survey Instructions
  • Managerial Instructions
  • Professional Publications

    The appropriate sections are contained in one or more of the following documents:
  • Surface Surveying

    - Land Survey Act 8 of 1987
    - South African Professional and Technical Surveyor's Act 40 of 1984
  • Minerals Surveying

    - Mine Health and Safety Act 29/1996
    - Mineral Act 50 of 1991

    1. Equipment and software means, but is not limited to, GPS receivers and antennas, computers, appropriate software, radio equipment.

    2. Personal protective equipment means, but is not limited to, hearing protection, hard hat, safety footwear, eye protection, hand protection, life lines, reflective gear.

    3. Workplace hazards and sub-standard conditions may include, but is not limited to high wall, undermined ground, snakes, strong wind, loose ground, wet/muddy conditions, skew beacons, confined spaces.

    4. Work related hazards and associated risks may include, but is not limited to, traffic, overhead power lines, water, working at elevated positions, veld fires.

    5. Base station means a reference station of known co-ordinates on which a GPS receiver is placed and which operates either continuously or as required and is used as a reference for GPS surveys.

    6. Survey point is a point fixed within the required limits of error.

    7. Recording means the storage of observations on a data logger (electronically) and sketches or notes in a field book. 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Elective  20486   National Certificate: Surveying  Level 4  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L4  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  CETA 


    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.
     
    NONE 


    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.