Diploma in SDR and Military Waveforms
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in SDR and military waveforms. 8 modules covering SDR architecture, digital signal processing, modulation and coding, SCA 4.1, standardised HF/UHF waveforms, FPGA implementation and certification, with an assigned technical tutor.
Diploma in SDR and Military Waveforms — studying from Malta
Malta's defence sector is comparatively small, reflecting the country's neutrality and modest armed forces. Activity centres on the Armed Forces of Malta, maritime surveillance, border security and the associated technical support. Engineering roles are mostly found in equipment maintenance, communications, infrastructure and government procurement rather than large-scale defence manufacturing. Professionals may find opportunities through public service and contractors supplying the armed forces and related agencies, where reliability and compliance with national procurement rules are important.
Fees for Malta: €1,490 (Euro), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in Malta
Typical roles
Questions from Malta
Which bodies regulate defence and military engineering work in Malta?
Malta's Armed Forces and the Ministry responsible for defence oversee military engineering and procurement. General engineering practice is regulated by the Chamber of Engineers (KSU) under the Engineering Profession Act. Export and dual-use controls follow EU and national rules. A SEIUM qualification is private and not accredited, so any recognition depends on employers or the relevant authority.
What career paths exist in Malta for land systems and defence engineering?
Opportunities in Malta are limited and mostly within government, the Armed Forces and their suppliers, with more substantial defence industry work typically found abroad. Many roles require security clearance and specific experience. A private qualification can support your profile, but you should expect employers to focus on experience and clearance eligibility.
How do I study this from Malta, and what should I consider about workload and funding?
The programme is delivered fully online in English, with an assigned technical tutor and a final project. You do not need a visa to study from home in Malta. Durations range from 300 to 1,900 hours, so plan time alongside any work commitments. Ask about instalment payments and whether employer sponsorship is available.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Understand the architecture of software-defined radios.
Design digital signal processing chains for communications.
Implement waveforms on reconfigurable platforms.
Apply the SCA architecture and waveform portability.
Analyse military waveform standards for HF, VHF, UHF and satellite.
Verify waveforms through laboratory testing.
Take security and certification into account in reconfigurable radios.
Who it's for
- Software-defined radio engineers.
- Waveform developers.
- Digital signal processing engineers.
- Communications systems engineers.
- FPGA engineers.
- Radio test engineers.
- Engineering or science graduates looking to enter the defence sector.
What you'll work with
- SCA 4.1 (Software Communications Architecture, JTNC)
- MIL-STD-188-110D (HF data modems)
- MIL-STD-188-181C (single-access UHF SATCOM terminals)
- STANAG 4538 (third-generation HF automatic link establishment)
- STANAG 4285 (HF modem characteristics)
- STANAG 5066 (HF data protocol)
- ETSI EN 300 392 (TETRA)
- GNU Radio
- MATLAB Communications Toolbox
- REDHAWK
- Ettus UHD
- LabVIEW
8 modules
1.1From the superheterodyne receiver to SDR1.2Direct conversion and sampling1.3High-speed ADCs and DACs1.4RF front ends1.5FPGAs, DSPs and processors1.6Commercial platforms1.7Reconfigurable tactical radios1.8Advantages and limitations1.9Technology trends1.10Case study: analysis of an SDR platform
2.1Sampling and quantisation2.2FIR and IIR filters2.3Digital frequency conversion2.4Decimation and interpolation2.5Fast Fourier transform2.6Symbol synchronisation2.7Carrier recovery2.8Equalisation2.9Automatic gain control2.10Lab: receive chain in GNU Radio
3.1PSK and QAM modulation3.2Constant-envelope modulation3.3OFDM3.4Spread spectrum3.5Frequency hopping3.6Convolutional and turbo coding3.7LDPC codes3.8Interleaving3.9Performance in fading channels3.10Practical exercise: bit error rate measurement in a simulated channel
4.1Software Communications Architecture4.2Core framework4.3Interfaces and components4.4Domain descriptors4.5Waveform portability4.6REDHAWK development environments4.7Waveform libraries4.8SCA compliance and certification4.9The European ESSOR initiative4.10Lab: deploying components in REDHAWK
5.1HF modems according to MIL-STD-188-110D5.2STANAG 42855.3HF automatic link establishment STANAG 45385.4STANAG 5066 data protocol5.5UHF SATCOM MIL-STD-188-181C5.6Narrowband waveforms5.7Networked wideband waveforms5.8TETRA for public safety5.9Waveform interoperability5.10Case study: analysis of a standardised HF waveform
6.1FPGA design flows6.2High-level synthesis6.3Fixed-point arithmetic6.4Resources and timing6.5Interfaces with processors6.6Hardware-software partitioning6.7Verification by co-simulation6.8Power consumption6.9Hardware debugging6.10Practical exercise: implementing a filter on an FPGA
7.1Waveform conformance testing7.2Interoperability testing7.3Spectrum and emissions measurements7.4Red/black separation7.5Cryptographic modules7.6Security of reconfigurable software7.7Spectrum management and licensing7.8Equipment certification7.9Export control7.10Workshop: verification plan for a waveform
8.1Waveform requirements8.2Transmit chain design8.3Receive chain design8.4Implementation in GNU Radio8.5Porting to a reconfigurable platform8.6Laboratory tests8.7Performance analysis8.8Conclusions8.9Report and presentation8.10Final project: final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
100% online training 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 each intake, so it fits around your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is GNU Radio, MATLAB Communications Toolbox, REDHAWK, Ettus UHD and LabVIEW, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Practical work is based on real procedures: implementing a modulation chain in GNU Radio, porting a waveform to an SCA platform and measuring the bit error rate in a simulated channel. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final integrating project.
Standards covered: SCA 4.1, MIL-STD-188-110D, MIL-STD-188-181C, STANAG 4538, STANAG 4285, STANAG 5066, ETSI EN 300 392.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. No university degree 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.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 800 hours over 6–8 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with GNU Radio, MATLAB Communications Toolbox, REDHAWK, Ettus UHD and LabVIEW, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.
A SEIUM Institute diploma, 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.
Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector (no university degree required), 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.
Related programmes
Diploma in EASA Mil and EMAR Regulations for Helicopters
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in EASA Mil and EMAR regulations for helicopters, with 8 modules covering the rotorcraft regulatory framework, rotors and transmissions, handling…
Diploma in Defence Programme Auditing
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in defence programme auditing, structured in 8 modules covering external and internal control, special modernisation programmes, cost auditing, schedule and…
Diploma in Tactical Aircraft Design
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in tactical aircraft design: 8 modules covering conceptual design, configuration, weight and balance, performance, structures, systems and avionics, and cost…
More in Defense, Military Engineering & Land Systems
All Defense, Military Engineering & Land Systems programmes → · How to apply · Fees & financing · Scholarships