Postgraduate Diploma in Multi-Constellation and SW Receivers
800-hour online Postgraduate Diploma in Multi-Constellation and SW Receivers. 8 modules covering IS-GPS-200, IS-GPS-705 and GNSS-SDR. Assigned tutor and enrolment open.
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What you will be able to do
Describe the signal structure of the main GNSS constellations.
Design the architecture of a multi-frequency receiver.
Implement parallel acquisition algorithms.
Tune code and carrier tracking loops.
Calculate multi-constellation navigation solutions.
Develop and configure software-defined receivers.
Validate receivers using simulators and field trials.
Who it's for
- GNSS receiver engineer looking to specialise in Multi-Constellation and SW Receivers.
- Signal processing developer looking to specialise in Multi-Constellation and SW Receivers.
- Navigation systems engineer looking to specialise in Multi-Constellation and SW Receivers.
- FPGA engineer looking to specialise in Multi-Constellation and SW Receivers.
- Satellite navigation researcher looking to specialise in Multi-Constellation and SW Receivers.
- Receiver validation engineer looking to specialise in Multi-Constellation and SW Receivers.
- Graduates in engineering or science seeking to enter satellite navigation.
What you'll work with
- IS-GPS-200
- IS-GPS-705
- Galileo OS SIS ICD
- BeiDou ICD B1C
- GLONASS ICD
- NMEA 0183
- RINEX 3.05
- 3GPP TS 37.571-1
8 modules · 800 h
1.1GPS L1, L2 and L5 signal structure1.2Galileo E1, E5a, E5b and E6 signals1.3GLONASS FDMA and CDMA signals1.4BeiDou B1, B2 and B3 signals1.5Regional systems QZSS and NavIC1.6BPSK and BOC modulations1.7Spreading codes and their properties1.8Navigation messages1.9Interoperability between systems1.10Practical: analysis of code autocorrelation
2.1GNSS antenna and its multiband response2.2Multi-frequency RF front-end2.3Intermediate frequency conversion and sampling2.4Quantisation and number of bits2.5Oscillators and their effect on tracking2.6Receiver channel architectures2.7Hardware versus software receivers2.8Low-power chip receivers2.9Multiband frequency planning2.10Workshop: front-end design for L1 and L5
3.1Code and Doppler search3.2Parallel acquisition with FFT3.3Coherent and non-coherent integration3.4Acquisition of weak signals3.5Cold, warm and hot starts3.6Network-assisted A-GNSS3.7BOC signal acquisition3.8Detection threshold and false alarms3.9Simultaneous acquisition of multiple constellations3.10Laboratory: acquisition with a software receiver
4.1DLL code tracking loops4.2PLL and FLL carrier loops4.3Discriminators and their behaviour4.4Loop bandwidth and dynamics4.5Unambiguous BOC signal tracking4.6Vector tracking architectures4.7Multipath mitigation in correlators4.8Loss of lock and reacquisition4.9C/N0 measurement4.10Practical: tuning tracking loops
5.1Decoding the navigation message5.2Pseudorange calculation5.3Clock and ephemeris corrections5.4Least squares solution5.5Navigation Kalman filter5.6Multi-constellation observable combination5.7Inter-system and inter-frequency biases5.8Ionosphere-free combinations5.9NMEA and RINEX outputs5.10Laboratory: multi-constellation position solution
6.1GNSS-SDR architecture6.2SDR hardware for GNSS6.3Real-time processing on CPU and GPU6.4FPGA implementation6.5Signal recording and playback6.6Developing new processing blocks6.7Testing with signal simulators6.8Performance optimisation6.9Receivers for research and teaching6.10Workshop: configuring multiband GNSS-SDR
7.1Testing with constellation simulators7.2Sensitivity and time-to-first-fix metrics7.3Static and dynamic accuracy tests7.4Multipath tests7.5Interference robustness tests7.6Receiver power consumption7.7Certification for safety applications7.8Comparison with reference receivers7.9Validation reports7.10Case study: validation of an automotive receiver
8.1Specification of constellations and bands8.2Front-end design8.3Acquisition configuration8.4Tracking loop design8.5Navigation solution calculation8.6Implementation in a software receiver8.7Testing and evaluation8.8Conclusions and improvements8.9Report 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. No fixed timetables: students progress at their own pace within the intake, which makes it easy to combine with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is GNSS-SDR, MATLAB Satellite Communications Toolbox, RTKLIB, GNU Radio, Spirent SimGEN, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Trials are studied using real test procedures: constellation simulator tests, recording and processing of signals in software receivers, and measurement of sensitivity and time to first fix. Assessment is continuous per 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.
Describe the signal structure of the main GNSS constellations.
Design the architecture of a multi-frequency receiver.
Implement parallel acquisition algorithms.
Tune code and carrier tracking loops.
Calculate multi-constellation navigation solutions.
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'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 is between 10 and 15 hours a week on average, compatible with a full-time job.
You work with GNSS-SDR, MATLAB Satellite Communications Toolbox, RTKLIB, GNU Radio and Spirent SimGEN. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
A SEIUM Institute diploma upon passing the continuous assessment and the final integrating project. It is in-house training, not an official qualification from the Ministry.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are recognised towards the advanced programme. Check the recognition policy when you enrol.
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