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Master'sElectronics, Embedded Systems & Telecom Applications open

Master’s in Real-Time Middleware and Communication Engineering

Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in middleware and real-time communication engineering. 12 modules covering DDS and its quality of service, ROS 2, automotive SOME/IP, OPC UA, TSN deterministic networks, PTP time synchronisation, performance analysis and security, 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

Design distributed communication architectures for real-time systems.

02

Configure DDS middleware with suitable quality-of-service profiles.

03

Integrate service-oriented industrial and automotive protocols.

04

Plan TSN-based deterministic networks and clock synchronisation.

05

Measure and guarantee end-to-end latency, jitter and reliability.

06

Apply security mechanisms in middleware and networks.

07

Validate distributed systems through simulation and testing.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Middleware engineers working with DDS, SOME/IP or OPC UA.
  • Distributed systems architects designing real-time platforms.
  • Industrial network engineers moving towards TSN and IT-OT convergence.
  • Robotics software engineers building ROS 2 systems.
  • Systems integration engineers in automotive, aerospace or automation.
  • Automotive communications engineers working on software-defined vehicles.
  • Engineering or science graduates seeking to move into the automotive sector.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • OMG DDS Data Distribution Service 1.4 (data-centric publish-subscribe middleware)
  • OMG DDS-RTPS (Real-Time Publish-Subscribe wire protocol)
  • IEEE 802.1AS (timing and synchronisation for time-sensitive applications)
  • IEEE 802.1Qbv (enhancements for scheduled traffic)
  • IEC 62541 OPC UA (industrial interoperability architecture)
  • AUTOSAR Adaptive Platform SOME/IP (service-oriented automotive communication)
  • IEEE 1588 (Precision Time Protocol)
  • IEC 61784-2 (Ethernet-based real-time communication profiles)
  • RTI Connext DDS
  • eProsima Fast DDS
  • ROS 2
  • Wireshark
  • OMNeT++
Syllabus

12 modules · 1900 h

  1. 1.1Characteristics of critical distributed systems
  2. 1.2Client-server and publish-subscribe models
  3. 1.3Data-centric versus message-centric communication
  4. 1.4Latency, jitter and determinism
  5. 1.5Fault tolerance and redundancy
  6. 1.6Scalability requirements
  7. 1.7Middleware in avionics, automotive and robotics
  8. 1.8Service-oriented architectures
  9. 1.9Middleware selection criteria
  10. 1.10Case study: analysis of an autonomous vehicle architecture
  1. 2.1DDS global data space model
  2. 2.2Domains, participants, topics and types
  3. 2.3Publishers, subscribers, writers and readers
  4. 2.4Dynamic entity discovery
  5. 2.5RTPS wire protocol
  6. 2.6Type definition with IDL and XTypes
  7. 2.7Commercial and open-source implementations
  8. 2.8Interoperability between implementations
  9. 2.9Deployment on embedded systems
  10. 2.10Practical: publish-subscribe application with Fast DDS
  1. 3.1Reliability and durability policies
  2. 3.2History and resource limits
  3. 3.3Deadlines, latency and liveliness
  4. 3.4Exclusive ownership and redundancy
  5. 3.5Content and time-based filtering
  6. 3.6Partitions and logical partitioning
  7. 3.7Policy compatibility between endpoints
  8. 3.8XML quality-of-service profiles
  9. 3.9Middleware performance tuning
  10. 3.10Lab: tuning QoS policies for closed-loop control
  1. 4.1ROS 2 architecture over DDS
  2. 4.2Nodes, topics, services and actions
  3. 4.3RMW layer and implementation selection
  4. 4.4Executors and threading model
  5. 4.5Intra-process and zero-copy communication
  6. 4.6Real-time ROS 2
  7. 4.7micro-ROS for microcontrollers
  8. 4.8Security with SROS2
  9. 4.9ROS 2 tracing tools
  10. 4.10Workshop: distributed robotic system with ROS 2
  1. 5.1Zonal and centralised E/E architectures
  2. 5.2AUTOSAR Classic and COM communication
  3. 5.3AUTOSAR Adaptive and services
  4. 5.4SOME/IP protocol and service discovery
  5. 5.5DDS in software-defined vehicles
  6. 5.6CAN-Ethernet gateways
  7. 5.7Diagnostics over IP (DoIP)
  8. 5.8Over-the-air vehicle updates
  9. 5.9Functional safety requirements
  10. 5.10Case study: design of SOME/IP services for a vehicle
  1. 6.1Automation pyramid and IT-OT convergence
  2. 6.2OPC UA information model
  3. 6.3Client-server communication in OPC UA
  4. 6.4OPC UA PubSub over UDP and MQTT
  5. 6.5OPC UA over TSN
  6. 6.6PROFINET and EtherCAT fieldbuses
  7. 6.7Modbus TCP and legacy protocols
  8. 6.8Sector-specific companion specifications
  9. 6.9Integration with the industrial cloud
  10. 6.10Practical: OPC UA server with an information model
  1. 7.1Limitations of standard Ethernet
  2. 7.2IEEE 802.1 TSN family of standards
  3. 7.3Traffic scheduling with 802.1Qbv
  4. 7.4Credit-based shaping
  5. 7.5802.1Qbu frame preemption
  6. 7.6Redundancy with 802.1CB
  7. 7.7Centralised network configuration
  8. 7.8Calculating scheduling tables
  9. 7.9Industrial and automotive TSN profiles
  10. 7.10Lab: TSN network simulation in OMNeT++
  1. 8.1The need for a common time base
  2. 8.2IEEE 1588 PTP protocol
  3. 8.3IEEE 802.1AS gPTP profile
  4. 8.4Boundary and transparent clocks
  5. 8.5Accuracy and sources of error
  6. 8.6Synchronisation in DDS and applications
  7. 8.7Grandmaster clock redundancy
  8. 8.8Measuring synchronisation accuracy
  9. 8.9Time and network security
  10. 8.10Practical: PTP synchronisation measurement
  1. 9.1End-to-end latency modelling
  2. 9.2Worst-case analysis in switched networks
  3. 9.3Network calculus and arrival curves
  4. 9.4Latency measurement with traces
  5. 9.5Capture analysis with Wireshark
  6. 9.6Load and stress testing
  7. 9.7Middleware CPU and memory consumption
  8. 9.8Comparison of DDS implementations
  9. 9.9Common bottlenecks
  10. 9.10Case study: diagnosing latencies in a DDS system
  1. 10.1Threats in distributed systems
  2. 10.2DDS Security specification
  3. 10.3Authentication, access control and encryption
  4. 10.4Security in OPC UA
  5. 10.5MACsec and link-layer security
  6. 10.6Industrial network segmentation
  7. 10.7IEC 62443 requirements
  8. 10.8Impact of security on latency
  9. 10.9Certificate and key management
  10. 10.10Workshop: configuring DDS Security with permissions
  1. 11.1Incremental integration strategies
  2. 11.2Network and middleware simulation
  3. 11.3Distributed hardware-in-the-loop testing
  4. 11.4Communication fault injection
  5. 11.5Monitoring in operation
  6. 11.6Data recording and replay
  7. 11.7Interface version management
  8. 11.8Data interface documentation
  9. 11.9Evidence for certification
  10. 11.10Lab: distributed test bench with fault injection
  1. 12.1Definition of the distributed system
  2. 12.2Communication and timing requirements
  3. 12.3Middleware architecture design
  4. 12.4Deterministic network design
  5. 12.5Prototype implementation
  6. 12.6Performance measurement
  7. 12.7Security analysis
  8. 12.8Conclusions and future work
  9. 12.9Master's Thesis report
  10. 12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
Methodology, software & labs

How you'll learn

Training is 100% online 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 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 RTI Connext DDS, eProsima Fast DDS, ROS 2, Wireshark and OMNeT++, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Work is based on real procedures: designing publish-subscribe architectures with DDS, configuring deterministic TSN networks and measuring end-to-end latency and jitter. Assessment is continuous per module, plus the final Master's Thesis.

Standards covered: OMG DDS 1.4, OMG DDS-RTPS, IEEE 802.1AS, IEEE 802.1Qbv, IEC 62541 OPC UA, AUTOSAR Adaptive Platform SOME/IP, IEEE 1588, IEC 61784-2.

Assigned technical tutor:every module ends with a deliverable that your tutor marks individually.
Standards-based learning:guided reading of OMG DDS, DDS-RTPS and IEEE 802.1AS applied to real cases, not as a theoretical annex.
Industry software:RTI Connext DDS, eProsima Fast DDS, ROS 2, Wireshark and OMNeT++, in free, academic or evaluation versions.
Master's Thesis with defence:The design, prototyping and performance measurement of a distributed real-time system with middleware and a deterministic network, 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.

Publish-subscribe application
Build a DDS publish-subscribe application with Fast DDS.
QoS tuning for control
Tune DDS QoS policies for a closed-loop control system.
TSN network simulation
Simulate and schedule a deterministic TSN network in OMNeT++.
Latency diagnosis and security
Diagnose latencies in a DDS system and configure DDS Security with permissions.
Master's Thesis
A distributed real-time system with middleware architecture, deterministic network and performance measurement, defended before a panel.
Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Middleware engineerDistributed systems architectIndustrial network engineerRobotics software engineerSystems integration engineerAutomotive communications engineer
Admissions & scholarships

Requirements

  • University degree in engineering, science or architecture, or equivalent demonstrable professional experience.
  • 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 RTI Connext DDS, eProsima Fast DDS, ROS 2, Wireshark and OMNeT++, 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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