Course in NATO Interoperability Standards for SATCOM
Online course of 300 h in NATO interoperability standards for SATCOM. 6 modules covering STANAG 4484 (military SATCOM in SHF), MIL-STD-188-164 (SATCOM terminals in SHF) and STK (Systems Tool Kit). Dedicated tutor and open enrolment.
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 satellite communications.
Calculate the link budget of a SATCOM system.
Interpret the standards that guarantee allied interoperability in SATCOM.
Evaluate security measures in the space and ground segments.
Apply spectrum regulation and frequency coordination.
Plan the deployment and operation of terminals.
Design an interoperable SATCOM solution for a practical case.
Who it's for
- Satellite communications engineer looking to specialise in NATO Interoperability Standards in SATCOM.
- Ground segment engineer looking to specialise in NATO Interoperability Standards in SATCOM.
- SATCOM link planner looking to specialise in NATO Interoperability Standards in SATCOM.
- Systems interoperability engineer looking to specialise in NATO Interoperability Standards in SATCOM.
- Spectrum management technician looking to specialise in NATO Interoperability Standards in SATCOM.
- Communications security manager looking to specialise in NATO Interoperability Standards in SATCOM.
- Graduates in engineering or sciences seeking to enter the space industry.
What you'll work with
- STANAG 4484 (military SATCOM in SHF)
- MIL-STD-188-164 (SATCOM terminals in SHF)
- MIL-STD-188-181 (SATCOM in UHF)
- ETSI EN 302 307 (DVB-S2)
- ETSI EN 301 428 (VSAT terminals)
- ITU Radio Regulations
- CCSDS 131.0-B (telemetry coding)
6 modules · 300 h
1.1Orbits and their effect on service: geostationary, medium and low1.2Frequency bands and their characteristics1.3Uplink and downlink1.4Transparent and regenerative transponders1.5Coverage, beams and frequency reuse1.6Propagation delay and its effect on applications1.7Fixed, mobile and portable terminals1.8Operators, capacity and contracting models1.9Sector vocabulary and acronyms1.10Exercise: choose orbit and band for a service
2.1Link budget and its terms2.2Antenna gain and figure of merit2.3Equivalent isotropic radiated power2.4Signal-to-noise ratio and link margin2.5Rain attenuation and availability2.6Adaptive modulation and coding2.7Spectral efficiency and required bandwidth2.8Interference and frequency coordination2.9Antenna pointing and tracking2.10Practice: calculate a link budget
3.1Satellite broadcasting standards and their extensions3.2Medium access and control protocols3.3Interoperability between terminals and platforms3.4Interoperability profiles and agreements3.5Radio resource management and capacity allocation3.6Integration with terrestrial networks3.7Quality of service and traffic prioritisation3.8Protocol acceleration and optimisation3.9Interoperability testing and terminal certification3.10Practice: define an interoperability profile
4.1Link and end-to-end encryption4.2Terminal authentication and key management4.3Intentional interference and its detection4.4Spoofing and signal protection4.5Robustness against interference and frequency hopping4.6Ground segment and network security4.7Spectrum monitoring and interference geolocation4.8Interference incident management4.9Coordination with the regulator and the operator4.10Practice: interference response plan
5.1Terminal selection and sizing5.2Installation, alignment and commissioning5.3Spectrum management and licensing5.4International frequency coordination5.5Earth station regulations5.6Service level agreements with the operator5.7Monitoring, metrics and capacity management5.8Maintenance and spares during deployment5.9New constellations and their impact5.10Practice: specification for a satellite service
6.1Choice of scenario and service requirements6.2Selection of orbit, band and operator6.3Link budget and sizing6.4Network architecture and interoperability6.5Security and key management plan6.6Spectrum management and licensing6.7Deployment and operations plan6.8Economic analysis of the service6.9Technical report6.10Project defence
How you'll learn
Fully 100 % online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and a dedicated technical tutor. No fixed timetables: students progress at their own pace within the intake, which makes it possible to combine it with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is STK (Systems Tool Kit), MATLAB (Satellite Communications Toolbox), GNU Radio, Wireshark, in free, academic or evaluation versions. The trials are studied using real procedures for calculating link budgets, coverage simulation and orbital geometry, and terminal interoperability trials. Assessment is continuous by module plus the final integrating project.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Understand the fundamentals of satellite communications.
Calculate the link budget of a SATCOM system.
Interpret the standards that guarantee allied interoperability in SATCOM.
Evaluate security measures in the space and ground segments.
Apply spectrum regulation and frequency coordination.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- No prior qualification required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
- Sufficient level of Spanish to follow the reading of 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 300 hours spread over 3 to 5 months. That is an average of between 10 and 15 hours per week, compatible with a full-time job.
The programme uses STK (Systems Tool Kit), MATLAB (Satellite Communications Toolbox), GNU Radio, Wireshark. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
An own diploma from SEIUM upon passing the continuous assessment and the integrating project. It is in-house training, not an official Ministry qualification.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same field can be recognised towards the advanced programme. Please check the recognition policy when you enrol.
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