Diploma in Airborne Communication Systems and Data Links
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in airborne communication systems and data links. 8 modules covering aeronautical communications, civil and military data links, communications avionics, propagation and radio frequency, link security and the evolution of air communications, with an assigned technical tutor.
Diploma in Airborne Communication Systems and Data Links — studying from South Africa
South Africa has a established defence industry centred on companies such as Denel and Paramount Group, with capabilities in land systems, armoured vehicles and munitions. The sector supports engineering roles in systems integration, vehicle design and test and evaluation. Defence procurement and export controls are overseen by government bodies, and the industry works closely with the South African National Defence Force. Engineers in this field typically combine mechanical, electrical and systems skills.
Fees for South Africa: R 27 900 (South African rand), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in South Africa
Typical roles
Questions from South Africa
Which South African bodies regulate or recognise defence and military engineering professionals?
Engineers in South Africa are registered through ECSA under the Engineering Profession Act, and defence programmes are guided by institutions such as the South African National Defence Force and Armscor, which set their own requirements. SEIUM is a private online institute, and its qualifications are not state degrees or accredited by a national body. Recognition is decided by these bodies and your employer, so confirm with them first.
Would this qualification help me find work in South Africa's defence or land systems sector?
South Africa has a defence industry with state-linked entities and private contractors, and employers usually require security clearances, relevant experience and recognised qualifications. A private online programme may support your application but does not guarantee employment or clearance. Check requirements with prospective employers, as roles in this sector can be sensitive and tightly controlled.
Can I study alongside a job, and are there funding options?
The course is 100% online and taught in English, so you need strong English, and no student visa is needed to study from home. Master's programmes are 1,900 hours, postgraduate diplomas 800 hours and specialist courses 300 hours, each with an assigned technical tutor. Fees are payable in instalments, and employer sponsorship is possible, so ask whether your employer would fund part of the training.
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 aeronautical voice communication systems.
Understand the ACARS, CPDLC and ADS-B civil data links.
Analyse military airborne data links.
Integrate communications equipment into avionics.
Evaluate propagation and antennas on aircraft.
Assess the security of data links.
Understand how aeronautical communications are evolving.
Who it's for
- Aeronautical communications engineers.
- Avionics engineers.
- Data link specialists.
- Radio frequency engineers.
- Certification engineers.
- Aviation cybersecurity analysts.
- Engineering or science graduates looking to move into aeronautics.
What you'll work with
- ICAO Annex 10 (aeronautical telecommunications)
- RTCA DO-260C (minimum performance standards for 1090 MHz ADS-B)
- ARINC 618 (air/ground character-oriented protocol for ACARS)
- RTCA DO-280B (interoperability requirements for ATN Baseline 1 data link)
- EUROCAE ED-102A (1090 MHz ADS-B minimum operational performance)
- STANAG 5516 (Link 16 tactical data exchange)
- RTCA DO-160G (environmental conditions and test procedures for airborne equipment)
- RTCA DO-326A (airworthiness security process specification)
- MATLAB
- dump1090
- Wireshark
- Ansys HFSS
8 modules
1.1VHF AM voice1.2Aeronautical HF communications1.3Aeronautical SATCOM1.48.33 kHz channel spacing1.5Allocation of aeronautical bands1.6Aircraft antennas1.7Interference and coexistence1.8On-board radio architecture1.9ICAO Annex 101.10Practical exercise: air-to-ground VHF link budget
2.1ACARS system2.2VDL Mode 22.3CPDLC communications2.4ATN/OSI and ATN/IPS networks2.5ADS-B on 1090 MHz2.6ADS-C2.7FANS 1/A package2.8European data link requirements2.9Required communication performance2.10Workshop: decoding ADS-B messages
3.1Link 16 and MIDS terminals3.2Link 113.3Link 223.4Intra-flight data links3.5UAS links3.6J-series messages3.7Network management3.8Allied interoperability3.9Integration with mission systems3.10Case study: integrating MIDS into an aircraft
4.1Multiband radios4.2Integration into IMA4.3Communications management unit4.4ARINC 429 and 664 buses4.5Audio management4.6Conformal antennas4.7Co-site interference4.8DO-160G testing4.9Equipment certification4.10Laboratory: bench integration of a radio
5.1Line-of-sight propagation5.2Multipath5.3Doppler effect5.4Fading5.5Ionospheric propagation5.6Atmospheric effects5.7Antennas on the fuselage5.8Radiation patterns5.9Electromagnetic simulation5.10Practical exercise: pattern of an antenna on the fuselage
6.1ADS-B vulnerabilities6.2Message authentication6.3ACARS protection6.4DO-326A process6.5GNSS interference6.6Signal spoofing6.7Encryption on military links6.8Monitoring6.9Service resilience6.10Case study: analysis of ADS-B spoofing
7.1LDACS system7.2New-generation satellites7.3Aeronautical 5G7.4Cabin connectivity7.5SESAR programme7.6Optical links7.7UAS command and control7.8Aeronautical IP networks7.9European roadmap7.10Case study: SESAR communications plan
8.1Aircraft requirements8.2Communications architecture8.3Link selection8.4Avionics integration8.5Antenna analysis8.6Security measures8.7Certification plan8.8Future evolution8.9Report and presentation8.10Final project: final 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: you progress at your own pace within the intake, so you can combine the programme with your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is MATLAB, dump1090, Wireshark and Ansys HFSS, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied on real procedures for bench integration of radios, data link decoding and antenna pattern analysis. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final integrated project.
Standards covered: ICAO Annex 10, RTCA DO-260C, ARINC 618, RTCA DO-280B, EUROCAE ED-102A, STANAG 5516, RTCA DO-160G and RTCA DO-326A.
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
- Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. No university degree is required.
- 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 800 hours over 6–8 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with MATLAB, dump1090, Wireshark and Ansys HFSS, 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 final project. 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 are recognised in a higher programme in the same area (postgraduate diploma or master's). Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector (no university degree required), a computer capable of running 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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