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Postgraduate DiplomaAerospace, UAM, Drones & Space Applications open

Datalink Diploma: CPDLC/ADS-B/ACARS/SWIM

Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in datalink: CPDLC/ADS-B/ACARS/SWIM. 8 modules covering air-ground communications, ACARS, CPDLC, ADS-B and ADS-C surveillance, SWIM, certification and cybersecurity with Regulation (EC) 29/2009, Implementing Regulation (EU) 1207/2011 and Wireshark, with an assigned technical tutor.

Duration6–8 months
ModeOnline
LanguageEnglish
Start datesSet by the faculty
AwardSEIUM Institute diploma
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Learning outcomes

What you will be able to do

01

Describe the architecture of air-ground datalink communications.

02

Analyse how ACARS works and its operational applications.

03

Explain CPDLC services and their performance requirements.

04

Interpret ADS-B messages and their quality indicators.

05

Apply ADS-C and advanced surveillance applications.

06

Design information exchanges according to the SWIM concept.

07

Assess the certification and cybersecurity of datalinks.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Aeronautical communications engineers.
  • CNS/ATM engineers.
  • Surveillance systems technicians.
  • Avionics integration engineers.
  • Aviation cybersecurity analysts.
  • SWIM services specialists.
  • Engineering or science graduates looking to enter air navigation.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • Regulation (EC) 29/2009 (datalink services in the Single European Sky)
  • Implementing Regulation (EU) 1207/2011 (surveillance performance and interoperability)
  • Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/116 (Common Project One)
  • RTCA DO-260B (1090 MHz ADS-B and TIS-B)
  • ARINC 618 (air/ground character-oriented protocol)
  • ARINC 620 (datalink ground system standard)
  • ICAO Doc 10037 (Global Operational Data Link manual, GOLD)
  • ICAO Doc 10039 (SWIM concept manual)
  • Wireshark
  • dump1090
  • MATLAB
  • Apache ActiveMQ
Syllabus

8 modules

  1. 1.1From voice to datalink
  2. 1.2CNS/ATM architecture
  3. 1.3VHF, HF and SATCOM links
  4. 1.4VDL Mode 2
  5. 1.5ATN/OSI versus FANS 1/A
  6. 1.6ATN over IPS
  7. 1.7RCP performance
  8. 1.8SESAR and NextGen programmes
  9. 1.9Quality of service
  10. 1.10Workshop: comparison of link media
  1. 2.1ACARS architecture
  2. 2.2ARINC 618 and 620 messaging
  3. 2.3Communications management unit
  4. 2.4Communication service providers
  5. 2.5OOOI messages
  6. 2.6Maintenance applications
  7. 2.7ACARS vulnerabilities
  8. 2.8ACARS over SATCOM
  9. 2.9Evolution towards ACARS over IP
  10. 2.10Practical exercise: decoding ACARS messages
  1. 3.1CPDLC principles
  2. 3.2DLIC connection and logon
  3. 3.3Clearance messages
  4. 3.4FANS 1/A and ATN B1
  5. 3.5GOLD manual
  6. 3.6Requirements of Regulation 29/2009
  7. 3.7Human factors
  8. 3.8Failures and degraded modes
  9. 3.9Oceanic procedures
  10. 3.10Case study: analysis of a CPDLC transaction
  1. 4.1Mode S and 1090 extended squitter
  2. 4.2DO-260B message formats
  3. 4.3NIC, NAC and SIL indicators
  4. 4.4ADS-B Out and ADS-B In
  5. 4.5UAT on 978 MHz
  6. 4.6Space-based ADS-B
  7. 4.7Multilateration and WAM
  8. 4.8Requirements of Regulation 1207/2011
  9. 4.9Spoofing and vulnerabilities
  10. 4.10Lab: receiving ADS-B with SDR
  1. 5.1ADS-C contracts
  2. 5.2RSP performance
  3. 5.34D trajectories and EPP
  4. 5.4Airborne surveillance applications
  5. 5.5ITP procedure
  6. 5.6CDTI displays
  7. 5.7Interval management
  8. 5.8Integration into ATC systems
  9. 5.9Integration with the FMS
  10. 5.10Practical exercise: analysis of an ADS-C contract
  1. 6.1The SWIM concept
  2. 6.2AIXM, FIXM and IWXXM models
  3. 6.3Yellow and blue profiles
  4. 6.4Web services and AMQP messaging
  5. 6.5Service registry
  6. 6.6Security and PKI
  7. 6.7European deployment and CP1
  8. 6.8Service governance
  9. 6.9Operational use cases
  10. 6.10Workshop: consuming a SWIM service
  1. 7.1ETSO equipment approval
  2. 7.2Interoperability testing
  3. 7.3Performance monitoring
  4. 7.4Cybersecurity according to ED-202A
  5. 7.5Message authentication
  6. 7.6Incident management
  7. 7.7Part-IS requirements
  8. 7.8Evolution towards LDACS
  9. 7.9ADS-B protection
  10. 7.10Case study: risk analysis of a datalink
  1. 8.1Operational scenario
  2. 8.2Communications architecture
  3. 8.3Performance requirements
  4. 8.4Message and exchange design
  5. 8.5Surveillance analysis
  6. 8.6SWIM integration
  7. 8.7Cybersecurity analysis
  8. 8.8Conclusions
  9. 8.9Report and presentation
  10. 8.10Final project: final review with the tutor
Methodology, software & labs

How you'll learn

100% online programme on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. No fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within the intake, so it fits around your job.

Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Wireshark, dump1090, MATLAB and Apache ActiveMQ, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Practical work is based on real procedures: receiving and decoding ADS-B with SDR, analysing CPDLC transactions and consuming SWIM services. Assessment is continuous per module plus the final project.

Standards covered: Regulation (EC) 29/2009, Implementing Regulation (EU) 1207/2011, Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/116, RTCA DO-260B, ARINC 618, ARINC 620, ICAO Doc 10037 (GOLD), ICAO Doc 10039 (SWIM).

Assigned technical tutor:every module ends with a deliverable that your tutor marks individually.
Standards-based learning:guided reading of Regulation (EC) 29/2009, Implementing Regulation (EU) 1207/2011 and Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/116 applied to real cases, not as a theoretical annex.
Industry software:Wireshark, dump1090, MATLAB and Apache ActiveMQ, in free, academic or evaluation versions.
Final project:An aeronautical datalink project covering communications architecture, surveillance, SWIM integration and cybersecurity, reviewed by your tutor.
Flexible format:100% online, no fixed timetables, compatible with full-time work.
Capstone project

Build it end to end

Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.

Operational scenario and architecture
Define the operational scenario and the air-ground communications architecture.
Message and exchange design
Design the CPDLC and ACARS messages and exchanges against performance requirements.
Surveillance analysis
Analyse ADS-B and ADS-C surveillance data received with SDR.
SWIM integration and cybersecurity
Integrate a SWIM service and carry out a datalink risk analysis.
Final project
Conclusions, report and presentation, reviewed by your tutor.
Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Aeronautical communications engineerCNS/ATM engineerSurveillance systems technicianAvionics integration engineerAviation cybersecurity analystSWIM services specialist
Admissions & scholarships

Requirements

  • Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. No university degree is required.
  • Internet connection and a computer able to run 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.

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FAQ

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 Wireshark, dump1090, MATLAB and Apache ActiveMQ, 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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