Diploma in TT&C Protocols and Link Security
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in TT&C protocols and link security. 8 modules covering TT&C fundamentals, modulation and coding, data link layer protocols, packets and PUS services, tracking and ranging, SDLS link security, and key management and cybersecurity, with an assigned technical tutor.
Diploma in TT&C Protocols and Link Security — studying from Malta
Malta's aerospace activity is concentrated around Malta International Airport at Luqa, where aircraft maintenance, cabin interiors and aviation services form a significant part of the local economy. The island's aviation sector is supported by a long-established regulatory framework and a growing interest in drone operations and advanced air mobility. Engineers here commonly find work with aircraft maintenance organisations, aviation services providers and companies engaged in unmanned systems testing. Expertise in airworthiness, systems integration and regulatory compliance is particularly valued by employers operating within this niche but internationally connected market.
Fees for Malta: €1,790 (Euro), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in Malta
Typical roles
Questions from Malta
Which professional bodies in Malta recognise engineers working in aerospace, UAM, drones and space, and how does that affect my title?
Malta's Chamber of Engineers (KSU) regulates the use of the title 'engineer' under the Engineering Profession Act. Aviation safety is overseen by the Malta Competition and Consumers Affairs Authority's aviation counterpart, Transport Malta's Civil Aviation Directorate, which licenses operators and certain technical staff. A private SEIUM qualification does not itself grant a regulated title; recognition depends on the employer or the relevant body.
Which employers in Malta might hire someone with an aerospace or drone engineering background?
Malta has an aviation sector centred on Malta International Airport, aircraft maintenance and MRO activity, and a growing drone and space-related presence at the University of Malta and in private firms. Employers vary in their hiring criteria. A private qualification can support a application, but employers will weigh it against experience and any formal credentials they require.
Can I realistically study this 1,900-hour programme while working full time in Malta, and do I need a visa?
Programmes are fully online and taught in English, so you can study from home in Malta or elsewhere without a student visa. Each student gets an assigned technical tutor. Workload should be planned around your job; 1,900 hours is substantial, so most working professionals spread it over a long period. Ask about employer sponsorship and instalment fee options before enrolling.
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
Describe the telemetry, telecommand and tracking functions.
Calculate link budgets and select modulation and coding.
Apply CCSDS data link layer protocols.
Structure packets and PUS services.
Explain ranging and Doppler measurement techniques.
Implement link security with SDLS.
Manage keys and cybersecurity risks in the space system.
Who it's for
- TT&C engineers.
- Space communications engineers.
- Space cybersecurity specialists.
- Onboard software engineers.
- Ground segment engineers.
- Radio frequency engineers.
- Engineering or science graduates looking to join a satellite operator.
What you'll work with
- CCSDS 355.0-B (Space Data Link Security)
- CCSDS 132.0-B (TM Space Data Link Protocol)
- CCSDS 232.0-B (TC Space Data Link Protocol)
- CCSDS 131.0-B (TM synchronisation and channel coding)
- CCSDS 231.0-B (TC synchronisation and channel coding)
- CCSDS 352.0-B (CCSDS cryptographic algorithms)
- ECSS-E-ST-50C (communications)
- ECSS-E-ST-70-41C (telemetry and telecommand packet utilisation (PUS))
- GNU Radio
- Wireshark
- MATLAB
- Yamcs
8 modules
1.1Telemetry, telecommand and tracking functions1.2TT&C frequency bands1.3Transponders1.4Onboard antennas1.5Link budget1.6Losses and margins1.7Coherence and turnaround ratio1.8Emergency modes1.9Spectrum regulations1.10Practical exercise: S-band link budget
2.1PCM/PSK/PM and BPSK modulation2.2High-efficiency modulation schemes2.3Subcarriers2.4Convolutional coding2.5Reed-Solomon2.6Turbo and LDPC codes2.7Randomisation2.8Frame synchronisation2.9BER performance2.10Lab: modulation chain in GNU Radio
3.1CCSDS telemetry frames3.2Telecommand frames3.3Virtual channels3.4COP-1 procedure3.5AOS protocol3.6USLP protocol3.7Proximity-13.8Error management3.9Link configuration3.10Practical exercise: decoding telemetry frames
4.1Space Packet Protocol4.2ECSS PUS standard4.3Telecommand verification services4.4Housekeeping telemetry4.5Events and monitoring4.6Memory management4.7Time-tagged telecommands4.8Mission-specific tailoring4.9TM/TC databases4.10Workshop: defining the PUS services of a mission
5.1Tone ranging5.2Pseudo-noise ranging5.3Two-way Doppler5.4Angular measurements5.5Delta-DOR5.6Station calibrations5.7Tropospheric and ionospheric errors5.8Use in orbit determination5.9Regenerative ranging5.10Case study: analysis of ranging data
6.1Threats to space links6.2Telecommand authentication6.3Encryption and confidentiality6.4CCSDS SDLS protocol6.5Security associations6.6Anti-replay protection6.7Recommended cryptographic algorithms6.8Impact on performance6.9Hardware implementation6.10Practical exercise: configuring security associations
7.1Key life cycle7.2In-flight key management7.3Ground segment security architecture7.4Risk analysis of space systems7.5Monitoring and incident response7.6Supply chain security7.7Cybersecurity frameworks applied to space7.8European cybersecurity regulations7.9Lessons from incidents7.10Case study: risk analysis of a TT&C link
8.1Mission requirements8.2Link budget8.3Selection of modulation and coding8.4Protocol configuration8.5PUS service design8.6Security architecture8.7Verification plan8.8Conclusions8.9Report and presentation8.10Final project: final review with the tutor
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 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, Wireshark, MATLAB and Yamcs, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Practical work is based on real procedures for TT&C link budgets, decoding CCSDS frames and threat analysis of space links. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final project.
Standards covered: CCSDS 355.0-B, CCSDS 132.0-B, CCSDS 232.0-B, CCSDS 131.0-B, CCSDS 231.0-B, CCSDS 352.0-B, ECSS-E-ST-50C, ECSS-E-ST-70-41C.
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.
- 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, Wireshark, MATLAB and Yamcs, 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 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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