An Cosantóir

An Cosantóir January / February 2026 www.military.ie/magazine C IS TTS (Trainee Technician Scheme) students complete a three-year Bachelor of Electronic Engineering (B Eng) degree in SETU Carlow. This programme places particular focus on Military Communications Systems. On completion of the degree, students then undertake a "CommTech" course which provides the necessary training and skillsets to carry out routine CIS Technical taskings throughout the organisation. As part of the third and final year of the degree course, the students take on a final year project. The Final Year Project provides students with the opportunity to apply their engineering knowledge through the investigation, development and critical evaluation of a practical engineering challenge. It also aims to strengthen students' ability to plan, manage, document and clearly communicate a substantial engineering project, while fostering independence, initiative and professional responsibility. At the commencement of the final academic year, students are assigned an individual project brief requiring the creation of an electronic engineering solution to a distinct problem. Where feasible, projects are encouraged to address challenges within a military or defence-related context. Following the development of an initial concept, students must submit a project specification for review and approval before progressing further. This document outlines the specific real‑world problem, the proposed technical approach and a detailed list of the electronic components required to realise the solution. The specification must, as a minimum, include three electronic sensors, a microcontroller, a server and a database. Assessment of the Final Year Project is conducted through a combination of oral presentations and submission of final project outputs. Presentations are delivered to a panel consisting of SETU academic staff and representatives from the CIS School. These are evaluated on clarity of structure, effective time management and quality of delivery. The final project submission is assessed across several key areas: • Review and analysis of relevant historical and current literature. • Development and presentation of a comprehensive project management plan. • Technical design and practical implementation of the proposed solution. • Innovation, technical capability and consideration of sustainability. • Manufacturing and/or simulation processes, including validation and testing. • Critical evaluation of results, methods and supporting literature leading to balanced conclusions. • Quality, clarity and technical accuracy of the final written report. • Overall commitment, engagement and contribution throughout the project. CPL Aidan Clancy The Smart Greenhouse Project has been developed to provide a self-sustaining system that monitors key environmental factors, including pH levels, water levels, soil moisture, and overall plant health. Sensor data is collected and stored in a central database, where it is displayed in real time on a web-based dashboard, allowing users to remotely monitor growing conditions and system performance. The project was developed to demonstrate how automated and connected greenhouse systems can reduce reliance on manual oversight while improving efficiency and consistency in food production. By enabling continuous monitoring and data-driven decision-making, the system highlights its potential use in remote or overseas environments, such as military deployments, where traditional food supply routes may be limited or disrupted. 14 | ENGINEERING INNOVATION IN MILITARY IN MILITARY COMMUNICATIONS COMMUNICATIONS CIS TTS Final Year Projects at SETU Carlow

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