Loughborough University

Improving satellite communications using AI

Loughborough UniversityLoughborough, United Kingdom

Course overview

Spiking Neural Networks (SNN) are an energy efficient alternative to Artificial Neural Networks (ANN). Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites could particularly benefit from using SNNs to perform Artificial Intelligence (AI) workloads in an energy-efficient manner. Availability of off-the-shelf components for assembling satellites and lower costs for launching have increased usage of LEO satellites for applications like climate monitoring, search-and-rescue, satellite broadband.

Many of these applications rely on onboard deployments of AI which can impose a significant burden on the power resources of a satellite. This project will focus on developing efficient SNN-based techniques and demonstrate their effectiveness for applications onboard LEO satellites. 94% of Loughborough’s research impact is rated world-leading or internationally excellent.

REF 2021

Key highlights

  • Research into energy-efficient Spiking Neural Networks for onboard AI
  • Focus on Low Earth Orbit satellite applications and power constraints
  • Applications include climate monitoring, search-and-rescue and satellite broadband
  • 94% of research impact rated world-leading or internationally excellent (REF 2021)

Entry requirements

  • Degree: 2:2 — 2:2

Scholarships

  • Alumni Bursary

    10% of tuition fees which will be credited to the student’s tuition fee account.

    Up to 10% of fees

  • Alumni Discount

    UK students: £1,500 tuition fee discount for one academic year. International students: £3,000 tuition fee discount for one academic year.

  • Care Leaver's Scholarship

  • Excellence Scholarships

    UK students: £3,000 off tuition fees; International students: £6,000 off tuition fees which will be credited to the student’s tuition fee account.

  • International Sports Student Postgraduate Bursary

    Our International Sports Student Postgraduate Bursary offers a £12,000 tuition fee discount (set against the tuition fees of your chosen postgraduate taught programme ONLY).

    Up to £12,000

  • London 10th Anniversary Award

    £5,000 off tuition fees.

    Up to £5,000

  • Loughborough Business School Scholarship

    £1,500 (UK students) and £3,000 (international students) off tuition fees which will be credited to the student’s tuition fee account.

  • MBA Progress with Purpose Scholarship

    50% of tuition fees which will be credited to the student’s tuition fee account.

    Up to 50% of fees

  • Qatari Ghanim Al-Muftah Excellence Scholarship

Careers this course leads to

  • Satellite communications engineer
  • Machine learning research scientist
  • Neuromorphic computing engineer
  • Space systems engineer
  • Postdoctoral research associate
  • Embedded AI engineer

Cost of study

UK/Home: £5,238 | International: £29,500

Admission

Applications are made through AHZ at no cost. Share your transcripts, English test scores and personal statement, and your AHZ Counsellor will review your profile, submit your application to Loughborough University, and guide you through interview, offer, CAS and visa — right up to enrolment.

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