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New RAN

O-RAN, vRAN, Cloud RAN, RAN in the 5G Campus

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 Mobile communications is a growth market of central importance for many industries worldwide. Within mobile communications, the focus is on the establishment and expansion of 5G networks, because 5G offers very high bit rates on the one hand, and very short runtimes and such high reliability on the other, as is required in the automation of industrial processes.

    The key component of mobile communications is the Radio Access Network (RAN). O-RAN concepts are planned to ensure very high bit rates and at the same time a large area coverage. Thus, numerous manufacturers and providers have organized together in the O-RAN Alliance to develop open and thus cost-effective methods for building and operating the infrastructures. This course covers important concepts of modern O-RAN.

Course Contents

  • Centralized RAN
  • Distributed RAN, realization of fronthaul, midhaul, backhaul
  • Radio Base Station Split, IEEE 802.1CM and interfaces: CPRI, eCPRI
  • IEEE 802.1CM: classes and profiles
  • Open RAN (O-RAN) - multi-vendor interfaces
  • O-RAN Alliance and Framework
  • virtual RAN, which functions can be virtualized
  • Cloud RAN: Local, Regional, National Cloud in comparison
  • RAN Intelligent Controller (RIC)
  • RAN in 5G campus networks
  • Cell and slot interference and countermeasures
  • Coordinated Multi Point (CoMP) in 5G Campus Networks
  • Network slicing in the RAN
  • Hollow Core Fiber in the RAN, ideal for high-frequency trading
  • Beamforming
  • G.8271.1: Timing budget for RAN
  • Strategies for synchronization of base stations (gNB)
  • Synchronization over network: concepts, advantages, disadvantages
  • Precision Time Protocol (PTP) in mobile communications: GM, BC, TC, TSC
  • Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN) and RAN
  • 5G and TSN for automation in industry, manufacturing and logistics
  • TSN: time distribution, queueing and forwarding
  • TSN: new directions in registration and reservation

Print E-Book PDF Symbol You will receive the comprehensive documentation package of the ExperTeach Networking series – printed documentation, e-book, and personalized PDF! As online participant, you will receive the e-book and the personalized PDF.

Target Group

5G RAN is of great importance for network operators, 5G campus operators as well as users of process automation. The course is aimed at people who evaluate, design, build or operate 5G and gives them a deeper insight into the technologies used in a modern O-RAN.

Knowledge Prerequisites

Building on good prior knowledge in the area of 5G, such as provided by the course 5G Mobile Communications - Architecture & Radio for Public & Private Networks, the aforementioned topics are covered in depth.

1 RAN in the Wind of Change
1.1 Centralized RAN
1.2 Distributed RAN
1.2.1 Distributed Unit (DU)
1.2.2 Central Unit (CU)
1.2.3 Lower-Layer Split and Higher-Layer Split
1.2.4 Base Station and Protocols
1.2.5 Radio Base Station Split (RBS), IEEE 802.1CM
1.2.6 Function Splits in an Overview
1.2.7 802.1CM—Classes and Profiles
1.3 Open RAN (O-RAN)
1.3.1 O-RAN Alliance Framework
1.4 Virutalized RAN (vRAN)
1.4.1 vCU Functions
1.4.2 Intra-gNodeB Handover
1.4.3 vDU Containerized Network Function
1.4.4 VNF Infrastructure with Container as a Service
1.4.5 Virtualized Core with MEC
1.4.6 Microservices and Container Structure
1.4.7 RAN Intelligent Controller (RIC)
1.5 Cloud RAN (cRAN)
1.6 RAN in 5G Private Networks
1.6.1 5G Frequency Allocation in Germany
1.6.2 Campus Networks in an Overview
1.6.3 Who uses campus networks?
1.6.4 Tracing
1.6.5 CoMP—Coordinated Multi-Point on the Campus
1.7 Network Slicing in the RAN
1.7.1 End-to-end Slicing
1.7.2 Network Slice Instance—Life Cycle
1.8 Hollow Core Fibers in the RAN
1.8.1 Example NKT Photonics: HC-1550
1.8.2 Example Lumenisity: SmartCore
1.8.3 Hollow Core Fiber in Fronthaul and Midhaul
1.9 Topologies for MEC
2 RAN Implementation
2.1 Virtualization
2.1.1 Container Virtualization
2.1.2 Linux Containers (LXC)
2.1.3 Container vs. Server Virtualization
2.1.4 Docker
2.1.5 Kubernetes
2.1.6 Kubernetes over Bare Metal
2.1.7 Orchestration: Puppet and Ansible
2.1.8 Ansible
2.2 Cloud Computing
2.2.1 Cloud Computing Service Models
2.2.2 Public Cloud vs. Private Cloud
2.3 Cloud RAN Components
2.4 Ethernet in Fronthaul, Midhaul, and Backhaul
2.4.1 Fronthaul: 10 GE Interfaces
2.4.2 Midhaul and Backhaul: 40 GE and 100 GE
2.4.3 Backhaul: 200 GE and 400 GE
2.4.4 Example: 400GBASE-LR8
2.4.5 800 G Ethernet
2.5 Passive Optical Networks (PON)
2.5.1 PON in the Fronthaul
2.5.2 vRAN Midhaul: F1 via PON
2.5.3 Optical Distribution Network for eMBB
2.5.4 Protection for PON
2.5.5 QSFP28 and SFP28 for PON
2.6 Packet-switched network or wavelength?
2.7 WDM—A Universal L1 Platform for 5G
2.7.1 Fronthaul as WDM Ring
2.7.2 CWDM—Coarse WDM for Fronthaul and Midhaul
2.7.3 DWDM Channel Spacing
2.7.4 CWDM—Advantages and Disadvantages
2.7.5 Passive WDM
2.8 DWDM—Dense WDM for Midhaul and Backhaul
2.8.1 DWDM Components
2.8.2 Setup of a DWDM Mux
2.8.3 Setup of a WDM Link
2.8.4 Important Benefits
2.8.5 DWDM Channel Spacing
2.8.6 Fixed Grid Spacing
2.8.7 Flexible Grid Spacing
2.8.8 CWDM and DWDM in Comparison
2.8.9 CWDM and DWDM in Combination
2.8.10 Pros and Cons—Disadvantages of WDM
2.9 Optical Transport Networks (G.709) in Front- and Midhaul
2.9.1 Monitoring Network Sections
2.9.2 The Structure of OTN
2.9.3 OTN—Frame Setup
2.9.4 FEC According to RS (255, 239)
2.9.5 OTN Multiplexing
2.9.6 Alarms and Error Sources
2.9.7 Error cascade—who is sending whom which message?
2.10 Protection Mechanism
2.10.1 Equipment Protection
2.10.2 Point-to-Point Connections
2.10.3 Optical Protection in Rings
3 From MIMO to Beamforming
3.1 What are 5G antennas supposed to do?
3.1.1 TDD and Transmission Periodicity
3.1.2 OFDMA Procedure
3.1.3 Modulation Procedures
3.1.4 Adaptive Modulation and Encoding
3.1.5 MIMO with 5G
3.1.6 Massive MIMO
3.2 Antennas—from 4G to 5G
3.3 From Massive MIMO to Beamforming
3.3.1 How Beamforming Works
3.3.2 Setup of a 5G Antenna Arrays
3.3.3 Array and Antenna Gain
3.3.4 Analog Beamforming
3.3.5 Digital Beamforming
3.3.6 Hybrid Beamforming
4 Synchronization in the RAN
4.1 Coordinated Multi-Point (CoMP) and Sync.
4.2 5G and PTP (IEEE 1588)
4.2.1 Clocks and Tasks
4.2.2 Clocks and Network Design
4.3 Processes in an Overview
4.4 PTP Telecom Profile, G.8265
4.4.1 Correction of the Offset
4.4.2 Measuring the Delay
4.4.3 Delay—Request—Response, Part 1
4.4.4 Delay—Request—Response, Part 2
4.4.5 Peer Delay
4.4.6 Transparent Clock End-to-end
4.4.7 Boundary Clock (BC)
4.5 PTP in Detail
4.6 Clock Topologies
4.6.1 Hierarchical Topology
4.6.2 Linear Topology
4.6.3 Quality Level for PTP, G.781
4.7 PTP Domains
4.8 PTP Monitoring—An Example
4.9 Security and Synchrony
4.9.1 Risks for Slaves
4.9.2 Risks for the Master
4.9.3 Dangers for Boundary and Transparent Clocks
4.10 Synchronization and Protection
4.10.1 Simple Concept
4.10.2 Time-optimized
4.10.3 Protection: Concept 2
4.10.4 Failure of the master—how can it be detected?
4.10.5 What happens if...?
4.10.6 Protection: PTP + SyncE
5 Time-Sensitive Networking in RAN
5.1 Time-Sensitive Networking—IEEE 802.1 TSN
5.1.1 Overview of Important Standards
5.1.2 TSN Basic Knowledge
5.1.3 An Example
5.2 Basis: Precise Synchronization IEEE 802.1AS
5.3 Time and Precision
5.4 Redundant Synchrony, 802.1ASbt
5.4.1 Transmission Order
5.5 Traffic Types of the Industrial Internet Consortium (IIC)
5.5.1 Isochronous (Traffic Type I)
5.5.2 Cyclic (Traffic Type II)
5.5.3 Alarms & Events (Traffic Type III)
5.5.4 Configuration & Diagnostics (Traffic Type IV)
5.5.5 Network Control (Traffic Type V)
5.5.6 Best Effort (Traffic Type VI) and More
5.6 TSN Networks
5.7 Forwarding and Queuing
5.7.1 Cyclic Queuing and Forwarding (CQF)
5.7.2 Preemption and Interspersing Express Traffic 802.3br
5.7.3 Time-aware Shaper, IEEE 802.1Qbv
5.7.4 Guard Band
5.7.5 Time-controlled Gates, 802.1Qbv
5.7.6 Per-Stream Filtering and Policing (PSFP)
5.7.7 Identify TSN Streams
5.8 Path Control and Redundancy, 802.1Qca
5.9 Seamless Redundancy, IEEE 802.1CB
6 Security
6.1 Security in Open RAN
6.1.1 Security According to O-RAN Alliance
6.1.2 Security Risks According to the Open RAN MoU Group
6.1.3 Protection of the RAN Intelligent Controller (RIC)
6.2 Security in the Cloud RAN
6.2.1 Open RAN: Security Analysis
6.2.2 Which are the attack vectors?
6.2.3 Protection of the RAN
6.3 Protecting the Synchronization
6.3.1 Security and Synchrony
6.3.2 Example: GPS
6.3.3 GNSS Jammer
6.3.4 Assisted Partial Timing Support (APTS), G.8275.2
6.3.5 Full Timing Support (FTS), G.8275.1
6.4 Attacks via PTP
6.4.1 Security with PTP
7 Exercises
7.1 Delay
7.2 Fronthaul: PON Range
7.3 Size of an Antenna Array
7.4 Size of the Resource Blocks (RB)
7.5 Payload Bandwidth
7.6 Bit Rate and Radio Quality
7.7 Maximum Bit Rate
7.7.1 Maximum Bit Rate: Telekom, Vodafone
7.7.2 Maximum Bit Rate: Telefónica
7.7.3 Maximum Bit Rate: 1&1 Versatel
7.7.4 Maximum Bit Rate: SBB, Switzerland
7.7.5 5G Gigantic: Frequency Range 2
A List of Abbreviations

Classroom training

Do you prefer the classic training method? A course in one of our Training Centers, with a competent trainer and the direct exchange between all course participants? Then you should book one of our classroom training dates!

Hybrid training

Hybrid training means that online participants can additionally attend a classroom course. The dynamics of a real seminar are maintained, and the online participants are able to benefit from that. Online participants of a hybrid course use a collaboration platform, such as WebEx Training Center or Saba Meeting. To do this, a PC with browser and Internet access is required, as well as a headset and ideally a Web cam. In the seminar room, we use specially developed and customized audio- and video-technologies. This makes sure that the communication between all persons involved works in a convenient and fault-free way.

Online training

You wish to attend a course in online mode? We offer you online course dates for this course topic. To attend these seminars, you need to have a PC with Internet access (minimum data rate 1Mbps), a headset when working via VoIP and optionally a camera. For further information and technical recommendations, please refer to.

Tailor-made courses

You need a special course for your team? In addition to our standard offer, we will also support you in creating your customized courses, which precisely meet your individual demands. We will be glad to consult you and create an individual offer for you.
Request for customized courses
PDF SymbolYou can find the complete description of this course with dates and prices ready for download at as PDF.

 Mobile communications is a growth market of central importance for many industries worldwide. Within mobile communications, the focus is on the establishment and expansion of 5G networks, because 5G offers very high bit rates on the one hand, and very short runtimes and such high reliability on the other, as is required in the automation of industrial processes.

    The key component of mobile communications is the Radio Access Network (RAN). O-RAN concepts are planned to ensure very high bit rates and at the same time a large area coverage. Thus, numerous manufacturers and providers have organized together in the O-RAN Alliance to develop open and thus cost-effective methods for building and operating the infrastructures. This course covers important concepts of modern O-RAN.

Course Contents

  • Centralized RAN
  • Distributed RAN, realization of fronthaul, midhaul, backhaul
  • Radio Base Station Split, IEEE 802.1CM and interfaces: CPRI, eCPRI
  • IEEE 802.1CM: classes and profiles
  • Open RAN (O-RAN) - multi-vendor interfaces
  • O-RAN Alliance and Framework
  • virtual RAN, which functions can be virtualized
  • Cloud RAN: Local, Regional, National Cloud in comparison
  • RAN Intelligent Controller (RIC)
  • RAN in 5G campus networks
  • Cell and slot interference and countermeasures
  • Coordinated Multi Point (CoMP) in 5G Campus Networks
  • Network slicing in the RAN
  • Hollow Core Fiber in the RAN, ideal for high-frequency trading
  • Beamforming
  • G.8271.1: Timing budget for RAN
  • Strategies for synchronization of base stations (gNB)
  • Synchronization over network: concepts, advantages, disadvantages
  • Precision Time Protocol (PTP) in mobile communications: GM, BC, TC, TSC
  • Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN) and RAN
  • 5G and TSN for automation in industry, manufacturing and logistics
  • TSN: time distribution, queueing and forwarding
  • TSN: new directions in registration and reservation

Print E-Book PDF Symbol You will receive the comprehensive documentation package of the ExperTeach Networking series – printed documentation, e-book, and personalized PDF! As online participant, you will receive the e-book and the personalized PDF.

Target Group

5G RAN is of great importance for network operators, 5G campus operators as well as users of process automation. The course is aimed at people who evaluate, design, build or operate 5G and gives them a deeper insight into the technologies used in a modern O-RAN.

Knowledge Prerequisites

Building on good prior knowledge in the area of 5G, such as provided by the course 5G Mobile Communications - Architecture & Radio for Public & Private Networks, the aforementioned topics are covered in depth.

1 RAN in the Wind of Change
1.1 Centralized RAN
1.2 Distributed RAN
1.2.1 Distributed Unit (DU)
1.2.2 Central Unit (CU)
1.2.3 Lower-Layer Split and Higher-Layer Split
1.2.4 Base Station and Protocols
1.2.5 Radio Base Station Split (RBS), IEEE 802.1CM
1.2.6 Function Splits in an Overview
1.2.7 802.1CM—Classes and Profiles
1.3 Open RAN (O-RAN)
1.3.1 O-RAN Alliance Framework
1.4 Virutalized RAN (vRAN)
1.4.1 vCU Functions
1.4.2 Intra-gNodeB Handover
1.4.3 vDU Containerized Network Function
1.4.4 VNF Infrastructure with Container as a Service
1.4.5 Virtualized Core with MEC
1.4.6 Microservices and Container Structure
1.4.7 RAN Intelligent Controller (RIC)
1.5 Cloud RAN (cRAN)
1.6 RAN in 5G Private Networks
1.6.1 5G Frequency Allocation in Germany
1.6.2 Campus Networks in an Overview
1.6.3 Who uses campus networks?
1.6.4 Tracing
1.6.5 CoMP—Coordinated Multi-Point on the Campus
1.7 Network Slicing in the RAN
1.7.1 End-to-end Slicing
1.7.2 Network Slice Instance—Life Cycle
1.8 Hollow Core Fibers in the RAN
1.8.1 Example NKT Photonics: HC-1550
1.8.2 Example Lumenisity: SmartCore
1.8.3 Hollow Core Fiber in Fronthaul and Midhaul
1.9 Topologies for MEC
2 RAN Implementation
2.1 Virtualization
2.1.1 Container Virtualization
2.1.2 Linux Containers (LXC)
2.1.3 Container vs. Server Virtualization
2.1.4 Docker
2.1.5 Kubernetes
2.1.6 Kubernetes over Bare Metal
2.1.7 Orchestration: Puppet and Ansible
2.1.8 Ansible
2.2 Cloud Computing
2.2.1 Cloud Computing Service Models
2.2.2 Public Cloud vs. Private Cloud
2.3 Cloud RAN Components
2.4 Ethernet in Fronthaul, Midhaul, and Backhaul
2.4.1 Fronthaul: 10 GE Interfaces
2.4.2 Midhaul and Backhaul: 40 GE and 100 GE
2.4.3 Backhaul: 200 GE and 400 GE
2.4.4 Example: 400GBASE-LR8
2.4.5 800 G Ethernet
2.5 Passive Optical Networks (PON)
2.5.1 PON in the Fronthaul
2.5.2 vRAN Midhaul: F1 via PON
2.5.3 Optical Distribution Network for eMBB
2.5.4 Protection for PON
2.5.5 QSFP28 and SFP28 for PON
2.6 Packet-switched network or wavelength?
2.7 WDM—A Universal L1 Platform for 5G
2.7.1 Fronthaul as WDM Ring
2.7.2 CWDM—Coarse WDM for Fronthaul and Midhaul
2.7.3 DWDM Channel Spacing
2.7.4 CWDM—Advantages and Disadvantages
2.7.5 Passive WDM
2.8 DWDM—Dense WDM for Midhaul and Backhaul
2.8.1 DWDM Components
2.8.2 Setup of a DWDM Mux
2.8.3 Setup of a WDM Link
2.8.4 Important Benefits
2.8.5 DWDM Channel Spacing
2.8.6 Fixed Grid Spacing
2.8.7 Flexible Grid Spacing
2.8.8 CWDM and DWDM in Comparison
2.8.9 CWDM and DWDM in Combination
2.8.10 Pros and Cons—Disadvantages of WDM
2.9 Optical Transport Networks (G.709) in Front- and Midhaul
2.9.1 Monitoring Network Sections
2.9.2 The Structure of OTN
2.9.3 OTN—Frame Setup
2.9.4 FEC According to RS (255, 239)
2.9.5 OTN Multiplexing
2.9.6 Alarms and Error Sources
2.9.7 Error cascade—who is sending whom which message?
2.10 Protection Mechanism
2.10.1 Equipment Protection
2.10.2 Point-to-Point Connections
2.10.3 Optical Protection in Rings
3 From MIMO to Beamforming
3.1 What are 5G antennas supposed to do?
3.1.1 TDD and Transmission Periodicity
3.1.2 OFDMA Procedure
3.1.3 Modulation Procedures
3.1.4 Adaptive Modulation and Encoding
3.1.5 MIMO with 5G
3.1.6 Massive MIMO
3.2 Antennas—from 4G to 5G
3.3 From Massive MIMO to Beamforming
3.3.1 How Beamforming Works
3.3.2 Setup of a 5G Antenna Arrays
3.3.3 Array and Antenna Gain
3.3.4 Analog Beamforming
3.3.5 Digital Beamforming
3.3.6 Hybrid Beamforming
4 Synchronization in the RAN
4.1 Coordinated Multi-Point (CoMP) and Sync.
4.2 5G and PTP (IEEE 1588)
4.2.1 Clocks and Tasks
4.2.2 Clocks and Network Design
4.3 Processes in an Overview
4.4 PTP Telecom Profile, G.8265
4.4.1 Correction of the Offset
4.4.2 Measuring the Delay
4.4.3 Delay—Request—Response, Part 1
4.4.4 Delay—Request—Response, Part 2
4.4.5 Peer Delay
4.4.6 Transparent Clock End-to-end
4.4.7 Boundary Clock (BC)
4.5 PTP in Detail
4.6 Clock Topologies
4.6.1 Hierarchical Topology
4.6.2 Linear Topology
4.6.3 Quality Level for PTP, G.781
4.7 PTP Domains
4.8 PTP Monitoring—An Example
4.9 Security and Synchrony
4.9.1 Risks for Slaves
4.9.2 Risks for the Master
4.9.3 Dangers for Boundary and Transparent Clocks
4.10 Synchronization and Protection
4.10.1 Simple Concept
4.10.2 Time-optimized
4.10.3 Protection: Concept 2
4.10.4 Failure of the master—how can it be detected?
4.10.5 What happens if...?
4.10.6 Protection: PTP + SyncE
5 Time-Sensitive Networking in RAN
5.1 Time-Sensitive Networking—IEEE 802.1 TSN
5.1.1 Overview of Important Standards
5.1.2 TSN Basic Knowledge
5.1.3 An Example
5.2 Basis: Precise Synchronization IEEE 802.1AS
5.3 Time and Precision
5.4 Redundant Synchrony, 802.1ASbt
5.4.1 Transmission Order
5.5 Traffic Types of the Industrial Internet Consortium (IIC)
5.5.1 Isochronous (Traffic Type I)
5.5.2 Cyclic (Traffic Type II)
5.5.3 Alarms & Events (Traffic Type III)
5.5.4 Configuration & Diagnostics (Traffic Type IV)
5.5.5 Network Control (Traffic Type V)
5.5.6 Best Effort (Traffic Type VI) and More
5.6 TSN Networks
5.7 Forwarding and Queuing
5.7.1 Cyclic Queuing and Forwarding (CQF)
5.7.2 Preemption and Interspersing Express Traffic 802.3br
5.7.3 Time-aware Shaper, IEEE 802.1Qbv
5.7.4 Guard Band
5.7.5 Time-controlled Gates, 802.1Qbv
5.7.6 Per-Stream Filtering and Policing (PSFP)
5.7.7 Identify TSN Streams
5.8 Path Control and Redundancy, 802.1Qca
5.9 Seamless Redundancy, IEEE 802.1CB
6 Security
6.1 Security in Open RAN
6.1.1 Security According to O-RAN Alliance
6.1.2 Security Risks According to the Open RAN MoU Group
6.1.3 Protection of the RAN Intelligent Controller (RIC)
6.2 Security in the Cloud RAN
6.2.1 Open RAN: Security Analysis
6.2.2 Which are the attack vectors?
6.2.3 Protection of the RAN
6.3 Protecting the Synchronization
6.3.1 Security and Synchrony
6.3.2 Example: GPS
6.3.3 GNSS Jammer
6.3.4 Assisted Partial Timing Support (APTS), G.8275.2
6.3.5 Full Timing Support (FTS), G.8275.1
6.4 Attacks via PTP
6.4.1 Security with PTP
7 Exercises
7.1 Delay
7.2 Fronthaul: PON Range
7.3 Size of an Antenna Array
7.4 Size of the Resource Blocks (RB)
7.5 Payload Bandwidth
7.6 Bit Rate and Radio Quality
7.7 Maximum Bit Rate
7.7.1 Maximum Bit Rate: Telekom, Vodafone
7.7.2 Maximum Bit Rate: Telefónica
7.7.3 Maximum Bit Rate: 1&1 Versatel
7.7.4 Maximum Bit Rate: SBB, Switzerland
7.7.5 5G Gigantic: Frequency Range 2
A List of Abbreviations

Classroom training

Do you prefer the classic training method? A course in one of our Training Centers, with a competent trainer and the direct exchange between all course participants? Then you should book one of our classroom training dates!

Hybrid training

Hybrid training means that online participants can additionally attend a classroom course. The dynamics of a real seminar are maintained, and the online participants are able to benefit from that. Online participants of a hybrid course use a collaboration platform, such as WebEx Training Center or Saba Meeting. To do this, a PC with browser and Internet access is required, as well as a headset and ideally a Web cam. In the seminar room, we use specially developed and customized audio- and video-technologies. This makes sure that the communication between all persons involved works in a convenient and fault-free way.

Online training

You wish to attend a course in online mode? We offer you online course dates for this course topic. To attend these seminars, you need to have a PC with Internet access (minimum data rate 1Mbps), a headset when working via VoIP and optionally a camera. For further information and technical recommendations, please refer to.

Tailor-made courses

You need a special course for your team? In addition to our standard offer, we will also support you in creating your customized courses, which precisely meet your individual demands. We will be glad to consult you and create an individual offer for you.
Request for customized courses

PDF SymbolYou can find the complete description of this course with dates and prices ready for download at as PDF.