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Master’s in Aeronautical Communications and Datalink Engineering

Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in aeronautical communications and datalink engineering, structured in 12 modules covering radio fundamentals, VHF datalinks, CPDLC and ATN, SATCOM, future communications, SWIM, airborne equipment, cybersecurity and performance-based certification, with an assigned technical tutor.

Duration1900 h
ModeOnline
LanguageEnglish
Start datesSet by the faculty
AwardSEIUM Institute diploma
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Learning outcomes

What you will be able to do

01

Understand aeronautical communication services and systems.

02

Analyse aeronautical propagation and link budgets.

03

Apply VHF datalink and CPDLC protocols.

04

Evaluate satellite communication systems.

05

Design future communications architectures.

06

Analyse the cybersecurity of aeronautical links.

07

Assess communications performance and certification.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Aeronautical communications engineers working with voice and data links.
  • CNS engineers at air navigation service providers.
  • Datalink specialists handling ACARS, VDL and CPDLC services.
  • ATM network engineers working on PENS, AMHS and SWIM.
  • Communications avionics engineers integrating radios and SATCOM terminals.
  • Aviation cybersecurity specialists focused on air-ground links.
  • Engineering or science graduates aiming to join air traffic management.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • ICAO Annex 10 to the Chicago Convention, Volumes II and III (aeronautical telecommunications)
  • Regulation (EC) 29/2009 Data Link Services (EU datalink services requirements)
  • Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/1770 (EU airspace usage and equipment requirements)
  • ICAO Doc 9869 PBCS Manual (performance-based communication and surveillance)
  • EUROCAE ED-228A (safety and performance requirements for Baseline 2 datalink)
  • EUROCAE ED-137 (interoperability standards for VoIP ATM components)
  • RTCA DO-160G (environmental conditions and test procedures for airborne equipment)
  • ICAO Doc 9880 (manual on detailed technical specifications for the ATN)
  • MATLAB Communications Toolbox
  • Wireshark
  • GNU Radio
  • STK
  • Python
Syllabus

12 modules · 1900 h

  1. 1.1Aeronautical communication services
  2. 1.2VHF voice communications
  3. 1.38.33 kHz channel spacing
  4. 1.4HF communications on oceanic routes
  5. 1.5Satellite communications
  6. 1.6Safety and non-safety communications
  7. 1.7ITU Radio Regulations
  8. 1.8Aeronautical frequency bands
  9. 1.9Evolution towards digital connectivity
  10. 1.10Case study: frequency plan for an ACC
  1. 2.1VHF and HF propagation
  2. 2.2Link budget
  3. 2.3Analogue and digital modulations
  4. 2.4Channel coding
  5. 2.5Aeronautical antennas and their installation
  6. 2.6Interference and coexistence
  7. 2.7Doppler effect on aircraft
  8. 2.8Multipath and fading
  9. 2.9Radio channel design
  10. 2.10Lab: air-ground VHF link budget
  1. 3.1The ACARS system and its messages
  2. 3.2VDL Mode 2
  3. 3.3AVLC and ATN protocols
  4. 3.4VDL capacity and congestion
  5. 3.5VDL Mode 4
  6. 3.6Datalink service providers
  7. 3.7AOC operational messaging
  8. 3.8Link performance
  9. 3.9Evolution of VDL
  10. 3.10Practical exercise: analysis of ACARS message traffic
  1. 4.1CPDLC in European airspace
  2. 4.2Regulation (EC) 29/2009
  3. 4.3DLIC, ACM, ACL and AMC services
  4. 4.4ATN/OSI versus ATN/IPS
  5. 4.5FANS 1/A in oceanic airspace
  6. 4.6Baseline 2 and 4D trajectories
  7. 4.7RCP performance requirements
  8. 4.8Integration into the FMS
  9. 4.9Implementation experience
  10. 4.10Case study: CPDLC performance analysis in an FIR
  1. 5.1Inmarsat SwiftBroadband Safety
  2. 5.2Iridium Certus service for the cockpit
  3. 5.3LEO constellations for aviation
  4. 5.4ESA Iris
  5. 5.5SATCOM for ATS
  6. 5.6Airborne terminals and antennas
  7. 5.7Latency and availability
  8. 5.8Passenger cabin communications
  9. 5.9SATCOM certification
  10. 5.10Practical exercise: comparison of SATCOM systems for ATS
  1. 6.1Future Communications Infrastructure
  2. 6.2L-band LDACS system
  3. 6.3AeroMACS at airports
  4. 6.4Multilink and link management
  5. 6.5Transition to ATN/IPS
  6. 6.6Communications for RPAS
  7. 6.7SESAR roadmap
  8. 6.8Global Air Navigation Plan
  9. 6.9Managing the technology transition
  10. 6.10Lab: simulation of an LDACS link
  1. 7.1ADS-B and Mode S
  2. 7.2ADS-C contract surveillance
  3. 7.3Flight data exchange
  4. 7.4Airport datalink
  5. 7.5D-ATIS and DCL
  6. 7.6Meteorological messages via datalink
  7. 7.7Connected EFB and services
  8. 7.8Real-time maintenance data
  9. 7.9Integration with SWIM
  10. 7.10Case study: data flow of a connected flight
  1. 8.1European PENS network
  2. 8.2AMHS messaging between services
  3. 8.3SWIM and services
  4. 8.4AIXM, FIXM and IWXXM models
  5. 8.5Service-oriented architectures
  6. 8.6Network security
  7. 8.7ED-137 voice over IP networks
  8. 8.8Interoperability between ANSPs
  9. 8.9Quality of service
  10. 8.10Workshop: design of a SWIM flight information service
  1. 9.1Digital VHF radios
  2. 9.2Communications management units
  3. 9.3Antennas and their installation
  4. 9.4Integration with avionics
  5. 9.5Wiring and EMC
  6. 9.6DO-160 for radio equipment
  7. 9.7Equipment certification
  8. 9.8Equipment maintenance
  9. 9.9Ground testing
  10. 9.10Practical exercise: installation plan for a VHF antenna
  1. 10.1ACARS and ADS-B vulnerabilities
  2. 10.2Link authentication
  3. 10.3Encryption in ATN/IPS
  4. 10.4ED-201 and ED-205
  5. 10.5Spoofing detection
  6. 10.6PKI key management
  7. 10.7SATCOM security
  8. 10.8Incident response
  9. 10.9Aviation cybersecurity regulation
  10. 10.10Case study: threat analysis of a CPDLC link
  1. 11.1Performance Based Communication and Surveillance
  2. 11.2RCP 240 and 400 requirements
  3. 11.3Performance monitoring
  4. 11.4Operator certification
  5. 11.5Aircraft approval
  6. 11.6Interoperability testing between systems
  7. 11.7Acceptance testing
  8. 11.8Incident management
  9. 11.9Continuous performance improvement
  10. 11.10Workshop: RCP performance monitoring report
  1. 12.1Selection of the communications scenario
  2. 12.2Service requirements
  3. 12.3Link analysis
  4. 12.4Architecture design
  5. 12.5Airborne equipment integration
  6. 12.6Cybersecurity analysis
  7. 12.7Performance assessment
  8. 12.8Implementation plan
  9. 12.9Master's Thesis report
  10. 12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
Methodology, software & labs

How you'll learn

100% online training 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 alongside your job.

Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is MATLAB Communications Toolbox, Wireshark, GNU Radio, STK and Python, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Practice is based on real procedures for link budget analysis, datalink simulation and CPDLC performance monitoring. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final Master's Thesis.

Standards covered: ICAO Annex 10 to the Chicago Convention, Volumes II and III; Regulation (EC) 29/2009 Data Link Services; Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/1770; ICAO Doc 9869 PBCS Manual; EUROCAE ED-228A; EUROCAE ED-137; RTCA DO-160G; ICAO Doc 9880.

Assigned technical tutor:every module ends with a deliverable that your tutor marks individually.
Standards-based learning:guided reading of ICAO Annex 10, Regulation (EC) 29/2009 and Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/1770 applied to real cases, not as a theoretical annex.
Industry software:MATLAB Communications Toolbox, Wireshark, GNU Radio, STK and Python, in free, academic or evaluation versions.
Master's Thesis with defence:A complete aeronautical communications system design, from service requirements and link analysis through architecture, cybersecurity and performance assessment to the implementation plan, defended before a panel.
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.

Budget the links
Calculate air-ground VHF and SATCOM link budgets for a chosen scenario.
Analyse datalink traffic
Study ACARS and CPDLC message traffic and its performance in an FIR.
Design the architecture
Design a multilink communications architecture including LDACS and SWIM services.
Assess cybersecurity
Carry out a threat analysis of the CPDLC link and define mitigations.
Master's Thesis
A full aeronautical communications system project with its implementation plan, defended before a panel.
Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Aeronautical communications engineerCNS engineerDatalink specialistATM network engineerCommunications avionics engineerAviation cybersecurity specialist
Admissions & scholarships

Requirements

  • A university degree in engineering, science or architecture, or equivalent demonstrable professional experience.
  • 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.

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions

The programme totals 1,900 hours over 12–14 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, Wireshark, GNU Radio, STK and Python, 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 Master's Thesis. 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 in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are recognised in the higher programme. Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.

A university degree in engineering, science or architecture (or equivalent professional experience), 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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