<![CDATA[IRSE Exam Forum - Module 4]]> https://irse.signalpost.org/ Tue, 01 Sep 2026 06:47:31 +0000 MyBB <![CDATA[Study group for 2018 Exam]]> https://irse.signalpost.org/showthread.php?tid=2255 Tue, 06 Feb 2018 10:46:22 +0000 suhanya]]> https://irse.signalpost.org/showthread.php?tid=2255 Is there any study groups for Module 4? If not, anyone interested to start a study group?]]> Is there any study groups for Module 4? If not, anyone interested to start a study group?]]> <![CDATA[Module 4 Reading]]> https://irse.signalpost.org/showthread.php?tid=2203 Wed, 02 Aug 2017 10:58:59 +0000 Thumper98]]> https://irse.signalpost.org/showthread.php?tid=2203 I was told the Railway Safety, Reliability & Security book is good but it is a tad on the expensive side (£130+) unless anyone on here has a copy!!!]]> I was told the Railway Safety, Reliability & Security book is good but it is a tad on the expensive side (£130+) unless anyone on here has a copy!!!]]> <![CDATA[useful material]]> https://irse.signalpost.org/showthread.php?tid=1062 Thu, 23 Aug 2012 21:46:35 +0000 cmcvea]]> https://irse.signalpost.org/showthread.php?tid=1062 information.]]> information.]]> <![CDATA[IRSE Exams 2012]]> https://irse.signalpost.org/showthread.php?tid=999 Wed, 28 Mar 2012 15:05:59 +0000 ansuya]]> https://irse.signalpost.org/showthread.php?tid=999
Is anyone doing module 4 or 6 this year?]]>
Is anyone doing module 4 or 6 this year?]]> <![CDATA[FDM & TDM ]]> https://irse.signalpost.org/showthread.php?tid=985 Sat, 10 Mar 2012 11:48:21 +0000 cmcvea]]> https://irse.signalpost.org/showthread.php?tid=985 <![CDATA[Axle counter section, train - signalled]]> https://irse.signalpost.org/showthread.php?tid=831 Wed, 27 Jul 2011 08:59:58 +0000 fil]]> https://irse.signalpost.org/showthread.php?tid=831 Does anyone know what comms the train driver uses to contact the signaller if he/she finds an obstruction in section following a conditional reset, ie running under on sight movement authority.
Thanks
Fil]]> Does anyone know what comms the train driver uses to contact the signaller if he/she finds an obstruction in section following a conditional reset, ie running under on sight movement authority.
Thanks
Fil]]> <![CDATA[1st M4&M6 meeting last week & Question for next meeting]]> https://irse.signalpost.org/showthread.php?tid=763 Mon, 07 Mar 2011 16:10:08 +0000 nicklawford]]> https://irse.signalpost.org/showthread.php?tid=763
Date of next meeting not fixed.

We are looking at 2007 M4 Q6 for discussion at the next meeting, I'm posting this here in case there is anyone who could not make it last week but interested the next time.

Question 6 2007 Mod 4 is :

Railway telecommunications systems may use both SDH (Synchronous Digital Hierarchy) and PDH (Plesiochronous Digital Hierarchy) systems.

a) Provide a definition of SDH and identify how the data transmission differs from a PDH System. [10 marks]

b) With the aid of a diagram, state and describe the functions of all major component parts of a SDH system. [10 marks]

c) Describe what is meant by each of the following:
i) Path protection [2 marks]
ii) SDH transport structure [2 marks]
iii) Equipment redundancy [2 marks]
iv) Virtual container [2 marks]
v) Cross connect [2 marks]


--
Nick
]]>
Date of next meeting not fixed.

We are looking at 2007 M4 Q6 for discussion at the next meeting, I'm posting this here in case there is anyone who could not make it last week but interested the next time.

Question 6 2007 Mod 4 is :

Railway telecommunications systems may use both SDH (Synchronous Digital Hierarchy) and PDH (Plesiochronous Digital Hierarchy) systems.

a) Provide a definition of SDH and identify how the data transmission differs from a PDH System. [10 marks]

b) With the aid of a diagram, state and describe the functions of all major component parts of a SDH system. [10 marks]

c) Describe what is meant by each of the following:
i) Path protection [2 marks]
ii) SDH transport structure [2 marks]
iii) Equipment redundancy [2 marks]
iv) Virtual container [2 marks]
v) Cross connect [2 marks]


--
Nick
]]> <![CDATA[M4 past exam papers]]> https://irse.signalpost.org/showthread.php?tid=753 Sat, 19 Feb 2011 22:42:49 +0000 nicklawford]]> https://irse.signalpost.org/showthread.php?tid=753
With the potential London comms modules M4 & M6 Study Group about to happen, I have been digging for past papers.

I have both modules 4 and 6 past papers for the last 3 years 2008, 2009 and 2010, downloaded each year from IRSE web site when they were the last years exams respectively.

Also, I had downloaded (from this forum somewhere ?) one set of model answers for each of M4 and M6.

These are probably a good basis to make a start for the Study Group.

I know we can't upload papers to this forum, but I'm asking if anyone out there has any earlier exam papers for 2007 and earlier we could beg borrow or otherwise acquire the use of? Don't think we would want to go too far back though because of technology progression.

--
Nick
]]>
With the potential London comms modules M4 & M6 Study Group about to happen, I have been digging for past papers.

I have both modules 4 and 6 past papers for the last 3 years 2008, 2009 and 2010, downloaded each year from IRSE web site when they were the last years exams respectively.

Also, I had downloaded (from this forum somewhere ?) one set of model answers for each of M4 and M6.

These are probably a good basis to make a start for the Study Group.

I know we can't upload papers to this forum, but I'm asking if anyone out there has any earlier exam papers for 2007 and earlier we could beg borrow or otherwise acquire the use of? Don't think we would want to go too far back though because of technology progression.

--
Nick
]]> <![CDATA[Some more model Answers]]> https://irse.signalpost.org/showthread.php?tid=595 Tue, 17 Aug 2010 09:19:09 +0000 seanmac]]> https://irse.signalpost.org/showthread.php?tid=595 <![CDATA[Model Answers]]> https://irse.signalpost.org/showthread.php?tid=405 Wed, 19 May 2010 14:29:33 +0000 seanmac]]> https://irse.signalpost.org/showthread.php?tid=405 <![CDATA[M4 M6 2011 study material + London study group]]> https://irse.signalpost.org/showthread.php?tid=337 Sat, 20 Feb 2010 15:43:15 +0000 nicklawford]]> https://irse.signalpost.org/showthread.php?tid=337
Because it is background, I had not posted - to avoid stealing the thunder of others.


Perhaps I should have updated, so my apologies, but I was holding back for something more definite to post.


When I made the original posting in June 2009 I had intended sitting M4 and M6 this year. It has since come to light a couple of experienced railways telecoms engineers are giving their time and effort to creating study material. I understand the aim is for mid-2010 for inclusion in the 2011 study pack. With this in mind, I moved my own plans to sit M4 / M6 to 2011 - and hence my interest in study groups - perhaps this where I really should have updated this forum.

I have volunteered myself to set up / assist / co-ordinate / administer / whatever a London based study group for 2011 M4 / M6. I doubt I'll be able to lead any study though ... I am very much a ''student'' rather than a ''teacher'' as my exam technique is rusty. The last time I sat a formal exam was 1982!!! Even though I have near 25 years in telecoms technical support with two multinationals, I have very little railway experience. CCTV for example - I know nothing. Thus while I might have the technical knoweldge I have zero confidence to turn that into what is needed to pass an exam for myself, never mind advise others.


One important factor to bear in mind for the IRSE 2010/2011 year - the incoming IRSE President [*] for 2010/2011 is apparently keen to promote telecoms within IRSE. With main line ERTMS ETCS containing, and GSM-R itself, telecoms elements - likewise TBTC/CTBC TETRA within the (my) metro domain - this area is going to grow. I hope the President-elects' direction will catalyse IRSE members and potential members with telecoms backgrounds - and maybe experience more exam support. If we can look forward to increased telecoms IRSE Technical Papers over the next year well then thats material for examiners to base questions on and study material for ourselves.




This answer probably does not help you much for 2010 exams, so again my apologies for not updating the thread.




Of course, none of this prevents M4 or M6 study groups for 2010 ... perhaps there are others interested in 2010 M4 and/or M6 ... and maybe would want to set one up.

If it were in the London area probably participate to some degree, if only to gain experience and thus feedback into the 2011 ideas.


[*] Paul Jenkins


--
Nick
(20-02-2010, 04:43 PM)nicklawford Wrote: As I quickly posted earlier under the 2010 thread, things are still moving in the background ... but for myself towards 2011 rather than 2010 .


I am also thinking about an official approach to IRSE asking for a one off dispensation to release a further one years past M4 + M6 exam papers for use in this group.

I am aware of IRSE policy ... while I can understand their viewpoint, I do not wholly agree with it. I think there is good reason for making M4 + M6 a special case - the paucity of M4 + M6 material. The number of candidates sitting mainstream M1 M2 M3 M7 makes for higher availability of past questions, worked examples, and sample attempts.

M4 + M6 are in a chickens and eggs situation - we need more examples to help kick start self study or exam groups. I myself have only seen complete M4 + M6 papers for 2009 (currently on IRSE web site) and 2008 (IRSE site last year).

M4 + M6 have 7 rather than the 10 questions that M2 M3 etc have. Candidates looking at say the last 5 years papers for M2 or M3 have up to 50 sample questions per module to draw on /somewhere/ for 2005-2009. For the same years, M4 or M6 candidates have only the 14 questions from 2008 and 2009 - only 28% of equivalent material yet carry the same exam marks and module weighting.

So I am thinking about approaching IRSE for official permission for 2007 M4 + M6 exams questions to be released to this forum, in a different format if necessary. Would increase our past papers examples by 50%.

--
Nick]]>
Because it is background, I had not posted - to avoid stealing the thunder of others.


Perhaps I should have updated, so my apologies, but I was holding back for something more definite to post.


When I made the original posting in June 2009 I had intended sitting M4 and M6 this year. It has since come to light a couple of experienced railways telecoms engineers are giving their time and effort to creating study material. I understand the aim is for mid-2010 for inclusion in the 2011 study pack. With this in mind, I moved my own plans to sit M4 / M6 to 2011 - and hence my interest in study groups - perhaps this where I really should have updated this forum.

I have volunteered myself to set up / assist / co-ordinate / administer / whatever a London based study group for 2011 M4 / M6. I doubt I'll be able to lead any study though ... I am very much a ''student'' rather than a ''teacher'' as my exam technique is rusty. The last time I sat a formal exam was 1982!!! Even though I have near 25 years in telecoms technical support with two multinationals, I have very little railway experience. CCTV for example - I know nothing. Thus while I might have the technical knoweldge I have zero confidence to turn that into what is needed to pass an exam for myself, never mind advise others.


One important factor to bear in mind for the IRSE 2010/2011 year - the incoming IRSE President [*] for 2010/2011 is apparently keen to promote telecoms within IRSE. With main line ERTMS ETCS containing, and GSM-R itself, telecoms elements - likewise TBTC/CTBC TETRA within the (my) metro domain - this area is going to grow. I hope the President-elects' direction will catalyse IRSE members and potential members with telecoms backgrounds - and maybe experience more exam support. If we can look forward to increased telecoms IRSE Technical Papers over the next year well then thats material for examiners to base questions on and study material for ourselves.




This answer probably does not help you much for 2010 exams, so again my apologies for not updating the thread.




Of course, none of this prevents M4 or M6 study groups for 2010 ... perhaps there are others interested in 2010 M4 and/or M6 ... and maybe would want to set one up.

If it were in the London area probably participate to some degree, if only to gain experience and thus feedback into the 2011 ideas.


[*] Paul Jenkins


--
Nick
(20-02-2010, 04:43 PM)nicklawford Wrote: As I quickly posted earlier under the 2010 thread, things are still moving in the background ... but for myself towards 2011 rather than 2010 .


I am also thinking about an official approach to IRSE asking for a one off dispensation to release a further one years past M4 + M6 exam papers for use in this group.

I am aware of IRSE policy ... while I can understand their viewpoint, I do not wholly agree with it. I think there is good reason for making M4 + M6 a special case - the paucity of M4 + M6 material. The number of candidates sitting mainstream M1 M2 M3 M7 makes for higher availability of past questions, worked examples, and sample attempts.

M4 + M6 are in a chickens and eggs situation - we need more examples to help kick start self study or exam groups. I myself have only seen complete M4 + M6 papers for 2009 (currently on IRSE web site) and 2008 (IRSE site last year).

M4 + M6 have 7 rather than the 10 questions that M2 M3 etc have. Candidates looking at say the last 5 years papers for M2 or M3 have up to 50 sample questions per module to draw on /somewhere/ for 2005-2009. For the same years, M4 or M6 candidates have only the 14 questions from 2008 and 2009 - only 28% of equivalent material yet carry the same exam marks and module weighting.

So I am thinking about approaching IRSE for official permission for 2007 M4 + M6 exams questions to be released to this forum, in a different format if necessary. Would increase our past papers examples by 50%.

--
Nick]]> <![CDATA[Module 4 (and 6) in 2010 anyone ?]]> https://irse.signalpost.org/showthread.php?tid=238 Mon, 08 Jun 2009 20:41:22 +0000 nicklawford]]> https://irse.signalpost.org/showthread.php?tid=238
It seems my best choice of four modules is going to be 1 4 6 and 7 - especially after a recent job change that has moved me a bit further away from signalling matters and towards rail (metro) communications and applications.

Are there any UK people out - especially in the London area - considering for *2010* either one or both of the two communications modules M4 Communications Principles and M6 Communications Equipment, Applications Engineering ?

--
Nick]]>
It seems my best choice of four modules is going to be 1 4 6 and 7 - especially after a recent job change that has moved me a bit further away from signalling matters and towards rail (metro) communications and applications.

Are there any UK people out - especially in the London area - considering for *2010* either one or both of the two communications modules M4 Communications Principles and M6 Communications Equipment, Applications Engineering ?

--
Nick]]> <![CDATA[Useful learning or revision material ?]]> https://irse.signalpost.org/showthread.php?tid=214 Tue, 07 Apr 2009 17:53:40 +0000 nicklawford]]> https://irse.signalpost.org/showthread.php?tid=214

www.iec.org

This site, the American based International Engineering Consortium, makes available in their download area over 100 self teaching tutorials on a wide range of telecoms subjects. Each has its own self test after the main paper, and answers at the end.


The downside is - at least from here in the UK - is that the papers are largely but not exclusively drawn from the American viewpoint thus refer to ASNI standards e.g. their basic 56 k digital channels not European 64 k, and to SONET not SDH and so on in some fibre optic papers, although both SDH and SONET have their own main papers. On the other hand, there may even be overseas members working to north American standards. Some papers are also approaching 10 years old, so not always is the latest standard referred to.

I am aware that much railway telecoms are atypical of the general case, and many of the tutorials are of no use whatsoever in this environment. Nonetheless there are a few good papers - for example, the ''SDH'' document (attached if I can do it) describes more or less the fundamentals of an SDH (synchronous digital hierarchy) optical fibre network similar to the ''backbone'' of the Jubilee line (a network I have first hand knowledge of).


Also attached is the basic fibre optic technology file, as an example of what else is there.



To download the other PDF files go here:

http://www.iec.org/online/tutorials/


but you have to register, for free, all you need do is create a password.




Hope someone finds this useful , either for some revision or for some new learning.




--
Nick]]>

www.iec.org

This site, the American based International Engineering Consortium, makes available in their download area over 100 self teaching tutorials on a wide range of telecoms subjects. Each has its own self test after the main paper, and answers at the end.


The downside is - at least from here in the UK - is that the papers are largely but not exclusively drawn from the American viewpoint thus refer to ASNI standards e.g. their basic 56 k digital channels not European 64 k, and to SONET not SDH and so on in some fibre optic papers, although both SDH and SONET have their own main papers. On the other hand, there may even be overseas members working to north American standards. Some papers are also approaching 10 years old, so not always is the latest standard referred to.

I am aware that much railway telecoms are atypical of the general case, and many of the tutorials are of no use whatsoever in this environment. Nonetheless there are a few good papers - for example, the ''SDH'' document (attached if I can do it) describes more or less the fundamentals of an SDH (synchronous digital hierarchy) optical fibre network similar to the ''backbone'' of the Jubilee line (a network I have first hand knowledge of).


Also attached is the basic fibre optic technology file, as an example of what else is there.



To download the other PDF files go here:

http://www.iec.org/online/tutorials/


but you have to register, for free, all you need do is create a password.




Hope someone finds this useful , either for some revision or for some new learning.




--
Nick]]> <![CDATA[Hello There! Anyone Doing Module 4 This Year?]]> https://irse.signalpost.org/showthread.php?tid=22 Fri, 22 Feb 2008 23:04:21 +0000 NizamKhalid]]> https://irse.signalpost.org/showthread.php?tid=22
Just wondering whether anyone's doing Module 4 this year?

2 of us at my company have decided to do it.

If you know anyone who's gonna do it too, please give us a shout. It'll be nice (and very productive, hopefully!) to help each other, share resources and compare notes.

Thanks. Waiting for your replies!

Regards
Nizam]]>
Just wondering whether anyone's doing Module 4 this year?

2 of us at my company have decided to do it.

If you know anyone who's gonna do it too, please give us a shout. It'll be nice (and very productive, hopefully!) to help each other, share resources and compare notes.

Thanks. Waiting for your replies!

Regards
Nizam]]>