Master’s in Industrial Protocols Engineering
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in industrial protocols engineering, structured in 12 modules covering Modbus, Profibus and Profinet, EtherNet/IP and CIP, EtherCAT, CAN and CANopen, IO-Link, OPC UA, sector-specific protocols, protocol security and certification, with an assigned technical tutor.
Master’s in Industrial Protocols Engineering — studying from the United States
Electronics and telecommunications are foundational to the American economy, with research and manufacturing hubs in California, Texas, Arizona, New York and Oregon. Semiconductor investments and wireless network deployment are driving demand for hardware, firmware and systems engineers. Embedded systems now appear across automotive, medical, industrial and consumer products, requiring expertise in real-time software and secure design. Regulatory compliance with federal spectrum and safety rules is a key part of professional practice.
Fees for the United States: US$6,610 (US Dollars), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in the United States
Typical roles
Questions from the United States
Which US bodies relate to electronics, embedded systems and telecom engineering?
The IEEE is the main professional body for electronics and telecom engineers in the US, and it publishes widely used standards. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulates radio and telecom equipment. Professional Engineer licensure from state boards exists but is less common in this field. SEIUM's qualifications are private and not official degrees, so recognition rests with employers or relevant bodies.
How do US electronics and telecom employers regard private online qualifications?
US semiconductor, telecom and embedded-systems employers typically look for accredited degrees, hands-on design experience and familiarity with relevant standards. A private online qualification can document focused study, but it is not a standard requirement and its value is decided by each employer. Practical design projects and certifications often carry more weight.
Can I study embedded systems from the US around a full-time role?
Yes, the programmes are online, taught in English, and do not need a student visa. The commitment is roughly 1,900 hours for a master's, 800 hours for a postgraduate diploma, or 300 hours for a specialist course. An assigned technical tutor supports your progress. Fees can be paid in instalments, and some employers fund training, so ask whether your employer offers support.
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 principles of deterministic communication in control systems.
Configure Modbus, Profinet, EtherNet/IP and EtherCAT networks.
Implement CAN, CANopen and IO-Link communications.
Integrate fieldbus protocols with OPC UA and MQTT.
Apply protocols specific to energy, buildings and transport.
Assess the security of industrial protocols.
Develop and implement a complete industrial communication solution.
Who it's for
- Industrial communications engineers who need deep, protocol-level knowledge.
- Protocol stack developers building firmware for field devices.
- Automation engineers integrating multi-vendor equipment.
- Systems integration engineers connecting fieldbuses with IT and SCADA layers.
- OT cybersecurity specialists analysing industrial traffic.
- Field device engineers preparing products for conformance certification.
- Engineering or science graduates aiming to work in manufacturing.
What you'll work with
- IEC 61158 (industrial communication networks, fieldbus specifications)
- IEC 61784-1 (fieldbus communication profiles)
- IEC 61784-3 (functional safety fieldbuses)
- IEC 62541 (OPC Unified Architecture)
- IEC 61131-9 (IO-Link single-drop digital communication interface)
- ISO 11898-1 (CAN data link layer and physical signalling)
- IEC 61850 (communication networks in power utility automation)
- IEC 62443-4-2 (technical security requirements for IACS components)
- Wireshark
- CODESYS
- TwinCAT 3
- PCAN-View
- SOEM
12 modules · 1900 h
1.1OSI model applied to industry1.2Cyclic and acyclic communication1.3Determinism and jitter1.4Master-slave and producer-consumer models1.5Addressing and discovery1.6Process data encoding1.7Error detection with CRC1.8Cycle times and synchronisation1.9Built-in diagnostics in protocols1.10Practical: measuring jitter in a control network
2.1Modbus data model2.2RTU and ASCII frames2.3Function codes and exceptions2.4Modbus TCP and MBAP encapsulation2.5Modbus serial-to-TCP gateways2.6Performance limitations2.7Security with Modbus/TCP Security2.8Implementation on a microcontroller2.9Test and simulation tools2.10Lab: Modbus master in Python
3.1Profibus physical layer and speeds3.2GSD and GSDML files3.3Profinet conformance classes3.4Profinet IRT and isochronous synchronisation3.5Topology and device names3.6Alarms and diagnostics in Profinet3.7PROFIsafe for functional safety3.8Energy management with PROFIenergy3.9Shared device and I-device3.10Practical: integrating a Profinet device
4.1CIP object model4.2Implicit and explicit messaging4.3Connections and RPI4.4Device description with EDS files4.5Functional safety with CIP Safety4.6CIP Motion and synchronisation4.7Device Level Ring4.8Integration in Rockwell PLCs4.9CIP diagnostic tools4.10Lab: implicit exchange with an adapter
5.1On-the-fly frame processing5.2Synchronisation with distributed clocks5.3ESM state machine5.4CoE object dictionary5.5CiA 402 drive profiles5.6Slave description with ESI files5.7Safety over EtherCAT5.8Slave design with ESC5.9Link error diagnostics5.10Workshop: EtherCAT master with IgH or SOEM
6.1CAN arbitration and physical layer6.2CAN FD and CAN XL6.3CANopen: PDO, SDO and NMT6.4J1939 in heavy vehicles6.5DeviceNet over the CAN physical layer6.6Bus load analysis6.7Object dictionary design6.8Termination and topology6.9CAN analysis tools6.10Practical: CANopen network with two nodes
7.1IO-Link master-device architecture7.2Process data and parameters7.3Device description with IODD7.4Communication with IO-Link Wireless7.5Integration into Profinet and EtherNet/IP7.6Smart sensors and diagnostics7.7Automatic parameterisation on replacement7.8Functional safety with IO-Link Safety7.9Use cases in machinery7.10Lab: configuring IO-Link sensors
8.1OPC UA architecture8.2Information modelling and nodes8.3Profiles and facets8.4OPC UA FX for the field level8.5OPC UA over TSN8.6MQTT and Sparkplug8.7Comparison of integration protocols8.8Gateways between protocols8.9Performance and scaling8.10Practical: Modbus to OPC UA gateway
9.1IEC 61850 in substations9.2DNP3 in telecontrol9.3Telecontrol with IEC 60870-5-1049.4BACnet in buildings9.5KNX in home automation9.6M-Bus for meters9.7HART-IP in process industries9.8TCN railway protocols9.9Protocol selection by sector9.10Case study: integrating a substation with IEC 61850
10.1Vulnerabilities of legacy protocols10.2Replay and injection attacks10.3Secure protocol extensions10.4Authentication and encryption in OPC UA10.5Deep packet inspection for OT10.6Traffic anomaly detection10.7Hardening of field devices10.8IEC 62443-4-2 component requirements10.9Robustness testing and fuzzing10.10Workshop: analysis of insecure Modbus traffic
11.1Commercial and open-source protocol stacks11.2ASICs and FPGAs for communication11.3Field device development11.4Conformance testing11.5PI, ODVA and ETG certification11.6Interoperability testing11.7Firmware version management11.8Device documentation11.9Certification costs and timescales11.10Case study: certification plan for an EtherCAT slave
12.1Definition of the communication system12.2Comparative analysis of protocols12.3Architecture design12.4Implementation of nodes or gateways12.5Performance testing12.6Security and robustness testing12.7Analysis of results12.8Conclusions on the protocols12.9Master's Thesis report12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
How you'll learn
100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. No fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within each intake, so the programme fits around your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Wireshark, CODESYS, TwinCAT 3, PCAN-View and SOEM, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures: configuring Profinet, EtherNet/IP and EtherCAT networks on a test bench, analysing frames and cycle times with traffic captures, and implementing gateways between protocols. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final Master's Thesis.
Standards covered: IEC 61158, IEC 61784-1, IEC 61784-3, IEC 62541, IEC 61131-9, ISO 11898-1, IEC 61850, IEC 62443-4-2.
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's 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 Wireshark, CODESYS, TwinCAT 3, PCAN-View and SOEM, 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 university degree in engineering, science or architecture (or equivalent professional experience), a computer able to run the programme's 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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