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ELECTRONICSTALK
The Independent Weekly Product Information Guide
for Electronics Design, Development and Manufacturing Engineers
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ISSN 1475-2913 - Free subscription
Published every Tuesday from the UK.
Issue 145: 23 December 2003
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14163 product announcements and technical articles
on our web site, all fully searchable at
http://www.electronicstalk.com/ - take a look!
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In this issue:
* Editor's Message
* Our Top Ten new Products Selection
[1] Software gets to grips with USB development
[2] Dual nonvolatile convertor for precise adjustment
[3] Microphone preamp takes digital control
[4] Timely advice on impending directives
[5] Lightweight embedded browser cuts out the fat
[6] It's cool to supply 120W without a fan
[7] Easy intro to Internet-enabled MCU
[8] Low-power ADC aims for handheld audio
[9] Ohmmeter brings full accuracy to hand
[10] Easy route to op amp specification
* New Technical Articles and Case Studies
* ...And take a look at these stories too...
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Laurence Marchini, Editor, writes:
After last week's "Hall of Fame" awards, I had every intention of naming
names this week for the "Electronicstalk Hall of Shame". But when I came to
open up the file of those companies who have sent in material that was so
ambiguous (or downright inaccurate) to merit inclusion I realised it would
take from now until next Christmas just to list their names!
And I'm not just talking about bits and bytes - although there are plenty of
people who persist in using upper and lower case "B" and "b" to represent
one, the other or both (and expecting us all to guess what they mean).
Then there are those who omit the "B" altogether, and expect us all to know
how big a 16K memory really is.
And then there are those who hijack an internationally standardised
abbreviation, use it for their own purposes (and again expect us all to
telepathically realise that the normal, rules of communication do not apply
to them). How else are we expected to know that "S" doesn't really mean
siemens (the SI unit of electrical conductance), it probably means samples
or even seconds. Similarly, it can only be telepathy that will tell you when
"W" doesn't really mean watt, it obviously means word.
So, in the spirit of the season, the miscreants can enjoy their festive
cheer without being "outed". But let's hope they all sign a collective
resolution to communicate in language we all understand in the new year.
As you may have guessed, this is the final Electronicstalk Newsletter of
2003, a year which has actually given the industry new hope of recovery. We'
ll still be posting news on the site throughout the holiday period, but
rather than fill up unattended inboxes with next week's issue, the
Newsletter will be back on Tuesday 6th January 2004.
I hope you find this issue of our weekly newsletter useful. In addition to
the new products, news and ideas featured here, there are hundreds more on
our website and dozens more being added daily, so do take a look if you can.
Alternatively, the full stories behind all the summaries and headlines in
this newsletter can be retrieved by email alone: see details below.
In the meantime, if you have any suggestions as to how we might make the
site or the newsletter better, e-mail me directly.
Happy Holidays
Laurence Marchini, Editor
mailto:ne[-email removed-]nicstalk.com
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THIS WEEK'S INDUSTRY NEWS
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To read more, use the web links. Or get the full stories emailed back to
you: just send a blank email to the address shown. It's a free service. Try
it! It works!
DAB SALES SET FOR CHRISTMAS BOOM
Imagination Technologies is predicting another big Christmas for digital
audio broadcasting in 2003, following a year in which sales of digital
radios have exceeded all expectations.
Imagination Technologies, 17 December 2003
mailto:iag1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/iag/iag104.html
GROWING TEAM MOVES TO NEW HQ
InTime Software has relocated its corporate headquarters from Cupertino to
Sunnyvale, California, to accommodate its growing team.
InTime Software, 17 December 2003
mailto:iti1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/iti/iti111.html
CHINESE OFFICE TO PROMOTE MORE ACTIVE ROLE
Altium is setting up a representative office in China and strengthening its
reseller network.
Altium, 22 December 2003
mailto:tas1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/tas/tas147.html
CONNECTOR BASE MOVES TO INDUSTRIAL ROOTS
Phoenix Contact has relocated its British headquarters to Halesfield,
Telford to place it at the heart of the UK manufacturing industry.
Phoenix Contact, 23 December 2003
mailto:pni1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/pni/pni120.html
EMS PROVIDER PREDICTS DOUBLE-DIGIT GROWTH
Integrated Microelectronics expects a 15% year-on-year growth in dollar
revenues despite a sluggish global EMS industry.
Integrated Microelectronics, 18 December 2003
mailto:igr1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/igr/igr103.html
PATENT INFRINGEMENT DISPUTE SETTLED
PCTEL has settled its patent infringement lawsuit with Broadcom Corp over
"soft modems", a technology pioneered by PCTEL in the 1990s, and other
voice-band modem technology.
PCTEL, 18 December 2003
mailto:pjp1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/pjp/pjp103.html
TEKTRONIX REPORTS STRONGEST ORDERS FOR YEARS
Tektronix has reported net sales of $217.9 million and net earnings from
continuing operations of $36.5 million or $0.42 per share, for the second
quarter ended 29th November 2003.
Tektronix, 23 December 2003
mailto:tek1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/tek/tek191.html
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OUR TOP TEN NEW PRODUCTS SELECTION
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1. Software gets to grips with USB development
A new suite of software tools aims to simplify the development of USB 2.0
peripherals. Cypress's USB MicroStudio 1.0 includes a general purpose USB
2.0 device driver, a new USB control console, an application programming
interface (API), device configuration tools and extensive documentation. It
is available free to Cypress USB customers.
* Request a free brochure by post:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/cyp/216/0
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/cyp/cyp216.html
or send a blank email to mailto:cyp2[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
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2. Dual nonvolatile convertor for precise adjustment
The SMP9220 is a dual 12bit nonvolatile DAC optimised for bias adjustment
and calibration applications that demand high resolution and total accuracy.
The SMP9220 contains two serial-data input, voltage-output, 4096-step
convertors. The product can operate over a wide supply range from 2.7 to
5.5V. Internal precision buffers swing rail-to-rail with an input reference
range from ground to the positive supply voltage.
* Request a free brochure by post:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/sum/110/0
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/sum/sum110.html
or send a blank email to mailto:sum1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
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3. Microphone preamp takes digital control
The PGA2500 is billed as the industry's first digitally controlled
microphone preamplifier IC. This latest addition to the Burr-Brown Pro Audio
product line is designed for use as a front end for high-performance
analogue-to-digital convertors in a variety of professional audio
applications, such as microphone preamplifiers, digital audio mixers and
recorders, and broadcast and studio equipment.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/tex/tex550.html
or send a blank email to mailto:tex5[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
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4. Timely advice on impending directives
Zirkon has been working with clients to raise awareness of the implications
of the introduction of the WEEE directive in August 2005, and the RoHS
Directive in July 2006. The consultation sessions are supported by
continuous research which began in 2001. The research has highlighted a need
for greater access to information, and better communications between
businesses in the industry to discuss issues and compare findings. Zirkon
has found that many companies are still not aware of the disruptive affect
that the directives may have on their products or business processes.
* Request a free brochure by post:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/zir/109/0
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/zir/zir109.html
or send a blank email to mailto:zir1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
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5. Lightweight embedded browser cuts out the fat
Fresco Lite is a new super-lightweight version of the ANT Fresco browser for
embedded devices. With many millions of browsers already deployed in TVs and
set-top boxes, ANT reckons it is a clear leader in browsing technologies for
consumer-electronics devices. ANT Fresco Lite has been developed in response
to the ever-changing needs of digital TV content providers and set-top-box
manufacturers.
* Request a free brochure by post:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/ant/115/0
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/ant/ant115.html
or send a blank email to mailto:ant1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
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6. It's cool to supply 120W without a fan
The latest switch-mode power supply from XP, the SDS120, is a compact 120W
unit that delivers full power at up to 50C ambient without the need for
forced air cooling. Most other power supplies of this footprint and rating
require fan cooling which increases system size and cost. The SDS120
measures 127 x 81 x 39mm making it suitable for 1U installation, even when
fitted with its optional cover.
* Request a free brochure by post:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/xpp/126/0
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/xpp/xpp126.html
or send a blank email to mailto:xpp1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
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7. Easy intro to Internet-enabled MCU
A new microcontroller starter kit from Toshiba provides designers with a
complete solution for the development, prototyping and debugging of
Internet-enabled embedded systems without the need to purchase costly tool
chains. The new TOPAS92FD54 kit significantly simplifies the design and
implementation of embedded web servers, and is supplied with a web server
temperature-monitoring example that demonstrates the capabilities of the
hardware and software.
* Request a free brochure by post:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/tos/203/0
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/tos/tos203.html
or send a blank email to mailto:tos2[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
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8. Low-power ADC aims for handheld audio
The WM8737L is a high-performance, ultra-low-power stereo audio ADC with
97dB signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and microphone pre-amplifier noise
performance in the submicrovolt range. The new ADC is designed specifically
for portable applications such as minidisk players and memory audio/voice
recorders. The optimal SNR performance (A weighted) of 97dB occurs at normal
power mode of 3.3V.
* Request a free brochure by post:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/wol/160/0
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/wol/wol160.html
or send a blank email to mailto:wol1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
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9. Ohmmeter brings full accuracy to hand
The Cropico Series 4000 digital ohmmeter gives true portability without
sacrificing measurement accuracy and functionality, combined with advanced
features such as long scale length 4000 count and auto average of forward
and reverse current measurement. These rugged handheld instruments also
offer true zeroing of measured value, an easy to use keyboard and models
with automatic temperature compensation displaying resistance in six ranges
and temperature of -50 to +800C.
* Request a free brochure by post:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/cro/102/0
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/cro/cro102.html
or send a blank email to mailto:cro1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
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10. Easy route to op amp specification
Amplifiers Made Simple is the industry's first online design tool created to
speed the selection, design and testing of many types of operational
amplifiers for medical, scientific, industrial and automotive applications.
The Amplifiers Made Simple tool uses a powerful component selection tool
(developed by National engineers) to rapidly and accurately search among the
company's portfolio of analogue amplifier products - each with hundreds of
different electrical characteristics.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/nat/nat261.html
or send a blank email to mailto:nat2[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
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New Technical Articles and Case Studies
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DIGITAL AMPLIFIERS ENABLE HOME THEATRE EXPERIENCE
(Texas Instruments, 17 December 2003)
Jamo and Kiss Technology are shipping TI's high-performance digital audio
amplifiers in their home theatre systems.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/tex/tex549.html
(or email mailto:tex5[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
PCI EXPRESS CORES FIND STORAGE AREA NETWORK SLOTS
(GDA Technologies, 19 December 2003)
QLogic Corp has selected GDA for PCI Express cores to broaden the company's
ongoing PCI Express product development efforts.
* Free brochure on GPEX:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/gda/104/0
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/gda/gda104.html
(or email mailto:gda1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
SIMULATION SOFTWARE HELPS UMC SORT OUT INDUCTORS
(Ansoft Corporation Europe, 17 December 2003)
UMC is claiming a breakthrough electromagnetic design methodology for RF
CMOS designs that uses a combination of electromagnetic analysis tools to
reduce simulation cycle times from hours to minutes.
* Free brochure on HFSS:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/ans/179/0
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/ans/ans179.html
(or email mailto:ans1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
GREEN CLEANING BOOSTS PRODUCTIVITY AND QUALITY
(Kerry Ultrasonics, 22 December 2003)
Contract manufacturing specialist JJS Electronics has increased productivity
and improved cleaning quality after installing a cosolvent cleaning system.
* Free brochure on Microsolve M450C:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/ker/118/0
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/ker/ker118.html
(or email mailto:ker1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
TOOLS SPEED HIGH BANDWIDTH DEVELOPMENT
(SBS Technologies, 23 December 2003)
FPGA technology has come a long way, says Ron Strauss, Vice President and
General Manager, SBS Technologies.
* Free brochure on FPGA-based SBCs:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/sbs/133/0
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/sbs/sbs133.html
(or email mailto:sbs1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
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...And take a look at these stories too...
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TRIPLE REGULATOR POWERS UP WLAN CHIPSETS IN ONE
(Intersil, 18 December 2003)
The ISL6413 is a triple regulator IC specifically designed to power wireless
LAN chipsets.
* Free brochure on ISL6413:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/ina/274/0
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/ina/ina274.html
(or email mailto:ina2[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
HIGH-CURRENT GATE DRIVER IC FOR THREE-PHASE MOTORS
(Allegro MicroSystems Europe, 19 December 2003)
The A3938 is a three-phase motor controller IC with high-current gate-drive
capability for a wide range of power discrete N-channel MOSFETs and motor
supply voltages from 12 to 50V.
* Free brochure on A3938:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/alb/162/0
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/alb/alb162.html
(or email mailto:alb1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
RPR CONTROLLERS FEATURE ADAPTIVE COMPUTING
(Alliance Semiconductor Corp, 19 December 2003)
Alliance Semiconductor Corp has developed a novel family of resilient packet
ring (RPR) controllers.
* Free brochure on AS95L2100 family:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/adu/100/0
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/adu/adu100.html
(or email mailto:adu1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
DUAL PWM CONTROLLER CHECKS OVERCURRENT
(International Rectifier, 19 December 2003)
The IRU3073 is a controller IC for dual-output high-performance DC/DC
convertors.
* Free brochure on IRU3073:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/sil/176/0
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/sil/sil176.html
(or email mailto:sil1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
PROGRAMMABLE SoCs TO GAIN LINUX SUPPORT
(QuickLogic, 17 December 2003)
QuickLogic Corp is working with TimeSys to deliver ready-to-run TimeSys
Linux RTOS Professional Edition software development kits for the QuickMIPS
family of programmable SoCs.
* Free brochure on QuickMIPS:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/qui/148/0
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/qui/qui148.html
(or email mailto:qui1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
COMPATIBILITY PACKAGE AIDS RTOS SWITCH
(LynuxWorks, 22 December 2003)
LynuxWorks has developed a VxWorks Compatibility Layer package to help
streamline the porting of VxWorks code to its LynxOS real-time operating
system.
* Free brochure on VxWorks Compatibility Layer package:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/lyn/151/0
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/lyn/lyn151.html
(or email mailto:lyn1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
SOFTWARE ANALYSIS TOOLS SPEED SYMBIAN DEVELOPMENT
(Metrowerks Europe, 22 December 2003)
Symbian OS developers now have a comprehensive software analysis tool suite
with the release of CodeTest Software Analysis Tools for Symbian OS.
* Free brochure on CodeTest Software Analysis Tools for Symbian OS:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/mtr/143/0
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/mtr/mtr143.html
(or email mailto:mtr1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
NOVEL DRY PCB CLEANER IMPROVES BOND QUALITY
(Unitek Eapro, 22 December 2003)
The Plasmapen is a novel automated cleaning tool that prepares PCBs and LCDs
for stronger and more reliable heat-seal connections and anisotropic
conductive adhesive bondings.
* Free brochure on Plasmapen:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/ute/103/0
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/ute/ute103.html
(or email mailto:ute1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
BRIDGE THAT GAP WITHOUT SILICONE
(The Bergquist Company, 23 December 2003)
A new silicone-free, thermally conductive and electrically isolating gap
filling material is designed for use in applications where silicone could
contaminate key manufacturing processes.
* Free brochure on Gap Pad Sil-Free 1000:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/brg/104/0
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/brg/brg104.html
(or email mailto:brg1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
QUARTER BRICKS SUPPLY MULTIPLE POL CONVERTORS
(Astec Power, 22 December 2003)
The ALQ25 Series is a new range of isolated 300W DC/DC bus convertors in
quarter-brick format designed to drive multiple rail point-of-load devices
with up to 96% efficiency.
* Free brochure on ALQ25 Series:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/ast/105/0
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/ast/ast105.html
(or email mailto:ast1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
ANALOGUE OUTPUT JOINS PCI RANGE
(Adept Scientific, 17 December 2003)
The first design to feature analogue output is being added to MCC's range of
high-quality PCI cards aimed to be functionally equivalent to National
Instruments models.
* Free brochure on PCI-DAC6703:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/ade/152/0
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/ade/ade152.html
(or email mailto:ade1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
INFINIBAND PRODUCTS ANSWER OEM DEMANDS
(SBS Technologies, 22 December 2003)
SBS Technologies has added two new products to its growing InfiniBand
product line.
* Free brochure on InfiniBand product line:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/sbs/132/0
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/sbs/sbs132.html
(or email mailto:sbs1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
SINGLE-SUPPLY TRANSDUCERS SIMPLIFY DESIGN
(LEM UK, 22 December 2003)
The HAIS series of PCB-mounted current measuring transducers operate from a
single +5V supply.
* Free brochure on HAIS series:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/lmu/123/0
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/lmu/lmu123.html
(or email mailto:lmu1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
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Have you seen our other newsletters?
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We also publish other professional technical newsletters like this once a
week. All are free, so take a look:
Engineeringtalk - for mechanical/automation engineers
Email mailto:join-eng-ta[-email removed-]o-talk.com for your copy
Laboratorytalk - for all lab and research personnel
Email mailto:join-laboratoryta[-email removed-]o-talk.com for your copy
Manufacturingtalk - for production engineers
Email mailto:join-manufacturingta[-email removed-]o-talk.com for your copy
Processingtalk - for process engineers
Email mailto:join-processingta[-email removed-]o-talk.com for your copy
QA-talk - for quality assurance professionals
Email mailto:join-qa-ta[-email removed-]o-talk.com for your copy
Subcontractingtalk - for the subcontract manufacturing industry
Email mailto:join-subcontractingta[-email removed-]o-talk.com for your copy
*** Coming soon - join now ***
Buildingtalk - for the building and construction industry
Email mailto:join-buildingta[-email removed-]o-talk.com for your copy
CIMtalk - for automation engineers and the industrial IT sector
Email mailto:join-cimta[-email removed-]o-talk.com for your copy
Printingtalk - for printers and print buyers
Email mailto:join-printingta[-email removed-]o-talk.com for your copy
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Engineering vacancies on the internet
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There are many recruitment websites out there, but Electronicstalk can
recommend the following as we have had a relationship with them for some
time:
Engineers Online: http://www.engineers-online.co.uk/
GoJobsite: http://www.gojobsite.co.uk/
Jimfinder.com: http://www.jimfinder.com/
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Browse the Electronicstalk archive by email!
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There are hundreds of recent stories in the Electronicstalk database, and
you can browse them all by email. Send a blank email to:
mailto:doc1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
...and our automated system will send you a contents list back by email. Try
it!
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