Postgraduate Diploma in Propagation, Channels and OTA Models
Online 800 h Postgraduate Diploma in Propagation, Channels and OTA Models. 8 modules covering 3GPP TR 38.901, ITU-R P.1238 and QuaDRiGa. Assigned tutor and open enrolment.
Postgraduate Diploma in Propagation, Channels and OTA Models — studying from New Zealand
Electronics and telecommunications are significant New Zealand industries, with Chorus operating the national fibre network and Spark, One NZ and 2degrees providing mobile services. Embedded systems and electronics design are strong in Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington, serving agricultural technology, medical devices and industrial automation. Engineers in this field work for telecommunications providers, electronics manufacturers and research groups, and the Radio Spectrum Management team within the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment oversees spectrum use.
Fees for New Zealand: NZ$2,960 (New Zealand dollar), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in New Zealand
Typical roles
Questions from New Zealand
How do New Zealand bodies recognise electronics and telecom engineers?
Engineering New Zealand is the body for engineering registration, including Chartered Professional Engineer status. Telecommunications is overseen by the Commerce Commission and the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, and radio spectrum is managed by MBIE. SEIUM's qualifications are private and not accredited by a national body, so employers decide their weight.
Which New Zealand employers hire embedded systems and telecom engineers?
Employers include telecommunications operators, electronics manufacturers, device makers, defence and aerospace suppliers, and research institutions. Hiring often prioritises practical embedded work, firmware projects and certifications relevant to the role. A private online qualification may help your application, but it does not guarantee an offer.
Is this manageable online from New Zealand, and what study load should I expect?
The programmes are online and in English, so no student visa is needed to study from New Zealand. Each has an assigned technical tutor and a final project. Specialist courses are 300 hours, postgraduate diplomas 800 and master's programmes 1,900. Fees can be paid in instalments, and employer sponsorship is possible, so check funding options first.
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
Explain radio propagation mechanisms and their frequency dependence.
Apply and calibrate path loss models.
Characterise the channel through delay spread, Doppler and angular spectrum.
Generate stochastic channels in accordance with 3GPP models.
Plan sounding campaigns and process their data.
Use channel emulation in OTA testing.
Simulate communication systems with realistic channel models.
Who it's for
- Propagation engineer wishing to specialise in Propagation, Channels and OTA Models.
- Radio planning engineer wishing to specialise in Propagation, Channels and OTA Models.
- Channel modelling researcher wishing to specialise in Propagation, Channels and OTA Models.
- OTA test engineer wishing to specialise in Propagation, Channels and OTA Models.
- Wireless systems engineer wishing to specialise in Propagation, Channels and OTA Models.
- Network optimisation engineer wishing to specialise in Propagation, Channels and OTA Models.
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter telecommunications.
What you'll work with
- 3GPP TR 38.901
- ITU-R P.1238
- ITU-R P.1411
- ITU-R P.530
- ITU-R P.838
- 3GPP TR 38.827
- ITU-R P.2108
- ITU-R M.2412
8 modules · 800 h
1.1Free-space propagation and the Friis equation1.2Reflection, diffraction and scattering1.3Fresnel zones and clearance1.4Tropospheric propagation and refraction1.5Rain and gaseous attenuation1.6Penetration through buildings and vegetation1.7Millimetre-wave propagation1.8Blockage by the human body and vehicles1.9ITU-R propagation recommendations1.10Practice: link budget with rain attenuation
2.1Empirical models: Okumura-Hata and COST 2312.2Single-slope and breakpoint models2.33GPP TR 38.901 model for UMa and UMi scenarios2.4Indoor and factory models2.5Lognormal shadow fading2.6Deterministic ray-tracing models2.7Model calibration with measurements2.8Coverage maps and planning2.9Model uncertainty2.10Workshop: calibrating a path loss model
3.1Channel impulse response3.2Delay spread and coherence bandwidth3.3Doppler effect and coherence time3.4Rayleigh and Rice fading3.5Angular spectrum and angular spread3.6Spatial correlation between antennas3.7Frequency- and time-selective channels3.8Stationarity and non-stationarity3.9Large-scale and small-scale parameters3.10Laboratory: estimating delay spread
4.1Geometry-based models4.23GPP cluster model4.3WINNER and QuaDRiGa models4.4Models for MIMO and polarisation4.5Channel models for V2X4.6Channel models for satellite4.7Sub-THz channel models4.8Channel generation for simulation4.9Validation against measurements4.10Practice: channel generation with QuaDRiGa
5.1Channel sounders in the time and frequency domains5.2Sounding with antenna arrays and switching5.3Parameter estimation with SAGE5.4Indoor measurement campaigns5.5Outdoor and vehicular measurement campaigns5.6Sounder synchronisation and calibration5.7Measurement data processing5.8Public channel databases5.9Practical limitations of sounding5.10Case study: 28 GHz measurement campaign
6.1Wired channel emulators6.2Multi-probe OTA methods6.3Two-stage radiated method6.4Field reproduction in the test zone6.53GPP channel models for OTA testing6.6Doppler and mobility emulation6.7Throughput testing with an emulated channel6.8Validation of the emulated environment6.9Limitations of OTA methods6.10Laboratory: MIMO OTA test with an emulator
7.1Link-level simulation7.2System-level simulation7.3Interference models7.4Ray tracing for 5G planning7.5Radio digital twins7.6Indoor coverage prediction7.7Effect of the channel on estimation and equalisation7.8Open-source simulation tools7.9Comparison of results with field data7.10Workshop: link simulation with a TDL channel
8.1Defining the study scenario8.2Selecting propagation models8.3Designing a measurement or simulation campaign8.4Extracting channel parameters8.5Comparison with standardised models8.6Application to OTA testing8.7Analysis of results8.8Study conclusions8.9Report and presentation8.10Final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
100 % online training on the SEIUM Institute campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: students progress at their own pace within the intake, which makes it compatible with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is QuaDRiGa, MATLAB 5G Toolbox, Remcom Wireless InSite, Sionna RT, Keysight PropSim, in free, academic or evaluation versions. The exercises are based on real procedures from channel sounding campaigns indoors and outdoors, MIMO OTA tests with channel emulation, and calibration of coverage models with measurements. Assessment is continuous, module by module, plus the final integrating project.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Explain radio propagation mechanisms and their frequency dependence.
Apply and calibrate path loss models.
Characterise the channel through delay spread, Doppler and angular spectrum.
Generate stochastic channels in accordance with 3GPP models.
Plan sounding campaigns and process their data.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. A university degree is not required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
- Sufficient Spanish to follow technical standards documentation.
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 spread over 6 to 8 months. That averages between 10 and 15 hours per week, compatible with a full-time job.
You will work with QuaDRiGa, MATLAB 5G Toolbox, Remcom Wireless InSite, Sionna RT and Keysight PropSim. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor will indicate the open-source alternative where one exists.
An own diploma from SEIUM on passing the continuous assessment and the integrating project. This is in-house training, not an official qualification from the Ministry.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area can be credited towards the higher programme. Check the credit transfer policy when you enrol.
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