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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
Last week's delivered circulation: over 23,000
Published every Tuesday from the UK.
Issue 191: 16 November 2004
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19712 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] Simulation tool is free for students
[2] Mezzanine card enables graphical server control
[3] Single chip for Bluetooth
[4] Compact fuses boast heavyweight protection
[5] Nonvolatile memory mass production commences
[6] Electrically conductive silicone bonds and seals
[7] A/D convertors designed for high voltages
[7] Softest thermal management in sensitive situations
[8] Convertor takes on active power correction
[9] Surface-mount microphones shrink to fit
[10] Flow runs from design to implementation
* New Technical Articles and Case Studies
* Other featured product news
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Laurence Marchini, Editor, writes:
It's interesting how certain products almost manage to insinuate their
way to become mass market successes without ever really catching the
eye as "the next big thing".
The latest example of this is the not-so-humble digital camera: for
years regarded as "a good idea", but only now overtaking its
relatively electronics-free analogue cousin in terms of sales. And
when no less a camera icon as Nikon attributes the quadrupling of its
profits to its digital output, then you had better believe that the
digital camera age is here.
I have to admit that I don't possess a stills camera of any type - let
alone digital. The last time I had an urge to buy one was some three
years ago when I reasoned that the birth of my son was worthy of
recording. However, just that short time ago the price of a
half-decent digital camera was prohibitive for a humble scribe -
especially one counting the cost of a new-born baby. Today, of course,
a camera with similar resolution and features to those which I
declined to buy would be available for the cost of a decent bottle of
wine.
And herein, of course, lies the problem of "the next big thing". For
while the leading edge of digital photography drives the development
of optical sensors, image processing hardware and nonvolatile memory,
the mass market demands mass market pricing (and mass market margins).
And although Nikon may be crowing about its successes at the leading
edge of the digital camera market, the company would do well to
realise that in a couple of years' time, that very same level of
technology will be embedded into cellphone handsets or probably given
away with breakfast cereals.
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, email me directly.
Best wishes
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!
ACQUISITION BRINGS DSP EXPERTISE ONBOARD
AMI Semiconductor has completed its acquisition of substantially all
of the assets and certain liabilities of Dspfactory for approximately
$25.9 million in cash and 1,314,000 shares of common stock.
AMI Semiconductor, 16 November 2004
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/amb/amb159.html
or send a blank email to mailto:amb1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
ACQUISITIONS EXPAND SPEECH CAPABILITIES
ScanSoft has made a series of strategic acquisitions that
significantly expand its speech capabilities and resources.
ScanSoft United Kingdom, 16 November 2004
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/sso/sso106.html
or send a blank email to mailto:sso1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
DUTCH PROGRAMME TO FOCUS ON AUTOMOTIVE SOFTWARE
Verum Consultants is to sponsor research at the Technical University
of Eindhoven to develop a rigorous methodology for the production of
verifiable embedded software for automotive applications.
Verum, 16 November 2004
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/vru/vru103.html
or send a blank email to mailto:vru1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
TESTS BENCHMARK ENERGY CONSUMPTION
The Embedded Microprocessor Benchmark Consortium plans to add an
energy consumption metric to the performance scores it provides for
embedded processors tested against its benchmarks.
EEMBC, 11 November 2004
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/eem/eem110.html
or send a blank email to mailto:eem1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
PRODUCT COMPLEXITY DRIVES COST
OEMs continue to face pressure in developing software for embedded
devices that require increasing levels of functionality in the face of
shrinking time-to-market and the need to control costs.
Venture Development Corp, 12 November 2004
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/ven/ven114.html
or send a blank email to mailto:ven1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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OUR TOP TEN NEW PRODUCTS SELECTION
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[1] SIMULATION TOOL IS FREE FOR STUDENTS
(Ansoft Corporation Europe, 16 November 2004)
Simplorer SV v7 is the latest addition to the Ansoft portfolio of SV
(student version) software. Simplorer SV is a free, downloadable,
version of Simplorer, Ansoft's multidomain simulation tool for the
design of systems typically found in the automotive, aerospace/defence
and industrial-automation industries. The software is ideal for
engineering students studying design topics in power electronics,
drive technology, electromagnetic actuators and electric machines,
controls, transportation technology, micro machining, mechatronics and
sensor systems.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/ans/ans199.html
or send a blank email to mailto:ans1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[2] MEZZANINE CARD ENABLES GRAPHICAL SERVER CONTROL
(Avocent, 16 November 2004)
Avocent Corp has developed a novel embedded product and specification
for remote server management. The Avocent iRAM integrated remote
access module is an innovative mezzanine card that enables graphical
server control from virtually anywhere. To further ease deployment,
Avocent will release a common connector specification for enhanced
remote management. This common connector specification will be
released to qualified white box and server manufacturers who are
interested in enabling end-to-end solution deployments of embedded
remote server management.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/avc/avc100.html
or send a blank email to mailto:avc1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[3] SINGLE CHIP FOR BLUETOOTH
(Texas Instruments, 11 November 2004)
Texas Instruments has introduced a claimed industry-first single-chip
Bluetooth wireless networking solution using advanced 90nm process
technology. Through use of TI's 90nm process and digital RF processor
(DRP) technology, TI is delivering the industry's best Bluetooth
performance, lowest power and lowest cost for 2G, 2.5G and 3G mobile
phone manufacturers in a single chip. The BRF6300 extends TI's
leadership in providing wireless solutions in 90nm and is the third
single-chip Bluetooth solution using TI's DRP technology.
Request a free brochure by post:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/tex/718/4
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/tex/tex718.html
or send a blank email to mailto:tex7[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[4] COMPACT FUSES BOAST HEAVYWEIGHT PROTECTION
(Raychem Circuit Protection, 16 November 2004)
Raychem Circuit Protection has a new series of electronic chip fuses
for laptops, multimedia devices, cellphones and other portable
electronics. The fast-acting fuses help provide overcurrent protection
on systems using DC power sources of up to 125V AC, and help
facilitate the development of more reliable, high-performance consumer
electronics. Available in industry standard 0402, 0603, and 1206 chip
sizes, the surface-mount fuse line offers small size, high
reliability, strong arc suppression characteristics and the highest
current ratings available in both 0402 and 0603 form factors.
Request a free brochure by post:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/ray/125/4
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/ray/ray125.html
or send a blank email to mailto:ray1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[5] NONVOLATILE MEMORY MASS PRODUCTION COMMENCES
(Fujitsu Microelectronics Europe, 11 November 2004)
Fujitsu Microelectronics Europe launches its 1Mbit FRAM, the highest
ever capacity for FRAM nonvolatile memory, also featuring high speed
read and write operations, low power consumption, and high endurance.
The company has to date already sold more than 150 million FRAM
products. With the latest 0.35um 1T1C cell technology, Fujitsu was
able to develop two 1Mbit FRAM devices - gMB85R1001 (x8bit) and
gMB85R1002 (x16bit), the highest capacity of any of its FRAM products.
Request a free brochure by post:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/fuj/167/4
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/fuj/fuj167.html
or send a blank email to mailto:fuj1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[6] ELECTRICALLY CONDUCTIVE SILICONE BONDS AND SEALS
(Master Bond, 16 November 2004)
A new two-component graphite-filled electrically conductive silicone
compound for high-performance bonding and sealing is now available
from Master Bond. This system is called Master Sil 155 and has a
convenient 1:1 mix ratio by weight. It cures at ambient temperatures
or more quickly at elevated temperatures. The tightly controlled
viscosity of this silicone elastomer formulation produces a smooth
paste which assures complete fill-in around complicated contours in
even very complex configurations.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/mae/mae102.html
or send a blank email to mailto:mae1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[7] A/D CONVERTORS DESIGNED FOR HIGH VOLTAGES
(Analog Devices, 12 November 2004)
Analog Devices is augmenting its broad portfolio of world-leading data
conversion products with the introduction of six 12 to 16bit true
bipolar, multichannel analogue-to-digital convertors (ADCs) for
high-voltage applications. These ADCs provide higher speed and
accuracy, reduce power consumption by 60% and require fewer external
components, making them ideal for industrial and instrumentation
applications that use high-voltage (+/-10V) signals, such as
oscilloscope test functions, motor control, voltage drives, power line
monitoring and channel test tools for pipeline inspections.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/anc/anc250.html
or send a blank email to mailto:anc2[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[7] SOFTEST THERMAL MANAGEMENT IN SENSITIVE SITUATIONS
(The Bergquist Company, 12 November 2004)
Bergquist has launched its Gap Pad S-Class family of thermally
conductive gap-filling products. Designed to provide exceptional
thermal performance while applying little or no stress to pressure
sensitive components, Gap Pad S-Class materials can conform to the
most demanding contours and stack-up tolerances. The Gap Pad S-Class
family consists of three products - the Gap Pad 2000S40, 2500S20 and
3000S30 - offering thermal conductivity of 2.0, 2.4 and 3.0W/mK,
respectively.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/brg/brg110.html
or send a blank email to mailto:brg1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[8] CONVERTOR TAKES ON ACTIVE POWER CORRECTION
(C and D Technologies (NCL), 15 November 2004)
The PF600-1 600W AC/DC convertor from C and D Technologies delivers
the industry's highest power density for a product of this type. The
highly integrated PF600-1 requires very few additional components to
implement a full front-end solution for 48V distributed power
architectures (DPAs). As a result, it can help to save space and
significantly simplify circuit design in 48V DPA applications such as
telecommunications and networking systems, test and measurement
hardware, computers, and industrial equipment.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/can/can166.html
or send a blank email to mailto:can1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[9] SURFACE-MOUNT MICROPHONES SHRINK TO FIT
(Knowles Acoustics, 16 November 2004)
Knowles Acoustics reckons its new "Mini" series of SiSonic silicon
microphones represents the smallest MEMS-based surface mount
microphones available in the world today. With a footprint of less
than 18mm2, the device is ideally suited for applications where
component density is at an absolute premium - such as mobile phones,
digital stills cameras and MP3 players. Engineering samples are
available today, with mass production scheduled for Q2 2005.
Request a free brochure by post:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/kow/106/4
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/kow/kow106.html
or send a blank email to mailto:kow1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[10] FLOW RUNS FROM DESIGN TO IMPLEMENTATION
(CoWare, 16 November 2004)
CoWare and Forte Design Systems have developed the first integrated
SystemC-based solution for electronic system-level (ESL) design to
implementation. The tight integration of CoWare's SystemC-based
ConvergenSC system-on-chip (SoC) design tools and Forte's Cynthesizer
SystemC behavioural synthesis product unites system architecture,
simulation, and synthesis in a first-of-its kind flow. Users can
explore and validate a design's system architecture in CoWare's
ConvergenSC, then synthesise to RTL using Forte's Cynthesizer, and
verify the RTL in a system context with the same SystemC model.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/cow/cow138.html
or send a blank email to mailto:cow1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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New Technical Articles and Case Studies
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POWER COMPONENT DESIGNED INTO DIGITAL VIDEO
(Fairchild Semiconductor, 12 November 2004)
Lasat has selected Fairchild's Green Power Switch (FPST) for its
Digital Video Broadcast (DVB) set top boxes.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/fai/fai318.html
or send a blank email to mailto:fai3[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
TVS FEATURE SINGLE-CHIP DVB AND MHEG-5
(Toshiba Electronics Europe, 15 November 2004)
Beko Elektronik has announced that it is basing its next generation of
integrated digital television (iDTV) products around a system-on-chip
(SoC) digital television solution from Toshiba Electronics.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/tos/tos246.html
or send a blank email to mailto:tos2[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
DESIGN TO TEST SPEEDS WITH DEBUGGER
(Green Hills Software, 12 November 2004)
Green Hills has announced that Mobileye has used its TimeMachine 4-D
debugger, optimising compilers and hardware probes to speed design,
implementation and testing of a single-chip vision system.
Free brochure on TimeMachine 4-D debugger:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/gre/176/4
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/gre/gre176.html
or send a blank email to mailto:gre1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
SCREENS KEEP NORWEGIANS IN TOUCH
(3M Touch Systems UK, 16 November 2004)
Norsk Information Terminals (NIT) has standardised on 3M MicroTouch
touch screens for its Vision information and voice-over-IP terminals.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/mto/mto107.html
or send a blank email to mailto:mto1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
HAND SOLDERING WITH LEAD FREE ALLOYS
(OK International, 15 November 2004)
As companies start to implement lead free soldering processes, hand
soldering and associated techniques have been identified as key
functions in the manufacturing process requiring R and D.
Free brochure on Hand soldering with lead free alloys:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/oin/107/4
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/oin/oin107.html
or send a blank email to mailto:oin1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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Other featured product news
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MEMORY MODULES GET SUPPORT SOLUTIONS
(Alliance Semiconductor Corp, 11 November 2004)
Alliance Semiconductor Corporation has made available its JEDEC DDR I
Series of fully compliant JEDEC buffered/registered DIMM support
silicon.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/adu/adu106.html
or send a blank email to mailto:adu1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
PROGRAMMABLE GAIN AMPLIFIER PROVIDES CONTROL
(Microchip Technology, 15 November 2004)
Microchip has introduced a programmable gain amplifier family that
provides digital control over the amplifier function and design.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/ari/ari179.html
or send a blank email to mailto:ari1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
INTEGRATED CHARGER HAS ADAPTABLE CURRENT
(Arques Technology, 15 November 2004)
The AQ9102 is an integrated charger with a charging profile tailored
for single-cell Li-ion batteries that can be powered from either an AC
voltage-source adapter or a USB port.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/arq/arq108.html
or send a blank email to mailto:arq1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
BUCK REGULATOR HAS INTERNAL COMPENSATION
(Intersil, 11 November 2004)
Intersil has a new 2A integrated FET synchronous buck regulator with
internal compensation and 100% duty cycle.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/ina/ina325.html
or send a blank email to mailto:ina3[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
AUDIO SUBSYSTEMS HAVE EXPANDED FEATURE SETS
(National Semiconductor, 11 November 2004)
National Semiconductor has launched two Boomer audio subsystems that
provide a wide variety of features for cellular phones and portable
applications.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/nat/nat303.html
or send a blank email to mailto:nat3[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
TOP-DENSITY FRAM SHOWS UP IN MUNICH
(Ramtron International, 16 November 2004)
Ramtron International previewed its new 1Mbit, 3V, nonvolatile FRAM at
Electronica 2004 in Munich.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/ram/ram120.html
or send a blank email to mailto:ram1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
MOBILE MEMORY SCALES FROM 16MBIT TO 5GBIT
(Spansion, 11 November 2004)
Spansion has announced plans for new Flash memory devices that will
simplify mobile phone design with a single Flash memory platform.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/ssi/ssi102.html
or send a blank email to mailto:ssi1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
SAW FILTERS SHRINK FOR KEYFOB DUTIES
(NDK, 16 November 2004)
A new series of surface acoustic wave filters has been designed
specifically for front-end selectivity in transmitter or receiver
remote keyless entry applications.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/ndk/ndk117.html
or send a blank email to mailto:ndk1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
FILTER CLEANS UP HANDHELD DISPLAYS
(STMicroelectronics, 16 November 2004)
A new EMI filter for LCD driver lines will be used in mobile,
computing and consumer applications that are subject to increasing
interference from wireless applications.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/stm/stm138.html
or send a blank email to mailto:stm1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
NEW BLUETOOTH PROFILES AVAILABLE NOW
(Atinav, 15 November 2004)
Atinav has released a new set of Bluetooth profiles including A2DP,
GAVDP, HID, BIP, BPP and HCRP.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/ata/ata100.html
or send a blank email to mailto:ata1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
LOW-RISC APPROACH TO 32BIT SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT
(Altium, 12 November 2004)
Altium's Service Pack 2 for Nexar will include a new 32bit FPGA-based
RISC processor that will greatly simplify the development of 32bit
systems for FPGA implementation.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/tas/tas165.html
or send a blank email to mailto:tas1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
FREE PCB SUITE HAS INTERACTIVE ROUTING TECHNOLOGY
(Zuken (Germany), 12 November 2004)
Zuken now offers its popular free PCB design suite, Cadstar Express,
with industry-leading automatic and interactive routing technology.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/zuk/zuk134.html
or send a blank email to mailto:zuk1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
CONNECTOR GIVES BACK 10% OF PCB AREA TO DESIGNERS
(JAE Europe, 12 November 2004)
JAE Europe has saved 10% of the PCB mounting space for an SD card
connector with its new SG5 model, giving designers extra flexibility
to optimise board layout.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/jae/jae119.html
or send a blank email to mailto:jae1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
MORE CHOICE FOR PLASTIC SHIELDING MATERIALS
(Chomerics Europe, 15 November 2004)
Chomerics has enhanced and redefined its range of Premier conductive
plastic shielding materials.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/cho/cho127.html
or send a blank email to mailto:cho1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
FIBRE-OPTIC SWITCH HELPS FIBRE TO THE HOME
(Omron Electronics, 12 November 2004)
Omron has achieved a breakthrough in affordable FTTH (fibre to the
home) super-high-speed broadband implementation with a new approach to
the design and manufacture of optical switching components.
Free brochure on FTTH (fibre-to-the-home):
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/omr/197/4
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/omr/omr197.html
or send a blank email to mailto:omr1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
EMBEDDED PLATFORM IS COOL AND QUIET
(Axiomtek, 11 November 2004)
The eBOX745A-EFL300 is an ultra-low-power fanless embedded platform
powered by an NS Geode 300MHz processor.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/axi/axi100.html
or send a blank email to mailto:axi1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
AFFORDABLE DATA ACQUISITION FOR MAC USERS
(Audon Electronics, 15 November 2004)
Apple Mac users can now benefit from an affordable data acquisition
solution in the form of the new DAQPlot software and the popular
USB-based LabJack U12.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/aud/aud106.html
or send a blank email to mailto:aud1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
DEBUT FOR HIGH PERFORMANCE OSCILLOSCOPES
(Pico Technology, 11 November 2004)
Pico Technology has introduced a new series of high-performance PC
oscilloscopes, the 3000 series, which debuts with three instruments,
the PicoScope 3204, 3205 and 3206.
Free brochure on Debut for high performance oscilloscopes:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/pic/114/4
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/pic/pic114.html
or send a blank email to mailto:pic1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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