Postgraduate Diploma in User Antennas and Pointing
Online 800 h Postgraduate Diploma in User Antennas and Pointing. 8 modules covering ITU-R S.580, ITU-R S.465 and TICRA GRASP. Assigned tutor and open enrolment.
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
Analyse the fundamental parameters of user antennas.
Design reflectors and feeds for Ku and Ka bands.
Evaluate electronically steered antennas for LEO constellations.
Calculate azimuth, elevation and polarisation for any satellite.
Configure positioners and tracking algorithms.
Apply antenna measurement and characterisation procedures.
Verify compliance with envelopes and emission limits.
Who it's for
- Antenna engineer looking to specialise in User Antennas and Pointing.
- Radio frequency engineer looking to specialise in User Antennas and Pointing.
- Satellite pointing technician looking to specialise in User Antennas and Pointing.
- Electromagnetic measurements engineer looking to specialise in User Antennas and Pointing.
- Phased array designer looking to specialise in User Antennas and Pointing.
- Communications systems engineer looking to specialise in User Antennas and Pointing.
- Graduates in engineering or sciences looking to enter telecommunications.
What you'll work with
- ITU-R S.580
- ITU-R S.465
- ETSI EN 303 978
- ETSI EN 301 428
- ITU-R S.524
- IEEE Std 149
- IEEE Std 145
8 modules · 800 h
1.1Gain, directivity and aperture efficiency1.2Radiation pattern and side lobes1.3Half-power beamwidth1.4Linear and circular polarisation and axial ratio1.5Antenna noise temperature1.6Impedance, return loss and VSWR1.7Lobe envelopes according to ITU-R S.5801.8G/T ratio and its measurement1.9Reciprocity and Tx/Rx behaviour1.10Practice: gain calculation for an offset reflector
2.1Centred and offset parabolic reflectors2.2Cassegrain and Gregorian configurations2.3Corrugated horns and multimode feeds2.4Orthomode transducers (OMT) and diplexers2.5Illumination efficiency and spillover2.6Surface tolerances and the Ruze rule2.7Radomes and their effect on the pattern2.8Multiband Ku/Ka antennas2.9Low-profile flat antennas2.10Laboratory: reflector simulation in GRASP
3.1Fundamentals of phased arrays3.2Phase shifters and analogue beam control3.3Digital and hybrid beamforming3.4Metasurface and holographic antennas3.5Scan loss and scan angle3.6Grating lobes and element spacing3.7Calibration of active arrays3.8Flat terminals for LEO constellations3.9Thermal management in active panels3.10Workshop: design of an 8x8 element array
4.1ECEF and topocentric coordinate systems4.2Calculation of azimuth, elevation and polarisation4.3TLE ephemerides and the SGP4 propagator4.4Tracking inclined GEO satellites4.5Geostationary arc and visibility4.6Correction for magnetic declination4.7Pointing errors and associated loss4.8Handover between LEO satellites4.9Pass planning and windows4.10Practice: pointing calculation with STK
5.1Azimuth-elevation and X-Y mounts5.2Motors, gearboxes and encoders5.3Step-track tracking5.4Monopulse and conopulse5.5Programme-based and signal-based tracking5.6Inertial sensors and stabilised platforms5.7Maritime and land-mobile terminals5.8Control loops and PID tuning5.9Keyhole and zenith singularities5.10Laboratory: step-track loop in simulation
6.1Anechoic chambers and far field6.2Planar and spherical near-field measurement6.3Compact ranges6.4Procedures of IEEE Std 1496.5Polarisation discrimination measurement6.6G/T measurement in the field using radio sources6.7Measurement uncertainty in antennas6.8Lobe envelope testing6.9Characterisation reports6.10Case study: interpreting an antenna report
7.1ETSI EN 303 978 requirements for ESOMP7.2VSAT antennas according to ETSI EN 301 4287.3Off-axis EIRP density under ITU-R S.5247.4Adjacent satellite interference7.5Mispointing and service outages7.6Blockage by obstacles and horizon masks7.7Wind and ice loading on reflectors7.8Exposure to RF fields and safe distances7.9Maintenance and periodic re-pointing7.10Practice: horizon mask study
8.1Mission and scenario definition8.2Gain, G/T and EIRP requirements8.3Selection of antenna type8.4Electromagnetic design or simulation8.5Pointing and tracking calculation8.6Measurement and validation plan8.7Regulatory compliance analysis8.8Cost estimation and manufacturing8.9Report and presentation8.10Final 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: students progress at their own pace within the enrolment window, which makes it possible to combine the programme with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is TICRA GRASP, Ansys HFSS, CST Studio Suite, Altair Feko, Ansys STK, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied using real procedures for pattern measurement in an anechoic chamber, antenna alignment on site, and step-track verification. Assessment is continuous per module plus the final integrative project.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Analyse the fundamental parameters of user antennas.
Design reflectors and feeds for Ku and Ka bands.
Evaluate electronically steered antennas for LEO constellations.
Calculate azimuth, elevation and polarisation for any satellite.
Configure positioners and tracking algorithms.
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 command of 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 comprises 800 hours in total, spread over 6 to 8 months. That is an average of 10 to 15 hours per week, compatible with a full-time job.
The programme works with TICRA GRASP, Ansys HFSS, CST Studio Suite, Altair Feko and Ansys STK. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor will indicate a free alternative where one exists.
A SEIUM diploma upon passing the continuous assessment and the final integrative 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 are recognised in the higher-level programme. Check the recognition policy when you enrol.
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