Diploma in Deep Space RF Links and Modulation
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in deep-space RF links and modulation: 8 modules covering deep-space communications, link budgets, modulation and waveforms, channel coding, synchronisation and reception, radiometric navigation and future networks, 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 architecture of deep-space communications.
Calculate link budgets with statistical margins.
Select suitable modulations according to CCSDS recommendations.
Apply channel codes close to the Shannon limit.
Design synchronisation and reception loops at low signal-to-noise ratio.
Explain radiometric navigation techniques.
Plan the communications of an interplanetary mission.
Who it's for
- Space RF engineers
- TT&C engineers
- Ground station engineers
- Deep-space navigation analysts
- Communications systems engineers
- Mission operations engineers
- Engineering or science graduates looking to join space agencies
What you'll work with
- CCSDS 401.0-B (radio frequency and modulation systems)
- CCSDS 131.0-B (TM synchronisation and channel coding)
- CCSDS 231.0-B (TC synchronisation and channel coding)
- CCSDS 132.0-B (TM space data link protocol)
- CCSDS 732.0-B (AOS space data link protocol)
- CCSDS 734.2-B (Bundle Protocol for delay-tolerant networking)
- ECSS-E-ST-50-05C (radio frequency and modulation)
- ITU Radio Regulations (international frequency allocation)
- MATLAB Communications Toolbox
- GNU Radio
- STK
- GMAT
- SatSoft
8 modules
1.1Interplanetary distances, losses and delays1.2S, X and Ka bands for deep space1.3DSN and ESTRACK architecture1.434- and 70-metre antennas1.5TT&C functions: telemetry, telecommand and tracking1.6Reference missions: Voyager, Juno and Mars1.7System noise and antenna temperature1.8Solar plasma and solar conjunction1.9Frequency allocation regulations1.10Workshop: Earth–Mars link geometry
2.1Friis equation and EIRP2.2G/T figure of merit2.3Required Eb/N0 and margin2.4Atmospheric and rain losses in Ka band2.5Pointing and polarisation losses2.6Statistical distribution of the margin2.7Parabolic antenna gains2.8TWTA and SSPA amplifiers2.9Design for various mission distances2.10Practical exercise: link budget of a probe to Jupiter
3.1PCM/PM modulation with subcarrier3.2Residual and suppressed carrier modulation3.3BPSK, QPSK and OQPSK3.4GMSK for high data rates3.5High-efficiency APSK modulations3.6Spectrum and bandwidth occupancy3.7Spectral efficiency versus power3.8CCSDS modulation recommendations3.9Ranging waveforms3.10Laboratory: baseband simulation of modulations
4.1Shannon limit and coding gain4.2Convolutional codes and Viterbi decoding4.3Concatenated Reed-Solomon codes4.4CCSDS turbo codes4.5LDPC codes for telemetry4.6Interleaving and error bursts4.7BCH coding for telecommand4.8TM and TC transfer frames4.9Data link layer protocols4.10Practical exercise: BER comparison of LDPC and turbo codes
5.1Phase-locked loops (PLL)5.2Carrier recovery at low SNR5.3Symbol and frame synchronisation5.4Doppler effect and its compensation5.5Receivers in probe transponders5.6Ultra-stable reference oscillators5.7Ground antenna arraying5.8Coherent signal combining5.9Implementation losses5.10Laboratory: design of a second-order PLL
6.1Sequential and pseudo-noise ranging6.2Two-way and three-way Doppler6.3Delta-DOR and VLBI interferometry6.4Tropospheric and ionospheric calibrations6.5Interplanetary orbit determination6.6Radio science and occultations6.7Relativistic delay and clocks6.8Measurement accuracy and errors6.9Complementary optical navigation6.10Case study: orbit determination of a probe in cruise
7.1Pass planning and antenna allocation7.2DTN and the Bundle Protocol7.3Optical communications for deep space7.4Mars-orbit relays7.5Cross-support between agencies7.6Operations during solar conjunction7.7Link anomaly management7.8Space link security7.9Software-defined radio trends7.10Case study: communications plan for a lunar mission
8.1Mission and data requirements8.2Band selection and architecture8.3Complete link budget8.4Selection of modulation and coding8.5Design of the RF flight segment8.6Radiometric navigation strategy8.7Communications operations plan8.8Link risks and mitigation8.9Report 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 MATLAB Communications Toolbox, GNU Radio, STK, GMAT and SatSoft in free, academic or evaluation versions. Practical work is based on real procedures: calculating link budgets for interplanetary missions, simulating modulation and coding chains and planning passes with deep-space antenna networks. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final project.
Standards covered: CCSDS 401.0-B, CCSDS 131.0-B, CCSDS 231.0-B, CCSDS 132.0-B, CCSDS 732.0-B, CCSDS 734.2-B, ECSS-E-ST-50-05C, 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 MATLAB Communications Toolbox, GNU Radio, STK, GMAT and SatSoft, 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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