Master’s in RF Front-End
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in RF front-end design, covering LNAs, PAs, mixers, PLLs and synthesis. 12 modules covering RF fundamentals, transceiver architectures, amplifiers, oscillators, filters, physical design, antennas, 5G front-ends, RF measurement and radio regulations, with an assigned technical tutor.
Master’s in RF Front-End — studying from Singapore
Singapore is one of Asia's leading electronics manufacturing centres, with semiconductor fabrication, back-end assembly and test, and precision electronics concentrated in areas such as Tampines and Jurong. The sector also includes embedded systems for industrial and automotive use and a strong telecommunications base led by the Infocomm Media Development Authority. Major employers include global semiconductor firms and electronics manufacturers. Engineers work on hardware design, firmware, communications systems and test engineering.
Fees for Singapore: S$14,200 (Singapore dollar), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in Singapore
Typical roles
Questions from Singapore
How are electronics and telecom engineers recognised in Singapore, and does SEIUM count?
Telecom and electronics engineering is regulated by the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA), and engineers may register with the Professional Engineers Board (PEB). SEIUM's qualifications are private, not state degrees, and not accredited by any national body. Whether they are recognised is decided by employers or the relevant body, so confirm this before enrolling.
Which Singapore employers hire embedded systems and telecom engineers?
Singapore has demand from telecom operators, semiconductor and electronics manufacturers, defence and aerospace firms, and industrial automation companies. Employers generally assess hands-on skills in firmware, hardware design and testing. Your final project can evidence embedded or telecom competence, but its value is for each employer to judge.
Can I follow this from Singapore while working, and does it need a visa?
Yes, the programmes are 100% online and taught in English, so no student visa is needed to study from home in Singapore. Expect a heavy workload: 1,900 hours for a master's, 800 for a postgraduate diploma and 300 for a specialist course. Fees can be paid in instalments, and employer sponsorship is possible.
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 radio frequency circuits using S-parameters and the Smith chart.
Design RF transceiver architectures.
Design low-noise and power amplifiers.
Design oscillators, mixers and filters.
Implement RF physical designs using electromagnetic simulation.
Characterise RF front-ends with advanced instrumentation.
Apply European and international radio regulations.
Who it's for
- RF design engineers.
- Microwave engineers.
- Antenna engineers.
- RF test engineers.
- Radio certification engineers.
- RF integrated circuit engineers.
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter mobile telecommunications.
What you'll work with
- Directive 2014/53/EU (RED) (Radio Equipment Directive)
- ETSI EN 300 328 (wideband transmission systems in the 2.4 GHz band)
- 3GPP TS 38.101-1 (5G NR user equipment radio transmission and reception (FR1))
- FCC 47 CFR Part 15 (US rules for radio frequency devices)
- ETSI EN 301 908-1 (IMT cellular networks harmonised standard)
- IEEE Std 145 (definitions of terms for antennas)
- ICNIRP 2020 (guidelines on exposure to electromagnetic fields)
- Keysight ADS
- Ansys HFSS
- CST Studio Suite
- AWR Microwave Office
- Sonnet
12 modules
1.1Transmission lines and characteristic impedance1.2S-parameters and their interpretation1.3The Smith chart1.4Impedance matching with L and π networks1.5Thermal noise and noise figure1.6Gain, compression and intercept point1.7Spurious-free dynamic range1.8Link budget1.9Measurements with a network analyser1.10Lab: matching a load with the Smith chart
2.1Dual-conversion superheterodyne receiver2.2Direct conversion to zero IF2.3Low-IF receivers2.4Direct RF sampling2.5Transmitters with IQ modulation2.6Frequency planning and spurs2.7IQ imbalance and its correction2.8Software-defined radio architectures2.9Multiband and reconfigurable front-ends2.10Practical exercise: frequency plan for a receiver
3.1LNA requirements3.2GaAs, SiGe and CMOS technologies3.3Matching for minimum noise3.4Stability and the K factor3.5Transistor biasing3.6Protection against strong signals3.7LNA linearity3.8Wideband LNAs3.9Noise figure measurement3.10Lab: LNA design in Keysight ADS
4.1Classes A, AB, B and C4.2Switched classes E and F4.3The Doherty amplifier and its variants4.4GaN technology for power4.5Efficiency and PAE4.6Linearisation by digital predistortion4.7Envelope tracking4.8PA thermal management4.9ACLR and EVM measurements4.10Practical exercise: simulation of a Doherty PA
5.1Passive and active mixers5.2Gilbert cell mixers5.3Conversion loss and isolation5.4Voltage-controlled oscillators5.5Phase noise5.6PLL frequency synthesisers5.7Fractional-N PLL synthesisers5.8Quartz references and TCXOs5.9PLL loop design5.10Lab: phase noise measurement of a synthesiser
6.1Lumped-element filters6.2Microstrip filters6.3SAW and BAW filters6.4Ceramic and cavity filters6.5Duplexers and multiplexers6.6Solid-state RF switches6.7Couplers and dividers6.8Attenuators and isolators6.9Components in LTCC technology6.10Practical exercise: design of a microstrip band-pass filter
7.1RF substrates: Rogers and FR-47.2Microstrip and coplanar lines7.3Vias and transitions7.4Shielding and isolation7.5RF grounding7.6Packages and parasitic effects7.7Electromagnetic simulation of structures7.8Manufacturing tolerances7.9RF PCB design rules7.10Lab: EM simulation of a transition
8.1Antenna parameters8.2Printed and patch antennas8.3Antennas for compact devices8.4Arrays and beamforming8.5Antenna tuning8.6Interaction between antenna and front-end8.7Measurement in an anechoic chamber8.8Total radiated efficiency8.9Diversity and MIMO8.10Practical exercise: matching a patch antenna
9.14G and 5G NR requirements9.2FR1 and FR2 bands9.3Integrated front-end modules9.4Carrier aggregation9.5Radio coexistence9.6Millimetre-wave front-ends9.7Phased arrays for 5G9.8Production calibration9.93GPP conformance testing9.10Case study: front-end of a 5G handset
10.1Vector network analyser10.2Spectrum analyser10.3SOLT and TRL calibration10.4On-wafer measurements10.5Power measurements10.6Modulation measurements10.7Over-the-air (OTA) measurements10.8Measurement uncertainty10.9Test bench automation10.10Workshop: TRL calibration and S-parameter measurement
11.1Radio Equipment Directive11.2ETSI harmonised standards11.3FCC Part 15 rules11.4Spurious and out-of-band emissions11.5Exposure to electromagnetic fields11.6Coexistence and blocking11.7Module certification11.8Technical documentation for radio products11.9Testing in an accredited laboratory11.10Practical exercise: test plan for CE marking
12.1Front-end specification12.2Architecture and link budget12.3Technology selection12.4Block design12.5System simulation12.6Physical circuit design12.7Manufacture and measurement12.8Comparison with specifications12.9Master's Thesis report12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
How you'll learn
The programme is delivered 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 can be combined with full-time work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standards and applied exercises. The working software is Keysight ADS, Ansys HFSS, CST Studio Suite, AWR Microwave Office and Sonnet, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Practical work is based on real procedures for network analyser characterisation, linearity and noise figure measurement, and over-the-air testing in an anechoic chamber. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final Master's Thesis.
Standards covered: Directive 2014/53/EU (RED), ETSI EN 300 328, 3GPP TS 38.101-1, FCC 47 CFR Part 15, ETSI EN 301 908-1, IEEE Std 145, ICNIRP 2020.
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
- A university degree in engineering, science or architecture, or equivalent demonstrable professional experience.
- 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 1,900 hours over 12–14 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with Keysight ADS, Ansys HFSS, CST Studio Suite, AWR Microwave Office and Sonnet, 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 Master's Thesis. 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 in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are recognised in the higher programme. Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
A degree in engineering, science or architecture (or equivalent professional experience), 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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