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: 

Demonstrate an understanding of the principles of air traffic management radar surveillance systems 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
230213  Demonstrate an understanding of the principles of air traffic management radar surveillance systems 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Aerospace Operations 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 10 - Physical, Mathematical, Computer and Life Sciences Physical Sciences 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  6 
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
2024-06-30   2027-06-30  

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 
The qualifying learner will be capable of demonstrating an understanding of the principles of Air Traffic Management Radar Surveillance.

Qualifying learners will be capable of:
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the concepts of Primary Radar.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the concepts Secondary Radar.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the concepts Surface Movement Control Radar.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the concepts Automatic Dependant Surveillance. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    It is assumed that a learner will be competent in:
  • Communication at NQF Level 4 or equivalent.
  • Mathematics at NQF Level 4 or equivalent. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Explain Primary Radar Concepts. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Primary Radar Concepts are explained in terms of theory of operation. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Theory of operation includes, but is not limited to:
  • The radar equation.
  • Coverage.
  • Range.
  • Distance measurement.
  • Azimuth.
  • Sensitivity.
  • Wave-guide theory.
  • Propagation and probability of detection.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Primary Radar Concepts are explained in terms of use in Air Traffic Control. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Primary Radar use in Air Traffic Control includes, but is not limited to:
  • The detection of aircraft.
  • Plotting of aircraft in Azimuth.
  • Range.
  • The facilitation of the control and separation of aircraft in the air space under surveillance.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Primary Radar Concepts are explained in terms of basic elements of a typical system. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Basic elements of a typical Primary Radar System include, but are not limited to:
  • Detection.
  • Plot Extraction.
  • Plot Processing.
  • Track Generation.
  • Data Transmission to Centres.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Primary Radar Concepts are explained in terms of functionality and performance of a typical Primary Radar system. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Functionality and performance of a typical Primary Radar System includes, but is not limited to:
  • Antennas.
  • Transmitter.
  • Receiver.
  • Power module.
  • Signal processing.
  • Radar displays.
  • Range and probability of detection.
     
    		•

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Explain Secondary Radar Concepts. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Secondary Radar Concepts are explained in terms of theory of operation. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Theory of operation includes, but is not limited to:
  • Secondary/monopulse radar theory.
  • Coverage.
  • Range.
  • Distance measurement.
  • Azimuth.
  • Sensitivity.
  • Propagation.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Secondary Radar Concepts are explained in terms of use in Air Traffic Control. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Use in Air Traffic Control includes, but is not limited to:
  • The detection of aircraft.
  • Identification of aircraft.
  • Plotting of aircraft in height.
  • Azimuth and range.
  • The facilitation of the control and separation of aircraft in the air space under surveillance.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Secondary Radar Concepts are explained in terms of basic elements of a typical system. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Basic elements of a typical Secondary Radar System includes, but is not limited to:
  • Detection.
  • Plot Extraction.
  • Plot Processing.
  • Track Generation.
  • Data Transmission to Centres.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Secondary Radar Concepts are explained in terms of functionality and performance of a typical Secondary Radar system. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Typical Secondary Radar System includes, but is not limited to:
  • Antennas.
  • Transmitter.
  • Receiver.
  • Transponders.
  • Radar Data processing.
  • Mode S.
  • Radar Displays.
     
    		•

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Explain Surface Movement Control Radar. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Surface Movement Control Radar Concepts are explained in terms of theory of operation. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Theory of operation includes, but is not limited to:
  • Radar theory.
  • Coverage.
  • Range.
  • Distance measurement.
  • Azimuth.
  • Sensitivity.
  • Propagation.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Surface Movement Control Radar Concepts are explained in terms of use in Air Traffic Control. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Use in Air Traffic Control includes, but is not limited to: the detection of aircraft and other moving objects on the runways and manoeuvring areas of an airport under all weather conditions.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Surface Movement Control Radar Concepts are explained in terms of basic elements of a typical system. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Basic elements of a typical System include, but are not limited to:
  • Detection.
  • Data Processing.
  • Mapping.
  • Display.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Surface Movement Control Radar Concepts are explained in terms of functionality and performance of a typical Surface Movement Control Radar system. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Functionality and performance of typical Surface Movement Control Radar System includes, but is not limited to:
  • Antenna.
  • Transmitter.
  • Receiver.
  • Radar Data processing.
  • Radar Displays range.
  • Probability of detection.
     
    		•

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Explain Automatic Dependent Surveillance. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Automatic Dependant Surveillance Concepts are explained in terms of theory of operation. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Theory of operation includes, but is not limited to:
  • Area of surveillance.
  • Data acquisition methods.
  • Data processing.
  • Mapping.
  • Data presentation to Air Traffic Control.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Automatic Dependant Surveillance Concepts are explained in terms of use in Air Traffic Control. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Use in Air Traffic Control includes, but is not limited to: the identification of aircraft and establishing aircraft position over global distances exceeding the range of normal radar systems.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Automatic Dependant Surveillance Concepts are explained in terms of basic elements of a typical system. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Basic elements of a typical System include, but are not limited to:
  • Satellite (Navigation and Communication).
  • Ground segment.
  • Space segment.
  • Control segment.
  • Principles of the message/signal path.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Automatic Dependant Surveillance Concepts are explained in terms of functionality and performance of a typical Automatic Dependant Surveillance system. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this Unit Standard must be accredited by the relevant ETQA.
  • External Moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA at its discretion.
  • The accredited Training Provider will oversee internal moderation of assessment.
  • Internal and external moderation should encompass achievement of competence described in the specific outcomes of the unit standard as well as the integrated competence described in the purpose of the unit standard. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
  • The Radar Range Equation.
  • Radar Signal Propagation.
  • Radar Signal Detection.
  • Radar Aerial Systems.
  • Radar Transmitters.
  • Radar Receivers.
  • Transponders.
  • Radar Displays.
  • Wave-guide theory.
  • National ATM Surveillance System architecture. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others when liasing with Air Traffic Controllers and other role players in the ATM environment. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively ensuring that information communicated via technical reports is accurately recorded in a neat and logical format that can be readily accessed and understood by end-users and that ongoing oral communication is maintained with Air Traffic Control during the monitoring and operation of Surveillance Systems. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Demonstrate scientific and technological competence by applying knowledge and understanding of scientific processes to the correct understanding of sophisticated, high technology ATM equipment and diagnostic systems. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that the role of the technician is a vital part of the integrated Surveillance Systems within Air Traffic Management environment. These Systems are used by Air Traffic Control, Airline Pilots and the flying community at large and as such should therefore not be regarded as a role, which is performed in isolation. 

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
  • Assessors must be registered as assessors with a relevant ETQA or an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Assessors must be in possession of a Qualification in Aerospace Operations or a related sub-field of Physical, Mathematical, Computer and Life Sciences at a minimum of NQF Level 6. 
    		•

    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
    Fundamental  57229   National Certificate: Communications, Navigation and Surveillance Support  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2016-12-31  TETA 


    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. Aviation Training Academy 


    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.