Diploma in Optical Communications and Pointing/Acquisition
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in optical communications and pointing/acquisition: 8 modules covering space optical communications, the atmospheric channel, optical link budgets, pointing, acquisition and tracking, tracking control, terminals and ground stations, and standards and testing, with an assigned technical tutor.
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 fundamentals of optical communications in space.
Model the effects of atmospheric turbulence on the link.
Calculate complete optical link budgets.
Design pointing, acquisition and tracking sequences.
Size fine pointing control loops.
Assess optical terminals and ground stations.
Apply laser safety and verification standards.
Who it's for
- Optical communications engineers
- Pointing systems engineers
- Control engineers
- Space optics engineers
- Ground station engineers
- Satellite systems engineers
- Engineering or science graduates looking to enter the space industry
What you'll work with
- IEC 60825-1 (safety of laser products)
- CCSDS 141.0-B (optical communications physical layer)
- CCSDS 142.0-B (optical communications coding and synchronisation)
- ECSS-E-ST-10-03C (space engineering testing)
- ECSS-E-ST-60-30C (satellite attitude and orbit control system requirements)
- ANSI Z136.6 (safe use of lasers outdoors)
- ITU Radio Regulations (international frequency and emission coordination)
- Zemax OpticStudio
- MATLAB/Simulink
- STK
- Code V
- Python (NumPy/SciPy)
8 modules
1.1Advantages over radio frequency1.21064 and 1550 nm wavelengths1.3Semiconductor and fibre lasers1.4EDFA power amplifiers1.5Direct and coherent detection1.6OOK, PPM and DPSK modulations1.7Beam divergence and optical antenna gain1.8Reference missions: EDRS, LCRD and DSOC1.9Eye safety and laser classification1.10Workshop: comparing optical and RF links
2.1Atmospheric absorption and scattering2.2Turbulence and the Fried parameter2.3Scintillation and intensity fluctuations2.4Fading and its statistics2.5Adaptive optics in ground stations2.6Station diversity against cloud cover2.7Link availability2.8Hufnagel-Valley turbulence models2.9Horizontal versus vertical links2.10Practical exercise: modelling scintillation in a downlink
3.1Optical range equation3.2Pointing losses and jitter3.3Fibre coupling efficiency3.4Receiver sensitivity in photons per bit3.5Solar and sky background noise3.6Margins against turbulence3.7Transmit and receive telescopes3.8LEO–GEO inter-satellite links3.9Deep-space optical links3.10Laboratory: LEO-to-ground optical link budget
4.1PAT architecture of the terminal4.2Initial pointing uncertainty4.3Spiral and raster scan strategies4.4Laser beacons and their detection4.5Quadrant sensors and tracking cameras4.6Fine steering mirrors4.7Coarse pointing mechanisms4.8Point-ahead compensation4.9Microvibration isolation4.10Practical exercise: simulation of an acquisition sequence
5.1Fine pointing control loops5.2Bandwidth and disturbance rejection5.3Terminal attitude estimation5.4Kalman filters for tracking5.5Coupling with the satellite AOCS5.6Thermal effects on alignment5.7Optical axis calibration5.8Link loss detection5.9Automatic link reacquisition5.10Laboratory: design of a fine pointing loop
6.1Flight terminal architecture6.2Terminals for CubeSats6.3Optical ground stations6.4Station networks and weather-based selection6.5Adaptive optics at reception6.6Bidirectional and return links6.7Quantum key distribution6.8Interoperability between terminals6.9Bench testing of terminals6.10Case study: analysis of an optical ground station
7.1CCSDS optical communications standards7.2Coordination of laser emissions7.3Aircraft safety against lasers7.4Environmental testing of optical terminals7.5Ground verification of the PAT system7.6Radiometric calibration of terminals7.7Operations and link planning7.8Lessons learnt from missions7.9Trends in space optical networks7.10Case study: review of an in-orbit demonstration
8.1Link and mission requirements8.2Terminal architecture8.3Optical link budget8.4PAT system design8.5Atmospheric availability analysis8.6Verification plan8.7Concept of operations8.8Optical terminal risks8.9Report and presentation8.10Final project: final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
A 100% online programme 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 fits around your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. You work with Zemax OpticStudio, MATLAB/Simulink, STK, Code V and Python (NumPy/SciPy) in free, academic or evaluation versions. Practical work is based on real procedures: simulating laser link acquisition sequences, bench testing of optical terminals and availability analysis of optical ground stations. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final project.
Standards covered: IEC 60825-1, CCSDS 141.0-B, CCSDS 142.0-B, ECSS-E-ST-10-03C, ECSS-E-ST-60-30C, ANSI Z136.6, ITU Radio Regulations.
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 Zemax OpticStudio, MATLAB/Simulink, STK, Code V and Python (NumPy/SciPy), 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 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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