Section C — Troubleshooting & Design (6 × 5 = 30 marks) 21. A device hangs during boot with logs stopping at "Starting kernel...". List five likely causes and one diagnostic command or action for each. (5) 22. After flashing a custom ROM the device powers on but has no video output. Give five possible causes and practical checks/fixes. (5) 23. Users report the Wi-Fi driver fails to load on your build. Describe a stepwise debugging plan (5 steps) including kernel config checks, module inspection, and firmware handling. (5) 24. You must produce an update (upd) package to allow users to upgrade via recovery. Specify the file structure, manifest, and signing considerations, and give sample commands to create a signed update.zip for Android-based systems. (5) 25. Propose a secure procedure for providing OTA update images to end users that minimizes bricking risk. Include pre-checks, rollback strategy, and verification steps. (5) 26. Describe how to upstream a device tree change for H616-based boards: required repository targets, patch format, tests, and common review pitfalls. (5)
Scoring rubric: Answers must be technically correct, commands should be syntactically valid, and troubleshooting steps actionable. Partial credit awarded for correct reasoning and safe procedures.
Duration: 120 minutes Total marks: 100
— End of Exam
Section C — Troubleshooting & Design (6 × 5 = 30 marks) 21. A device hangs during boot with logs stopping at "Starting kernel...". List five likely causes and one diagnostic command or action for each. (5) 22. After flashing a custom ROM the device powers on but has no video output. Give five possible causes and practical checks/fixes. (5) 23. Users report the Wi-Fi driver fails to load on your build. Describe a stepwise debugging plan (5 steps) including kernel config checks, module inspection, and firmware handling. (5) 24. You must produce an update (upd) package to allow users to upgrade via recovery. Specify the file structure, manifest, and signing considerations, and give sample commands to create a signed update.zip for Android-based systems. (5) 25. Propose a secure procedure for providing OTA update images to end users that minimizes bricking risk. Include pre-checks, rollback strategy, and verification steps. (5) 26. Describe how to upstream a device tree change for H616-based boards: required repository targets, patch format, tests, and common review pitfalls. (5)
Scoring rubric: Answers must be technically correct, commands should be syntactically valid, and troubleshooting steps actionable. Partial credit awarded for correct reasoning and safe procedures.
Duration: 120 minutes Total marks: 100
— End of Exam
I chose CAE to complete my ground school as I have sometimes struggled academically and felt that, to give myself the best chance, I should go to the best school. I haven't been disappointed. All of the instructors were excellent and were always happy to help me…I genuinely think that I would have done considerably less well in my exams if it hadn't been for CAE instructors. I could not speak more highly of them and would, and will, thoroughly recommend CAE as the best school.
David Crook
Modular ATPL Ground School Graduate
