Postgraduate Diploma in Ka/Ku Terminals and Modems
800-hour online Postgraduate Diploma in Ka/Ku Terminals and Modems. 8 modules covering ETSI EN 302 307-2, ETSI EN 301 545-2 and MATLAB Satellite Communications Toolbox. Assigned tutor and open enrolment.
Postgraduate Diploma in Ka/Ku Terminals and Modems — studying from the United Kingdom
Electronics and telecommunications form a significant part of the UK technology economy, with clusters in Cambridge, Bristol, Edinburgh, Belfast and the South East. Semiconductor design firms, defence electronics suppliers, telecom operators and Internet of Things companies all require embedded systems and communications engineers. Arm, headquartered in Cambridge, is a notable example of the design sector. Engineers work on hardware, firmware, signal processing and network infrastructure, often within regulated frameworks for radio and telecoms equipment.
Fees for the United Kingdom: £1,490 (Pound sterling), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in the United Kingdom
Typical roles
Questions from the United Kingdom
Which UK bodies recognise electronics, embedded systems and telecom qualifications?
The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) is the main UK body for electronics, embedded systems and telecoms, and the British Computer Society (BCS) covers embedded software. Chartered and incorporated engineer titles are regulated through the Engineering Council. SEIUM's qualifications are private and not accredited by these bodies, so you should check with the IET how your study would be assessed.
Do UK electronics and telecoms employers hire people with private online qualifications?
UK electronics, semiconductor, telecoms and embedded systems employers usually assess candidates on practical design skill, hardware and software projects, and experience. A private qualification may help show specialist learning, but how much it counts depends on each employer. A portfolio of working embedded or telecoms projects is often decisive.
Is it realistic to study this online while working in the UK, and what level of English is needed?
Online study means you can keep your UK job and study from home, with no student visa required. Teaching is in English, so you need solid technical English. Your assigned technical tutor will help you plan your work. Fees are payable in instalments, and some employers offer training support, which varies by employer. Compare the programme hours with your schedule 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
Understand the characteristics of satellite systems in Ku and Ka bands.
Analyse the architecture and parameters of a user terminal.
Apply the DVB-S2 and DVB-S2X modulation and coding schemes.
Dimension return channels with MF-TDMA access according to DVB-RCS2.
Configure satellite modems with quality of service and acceleration.
Carry out installation, alignment and commissioning procedures.
Verify the regulatory compliance of terminals and stations.
Who it's for
- Satellite communications engineer who wishes to specialise in Ka/Ku Terminals and Modems.
- VSAT installation technician who wishes to specialise in Ka/Ku Terminals and Modems.
- Radio frequency engineer who wishes to specialise in Ka/Ku Terminals and Modems.
- NOC operations engineer who wishes to specialise in Ka/Ku Terminals and Modems.
- SDR modem designer who wishes to specialise in Ka/Ku Terminals and Modems.
- Satellite connectivity consultant who wishes to specialise in Ka/Ku Terminals and Modems.
- Graduates in engineering or sciences seeking to enter the telecommunications sector.
What you'll work with
- ETSI EN 302 307-2
- ETSI EN 301 545-2
- ETSI EN 303 978
- ETSI EN 301 428
- ETSI EN 301 459
- ITU-R S.580
- ITU-R S.524
8 modules · 800 h
1.1ITU frequency allocations for Ku and Ka bands1.2Comparison of GEO, MEO and LEO orbits1.3HTS satellites and spot beams1.4Star, mesh and transparent architectures1.5Uplink and downlink link budget1.6Rain attenuation at Ka versus Ku1.7Transponders and regenerative channels1.8Gateways and ground segment1.9LEO constellations and handover management1.10Practical case: link budget of a Ku VSAT
2.1ODU and IDU blocks of a terminal2.2BUC: power, linearity and compression2.3LNB: noise figure and oscillator stability2.4G/T and EIRP of the terminal2.5IFL cabling and 10 MHz reference distribution2.6Fixed, mobile and ESOMP terminals2.7Power supply, protection and environmental conditions2.8Common faults and hardware diagnosis2.9Type approval and station authorisations2.10Practical: G/T measurement using a solar source
3.1QPSK, 8PSK and APSK constellations3.2Concatenated LDPC and BCH coding3.3PL frames and pilot modes3.4Adaptive coding and modulation (ACM)3.5Super-framing and VL-SNR format of DVB-S2X3.6Roll-off, spectral efficiency and Es/N03.7Predistortion against non-linearities3.8Carrier and symbol synchronisation3.9GSE encapsulation and IP transport3.10Laboratory: constellation analysis with VSA
4.1MF-TDMA access and frame planning4.2Return-link physical layer according to DVB-RCS24.3Dynamic capacity allocation (DAMA)4.4Random access and contention4.5Terminal synchronisation and power control4.6SCPC versus TDMA on the return link4.7Return-link schemes in proprietary systems4.8Channel efficiency and dimensioning4.9Adjacent channel interference and ASI4.10Workshop: dimensioning an MF-TDMA network
5.1Block diagram of an SDR modem5.2Digital conversion and RF front end5.3Demodulation and decoding in FPGA5.4TCP acceleration and PEP proxies5.5Header compression and IP optimisation5.6Quality of service and queuing in the modem5.7Link encryption and key management5.8Firmware, configuration and updates5.9Remote management using SNMP5.10Laboratory: transmission chain in GNU Radio
6.1Site planning and visibility6.2Mounting and alignment of a fixed terminal6.3Cross-polarisation and XPD testing6.4Line-up procedures with the operator6.5Power adjustment and level control6.6Earthing and lightning protection6.7Throughput and latency verification6.8Installation documentation6.9Safety when working at height and with RF6.10Practical: complete commissioning procedure
7.1Es/N0 and MODCOD monitoring7.2Detection of interference and foreign carriers7.3Network management from the NMS7.4Preventive maintenance of terminals7.5Equipment standards ETSI EN 301 428 and 301 4597.6ESOMP requirements according to ETSI EN 303 9787.7Off-axis emission limits ITU-R S.5247.8Coordination with operators and licences7.9Service availability indicators7.10Practical case: resolving an interference incident
8.1Service definition and requirements8.2Selection of band, orbit and operator8.3Link budget and availability8.4Selection of antenna, BUC and LNB8.5Modem configuration and QoS8.6Installation and commissioning plan8.7Budget and cost analysis8.8Deployment risk assessment8.9Report and presentation8.10Final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded lectures and an assigned technical tutor. No fixed timetables: students progress at their own pace within the intake, which allows them to combine the course with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is MATLAB Satellite Communications Toolbox, Ansys STK, GNU Radio, Keysight PathWave VSA, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Test procedures are studied using real VSAT terminal commissioning procedures, G/T and EIRP measurement, and MODCOD analysis on a live link. Assessment is continuous, module by 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.
Understand the characteristics of satellite systems in Ku and Ka bands.
Analyse the architecture and parameters of a user terminal.
Apply the DVB-S2 and DVB-S2X modulation and coding schemes.
Dimension return channels with MF-TDMA access according to DVB-RCS2.
Configure satellite modems with quality of service and acceleration.
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 documents.
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 an average of 10 to 15 hours per week, compatible with a full-time job.
You will work with MATLAB Satellite Communications Toolbox, Ansys STK, GNU Radio, Keysight PathWave VSA. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
A SEIUM Institute in-house diploma upon passing continuous assessment and the 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 programme. Check the recognition policy when you enrol.
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