Pulse-Width Modulation Control Synchronization

Abstract

In the described example, a pulse width modulation (PWM) device 200 includes an initiator 202 and a receiver 204. The initiator includes an initiator counter 228 and an initiator PWM signal generator 210. The initiator counter advances an initiator count in response to an initiator clock signal. The initiator PWM signal generator generates an initiator PWM signal in response to the initiator count. The receiver 204 includes a receiver counter 230, a receiver PWM signal generator 222, and circuitry configured to reset the receiver count. The receiver counter 230 advances the receiver count in response to the receiver clock signal. The receiver PWM signal generator 222 generates a receiver PWM signal in response to the receiver count. The circuitry resets the receiver count based on an offset in response to a synchronization signal.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This application relates generally to control systems, and more particularly to synchronizing pulse width modulated control systems distributed across a local network. [Background technology]

[0002] In many applications, such as industrial drive systems, it is important for various physically distributed control devices to function synchronously in order to control each device to operate synchronously. For example, robotic systems, machine tools, and position-controlled drive systems may incorporate multiple motors or actuators that are independently controlled by different ones of multiple respective controllers. The synchronized controllers allow the motors and actuators to work together to achieve coordinated movement to precise positions at precise times.

[0003] In some examples, synchronized controllers are distributed across machines, vehicles, buildings, or other locations measurable within tens of meters or less and connected via a communications network. The controllers may exchange control signals and sensor measurements via the communications network. Clock drift, variations in clock sources (which can result in accumulated clock discrepancies in separate controllers), clock generation errors, and clock signal propagation differences (e.g., software- or hardware-induced delays and transmission time differences) can desynchronize distributed controllers that otherwise rely on the same clock timing to maintain synchronization.

[0004] FIG. 1 shows an example functional block diagram of a prior art pulse-width modulation (PWM) controlled system 100. A primary PWM controller 102 is clocked by a primary global clock 104 (which may be a global clock) and is connected to control a first PWM-controlled device 106 (which may also be referred to as a power stage). The primary PWM controller 102 maintains a primary PWM count using the primary global clock 104 and uses the primary PWM count to generate a PWM control signal to control the first PWM-controlled device 106. In particular, in a duty-cycle (time-proportional) PWM implementation, the state of the PWM signal changes between high and low in response to changes in the PWM count, e.g., setting the PWM signal low when the count reaches a first value and setting the PWM signal high when the count reaches a second value. (Alternatively, setting the PWM signal high when the count reaches the first value and setting the PWM signal low when the count reaches the second value.) Adjusting the first value changes the PWM duty cycle, which is the portion of the PWM signal cycle during which the PWM signal is high (or low). Adjusting the second value corresponds to changing a counter maximum value or modulo value, which determines the period of a PWM signal cycle. The primary PWM controller 102 may also be connected to an isolation block 110 by N communication lines 108. The use of the isolation block 110 may depend, for example, on whether the device 106 is high-voltage or low-voltage. The isolation block 110 may include capacitive, inductive, or optical impedance to isolate the primary PWM controller 102 from other power regimes, such as different power regimes applied to different PWM controllers. The isolation block 110 is connected to a secondary PWM controller 114 by N communication lines 112, which is clocked by a secondary global clock 116. The secondary PWM controller 114 is connected to control a second PWM-controlled device 118. The secondary PWM controller 114 maintains a secondary PWM count using the secondary global clock 116 and uses the secondary PWM count to generate a PWM control signal to control the second PWM-controlled device 118. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In the described example, a pulse width modulation (PWM) system includes an initiator and a receiver. The initiator includes an initiator counter and an initiator PWM signal generator. The initiator counter advances the initiator count in response to an initiator clock signal. The initiator PWM signal generator generates the initiator PWM signal in response to the initiator count. The receiver includes a receiver counter, a receiver PWM signal generator, and circuitry configured to reset the receiver count. The receiver counter advances the receiver count in response to the receiver clock signal. The receiver PWM signal generator generates the receiver PWM signal in response to the receiver count. The circuitry includes a synchronization signal. and based on the offset, reset the receiver count. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows an example functional block diagram of a prior art synchronized pulse width modulation (PWM) controlled system.

[0007] [Figure 2] 1 shows an example functional block diagram of a synchronized PWM controlled system.

[0008] [Figure 3] 1 illustrates an example functional block diagram of an initiator portion of a synchronized PWM controlled system.

[0009] [Figure 4] 1 illustrates an example synchronization frame bit-by-bit layout.

[0010] [Figure 5] 1 shows an example of the synchronization process for a PWM-controlled system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] 2 shows an example functional block diagram of a synchronized PWM controlled system 200. The PWM controlled system 200 includes a primary module 202 (also referred to as an initiator module) and a secondary module 204 (also referred to as a receiver module). The primary module 202 includes a primary PWM clock unit 206 that generates a primary PWM clock signal and is connected to clock a frame trigger unit 208 and a primary PWM controller 210. The primary PWM clock signal may be generated, for example, from a primary global clock system (not shown). The frame trigger unit 208 is connected to output synchronization pulses (described further below) to the primary PWM controller 210 and a transmitter 212. The primary PWM controller 210 is connected to control a first controlled device 214. The transmitter 212 outputs to a communication line 216. The communication line 216 may be, for example, a bidirectional interconnect such as a high-speed serial interface (FSI). The communication line 216 may be bidirectional to allow data to be transmitted over the communication line 216. Thus, the communication line 216 may be shared between data frame transmissions and synchronization frame transmissions (or transmissions of other frame types), and the input that the receiver 218 connects to the communication line 216 may be referred to as the shared input 232.

[0012] The secondary module 204 has a receiver 218 connected to receive frames (e.g., data frames or synchronization frames) from a communication line 216. The receiver 218 connects the received frames to a configurable logic block 220 (CLB 220), such as a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or dedicated digital logic. The CLB 220 is connected to an output to a secondary PWM controller 222. A secondary PWM clock 224 is connected to clock the secondary PWM controller 222. The secondary PWM clock 224 may be generated, for example, from a secondary global clock system (not shown). The secondary PWM controller 222 is connected to control a second controlled device 226.

[0013] The primary PWM controller 210 includes a primary PWM counter 228, which generates a primary PWM count in response to a primary clock signal generated by the primary PWM clock unit 206. The primary PWM controller 210 uses the primary PWM count to generate control signals to control the first controlled device 214. For example, the primary PWM clock unit 206 may operate at 100 MHz, while the primary PWM count is incremented at a rate of 20 kHz (e.g., once every 5000 rising clock edges). Thus, the calculations and other processing functions in the primary module 202 and secondary module 204 operate at a higher rate compared to the device control functions of the primary PWM controller 210 and secondary PWM controller 222, respectively, improving the accuracy of device control.

[0014] Therefore, the control signal operating the first controlled device 214 can be described as a PWM control signal. The frame trigger unit 208 detects a predetermined synchronization condition for PWM count synchronization and generates a synchronization pulse when the synchronization condition is detected. The frame trigger unit 208 generates the synchronization pulse in response to the primary PWM count or other primary timer logic or spare PWM timer unit reaching a predetermined hardware-encoded value that may be stored in the frame trigger unit's 208 programmable memory (e.g., non-volatile memory, fuses, etc.) or hard-coded into the frame trigger unit's 208 static logic. The use of a predetermined hardware-encoded value provides deterministic reset timing that is independent of timing variations common in software layer execution, such as stalls and memory fetches. Therefore, each synchronization pulse can be generated periodically. The frame trigger unit 208 outputs the synchronization pulse to the primary PWM controller 210 and the transmitter 212. In response to the synchronization pulse, the primary PWM controller 210 resets the primary PWM count to zero. In response to the synchronization pulse, the transmitter generates a synchronization frame (also called a ping frame) and sends the synchronization frame over communication line 216 to receiver 218 of secondary module 204 .

[0015] The receiver 218 of the secondary module 204 outputs received frames (e.g., data frames and synchronization frames) to the CLB 220. The CLB 220 detects whether a received frame is a synchronization frame, such as by determining whether the frame includes a frame tag (a bit string) having a value corresponding to a synchronization frame. (An example structure of a synchronization frame is further described with reference to FIG. 4.) If the CLB 220 detects a synchronization frame, the CLB 220 transmits a synchronization pulse to the secondary PWM controller 222.

[0016] The secondary PWM controller 222 includes a secondary PWM counter 230 that generates a secondary PWM count in response to the secondary PWM clock 224. The secondary PWM controller 222 generates a control signal for controlling the second controlled device 226 in response to the secondary PWM count. Thus, the control signal that operates the second controlled device 226 may be described as a PWM control signal. When the secondary PWM controller 222 receives a synchronization pulse, the secondary PWM controller 222 resets the secondary PWM count to zero plus an offset (also referred to as a phase value).

[0017] The offset is encoded in hardware local to the secondary PWM controller 222, and the synchronization process is performed by the hardware layer rather than the software layer. The offset is a memory variable and may be encoded, for example, in non-volatile memory or fuse logic. Avoiding software-related stalls, memory fetches, and other process-related delays provides deterministic synchronization timing and increases synchronization accuracy. The offset is determined in response to the physical distance between the primary module 202 and the secondary module 204. The offset may include the time it takes for the serial bit streams and synchronization frames corresponding to the synchronization pulses to travel from the frame trigger unit 208 to the transmitter 212, over the communication line 216 to the receiver 218, to the CLB 220, and to the secondary PWM controller 222. This propagation delay, which may be, for example, tens of nanoseconds, may be added to the offset. Using the hardware layer limits the effects of variables other than transmission time and allows the offset to be accurately determined in response to circuit-based delays (to compensate for them). Circuit-based delays (or latencies) may include, for example, the time it takes to start a frame transfer, the duration of the synchronization frame, the time it takes for CLB220 to detect the synchronization frame, the time it takes to perform the secondary PWM count reset, and other synchronization process-related delays.

[0018] The use of a hardware layer to perform synchronization using synchronization frames and transmission distance-related offsets provides primary / secondary synchronization accurate to within a single cycle of the primary PWM clock signal in some implementations. In an implementation in which the primary PWM clock unit 206 operates at 100 MHz, this can correspond to primary / secondary synchronization accurate to within 10 ns. Thus, in some implementations in which the devices controlled by the primary PWM counts generated by the primary PWM counter 228 and the secondary PWM counts generated by the secondary PWM counter 230 operate at a much lower frequency than the respective primary PWM clock unit 206 or secondary PWM clock unit 224 (e.g., 20 kHz as opposed to 100 MHz), primary / secondary synchronization is highly accurate for both the relatively low-frequency device control regime and the relatively high-frequency primary and secondary block 202, 204 operating regime.

[0019] From the above, it can be seen that the synchronization pulse generated by CLB 220 resets the secondary PWM count generated by secondary PWM counter 230 of secondary PWM controller 222. This reset, along with the added offset, effectively sets the secondary PWM count to the same or approximately the same count as the primary PWM count (generated by primary PWM counter 228 of primary PWM controller 210) at the time the secondary PWM count resets. When the primary PWM count is reset and a synchronization frame is sent to receiver 218 of secondary module 204, by the time the secondary PWM count is reset to the offset, the primary PWM count will also have advanced by a number equal to (or approximately equal to) that offset. Thus, the synchronization frame and resulting secondary reset synchronize the primary and secondary PWM counts to within tolerances associated with transmission time and other process variations, such as variations over temperature. By limiting the physical distance between the primary module 202 and the secondary module 204 to a few tens of meters, the variation in transmission time can be limited, so that synchronization more accurately resets the secondary PWM count to the same value as the primary PWM count at the time the secondary PWM count is reset.

[0020] As described herein, a PWM control system can synchronize PWM control modules across multiple devices using designated synchronization frames to provide coordinated real-time control. This synchronization can be achieved by transmitting the synchronization frames over a bidirectional interconnect (such as communication line 216) such as an FSI. The synchronization frames can fit within a relatively limited bandwidth and can therefore be transmitted over a shared communication line while avoiding collisions with other data being communicated.

[0021] Using a hardware-only layer to initiate communication transfers of synchronization frames and to receive and detect synchronization frames avoids some or all of the software-related process interruptions and reliably provides timed synchronization. Using a hardware layer and not a software protocol layer to perform synchronization allows the synchronization process to be performed deterministically. Using a hardware layer and not a software protocol layer at runtime also allows the synchronization process to avoid dependency on a central processing unit (CPU) or other software control subsystem. Thus, using a hardware layer within the primary module 202 of a PWM network (e.g., PWM-controlled system 200) to detect events internal to the primary module 202 using the frame trigger unit 208, generate synchronization frames in response to the detection of the internal events, and synchronize the timers of the primary PWM module 210 helps provide predictable, timed synchronization events within the PWM modules 210, 222 of the network. Using a hardware layer within the secondary module 204 of the PWM network to receive, detect, and respond to synchronization frames also helps provide predictable, timed synchronization of the PWM modules of the network.

[0022] The secondary module 204 of the PWM network can detect received synchronization frames using hardware. The secondary module 204 generates a synchronization pulse in response to the detected receipt of the synchronization frame. After the secondary PWM controller 222 in the secondary module 204 receives the synchronization pulse, the timer of the secondary PWM controller 222 is synchronized to the detected synchronization frame by resetting the secondary PWM count of the secondary PWM controller 222 with an offset that compensates for the frame latency. Thus, a known (e.g., measured) distance between the primary and secondary PWM control modules 202, 204 (in some examples, along with additional signal propagation delays and other delays, such as circuit-related delays internal to the primary and secondary modules 202, 204 and the corresponding primary and secondary PWM modules 210, 222) can be used to generate an offset to compensate for, for example, transmission delays caused by such distance.

[0023] The primary PWM count may be synchronized by resetting it to zero after a synchronization pulse is transmitted (or after an initial detection of an event by the frame trigger unit 208, such as, for example, after a synchronization pulse is generated or after a predetermined primary PWM count value—triggering synchronization). The secondary PWM count may be synchronized by resetting it to zero plus a generated offset in response to a synchronization frame (or a pulse following detection of that frame). The generated offset may represent, for example, a latency between transmitting a synchronization frame and receiving the synchronization frame, and other propagation delays of the corresponding synchronization pulse. The generated offset may also include circuit delays in the secondary module 204 and the corresponding secondary PWM controller 222, as well as circuit delays between resetting the primary PWM count and transmitting the synchronization frame.

[0024] 3 shows an example functional block diagram of an initiator portion of a synchronized PWM control system 300. A first input of a primary module transmitter 302 is connected to receive the output of a first detected event block 304. An input of the first detected event block 304 is connected to receive the output of a first multiplexer 306. The first multiplexer 306 has M inputs connected to M hardware layer trigger lines 308. A second input of the primary module transmitter 302 is connected to receive the output of a second detected event block 310. An input of the second detected event block 310 is connected to the output of a second multiplexer 312. The second multiplexer 312 has P inputs connected to P software layer trigger lines 314. The first and second detected event blocks 304, 310 and the first and second multiplexers 306, 312 may correspond to the frame trigger unit 208 of FIG. 2.

[0025] M hardware layer trigger lines 308 can be used to connect to M different internal (e.g., on-chip) or external hardware layer trigger sources (or both) to cause the primary module transmitter 302 to generate a synchronization frame. The first detection event block 304 determines whether the output signal of the first multiplexer 306 corresponds to a trigger event or a combination of trigger events for generation of a synchronization frame by the primary module transmitter 302. If so, the first detection event block 304 sends a synchronization pulse to the primary module transmitter 302, causing the primary module transmitter 302 to generate a synchronization frame.

[0026] The P software layer trigger lines 314 may be used to connect to P different internal or external software layer trigger sources (or both) for the primary module transmitter 302 to generate frames other than synchronization frames. The second detect event block 310 determines whether the output of the second multiplexer 312 corresponds to a trigger event or combination of trigger events for software-triggered generation of a desynchronization frame by the primary module transmitter 302. If so, the second detect event block 312 sends a signal to the primary module transmitter 302 to cause the primary module transmitter 302 to generate a software start frame.

[0027] FIG. 4 shows an example synchronization frame bit-wise layout 400. Prior to a synchronization frame 402, the communication line 216 may be in an idle state 404 (and the receiver 218 may receive the idle state 404). The presence of a frame is indicated by a preamble 406 of the synchronization frame 402. In the example of FIG. 4, the preamble 402 includes several clock edges that identify the frame 402, although any other suitable preamble may be used. The preamble 406 is followed, in order, by a start of frame 408, a frame type 410, a frame tag 412, an end of frame 414, and one or more post-frame clock edges 416. The start of the frame 408 indicates the start of the data portion of the frame. The frame type 410 indicates the type of frame from an enumerated list of possible frame types. The end of the frame 414 indicates that the end of the frame has been reached. (The specific numbers shown for these frame divisions in FIG. 4 are for illustrative purposes only.) After the post-frame clock edge 416 that separates the frame from other signals on communication line 216, communication line 216 returns to idle state 404 (or subsequent content carried by communication line 216).

[0028] The frame tag 412 is used to identify a frame as a synchronization frame 402. The frame tag 412 may be, for example, 4 bits, and a particular value of the frame tag 412 corresponds to a synchronization frame 402. The CLB 220 (FIG. 2) detects the presence of a synchronization frame 402 or a desynchronization frame by checking whether the frame tag 412 has a value corresponding to a synchronization frame 402. The CLB 220's detection of the receipt of a particular frame tag 412 by the receiver 418 helps avoid software intervention by detecting the frame tag 412 automatically and with reduced deterministic latency.

[0029] FIG. 5 shows an example of a synchronization process 500 for a PWM-controlled system. In step 502, an initiator PWM module (e.g., primary PWM controller 210, FIG. 2) generates an initiator PWM count. In step 504, an initiator module including the initiator PWM module controls a first controlled device in response to the initiator PWM count. In step 506, the initiator module generates a synchronization pulse in response to a hardware-encoded trigger, such as the value of the initiator PWM count. In step 508, a synchronization frame is generated in response to the synchronization pulse and transmitted from the initiator module to a receiver module (e.g., secondary module 204, FIG. 2). In step 510, the initiator PWM count is reset in response to the synchronization pulse. In step 512, the receiver PWM module generates a receiver PWM count. At step 514, a receiver module including a receiver PWM module controls a second controlled device in response to the receiver PWM count. At step 516, the receiver module receives and detects a synchronization frame. At step 518, the receiver PWM count is reset with an offset in response to detecting the synchronization frame.

[0030] Modifications may be made to the exemplary embodiments described, and other embodiments are possible, within the scope of the claims of the invention.

[0031] In some embodiments, a synchronization pulse and a synchronization frame corresponding to a single synchronization event (e.g., triggered by a single synchronization trigger) may collectively be referred to as a synchronization signal. For example, a synchronization pulse generated by a frame trigger unit, a synchronization frame transmitted from a primary module to a secondary module, and a synchronization pulse generated by a CLB in response to detecting the synchronization frame may collectively be referred to as a synchronization signal.

[0032] In some embodiments, the primary PWM count is incremented at a rate of 1 kHz to 1 MHz or higher.

[0033] In some embodiments, the offset, or a value added to the offset, is transmitted as part of the synchronization frame. For example, a value corresponding to delays associated with the internal functioning of the primary module (process and propagation related delays) may be transmitted as part of the synchronization frame.

[0034] In some embodiments, the communication line propagation delay can be determined from the corresponding cable data sheet, for example, as nanoseconds per meter of cable.

[0035] In some embodiments, synchronized PWM counting is used to implement synchronous control of an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) and an acquisition module to synchronize the execution of the control algorithm. The acquisition module is a digital peripheral that receives digital pulses and measures the pulse width of the input pulse signal.

[0036] In some embodiments, the primary module includes a single PWM controller that controls both the controlled device and the primary module's transmitter.

[0037] In some embodiments, the primary and secondary modules of FIG. 2 can be implemented using Texas Instruments Incorporated F28004x (Potenza) microcontrollers and other Texas Instruments Incorporated C2000 MCUs that include high-speed serial interfaces.

[0038] In some embodiments, the primary PWM count is reset to a non-zero initial (or default) value in response to a synchronization pulse, and the secondary PWM count is reset to the (non-zero) initial (or default) value plus an offset in response to a synchronization pulse. In some embodiments, the non-zero initial value can be an offset corresponding to a delay between generating the synchronization pulse and resetting the primary PWM count.

[0039] In some embodiments, the PWM count is incremented by 1. In some embodiments, the PWM count is incremented by a number other than 1. In some embodiments, the PWM count is decremented. Both incrementing the count and decrementing the count are referred to herein as "advancing" the count. Counting performed other than in response to a synchronization frame is referred to herein as "nominal" advancing the count.

[0040] In some embodiments, the primary PWM count is not reset in response to a synchronization frame. In some embodiments, the primary PWM count is included in a synchronization frame, and the secondary PWM count is reset in response to the primary PWM count and an offset included in the synchronization frame. In some embodiments, the synchronization frame includes a default value, and the primary PWM count is reset to the default value, and the secondary PWM count is reset to the default value plus an offset. In some embodiments, the primary PWM count is reset to a value based on the current primary PWM count (e.g., the primary PWM count rounded to a selected binary number), and the secondary PWM count is reset to the current secondary PWM count (e.g., the secondary PWM count rounded to a selected binary number) plus an offset.

[0041] FSI and configurable logic block peripherals are used herein for corresponding examples. In some embodiments, the synchronization frames and offsets described herein are implemented using other interfaces and hardware.

[0042] In some embodiments, transmitter 212 is connected via communication line 216 (or other communication lines 216) to receivers 218 of additional secondary modules 204, for example in a star or daisy chain topology.

[0043] In some embodiments, other frame portions are used to indicate synchronization frames. In some embodiments, certain frames have different bit-wise layouts.

[0044] In some embodiments, the PWM control signals enable and disable the controlled devices depending on the logic value of the respective PWM control signal.

[0045] In some embodiments, the distance between the primary and secondary modules may be up to tens of meters, while in some embodiments, the distance between the primary and secondary modules may be longer.

[0046] In some embodiments, primary and secondary PWM count synchronization as described herein is applicable to various control regimes, such as distributed motor shaft control and control of distributed power stages such as solar inverters / converters, AC / DC modules, and DC / DC modules.

Claims

1. A device, a frame trigger circuit including a counter, the frame trigger circuit being configured to provide a synchronization frame based on the counter, the synchronization frame specifying a reset value related to a transmission distance; a controller coupled to the counter, the controller configured to provide a first pulse width modulated signal based on the counter; a transmitter configured to transmit the synchronization frame; Including, the device.

2. 10. The device of claim 1, The device, wherein the frame trigger circuitry is further configured to reset the counter to an initial value.

3. 3. The device of claim 2, The synchronization frame further specifies the initial value.

4. 10. The device of claim 1, 11. A device, wherein the synchronization frame includes a preamble, a start-of-frame field following the preamble, a frame type field following the start-of-frame field, a frame tag field following the frame type field, an end-of-frame field following the frame tag field, and a post-frame field following the end-of-frame field.

5. 10. The device of claim 1, The device, wherein the frame trigger circuitry is further configured to provide the synchronization frame using a hardware layer.

6. 10. The device of claim 1, further comprising a first clock circuit coupled to the frame trigger circuit; The device, wherein the frame trigger circuit is further configured to increment the counter based on the first clock circuit.

7. 10. The device of claim 1, The device, wherein the frame trigger circuit includes a first multiplexer and a second multiplexer.

8. 1. A pulse width modulation (PWM) system comprising: A receiver, Receiver input; a receiver clock signal input; a receiver counter for incrementing a receiver count in response to a receiver clock signal received at said receiver clock signal input; a receiver PWM signal generator configured to generate a receiver PWM signal in response to the receiver count; a circuit element configured to, in response to receiving a synchronization signal at the receiver input, reset the receiver count to a reset value related to the physical distance between the receiver and a source of the synchronization signal; A PWM system including the receiver.

9. 9. The PWM system of claim 8, The PWM system, wherein the reset value includes a predetermined initial value and an offset.

10. 10. The PWM system of claim 9, A PWM system wherein the offset is determined in response to a circuit-based latency from the receiver input to completion of resetting the receiver count.

11. 10. The PWM system of claim 9, The receiver, extracting a first offset portion from the synchronization signal; adding the first offset portion to a second offset portion stored in the receiver to generate the offset; The PWM system is configured as follows.

12. 9. The PWM system of claim 8, The PWM system, wherein the receiver is configured in a hardware implementation layer to detect the synchronization signal and reset the receiver count in response to the detected synchronization signal.

13. 9. The PWM system of claim 8, further comprising a communication line coupled to the receiver input; The PWM system, wherein the receiver input is configured to receive the synchronization signal over the communication line and to receive data over the communication line.

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