Master’s in Tactical SDR/MANET Networks and Land SATCOM Engineering
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in tactical SDR/MANET networks and land SATCOM engineering, structured in 12 modules covering radio propagation and planning, networked SDR, MANET protocols, land SATCOM, integrated network architecture, network security, spectrum management and testing, with an assigned technical tutor.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this programme. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Plan land radio networks using terrain models.
Configure networked software-defined radios.
Evaluate routing protocols for mobile ad hoc networks.
Size land SATCOM terminals and links.
Design integrated IP architectures over heterogeneous links.
Manage the operation and security of deployable networks.
Validate network performance through field trials.
Who it's for
- Tactical network engineers working with radio, MANET or SATCOM systems.
- Radio planners who need deeper knowledge of mobile networking and SATCOM.
- Satellite communications engineers moving into integrated land networks.
- Deployable network administrators in defence or emergency services.
- Spectrum engineers handling multi-network deployments.
- Network security engineers focusing on wireless and disconnected environments.
- Engineering or science graduates aiming to enter the defence and security sector.
What you'll work with
- IETF RFC 7181 (OLSRv2 routing protocol)
- ITU-R Recommendation P.1546 (point-to-area propagation prediction)
- ETSI EN 300 392 (TETRA)
- Directive 2014/53/EU (Radio Equipment Directive, RED)
- MIL-STD-461G (electromagnetic interference control requirements)
- IETF RFC 4301 (IPsec security architecture)
- 3GPP TS 23.501 (5G system architecture)
- Radio Mobile
- ns-3
- GNU Radio
- Zabbix
- Wireshark
12 modules · 1900 h
1.1Characteristics of networks on the move1.2Network levels: individual, unit and command post1.3Mobility and rapid deployment requirements1.4Hierarchical and flat topologies1.5Voice, data and video traffic1.6Size, weight and power (SWaP) constraints1.7Evolution of combat radio networks1.8TETRA and TETRAPOL emergency networks1.9Civil-military interoperability1.10Case study: network requirements for an emergency deployment
2.1Terrestrial propagation in VHF and UHF2.2Longley-Rice and ITU-R P.1546 models2.3Effect of terrain and vegetation2.4Urban and indoor propagation2.5Digital terrain models2.6Point-to-area coverage planning2.7Point-to-point links and radio links2.8Interference analysis2.9Network frequency planning2.10Practical exercise: coverage study with Radio Mobile and SRTM
3.1Architecture of multiband tactical radios3.2Narrowband and wideband waveforms3.3Mobile network waveforms3.4SCA portability and waveform management3.5Remote radio management3.6Power consumption and batteries3.7Vehicle integration of radios3.8Handheld and manpack radios3.9Radio performance testing3.10Lab: SDR network with GNU Radio and HackRF
4.1Proactive and reactive routing4.2OLSRv2 according to RFC 71814.3BATMAN and layer 2 routing4.4TDMA and CSMA medium access4.5Neighbour and link management4.6Multicast in mobile networks4.7Cluster-based hierarchical networks4.8Scalability and control overhead4.9Network performance measurement4.10Practical exercise: OLSR vs BATMAN comparison in ns-3
5.1Fixed, transportable and on-the-move terminals5.2Pointing and tracking antennas5.3X-band and Ka-band GEO satellites5.4Commercial LEO constellations5.5Downlink and uplink budget5.6Rain and atmospheric attenuation5.7TDMA and MF-TDMA multiple access5.8Integration of SATCOM with radio networks5.9GOVSATCOM and IRIS² programmes5.10Workshop: sizing a transportable SATCOM terminal
6.1Integration of radio, SATCOM and fixed networks6.2IP networks over heterogeneous links6.3Inter-domain routing with BGP and OSPF6.4End-to-end quality of service6.5TCP optimisation over degraded links6.6Software-defined networking (SDN)6.7Tactical and private 5G networks6.8Interoperability gateways6.9IPv6 addressing management6.10Case study: network design for a deployable command post
7.1Network planning and technical orders7.2Monitoring with SNMP and telemetry7.3Node configuration management7.4Fault management and recovery7.5Tactical network management tools7.6Configuration automation7.7Traffic analysis7.8Incident management7.9Network documentation7.10Practical exercise: network monitoring with Zabbix
8.1Threats to mobile wireless networks8.2Network encryption: IPsec and HAIPE at a conceptual level8.3Node authentication8.4Key management in disconnected networks8.5Intrusion detection in MANET8.6Protection against interference8.7Physical security of equipment8.8Network separation by classification8.9Security auditing8.10Lab: IPsec tunnels with strongSwan
9.1Spectrum management in deployments9.2Coexistence of multiple networks9.3Electromagnetic compatibility in vehicles9.4Co-site interference and filtering9.5ITU-R and national regulations9.6Spectrum monitoring9.7Cognitive radio9.8Assignment databases9.9Resolution of frequency conflicts9.10Case study: frequency plan for a multi-agency deployment
10.1Radio channel emulators10.2Network test benches10.3Field trials and drive tests10.4Throughput, latency and jitter measurements10.5Interoperability testing10.6Quality of service validation10.7Resilience testing10.8Analysis of results10.9Equipment certification10.10Workshop: measurement campaign with iperf3
11.1European software-defined radio programmes11.2Tactical networks in international missions11.3Convergence with 5G and 6G11.4Direct-to-satellite communications11.5Artificial intelligence in network management11.6Energy sustainability of networks11.7Obsolescence and modernisation11.8Dual use in emergencies11.9Training of network operators11.10Case study: comparative analysis of two radio programmes
12.1Definition of the deployment scenario12.2State of the art in tactical networks12.3Coverage planning12.4Proposed network architecture12.5Performance simulation12.6Security analysis12.7Management and operation plan12.8Conclusions and future work12.9Master's Thesis report12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
How you'll learn
100% online training 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 you can combine it with your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Radio Mobile, ns-3, GNU Radio, Zabbix and Wireshark, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures for radio coverage studies on terrain models, network performance measurement campaigns and simulation of mobile routing protocols. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final Master's Thesis.
Standards covered: IETF RFC 7181, ITU-R Recommendation P.1546, ETSI EN 300 392, Directive 2014/53/EU, MIL-STD-461G, IETF RFC 4301, 3GPP TS 23.501.
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
- 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.
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 Radio Mobile, ns-3, GNU Radio, Zabbix and Wireshark, 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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