Diploma in FOC/DTC and State Observers
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in FOC/DTC and state observers. 8 modules covering electrical machine modelling, field-oriented control, direct torque control, modulation and inverters, state observers, sensorless control and real-time digital implementation, with an assigned technical tutor.
Diploma in FOC/DTC and State Observers — studying from South Africa
Electronics and telecommunications are substantial sectors in South Africa, with operators such as MTN, Vodacom and Telkom supporting national connectivity. Electronics manufacturers and design houses serve automotive, industrial and consumer markets, and embedded systems engineers are needed across these industries. Research at institutions such as Stellenbosch University and the CSIR contributes to advances in communications and signal processing. Compliance with national radio spectrum rules is overseen by the national communications regulator.
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 recognise electronics and telecom engineers, and does SEIUM feature?
ECSA registers engineering professionals in South Africa, and the Electronic Communications and Postal Act means telecom roles are regulated through ICASA and related licensing. SEIUM is a private online institute whose qualifications are not official state degrees and are not accredited by a national body. Recognition is decided by employers or the relevant professional body, so check with them before enrolling.
Would this programme help me work in embedded systems or telecoms in South Africa?
South Africa has electronics manufacturers, telecom operators and technology firms that employ embedded and communications engineers. Employers typically weigh practical skills, experience and recognised qualifications. A private online qualification can strengthen your profile in specialist areas, but it does not guarantee employment. Ask prospective employers whether they would value it.
Can I study around a job, and what English level is needed?
The programme is entirely online and taught in English, so you need solid English for coursework and tutor communication. Because it is remote, 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 supported by a technical tutor. Fees can be paid in instalments, and employer sponsorship may be 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
Model synchronous and induction motors in the dq frame.
Design FOC control loops with MTPA and field weakening.
Implement direct torque control strategies and compare them with FOC.
Apply space vector modulation with dead-time compensation.
Design Luenberger, sliding-mode and Kalman observers.
Implement sensorless control across the full speed range.
Validate control algorithms through simulation, HIL and bench testing.
Who it's for
- Motor control engineers moving into advanced FOC and DTC strategies.
- Electrical drive engineers in industrial automation and robotics.
- Power firmware developers implementing control on DSPs and microcontrollers.
- Power electronics engineers designing inverters for drives.
- Traction system engineers in electric vehicles and railways.
- Commissioning engineers who tune and start up drives in the field.
- Engineering or science graduates looking to enter electric mobility.
What you'll work with
- IEC 61800-2 (adjustable speed electrical power drive systems, general requirements)
- IEC 60034-1 (rotating electrical machines, rating and performance)
- IEC 61800-5-1 (adjustable speed drives, electrical, thermal and energy safety requirements)
- IEC 60034-30-1 (efficiency classes of line-operated AC motors)
- IEC 61800-9-2 (ecodesign for power drive systems, energy efficiency indicators)
- IEC 61800-3 (adjustable speed drives, EMC requirements)
- IEC 60034-2-1 (methods for determining losses and efficiency of rotating machines)
- MATLAB/Simulink with Motor Control Blockset
- PLECS
- Texas Instruments Code Composer Studio
- dSPACE
- STM32 Motor Control SDK
8 modules
1.1Permanent magnet synchronous motor1.2Squirrel-cage induction motor1.3Clarke and Park transforms1.4Equations in the dq frame1.5Electromagnetic and reluctance torque1.6Magnetic saturation and inductance variation1.7Electrical and mechanical parameters1.8Parameter identification on a test bench1.9Models in Simulink and PLECS1.10Practical: parameter identification of a PMSM
2.1Structure of field-oriented control2.2PI current loops in the dq axes2.3Decoupling and back-EMF compensation2.4Cascaded speed and position control2.5MTPA strategy in salient-pole motors2.6Field weakening and MTPV2.7Loop tuning by bandwidth2.8Modulator saturation and anti-windup2.9Indirect FOC in induction motors2.10Lab: tuning FOC current loops
3.1Principle of direct torque control3.2Switching tables and hysteresis comparators3.3Flux and torque estimation3.4Torque ripple and variable switching frequency3.5DTC with space vector modulation (DTC-SVM)3.6Model predictive torque control3.7Comparison between FOC and DTC3.8Low-speed behaviour3.9Implementation with fast sampling3.10Workshop: comparative simulation of FOC versus DTC
4.1Two-level three-phase inverter4.2Space vector modulation (SVPWM)4.3Dead times and their compensation4.4Overmodulation and six-step operation4.5Current measurement with shunts and sensors4.6Sampling synchronised with PWM4.7NPC multilevel inverters4.8SiC and GaN devices in drives4.9Inverter losses and efficiency4.10Practical: SVPWM with dead-time compensation
5.1Observability of linear systems5.2Luenberger observer5.3Sliding-mode observer5.4Extended Kalman filter for motors5.5Flux and load torque observers5.6Disturbance observer5.7Stability and gain tuning5.8Robustness to parameter variation5.9Discretisation of observers5.10Lab: load torque observer
6.1Position estimation from back-EMF6.2PLL position and speed observers6.3High-frequency injection at low speed6.4Sensorless start-up and initial alignment6.5Magnet polarity detection6.6MRAS systems for induction motors6.7Transition between estimation methods6.8Accuracy and limitations at zero speed6.9Diagnosis of loss of synchronism6.10Case study: sensorless start-up of a compressor
7.1Microcontrollers and DSPs for motor control7.2Fixed-point arithmetic and Q format7.3PWM, ADC and encoder peripherals7.4Automatic code generation7.5MIL, SIL and HIL verification7.6Task scheduling and latencies7.7Setpoint communication over CAN and EtherCAT7.8Overcurrent and overvoltage protection7.9Commissioning and auto-tuning7.10Workshop: FOC on a C2000 DSP
8.1Specification of the drive and load8.2Motor and inverter modelling8.3Design of the FOC or DTC control8.4Design of the state observer8.5Simulation of the complete system8.6Embedded implementation and bench testing8.7Bench tests and results8.8Comparative analysis and improvements8.9Report and presentation8.10Final project: final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
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 the programme fits around your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is MATLAB/Simulink with Motor Control Blockset, PLECS, Texas Instruments Code Composer Studio, dSPACE and STM32 Motor Control SDK, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures: drive tests on a dynamometer bench, HIL validation of control algorithms and parameter identification of synchronous motors. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final integrating project.
Standards covered: IEC 61800-2, IEC 60034-1, IEC 61800-5-1, IEC 60034-30-1, IEC 61800-9-2, IEC 61800-3, IEC 60034-2-1.
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.
- 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/Simulink with Motor Control Blockset, PLECS, Texas Instruments Code Composer Studio, dSPACE and STM32 Motor Control SDK, 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 able to run the programme 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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