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Master'sElectronics, Embedded Systems & Telecom Applications open

Master’s in User Satcom Engineering

Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in user satcom engineering: 12 modules covering satellite systems for users, link budgets, waveforms and protocols, terminal antennas and electronics, mobile terminals, 5G non-terrestrial networks, installation, regulation and terminal testing, 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

Describe the architecture of satellite systems and their user services.

02

Calculate link budgets with standardised propagation models.

03

Analyse satellite communication waveforms and protocols.

04

Design antennas and electronics for user terminals.

05

Integrate terminals into non-terrestrial networks and mobile environments.

06

Apply the regulatory and installation requirements for terminals.

07

Develop a complete user satellite terminal project.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Satellite communications engineers.
  • User terminal engineers.
  • NTN systems engineers.
  • VSAT installation technicians looking to move into engineering roles.
  • Satellite network operations engineers.
  • Spectrum regulation engineers.
  • Engineering or science graduates aiming to join satellite operators.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • ETSI EN 301 428 (VSAT earth stations in the 11/12/14 GHz bands)
  • ETSI EN 303 979 (earth stations on mobile platforms (ESOMPs) in the Ka band)
  • ETSI EN 302 307-2 (DVB-S2X extensions)
  • ETSI EN 301 545-2 (DVB-RCS2 lower layers for satellite)
  • ITU Radio Regulations (international treaty governing the use of the radio spectrum)
  • Recommendation ITU-R P.618 (propagation data for Earth-space telecommunication systems)
  • 3GPP TS 38.300 (NR and NG-RAN overall description)
  • Recommendation ITU-R S.465 (reference radiation pattern for earth station antennas)
  • STK (Systems Tool Kit)
  • MATLAB Satellite Communications Toolbox
  • SatMaster Pro
  • Ansys HFSS
  • Keysight PathWave VSA
Syllabus

12 modules · 1900 h

  1. 1.1. Space, ground and user segments
  2. 1.2. Fixed, mobile and broadcasting services
  3. 1.3. GEO, MEO and LEO orbits compared
  4. 1.4. Current broadband constellations
  5. 1.5. Transparent and regenerative architectures
  6. 1.6. Spot beams and frequency reuse
  7. 1.7. User terminal business model
  8. 1.8. L, S, Ku, Ka and Q/V bands
  9. 1.9. Trends in the satellite sector
  10. 1.10. Case study: comparison of broadband services
  1. 2.1. Link equation and EIRP
  2. 2.2. Terminal G/T ratio
  3. 2.3. Atmospheric and rain losses
  4. 2.4. ITU-R attenuation models
  5. 2.5. Availability and link margins
  6. 2.6. Adjacent satellite interference
  7. 2.7. Transponder intermodulation noise
  8. 2.8. C/N, C/I and C/(N+I) ratios
  9. 2.9. Doppler effect in low orbits
  10. 2.10. Practical exercise: Ku-band link budget for a VSAT
  1. 3.1. DVB-S2 and DVB-S2X standard
  2. 3.2. DVB-RCS2 return channel
  3. 3.3. Adaptive coding and modulation
  4. 3.4. MF-TDMA multiple access
  5. 3.5. TCP acceleration and PEP
  6. 3.6. Link encryption and security
  7. 3.7. Narrowband IoT signals over satellite
  8. 3.8. L-band messaging protocols
  9. 3.9. Quality of service management
  10. 3.10. Lab: analysis of a DVB-S2X carrier
  1. 4.1. Offset parabolic reflectors
  2. 4.2. Feed horns and OMTs
  3. 4.3. Flat-panel aperture antennas
  4. 4.4. Electronic phased arrays for LEO
  5. 4.5. Metamaterial antennas
  6. 4.6. Mechanical and electronic tracking
  7. 4.7. Patterns and sidelobe envelopes
  8. 4.8. Multibeam antennas for dual satellite
  9. 4.9. Radomes and installation environment
  10. 4.10. Practical exercise: design of a Ka-band flat array
  1. 5.1. LNB converters and downconverter blocks
  2. 5.2. BUC transmit amplifiers
  3. 5.3. Satellite modems and their functions
  4. 5.4. Oscillators and frequency stability
  5. 5.5. IF interfaces and cables
  6. 5.6. Terminal power supply and consumption
  7. 5.7. Outdoor thermal management
  8. 5.8. GNSS integration for pointing
  9. 5.9. Low-cost terminal design
  10. 5.10. Workshop: noise budget of a receive chain
  1. 6.1. Communications on the move (COTM)
  2. 6.2. Maritime VSAT terminals
  3. 6.3. In-flight connectivity
  4. 6.4. Terminals for trains and vehicles
  5. 6.5. Rapid-deployment portable terminals
  6. 6.6. Satellite phones and messaging
  7. 6.7. Direct-to-device connectivity
  8. 6.8. Blockage and inter-beam handovers
  9. 6.9. Certification of mobile terminals
  10. 6.10. Case study: connectivity for a merchant vessel
  1. 7.1. 3GPP NTN architecture
  2. 7.2. NR adaptations for satellite
  3. 7.3. NB-IoT and LTE-M over satellite
  4. 7.4. Delay and Doppler management
  5. 7.5. High-altitude platform stations (HAPS)
  6. 7.6. Integration with terrestrial networks
  7. 7.7. Roaming between satellite and mobile networks
  8. 7.8. Release 17 and 18 use cases
  9. 7.9. NTN roadmap in 6G
  10. 7.10. Practical exercise: Doppler compensation in an NTN link
  1. 8.1. Terminal pointing and polarisation
  2. 8.2. Signal measurement and alignment
  3. 8.3. Lightning protection and earthing
  4. 8.4. Mounts and wind loads
  5. 8.5. Commissioning and service activation
  6. 8.6. Remote terminal supervision
  7. 8.7. Diagnosis of common faults
  8. 8.8. Preventive field maintenance
  9. 8.9. Safety when working at height
  10. 8.10. Workshop: VSAT commissioning procedure
  1. 9.1. ITU Radio Regulations
  2. 9.2. Frequency coordination and filings
  3. 9.3. Terminal and station licences
  4. 9.4. Landing rights authorisations
  5. 9.5. Off-axis EIRP density limits
  6. 9.6. Harmonised standards for satellite equipment
  7. 9.7. Field exposure from terminals
  8. 9.8. Space debris and orbital sustainability
  9. 9.9. Cybersecurity of user segments
  10. 9.10. Case study: authorisation file for a VSAT network
  1. 10.1. Rural broadband and the digital divide
  2. 10.2. Cellular backhaul over satellite
  3. 10.3. Emergency communications
  4. 10.4. Remote IoT connectivity
  5. 10.5. Energy, mining and offshore platforms
  6. 10.6. Agriculture and environmental monitoring
  7. 10.7. Government and defence: an overview
  8. 10.8. Direct-to-home television broadcasting
  9. 10.9. Economic and pricing models
  10. 10.10. Workshop: rural broadband business plan
  1. 11.1. Satellite system simulation
  2. 11.2. Satellite channel emulators
  3. 11.3. Laboratory performance testing
  4. 11.4. G/T and EIRP measurements
  5. 11.5. Anechoic chamber testing
  6. 11.6. Terminal environmental testing
  7. 11.7. Live network testing
  8. 11.8. Interoperability with operators
  9. 11.9. Type approval documentation
  10. 11.10. Lab: G/T measurement with a solar noise source
  1. 12.1. Service and terminal definition
  2. 12.2. User requirements analysis
  3. 12.3. System link budget
  4. 12.4. Antenna and electronics design
  5. 12.5. Performance simulation
  6. 12.6. Installation and operation plan
  7. 12.7. Regulatory and economic analysis
  8. 12.8. Conclusions on the terminal
  9. 12.9. Master's Thesis report
  10. 12.10. Master'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, making it compatible with work.

Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is STK (Systems Tool Kit), MATLAB Satellite Communications Toolbox, SatMaster Pro, Ansys HFSS and Keysight PathWave VSA, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures: link budget calculation with ITU-R models, G/T and EIRP measurement on terminals, and field commissioning of VSAT terminals. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final Master's Thesis.

Standards covered: ETSI EN 301 428, ETSI EN 303 979, ETSI EN 302 307-2, ETSI EN 301 545-2, ITU Radio Regulations, Recommendation ITU-R P.618, 3GPP TS 38.300, Recommendation ITU-R S.465.

Assigned technical tutor:every module ends with a deliverable that your tutor marks individually.
Standards-based learning:guided reading of ETSI EN 301 428, ETSI EN 303 979 and ETSI EN 302 307-2 applied to real cases, not as a theoretical annex.
Industry software:STK (Systems Tool Kit), MATLAB Satellite Communications Toolbox, SatMaster Pro, Ansys HFSS and Keysight PathWave VSA, in free, academic or evaluation versions.
Master's Thesis with defence:Design, simulation and regulatory and economic analysis of a complete user satellite terminal, 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.

Service and requirements
Define the service and terminal and analyse user requirements.
System link budget
Calculate the complete system link budget with ITU-R models.
Antenna and electronics
Design the terminal antenna and electronics.
Simulation and operation plan
Simulate performance and plan installation and operation.
Master's Thesis
Complete the regulatory and economic analysis of the terminal, defended before a panel.
Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Satellite communications engineerUser terminal engineerNTN systems engineerVSAT installation technicianSatellite network operations engineerSpectrum regulation engineer
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's 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 STK (Systems Tool Kit), MATLAB Satellite Communications Toolbox, SatMaster Pro, Ansys HFSS and Keysight PathWave VSA, 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's 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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