Intern in the Electrical Department

Our team and mission

The Electrical Department is responsible for executing activities in the following domains: electromagnetics, antenna systems, space environment, power system, data handling for payloads and platforms, computers and microelectronics, communications and navigation payloads and end-to-end systems. The Department manages the corresponding technical laboratories and facilities, elaborates Engineering Standards and is responsible for technology activities for the technical discipline areas of the Department.

The RF Systems Division is responsible for space instrumentation and end to end communication systems, subsystems, equipment and technologies which cover the following domains:
- Telecommunication systems and subsystems design and validation;
- Radio Navigation systems and subsystems design and validation;
- Commercial ground and user segment products for navigation, telecommunications and remote sensing;
- Systems for Tracking Telemetry and Command (TT&C) and Payload Data Transmission (PDT) for communication, navigation, remote sensing and scientific applications;
- Security Systems
- Systems testing for performance evaluation or validation.
- Laboratories to test/proof concepts soundness and validation.

The RF Systems Division consists of five sections and associated divisional laboratories. They are:
1) Telecommunication systems and techniques
2) TT&C and PDT systems and techniques
3) Radio navigation systems and techniques
4) Commercial User Segment products and navigation systems implementation and validation
5) Systems Security Engineering

For further information visit our web site: http://www.esa.int

Field(s) of activity for the internship

You can choose between the following topics:

1) Topic 1: Advanced Satellite Telecommunication System analysis and Simulations

Study of advanced fixed and mobile telecommunication systems with emphasis on the following points:  access methods, system analysis, satellite payload architectures, resource management, advanced signal processing techniques applied to on-board and ground satcom system design, system and sub-system simulation tools as well as current multimedia application validations both in the field of fixed and mobile communications

2) Topic 2: Array Antennas for GNSS Applications

As an intern, you will support the design, the development, or the testing processes of innovative concepts of array antennas for GNSS applications under the supervision of a group of experts. You will get a hands-on experience with the Radio Frequency (RF) equipment of the navigation laboratory (*); e.g. GNSS receivers, antennas, drones, stereo camera, RF recording and playback systems.

3) Topic 3: Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Data Processing and Algorithm Development

As an intern, you will develop a software to characterize the multipath error from a GNSS data base generated in drone test campaigns for different scenarios. This is expected to be performed by using raw measurements estimated by GNSS receivers and other sensors.  You will get solid know-how on the usage of drone GNSS data and sensor data to measure the multipath error.  You will get hands-on experience with Radio Frequency (RF) equipment of the navigation laboratory (*) such as GNSS receivers, antennas, stereo camera, RF recording and playback systems, etc. Moreover, internal tool development and testing focused on hybrid-based PNT solution to improve the drone positioning will also be assessed. This task involves analysing the additional sensors that could bring some benefits in our current drone setup. Finally, you will be involved in the preparation and execution of new drone test campaigns.

Behavioural competencies

Result Orientation
Operational Efficiency
Fostering Cooperation
Relationship Management
Continuous Improvement
Forward Thinking

Education

You must have student status and be enrolled at university for the entire duration of the internship. You should preferably be in your final or second to last year of a university course at master’s level in a technical or scientific discipline.

Additional requirements

The working languages of the Agency are English and French. A good knowledge of one of these is required. Knowledge of another Member State language would be an asset.

1) Topic 1:
Solid knowledge of telecommunication links system and physical/MAC layer aspects
Proficiency with simulation languages and tools

2) Topic 2:
Solid knowledge of GNSS and signal processing
Proficiency with Matlab/python software
Beamforming techniques and antenna array processing

3) Topic 3:
Solid knowledge of GNSS and signal processing
Proficiency with Matlab/python software