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Telecommunications in the Aeronautical Industry

Code: 101763
Credits: 9
2026/2027
Degree programme Type Course
Aeronautical Management OB 2

Contact lecturer

Name :
Jose Luis Muñoz Gamarra
Email :
joseluis.munoz.gamarra@uab.cat

Teaching staff

Jose Luis Muñoz Gamarra
David Megias Jimenez
Aleksandar Jovanovic
Tomás De Urrengoechea Cantavenera

Group languages

You can consult this information at the end of the document.

Prerequisites

None.

Objectives

First part: Introduction to computer networks

  • Obtain an overview of the concepts related to computer networks, knowing how to place them in a hierarchical model of protocols.
  • Understand the fundamental concepts of local and powerful local networks, focusing on the most used networks in the sector: Ethernet and ATM.
  • Understand the fundamental concepts of network interconnection protocols that give rise to the network of networks (Internet).

Second part: Communications, Navigation and Surveillance systems 

  • Obtain an overview of the concepts related to the communication systems applied to the aeronautical sector.
  • Understand the basic principles of communications, navigation and surveillance systems as well as know the main approach and landing systems and air traffic assistance.
  • Identify areas for improvement and capture future technological trends of communications, navigation and surveillance in the aeronautical sector.

 

 

 

Learning outcomes

  • KM21 (Describe the technological challenges associated with the implementation and management of computer networks and telecommunications systems in the aeronautical sector, considering their impact on connectivity, safety and operational efficiency.) Describe the technological challenges associated with the implementation and management of computer networks and telecommunications systems in the aeronautical sector, considering their impact on connectivity, safety and operational efficiency.
  • SM21 (Model the behaviour of aeronautical networks, communication systems and information systems, using simulators and specific computer tools, thus contributing to the optimisation of operations in the aeronautical sector.) Model the behaviour of aeronautical networks, communication systems and information systems, using simulators and specific computer tools, thus contributing to the optimisation of operations in the aeronautical sector.

Contents

First part: Introduction to computer networks



  • Topic 1. Introduction to computer networks. 

  • Topic 2. Local area networks.

  • Topic 3. Internet applications.


 


Second part: Communications, Navigation and Surveillance systems 



  • Topic 1. Communications I. History. Technology. Aeronautical communications: HF, VHF and UHFTopic 5

  • Topic 2. Communications II: Datalink systems (analogyc and digital)

  • Topic 3 Communications III: Electromagnetic propagation and Antenna design

  • Topic 4. Navigation I. Introduction to Navigation systems: VDF. NDB/ADF. VOR/DME. ILS. MLS

  • Topic 5. Surveillance I: Surveillance techniques. History. Radar operation. Primary ans secondary radars

  • Topic 6. Surveillance II. Secondary radar mode S. ADS-B. European rules. TCAS. Multilateration. Fututes technologies


 


 

Learning activities and methodology

Title Hours ECTS Learning outcomes
Problems resolutions 20 0.8
Theory classes second part 40 1.6
Practices 12 0.48
Theory classes first part 20 0.8
Seminars 6 0.24
Study hours 83 3.32
Works 40 1.6

The teaching methodology to follow is oriented to the learning of the subject by the student on a continuous basis. This process is based on the realization of three types of activities that will be developed throughout the course: theory classes, seminars, problems, practices and group work.

  • Theoretical sessions: the teacher will provide information on the knowledge of the subject and on strategies to acquire, extend and organize this knowledge. The active participation of the students during these sessions will be encouraged, for example discussions in those points that support different technological solutions.
  • Seminars: students must actively participate to consolidate the acquired knowledge by solving, presenting and debating problems that are related to them.
  • Problems: approach and resolution of problems by the teachers interacting with the students and individual resolution of the same.
  • Practices: there will be different sessions where the student will have to do a study and extract them in a final report. Preparation of group work in the subject: students will have to work in teams of three people in the research and elaboration of a work corresponding to the evidences of their learning of both theory and problems, while deepening in a technology Specific network at the teacher's proposal of the subject, which will allow students to acquire the knowledge and skills associated with the parts of theory and problems.
Annotation: within the schedule set by the centre or degree programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses or modules through questionnaires.

Assessment

Continuous assessment activities

Title Weight Hours ECTS Learning outcomes
Computer networks assignments 20% 0 0 KM21, SM21
Communication, Navigation and Surveillance Systems Exam 40% 2 0.08 KM21, SM21
CNS Lab sessions 20% 0 0 KM21, SM21
Exam Computer Networks 20% 2 0.08 KM21, SM21

The single assessment system is not foreseen in this subject.



First theoretical part: Communications, Navigation and Surveillance systems (CNS) (40% of the final mark)


  • 90% will come from the validation tests of knowledge
  • 10% will be obtained in classroom problems
  • Laboratory practices are mandatory



Second theoretical part: Introduction to Computer Networks (Networks) (40% of the final mark)


  • 50% will come from the validation tests of knowledge
  • 25% of the qualification will come from the activities proposed in the theory sessions and seminars
  • The remaining 25% will come from the group work


Laboratory Practices and Problems (20% of the final mark)


Students will have to complete at least 60% of the laboratory sessions in person. Otherwise, they will have to take the practical recovery exam and their final (practical) mark will be that of this exam.

At the end of the semester it will be offered to students who have not obtained the minimum qualification of any of the partial notes the possibility of recovering them. This recovery will be reserved for students who have worked on the subject during the semester. These students will be able to complete and / or correct specific aspects of group work and activities. They will also be able to re-conduct the proof of validation of knowledge and / orthe test of activities. There are aspects of the acquisition of competences that can not be evaluated in the second call, such as teamwork. These aspects will have to be overcome during the semester's work of the subject.

The dates of continuous assessment and work delivery will be published on the virtual campus (changeif you use another platform) and may be subject to possible changes of programming forreasons of adaptation to possible incidents. You will always be informed on the virtual campus (change if you use another platform) on these changes since it is understood that this is the usual platform for exchanging information between teachers and students


Final note and recovery


In order to apply the final grade formula for the course, students must obtain at least 3.5 out of 10 in each of the two parts. If the grade in either part is below 3.5 out of 10, the student will fail the course regardless of the grade in the other part. The final grade will be calculated using the following weighting:


Final qualification = (40%) networks qualification + (40%) CNS qualification + (20%) qualification of Practices and Problems

To pass the subject, you must obtain at least 5 points out of 10 after applying this formula. Only the exams will be recoverable at the end of the course. The student can submit to the recovery whenever it has been presented to a set of activities that represent a minimum of two thirds of the total grade of the subject. Of these, those students who have the average of all the activities of the subject will be able to present to the recovery a qualification equal or superior to 3,5.


Procedure for the review of qualifications


For each assessment activity, a place, date and time of revision will be indicated in which the student will be able to review the activity with the teacher. Inthis context, claims can bemade about the activity note, which will be evaluated by the teachers responsible for the subject. If thestudent does not submit to this review, this activity will not be reviewed later.


Qualifications


Honor enrollments Granting anhonorific matriculation qualification is a decision of the faculty responsible for the subject. The UAB regulations indicate that MH can only be awarded to students who have obtained a final grade of 9.00 or more. It can be granted up to 5% of MH of the total number of students enrolled.


A student will be considered non-evaluable (NA) if it has not been presented in a set of activities whose weight equals to a minimum of two thirds of the total grade of the subject.

The proposed evaluation activities may undergo some changes according to the restrictions imposed by the health authorities on on-campus courses.


Ethical commitment


All the works developed throughout the course will be original, and therefore, they will not have been copied (partially or totally) from any other, neither of this course nor of past ones. Nor should any of your students (or partially) access to any of your works be distributed or copied so that they can be copied. Failure to comply with any of the foregoing points will imply automatically suspending the subject and apply the one that is defined in the regulations of the university or the center on this subject.


In terms of group work, the total or partial copy of one or more resources (books, web pages, work of other students, reports of final works of degrees or masters, doctoral theses, scientific articles or of press, etc.) The works must be written using the students' own words, so copying or translating paragraphs of different sources is also considered plagiarism. Every plagiarism will entail the automatic suspension of work and, consequently, the subject.


Without prejudice to other disciplinary measures that are deemed appropriate, and in accordance with the current academic regulations, the irregularities committed by the student that can lead to a variation of the qualification of an act of self- evaluation. Therefore, copying or letting copy a practice or any other evaluation activity will imply suspending it with a zero, and if it is necessary to pass it to pass it, the entire subject will be suspended. Qualified assessment activities will not be recovered in this way and by this procedure, and therefore the subject will be suspended directly without opportunity to recover it in the same academic year.

Bibliography

Autònoma Interactiva - Campus Virtual: https://cv.uab.cat/

First part: Communications, Navigation and Surveillance systems 

  • GOLD document. ICAO.
  • PBN manual. ICAO.
  • Mandato ADS-B. Comisión europea
  • Plan maestro ATM. SESAR.
  • Modern digital and analog communication systems B.P. Lathi Oxford University Press
  • Electronic Communication Systems: Fundamentals through Advanced. Wayne Tomasi. Prentice Hall
  • Antenna Theory: Analysis and design. Constantine A. Balanis. Wiley
  • Aircraft Communications and Navigation systems. Mike Tooley, David Wyatt. Routledge

Second part: Introduction to computer networks

  • W. Stallings (2004). Comunicaciones y redes de computadoras, 7ª ed. Pearson Prentice-Hall.
  • DE Comercio (2000). Internetworking with TCP / IP vuelo I, 4th ed. Prentice-Hall.
  • Web de la primera parte de la asignatura: http://deic.uab.cat/docencia/viewprog.php?idioma=0&codias=25977-0&style=
  • Signals and systems, Simon Haykin, Barry Van Veen. Ed. Wiley.
  • Signals and systems, Alan V. Oppenheim, Alan S. Willsky S. Hamid. Ed. Prentice Hall.
  • Sistemas de comunicaciones electrónicas, Wayne Tomasi, Pearson Education
  • Sistemas de navegación, Ángel Corbasí. Ed. Mc. Graw Hill
  • Radionavigation systems, Börje Forssell, Ed. Artech Housewares. Stallings (2004).

Links of interest

REVISTA AVIACIÓ: http://www.skybrary.aero

ACCIDENTS AÈRIS: http://www.planecrashinfo.com/database.htm

REVISTA SEGURETAT: http://wwwflightsafety.org

IATA: http://www.iata.org

AVIACIÓ CIVIL INTERNACIONAL: http://www.icao.int

DIRECCIÓ GENERAL D´AVIACIÓ CIVIL: http://www.mfom.es

AIS: http://ais.aena.es

EUROCONTROL: http://www.eurocontrol.int

EASA: http://www.easa.eu.int

FAA: http://www.faa.gov

EUR LEX: http://eur-lex.europa.eu

 

 

 

 

Software

Flight Simulator

CPDLC Mockup

Radio Mobile

Matlab

Course groups and languages

The information provided is provisional until November 30. After this date, you will be able to consult the language of each group through this link. To access the information, you will need to enter the course CODE

Type of teaching Group Language Semester Shift
(TE) Theory 11 Catalan/Spanish first semester afternoon
(PAUL) Classroom practices 11 Catalan/Spanish first semester afternoon
(PAUL) Classroom practices 12 Catalan/Spanish first semester afternoon
(PLAB) Practical laboratories 21 English first semester afternoon
(PLAB) Practical laboratories 22 English first semester afternoon
(PLAB) Practical laboratories 23 English first semester afternoon