JP2007236157A - Booster circuit and semiconductor device having the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a semiconductor device having a boosting circuit, including a structure which prevents reduction in a load drive capability after boosting start, while suppressing reduction in power voltage, which is caused, when charging into a capacitor is executed at once, at boosting start and accompanying effects on other circuits. <P>SOLUTION: In the booster circuit, wherein a plurality of boosting capacitors and a plurality of diodes or MOS transistors are connected in series, a circuit for limiting electric charges to be supplied to the boosting capacitors within a time frame, set in advance, is provided, thereby suppressing excessive fluctuations of the power supply voltage at the boosting start. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a booster circuit, and a charge pump booster circuit that boosts an input voltage using charge / discharge of a capacitor to generate a desired boosted voltage, a semiconductor device having the booster circuit, and the semiconductor device. The present invention relates to an electronic device.

  As the power supply voltage is lowered, various semiconductor devices have a booster circuit that boosts a power supply voltage or an internal voltage lower than the power supply voltage generated from the power supply voltage and generates a boosted voltage higher than the power supply voltage or the internal power supply voltage. More are built in. As a conventional booster circuit, there is a circuit that boosts a power supply voltage or an internal power supply voltage by using a capacitor to charge and discharge. In particular, in a semiconductor device for liquid crystal display using various kinds of voltages, a booster circuit is used as a power source for driving liquid crystal.

  Since the voltage required for the power supply for driving the liquid crystal is a high voltage, in order to obtain a desired high voltage, the booster circuit has a plurality of booster stages. In the case of a booster circuit having a plurality of booster stages, it is necessary to have a plurality of boosting capacitors and an output voltage stabilizing capacitor for stabilizing the output voltage.

  When the booster circuit is started in a state where the charges are not charged in the plurality of boosting capacitors and the output voltage stabilizing capacitor, a large amount of current flows from the power source to the boosting capacitor and the output voltage stabilizing capacitor in a short time. For this reason, the power supply voltage is lowered, and an adverse effect such as causing a malfunction of a logic circuit or the like in the semiconductor device incorporated together with the booster circuit is caused. In order to solve this problem, in the conventional semiconductor device, by reducing the voltage amplitude that drives the boosting capacitor at the time of boosting startup, the current consumption at the startup of the boosting circuit is reduced and the load on the booster circuit power supply is suppressed. Like to do. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

  A conventional semiconductor device will be described with reference to FIGS. A clock clk is generated by the clock signal generator CG. The clock clk and a clock having a phase opposite to that of the clock clk are alternately connected to the capacitors C1, C2, C3 to Cn via the controllable buffers B11 and B21. The other terminals of the capacitors C1, C2, and C3 to Cn are connected to the power supply voltage Vdd through a circuit in which a transistor is a pseudo diode. The timer TD measures the time τ, and the controllable buffers B11 and B21 for changing the start time control signal Scon limit the amplitude of the clock clk for the time τ specified by the start time control signal Scon from the timer TD. The first clock CLK1 and the second clock CLK2 are output respectively. The clock signal generator CG and the timer TD receive the start signal St, and start their operation when the start signal St changes. In this booster circuit, the boosting capacitor is charged and discharged according to the clock signal, the output voltage is stabilized by the capacitor Co, and the desired output voltage Vout is output.

As means for suppressing the current consumption at the time of startup, the circuit configuration of the portion corresponding to the controllable buffers B11 and B21 is shown in FIG. The P-type MOS transistor Q22 and the N-type MOS transistor Q23 operate in response to the clock signal clk, and the P-type MOS transistor Q21 and the N-type MOS transistor Q24 operate in response to the startup control signal Scon. When the startup control signal Scon is at the H level, the clock signal clk is output as the first clock CLK1 or the second clock CLK2 with the amplitude between the ground potential GND and the power supply voltage Vdd. When the booster circuit is activated, the activation control signal Scon is set to the L level, the P-type MOS transistor Q21 and the N-type MOS transistor Q24 are turned off, and the P-type MOS transistor Q25 and the N-type transistor connected as a saturation connection are connected. A current flows through MOS transistor Q26. Therefore, the output voltage of the first clock CLK1 or the second clock CLK2 has a voltage value of Vdd-2Vth. Reduced booster clock amplitude reduces the startup current of the booster circuit, reducing current consumption when starting up the booster circuit, reducing fluctuations in the power supply voltage when starting up the booster, and adversely affecting other circuits It is set as the structure which avoids.
JP 2003-244940 (FIGS. 6 and 7)

  In the conventional semiconductor device, the P-type MOS transistors Q21 and Q22 or the N-type MOS transistors Q23 and Q24 are connected in series. Therefore, in a general manufacturing process, the P-type MOS transistor Q22 and the N-type MOS transistor are used. Since the transistor Q23 causes an electric difference between the substrate potential and the source potential of the transistor, the transistor Q23 is configured to sacrifice the driving capability of the transistor. For this reason, the load driving capability after stabilizing the boost start-up is reduced.

  As another configuration of the conventional semiconductor device, a method of using a resistor instead of the P-type MOS transistor Q25 and the N-type MOS transistor Q26 has been devised. However, even in this configuration, the P-type MOS transistors Q21 and Q22 or the N-type MOS transistors Q23 and Q24 are connected in series and thus have the same problem.

  That is, in order not to sacrifice the load driving capability after the boost start-up stabilization, a method of increasing the size of the transistor P-type MOS transistors Q21 and Q22, N-type MOS transistors Q23 and Q24 connected in series, etc. Is required, which increases the mounting area of the IC and increases the cost.

  In addition, an electronic device that has stable operation and consumes as little current as possible is desired.

  Therefore, the present invention relates to a booster circuit using a capacitor, which suppresses current consumption during startup, improves the stability of operation during boost startup, and improves the load drive capability after stabilization of boost startup, It is an object of the present invention to provide a semiconductor device having a booster circuit, an electronic device having the booster circuit or the semiconductor device.

  (Means 1) A booster circuit according to the present invention is a booster circuit having a charge pump circuit, a clock generation circuit for supplying a clock signal to the charge pump circuit, and the clock signal inputted thereto and outputted to the charge pump circuit When the control circuit having the first buffer circuit and the second buffer circuit, and the booster circuit enable signal that enables the booster circuit operation are input, measurement of a predetermined time is started. And a delay circuit that outputs a boost activation control signal having information on whether or not to the control circuit, and the control circuit, when the delay circuit does not exceed a predetermined time, the first buffer circuit The clock signal is output, the second buffer circuit stops the clock signal, and when the delay circuit exceeds a predetermined time, One is the buffer circuit outputs the clock signal, said second buffer circuit and outputs the clock signal.

  The first buffer circuit includes a resistance element connected in series to an output terminal, and the first buffer circuit outputs the clock signal via the resistance element, or the first buffer circuit The buffer circuit includes a constant current circuit, and the first buffer circuit can output the clock signal via the constant current circuit.

  (Means 2) In a booster circuit that boosts an input voltage using a capacitor to generate a boosted voltage higher than the input voltage, an input terminal to which the input voltage is applied, an output terminal to which the boosted voltage is output, and the A plurality of switches connected in series between the input terminal and the output terminal, and a plurality of capacitor connection terminals connected to one electrode of each of the switches and connected to a capacitor in accordance with a desired boosted voltage; And a control circuit that outputs control signals corresponding to the plurality of switches, and a boost drive capability setting signal is input to the control circuit, and the boost drive is lower than an arbitrary boost drive capability at the initial operation of the boost circuit. It is possible to generate a desired boost output by setting an arbitrary boost drive capability after operating with capability setting and starting stably.

  (Means 3) A counter circuit that counts the time from the start of activation of the booster circuit, a drive capability selection circuit that selects a boost drive capability of the booster circuit based on an output signal from the counter circuit, and a drive capability of the drive capability select circuit It has a boost control circuit that controls the boost operation according to the setting, operates at a boost drive capability setting lower than an arbitrary boost drive capability at the initial stage of operation, switches to an arbitrary boost drive capability setting after a certain time, and operates as a desired boost drive capability The boosting circuit according to the means 2 having a boosting control circuit that can be used.

  (Means 4) a detection circuit for detecting a current flowing through the booster circuit, a drive capability selection circuit for selecting a boost drive capability of the booster circuit based on an output signal from the detection circuit, and a booster according to the drive capability setting of the drive capability selection circuit It has a boost control circuit that controls the operation, operates at a boost drive capability setting lower than an arbitrary boost drive capability at the initial stage of operation, and switches to an arbitrary boost drive capability setting when the output of the boost circuit exceeds the detection voltage. This is a booster circuit of means 2 having a booster control circuit capable of operating with the booster drive capability.

  (Means 5) The above-described booster circuit which performs a desired booster drive capability operation by arbitrarily setting the booster drive capability through a plurality of stages.

  (Means 6) The semiconductor device of the present invention can constitute a semiconductor device having the above-described booster circuit.

  (Means 7) The electronic apparatus of the present invention can constitute an electronic apparatus having the semiconductor device of means 6.

  According to the present invention, the power supply voltage or the internal power supply voltage is suppressed after the power is turned on by limiting the current supply capacity to the boosting capacitor for a predetermined time after receiving the boost start signal. Thus, the load can be reduced, and the problem of a transient voltage drop of the power supply voltage or the internal power supply voltage can be solved. Furthermore, by using the buffer configuration having the current limiting function of the present invention, the current supply capability that is released after a predetermined time is not impaired, so that sufficient load driving capability can be obtained. Further, power loss in the buffer can be suppressed.

  Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

<First embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram showing a first embodiment of a booster circuit according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram showing an example of the configuration of a buffer that controls the boost clock. FIG. 3 is a timing chart showing the operation of the booster circuit.

  The clock generation circuit 100 receives a booster circuit enable signal EN from the outside and outputs a clock signal CLK. The delay circuit 101 receives a booster circuit enable signal EN from the outside, measures a set time T (for example, 1 second) from when the booster circuit enable signal EN changes from L level to H level, and exceeds that time. And the boost activation control signal DEN is changed from the L level to the H level.

  The clock signal CLK output from the clock generation circuit 100 is input to the buffer circuit 102 having the output current limiting function. In addition, the clock signal CLK output from the clock generation circuit 100 is input to the inverting circuit 104, and the output of the inverting circuit 104 is input to the buffer circuit 103 having an output current limiting function. The buffer circuits 102 and 103 receive the boost activation control signal DEN. The buffer circuit 102 outputs the boosted clock signal CLK1 that is output current limited when the boost activation control signal DEN is at the L level, and the boosted clock signal CLK1 that does not limit the output current when the boost activation control signal DEN is at the H level. Output. The buffer circuit 103 outputs the boosted clock signal CLK2 with the output current limited when the boost activation control signal DEN is at the L level, and the boosted clock signal CLK2 with no output current limitation when the boost activation control signal DEN is at the H level. Output. The circuit configurations of the buffer circuits 102 and 103 having the output current limiting function may be the same or different. However, since the two buffer circuits operate in pairs, the circuit configurations are preferably the same. . A control circuit for controlling the charge pump circuit is configured using the buffer circuits 102 and 103.

  Here, the charge pump circuit will be described. The anode of the diode D1 is connected to the power supply VDD, the cathode of the diode D1 is connected to the anode of the next-stage diode D2 and one end of the capacitor C1, and the other end of the capacitor C1 is connected to the output terminal of the buffer circuit 102, The signal CLK1 is input. A circuit composed of such a set of diodes and capacitors is called UNIT. Using diodes D1, D2, D3,... Dn and capacitors C1, C2, C3,... Cn, n UNITs are formed and connected in series. Boosted clock signals CLK1 and CLK2 are alternately connected to the other end of the capacitor. The anode of the diode Dout is connected to the cathode of the diode Dn at the final stage. One end of the capacitor Cout is connected to the cathode of the diode Dout, and the other end of the capacitor Cout is grounded to obtain a stable final output voltage VOUT. In order to obtain a boosted voltage that is n times the voltage of the power supply VDD, this is realized by using a charge pump circuit in which UNITs are connected in series in n stages.

  FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram showing an example of the configuration of a buffer circuit that controls the boost clock. This is a configuration example of buffer circuits 102 and 103 having an output current limiting function, that is, a control circuit. The source of the P-type MOS transistor M21 is connected to the power supply VDD, the drain of the P-type MOS transistor M21 is connected to the drain of the N-type MOS transistor M22, and the source of the N-type MOS transistor M22 is connected to the ground. That is, the P-type MOS transistor M21 and the N-type MOS transistor M22 are connected in series between the power supply VDD and the ground. Similarly, the P-type MOS transistor M23 and the N-type MOS transistor M24 are also connected between the power supply VDD and the ground. The drain of the P-type MOS transistor M21 and the drain of the P-type MOS transistor M23 serve as the output of the boost clock signal CLK1 (CLK2). A clock signal CLK is connected to the gates of the P-type MOS transistor M23 and the N-type MOS transistor M24. In the control circuit, the clock signal CLK is handled as the boost clock signal CLK21. The boosted clock signal CLK22 is input to the gate of the P-type MOS transistor M21. The boosted clock signal CLK23 is input to the gate of the N-type MOS transistor M22. The boost clock control circuit 201 receives the boost activation control signal DEN and the clock signal CLK, and outputs boost clock signals CLK22 and CLK23.

  Further, the boost clock control circuit 201 receives the boost activation control signal DEN, which is an enable signal delayed by the delay circuit 101, and the boost clock signal, which is a boost clock signal controlled by the boost activation control signal DEN from the boost clock control circuit 201. Clock signals CLK22 and CLK23 are output. The boost clock signals CLK22 and CLK23 are fixed at the VDD level while the boost activation control signal DEN delayed by the delay circuit 101 is in an inactive state (L level here). The clock signal CLK23 is fixed at the ground level, and when the boost activation control signal DEN is in an active state (here, H level), the boost clock signals CLK22 and CLK23 output a signal synchronized with the clock signal CLK. It is controlled by the control circuit 201.

  The P-type MOS transistor M23 and the N-type MOS transistor M24 can obtain desired current driving capability by setting the process size of the transistors.

  The operation of the booster circuit configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS.

  The clock generation circuit 100 starts operation when the booster circuit enable signal EN rises. On the other hand, the booster circuit enable signal EN is similarly input to the delay circuit 101, and measurement of a preset delay time T is started. A clock signal CLK, which is an output signal of the clock generation circuit 100, is input to the buffer circuit 102 having an output current limiting function and the inverting circuit 104, and an output of the inverting circuit 104 is input to the buffer circuit 103 having an output current limiting function. The outputs of the buffer circuits 102 and 103 are clock signals for causing the boost operation of the charge pump circuit, but the phase is almost inverted. These boosting clocks are boosting clock signals CLK1 and CLK2.

  The booster activation control signal DEN, which is a delay signal output from the delay circuit 101, is input to the buffer circuits 102 and 103. Since this delay signal remains in the non-enabled state for a predetermined time T, the boost clock control circuit 201 maintains the voltage level of the power supply VDD without depending on the input level of the clock signal CLK. The boost clock signal CLK23 is configured to hold the ground level.

  That is, the P-type MOS transistor M21 and the N-type MOS transistor M22 are kept off. On the other hand, since the clock signal CLK input to the buffer circuits 102 and 103 is input to the P-type MOS transistor M23 and the N-type MOS transistor M24 simultaneously with the boost clock control circuit 201, the boost clock signal CLK1 or the boost clock as an output signal. The signal CLK2 is driven only by the P-type MOS transistor M23 and the N-type MOS transistor M24.

  Here, the on-resistance of the P-type MOS transistor M23 is set sufficiently higher than that of the P-type MOS transistor M21, and the on-resistance of the N-type MOS transistor M24 is set sufficiently higher than that of the N-type MOS transistor M22.

  Therefore, since the transistors for driving the boost capacitors C1 to Cn and Cout are the P-type MOS transistor M23 and the N-type MOS transistor M24 in the initial stage of startup, the transient current at startup is suppressed, and the power supply VDD of the booster circuit is suppressed. Suppresses the transient voltage drop due to the lighter load. The voltage drop of the power supply VDD is small at the rise of the booster circuit enable signal EN in FIG. That is, the influence on the other circuits due to the fluctuation of the power supply voltage can be suppressed. Thereafter, when a preset time T elapses, the boost activation control signal DEN of the delay circuit 101 changes from the inactive state to the active state, and the boost clock signals CLK22 and CLK23 are at the VDD level and the ground level, respectively. By outputting the boost clock, the P-type MOS transistor M21 is turned on and off in the same phase as the P-type MOS transistor M23, and the N-type MOS transistor M22 is turned off and on in the same phase as the N-type MOS transistor M24. As a result, the boost capacitors C1 to Cn and Cout can be driven by the P-type MOS transistor M21 and the N-type MOS transistor M22, which have sufficiently low on-resistance, and the path for driving the boost capacitor is a transistor. Therefore, the load drive capability after the boost activation control signal DEN becomes active is not lost.

  Here, the set time of the delay circuit 101 is preferably set by determining in advance the time until the boosted output voltage VOUT becomes constant.

  Further, the boosted clock signal CLK1 that is the output of the buffer circuit 102 and the boosted clock signal CLK2 that is the output of the buffer circuit 103 cause the charge charged in C1 to be charged to C2, and the charge charged to C2 is charged to C3 one after another. CLK1 and CLK2 are connected so as to be charged.

  Here, the boost clock signals CLK1 and CLK2 are connected to a plurality of capacitors, but buffer circuits 102 and 103 may be prepared and connected for the number of capacitors.

  FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram showing the configuration of the buffer of the booster circuit according to the second embodiment of the booster circuit of the present invention. This is another embodiment of the circuit having the output current limiting function of the buffer circuits 102 and 103 which are control circuits. One end of the resistor R1 is connected to the drain of the P-type MOS transistor M23, and one end of the resistor R2 is connected to the drain of the N-type MOS transistor M24. The other end of the resistor R1, the other end of the resistor R2, the drain of the P-type MOS transistor M21, and the drain of the N-type MOS transistor M22 are connected. In this case, since the resistors R1 and R2 suppress the output current of the boost clock signal CLK1 (CLK2), the transistors are turned on like the P-type MOS transistor M23 and the N-type MOS transistor M24 described in the first embodiment. There is no need to set the resistance high. Such a configuration can also be used.

  FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram showing the configuration of the buffer of the booster circuit according to the third embodiment of the booster circuit of the present invention. In this configuration, the current flowing through the P-type MOS transistor M23 and the N-type MOS transistor M24 is controlled with a constant current using a current mirror configuration. The P-type MOS transistor M23 and the P-type MOS transistor M25 constitute a current mirror, and the N-type MOS transistor M24 and the N-type MOS transistor M26 also constitute a current mirror. The P-type MOS transistor M27 and the N-type MOS transistor M28 are switching transistors that set the P-type MOS transistor M23 and the N-type MOS transistor M24 to an off state. The boost clock control circuit 201 receives the clock signal CLK and outputs boost clock signals CLK22 and CLK23. The inverting circuit 202 receives the clock signal CLK and outputs it to the gates of the P-type MOS transistor M27 and the N-type MOS transistor M28. When the boost activation control signal DEN is in an inactive state, the boost clock signal CLK22 is set to the VDD level, the boost clock signal CLK23 is set to the ground level, and the P-type MOS transistor M21 and the N-type MOS transistor M22 are in the off state. This is the same as in the case of FIGS.

  When the clock signal CLK is at the H level (VDD level), the P-type MOS transistor M27 is turned on through the inverting circuit 202, and the boosted clock signal CLK21 is fixed at the VDD level. Turns off. On the other hand, the N-type MOS transistor M28 is in an off state. In that case, the same current is supplied to the N-type MOS transistor M26 in which the constant current set by the constant-current circuit 204 is connected by saturation connection, and the N-type MOS transistor M24 connected to the N-type MOS transistor M26 in a current mirror connection is N-type. The operation is such that a constant current determined by the mirror ratio with the MOS transistor M26 flows. Since the boosted clock signal CLK1 or CLK2 which is the output (drain) of the N-type MOS transistor M24 is connected to the boosting capacitor, the operation charges the capacitor with a constant current.

  When the clock signal CLK is at the L level (ground level), the N-type MOS transistor M28 is turned on, the P-type MOS transistor M27 is turned off, a constant current flows through the P-type MOS transistor M25, and the current mirror ratio Thus, the current determined by (1) flows through the P-type MOS transistor M23, and the boost capacitor connected to the boost clock signal CLK1 (CLK2) is charged with a constant current. The above operation is repeated according to the H and L levels of the clock signal CLK. In this case, the current is determined by the constant current flowing in the P-type MOS transistor M23 and the N-type MOS transistor M24. By designing as described above, the current at the time of startup can be suppressed in the same manner as in the first and second embodiments, and a transient voltage drop of VDD at the time of boosting startup can be suppressed.

  DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Although a diode is used as the booster circuit UNIT in FIG. 1, the same effect can be obtained with either a P-type MOS transistor or an N-type MOS transistor. In the first to third embodiments, the number of stages of the current limiting function is described as one stage, but the present invention can be implemented even with two or more stages. Further, although the configuration of the current limiting function has been described with the configuration of both the P-type MOS transistor and the N-type MOS transistor, the configuration of only one of them is effective. Further, in the first to third embodiments, the positive booster circuit has been described as an example, but the same effect can be expected in the case of the negative booster circuit. The delay circuit 101 monitors the output voltage VOUT, compares the output voltage VOUT with a comparison circuit, and can set the time T until the predetermined voltage is reached.

  FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a semiconductor device having the booster circuit of the present invention. The booster circuit 1 is the booster circuit described in the above embodiment. The electronic circuit 2 is an electronic circuit that uses a boosted voltage, such as a liquid crystal driving circuit, an EEPROM, or a flash memory circuit. The booster circuit 1 receives power from the battery and boosts the voltage. The boosted voltage is supplied to the electronic circuit 2. By using the booster circuit 1, fluctuations in the power supply voltage are reduced, so that malfunction of the electronic circuit 2 can be prevented. The semiconductor device 3 can also be configured by arranging the booster circuit 1 and the electronic circuit 2 in one IC. Further, by making the booster circuit 1 and the electronic circuit 2 into one IC, the mounting area when the booster circuit and the electronic circuit are mounted on the circuit board can be reduced.

1 is a circuit diagram showing a first embodiment of a booster circuit of the present invention. It is a circuit diagram which shows the example of a structure of the buffer which controls a pressure | voltage rise clock. It is a timing chart which shows operation | movement of a booster circuit. It is a circuit diagram which shows the structure of the buffer of the booster circuit of 2nd embodiment of the booster circuit of this invention. It is a circuit diagram which shows the structure of the buffer of the booster circuit of 3rd embodiment of the booster circuit of this invention. It is the figure which showed the conventional booster circuit structure. It is the figure which showed the buffer which generate | occur | produces the conventional clock. It is a block diagram of a semiconductor device having a booster circuit of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

100 clock generation circuit 101 delay circuit 102, 103 buffer circuit 104, 202 inverting circuit 201 boost clock control circuit 203, 204 constant current circuit EN boost circuit enable signal VDD power supply voltage VOUT boost output voltage CLK21, CLK22, CLK23 boost clock signal DEN delay signal

Claims (5)

In a booster circuit having a charge pump circuit,
A clock generation circuit for supplying a clock signal to the charge pump circuit;
A control circuit having a first buffer circuit that inputs the clock signal and outputs the clock signal to the charge pump circuit; and a second buffer circuit;
When a booster circuit enable signal enabling operation of the booster circuit is input, measurement of a predetermined time is started, and a boost activation control signal having information on whether or not the predetermined time has been exceeded is output to the control circuit. A circuit,
In the control circuit, when the delay circuit does not exceed a predetermined time, the first buffer circuit outputs the clock signal, the second buffer circuit stops the clock signal, and the delay circuit The booster circuit according to claim 1, wherein when the predetermined time is exceeded, the first buffer circuit outputs the clock signal, and the second buffer circuit outputs the clock signal.   The booster circuit, wherein the first buffer circuit includes a resistance element connected in series to an output terminal, and the first buffer circuit outputs the clock signal via the resistance element.   The booster circuit, wherein the first buffer circuit includes a constant current circuit, and the first buffer circuit outputs the clock signal via the constant current circuit.   A semiconductor device comprising the booster circuit according to claim 1.   An electronic apparatus having the semiconductor device according to claim 4.

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