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Breadboard for the attitude control of multiple laser communication terminals
Job Description
Req ID:  2259
Place of work:  Oberpfaffenhofen
Starting date:  October 1st, 2025
Career level:  Internship, Student research project and final thesis, Student employment
Type of employment:  Part time, Full-time
Duration of contract:  3 to 6 months

Remuneration: Remuneration is in accordance with the Collective Agreement for the Public Sector - Federal Government (TVöD-Bund)

Enter the fascinating world of the German Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e. V.; DLR) and help shape the future through research and innovation! We offer an exciting and inspiring working environment driven by the expertise and curiosity of our 11,000 employees from 100 nations and our unique infrastructure. Together, we develop sustainable technologies and thus contribute to finding solutions to global challenges. Would you like to join us in addressing this major future challenge? Then this is your place!

The DLR Institute of Communications and Navigation is dedicated to mission-oriented research in selected areas of communications and navigation. Its work ranges from the theoretical foundations to the demonstration of new procedures and systems in a real environment and is embedded in DLR's Space, Aeronautics, Transport, Security and Digitalization programmes.

What to expect

The German Aerospace Center (DLR) has been at the forefront of developing innovative laser communication terminals (LCTs) over the past few years. Our LCTs range from the compact CubeLCT, measuring 0.3U in the CubeSat standard, to 1U+ sized terminals with hemispherical pointing capabilities. As the use of LCTs in satellite and high-altitude platform constellations continues to trend, we require algorithms capable of handling multiple LCTs simultaneously to enable high-performance interconnections, such as optical inter-satellite links for data exchange.

The aim of this thesis is to further develop a hardware breadboard to validate attitude control algorithms that control two or more LCTs towards dedicated reference beacon signals simultaneously. A key aspect of this project will be to implement software that characterizes control-loop behavior. Additionally, breadboard components will be selected that meet the testing requirements, ultimately allowing the validation of the functionality of the involved algorithms and benchmarking their performance.

Your tasks

  • 10% Literature Review: A comprehensive review of existing literature on LCT control algorithms and related topics.
  • 10% Conceptualization of the Test Plan: Development of a detailed test plan to validate the functionality of the LCT control algorithms.
  • 40% Assembly of the Breadboard and Implementation of Software: Design, assembly, and programming of the hardware breadboard, including the implementation of software to characterize control-loop behavior.
  • 40% Experiments and Validation: Conducting experiments to validate the functionality of the LCT control algorithms and benchmark their performance.

Your profile

  • Hands-on experience in embedded C/C++ programming for microcontrollers (e.g. PlatoformIO, Code Composer Studio, Microchip Studio, or similar).
  • Proficiency in using Matlab/Simulink.
  • Experience with hardware projects at university or as part of a hobby is an advantage.
  • Interest in optical communications.
  • Ability to work independently.
  • Very good technical English or German language skills are required.


 

We offer

DLR stands for diversity, appreciation and equality for all people. We promote independent work and the individual development of our employees both personally and professionally. To this end, we offer numerous training and development opportunities. Equal opportunities are of particular importance to us, which is why we want to increase the proportion of women in science and management in particular. Applicants with severe disabilities will be given preference if they are qualified.

We look forward to getting to know you!

If you have any questions about this position (Vacancy-ID 2259) please contact:

Dr. Christopher Schmidt
Tel.: +49 8153 28 3091 
Apply now