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CourseAerospace, UAM, Drones & Space Applications open

GNSS navigation course for drones

Online course of 300 hours in GNSS navigation for drones: 6 modules covering GNSS systems, receivers and antennas for UAVs, high-precision techniques, integration with inertial navigation, and threats and robustness, with an assigned technical tutor.

Duration3 months
ModeOnline
LanguageEnglish
Start datesSet by the faculty
AwardSEIUM Institute certificate
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Learning outcomes

What you will be able to do

01

Describe how GNSS systems and their signals work.

02

Select and integrate receivers and antennas in UAVs.

03

Apply RTK, PPK and PPP techniques in drone operations.

04

Integrate GNSS with inertial navigation using Kalman filters.

05

Assess navigation accuracy and integrity.

06

Identify jamming and spoofing threats and their countermeasures.

07

Design robust navigation solutions for UAVs.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Satellite navigation engineers.
  • GNSS system integrators for UAVs.
  • Precision positioning specialists.
  • Guidance systems engineers.
  • Navigation integrity analysts.
  • Applied geodesy technicians.
  • Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter drone manufacturing.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • RTCM 10403.3 (differential GNSS corrections)
  • Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/945 (UAS product requirements)
  • Regulation (EU) 2021/696 (EU Space Programme)
  • RTCA DO-229 (MOPS for GPS/SBAS airborne equipment)
  • NMEA 0183 (marine electronics data interface)
  • RINEX 3.05 (receiver-independent exchange format)
  • Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/947 (rules and procedures for UAS operations)
  • RTKLIB
  • u-center
  • GNSS-SDR
  • Emlid Studio
  • MATLAB Navigation Toolbox
Syllabus

6 modules

  1. 1.1GPS, Galileo, GLONASS and BeiDou constellations
  2. 1.2Signal structure and frequencies
  3. 1.3Spreading codes and BOC modulation
  4. 1.4Navigation message and ephemerides
  5. 1.5Time scales and clocks
  6. 1.6SBAS augmentation systems: EGNOS and WAAS
  7. 1.7Galileo High Accuracy Service
  8. 1.8Satellite geometry and DOP
  9. 1.9Pseudorange error budget
  10. 1.10Practical exercise: analysis of RINEX observables
  1. 2.1Architecture of a GNSS receiver
  2. 2.2Signal acquisition and tracking
  3. 2.3Multi-band and multi-constellation receivers
  4. 2.4Patch and helical antennas
  5. 2.5Ground plane and placement on the drone
  6. 2.6Interference from on-board electronics
  7. 2.7NMEA and UBX messages
  8. 2.8Configuring u-blox modules
  9. 2.9GNSS modules over the DroneCAN bus
  10. 2.10Lab: configuring a receiver with u-center
  1. 3.1Code differential positioning
  2. 3.2RTK with a local base
  3. 3.3NTRIP networks and RTCM corrections
  4. 3.4PPK and trajectory post-processing
  5. 3.5PPP and PPP-RTK
  6. 3.6Ambiguity resolution
  7. 3.7Dual-antenna GNSS compass
  8. 3.8Accuracy in dynamic flight
  9. 3.9Synchronisation with camera and events
  10. 3.10Practical exercise: comparing RTK and PPK in a flight
  1. 4.1Fundamentals of inertial navigation
  2. 4.2Loose, tight and deep coupling
  3. 4.3Extended Kalman filter in autopilots
  4. 4.4Detection of jumps and outliers
  5. 4.5Navigation during signal loss
  6. 4.6Fusion with barometer and magnetometer
  7. 4.7Initial alignment errors
  8. 4.8Assessing solution integrity
  9. 4.9RAIM monitoring
  10. 4.10Lab: GNSS/INS fusion with real data
  1. 5.1Intentional interference and jamming
  2. 5.2Spoofing and detection of false signals
  3. 5.3Galileo OSNMA authentication
  4. 5.4CRPA antennas and spatial filtering
  5. 5.5Multipath in urban environments
  6. 5.6Ionospheric scintillation
  7. 5.7Alternative navigation without GNSS
  8. 5.8Geo-awareness and geofencing requirements
  9. 5.9Reporting interference to the authority
  10. 5.10Case study: analysis of a GNSS interference incident
  1. 6.1Defining accuracy requirements
  2. 6.2Receiver and antenna selection
  3. 6.3Integration into the platform
  4. 6.4Corrections configuration
  5. 6.5Static tests
  6. 6.6Flight tests
  7. 6.7Accuracy and integrity analysis
  8. 6.8Assessment of robustness against interference
  9. 6.9Report and presentation
  10. 6.10Final project: final review with your tutor
Methodology, software & labs

How you'll learn

Training is 100% online on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within the intake, making it compatible with work.

Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standards and applied exercises. The working software is RTKLIB, u-center, GNSS-SDR, Emlid Studio and MATLAB Navigation Toolbox, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Exercises are based on real procedures for static GNSS accuracy tests, comparative RTK and PPK flights and robustness tests against interference. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final capstone project.

Standards covered: RTCM 10403.3, Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/945, Regulation (EU) 2021/696, RTCA DO-229, NMEA 0183, RINEX 3.05, Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/947.

Assigned technical tutor:every module ends with a deliverable that your tutor marks individually.
Standards-based learning:guided reading of RTCM 10403.3, Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/945 and Regulation (EU) 2021/696 applied to real cases, not as a theoretical annex.
Industry software:RTKLIB, u-center, GNSS-SDR, Emlid Studio and MATLAB Navigation Toolbox, in free, academic or evaluation versions.
Final project:a complete GNSS navigation solution for a drone, from accuracy requirements and receiver selection to static and flight tests and interference robustness assessment, reviewed by your tutor.
Flexible format:100% online, no fixed timetables, compatible with full-time work.
Capstone project

Build it end to end

Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.

RINEX observables analysis
Analyse GNSS observables from RINEX files.
Receiver configuration
Configure a GNSS receiver with u-center.
RTK versus PPK
Compare RTK and PPK accuracy on a real flight.
GNSS/INS fusion
Fuse GNSS and inertial data with a Kalman filter.
Final project
Integrate and test a GNSS navigation solution on a drone, analysing accuracy, integrity and robustness, reviewed by your tutor.
Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Satellite navigation engineerGNSS systems integrator for UAVsPrecision positioning specialistGuidance systems engineerNavigation integrity analystApplied geodesy technician
Admissions & scholarships

Requirements

  • No prior qualification is required.
  • An internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme software.
  • English sufficient to read technical standards.

Ready to start?

Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions

The programme totals 300 hours over 3 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.

You work with RTKLIB, u-center, GNSS-SDR, Emlid Studio and MATLAB Navigation Toolbox, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.

A SEIUM Institute certificate, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the final project. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.

Yes. Modules passed are recognised in a higher programme in the same area (postgraduate diploma or master's). Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.

No prior qualification is required; you need an internet connection, a computer able to run the programme software and English sufficient to read technical standards.

Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.

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