JP2020005164A - PLC adapter and power line communication system using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a PLC adapter capable of easily and safely achieving injection and extraction of PLC signals in the middle of a power line without any outlet using a widely available commercial PLC modem (integrated equipment) without using any dedicated device.SOLUTION: A PLC adapter 10 includes: a first power terminal 14 connectable to a plug 7 of a PLC modem 2A; a second power terminal 15 connectable to an outlet 5A; a signal separation circuit 16 for separating PLC signals transmitted from the PLC modem 2A from the power supply, which is disposed on a pair of power supply lines 18a, 18b that electrically connects the first power terminal 14 and the second power terminal 15; and a signal terminal 17 that outputs the PLC signals separated by the signal separation circuit 16.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a PLC adapter attached to a PLC (Power Line Communication) modem and a power line communication system using the same.

  PLC modems are widely used. Since the PLC modem uses a power line for power supply as a communication medium, it is possible to easily build a home network without separately providing a communication line.

  Regarding power line communication technology, for example, in Patent Document 1, in order to reduce the signal loss of high-frequency signals by a breaker of a power company and a watt hour meter of a customer, and to ensure the safety of installation work and improve work efficiency, One injection unit that magnetically couples the signal line to the power line from before the breaker, a distribution board that arranges multiple breakers, a watt-hour meter that integrates the power amount of the customer, and a magnetic line A power line communication system including the other injection unit to be coupled, and a distribution unit that connects the one injection unit and the other injection unit and removes a surge voltage is described.

  Patent Document 2 discloses a plurality of injection units magnetically coupled to respective power lines divided by a distribution board, and a distributor that distributes a high-frequency signal to a plurality of injection units via a loop-shaped signal line. And a modem for transmitting a high-frequency signal, and when superimposing a harmonic signal on each power line, changing the wiring method of the signal line wired to one of the power lines having the same phase to improve the communication efficiency of the power line communication. The system has been described.

  Patent Literature 3 discloses that an AC plug is inserted into an outlet, a DC connector is connected to a terminal device such as a notebook personal computer, thereby supplying DC power to the terminal device, and further transmitting a power line communication signal between the outlet and the terminal device. A power adapter that enables transmission and reception is described.

  Patent Literature 4 discloses an outlet plug for supplying electric power flowing through a power line to an electric device such as a lighting device, in order to prevent noise from the electric device from adversely affecting the PLC signal, thereby transmitting the electric signal from the electric device to the power line. It is described that an LC filter for blocking noise generated is provided between the power line and the lighting device. Patent Literature 4 further includes a connector unit that supplies an information signal to a terminal device and an interface unit that performs various kinds of signal processing, and separates a PLC signal flowing through a power line into a power signal and an information signal to provide a terminal device with An adapter plug to supply is described.

  Patent Literature 5 discloses that a PLC bus connector provided in a router (router board) has only a small PLC board in order to add on a power line communication function without changing the design of a router to be connected to the power line communication apparatus. The external unit equipped with the power line communication coupling transformer is separated from the PLC board and provided outside the router case so that the PLC board is connected to the AC100V indoor wiring via the cable and the external unit. A configured add-on power line communication device is described.

JP-A-2004-282397 JP 2006-295248 A JP 2008-219073 A JP 2009-100039 A JP 2008-187636 A

  A widely used PLC modem is an integrated device that always outputs a PLC signal superimposed on power supply power and does not have a function of separating the PLC signal from power supply power. In power line communication, a power line for power supply is used as a communication medium, so that a network can be easily constructed with a power line, but injection and extraction of a PLC signal are limited to an outlet.

  On the other hand, there is also a need to inject and extract a PLC signal in the middle of a power line without an outlet in order to avoid a branch position of the power line or a place where noise is generated, which causes the attenuation of the PLC signal.

  However, when using a PLC modem to inject a PLC signal onto a power line near a distribution board, a dedicated PLC modem having a function of separating the PLC signal from the power supply (hereinafter, referred to as a separate device or a separate type) is required. It had to be prepared separately. In addition, since the installation work of such a special PLC modem involves a power outage, there is a great danger for the operator and a great effect on the user.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to make it easier to inject and extract a PLC signal in the middle of a power line without an outlet by using a widely-used commercially available PLC modem (integrated device) without using a dedicated device. It is to provide a PLC adapter which can be realized safely and a power line communication system using the same.

  In order to solve the above problems, a PLC adapter according to the present invention includes a first power supply terminal connectable to a power plug of a PLC modem, a second power supply terminal connectable to an outlet, the first power supply terminal and the second power supply. A signal separating circuit provided on a pair of power lines electrically connecting terminals and separating the PLC signal transmitted from the PLC modem from power supply power; and outputting the PLC signal separated by the signal separating circuit. And a signal terminal.

  According to the present invention, only a PLC signal is extracted from a device (hereinafter, an integrated device) in which a high-frequency signal for power line communication (hereinafter, a PLC signal) is superimposed on a power plug, such as a commercially available PLC modem, and a clamp type coupler is provided. (Hereinafter, coupler), a PLC signal re-injected or extracted by the coupler can be transmitted to the integrated device. When the PLC adapter according to the present invention is used, the injection / extraction location of the PLC signal is not restricted by the installation location of the outlet, so that a system that can efficiently inject the PLC signal required for the power line communication to the required location can be constructed. This facilitates the stabilization of the power line communication.

  In the present invention, the signal separation circuit allows a flow of the PLC signal from one of the first power supply terminal and the signal terminal to the other and a flow of power supply power from the second power supply terminal to the first power supply terminal. Preferably, a flow of a PLC signal from the first power terminal or the signal terminal to the second power terminal and a flow of power from the second power terminal to the signal terminal are prevented.

  In the present invention, the signal separation circuit includes first and second coils provided on the pair of power supply lines, respectively, and the pair of the first power supply terminal closer to the first power supply terminal than the first and second coils. A pair of signal lines respectively drawn out from the middle of the power supply line, first and second capacitors respectively provided on the pair of signal lines, and a second power supply terminal which is more than the first and second coils. A third capacitor connecting between the pair of power supply lines on the side of the first and second power supply lines, wherein the first and second coils have a relatively low impedance with respect to a commercial frequency and a relatively low impedance with respect to a frequency band of the PLC signal. And the first to third capacitors have relatively high impedance with respect to the commercial frequency, and have the impedance with respect to the frequency band of the PLC signal. It is preferred pairwise low.

  The PLC adapter according to the present invention preferably further includes a fuse provided on at least one of the pair of power supply lines, and the fuse is provided between the second power supply terminal and the third capacitor. preferable. Thus, the PLC modem and the PLC adapter can be protected from short-circuit current.

  It is preferable that the PLC adapter according to the present invention further includes an insulating transformer provided between the signal separation circuit and the signal terminal. Thereby, the insulation of the PLC adapter with respect to the communication line can be ensured, and the safety of the communication system can be improved.

  The PLC adapter according to the present invention preferably further includes a communication line connected to the signal terminal, and a coupler unit for magnetically coupling the communication line to a power line. As a result, the PLC modem can transmit the PLC signal to a remote power line different from the power line to which the power is supplied, so that the safety of the installation work and the reliability of the communication can be ensured.

  Further, the power line communication system according to the present invention receives power supply from a distribution board, first and second power lines respectively extending from the distribution board, and a first outlet provided on the first power line. And a first PLC modem for transmitting a PLC signal toward the first power line, and receiving power from a second outlet provided on the second power line, and receiving a power supply from the second outlet. A second PLC modem for transmitting a PLC signal through the first PLC modem and the first outlet, separating the PLC signal from power supply power, and separating the PLC signal from the first power. , A PLC line according to the present invention as described above, a communication line connected to the signal terminal of the PLC adapter, and a magnetic coupling between the communication line and a second power line. Characterized in that it comprises a order of the coupler portion.

  According to the present invention, there is provided a PLC adapter capable of easily realizing the same function using a PLC modem as an integrated device without preparing a dedicated PLC modem configured as a separate device, and a PLC adapter using the same. The power line communication system used can be provided.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a power line communication system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram schematically showing a configuration of the PLC adapter according to the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the structure of the coupler unit. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the PLC adapter according to the present embodiment. FIGS. 5A and 5B are diagrams for explaining the operation of the power line communication system according to the present embodiment. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a power line communication system according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a power line communication system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the power line communication system 1A is a system for performing data communication between the PLC modem 2A and the PLC modem 2B using the power line 4 as a transmission medium. A plurality of power lines 4 (home wiring) extending from the distribution board 3 constitute a home network, the PLC modem 2A is connected to an outlet 5A of the power line 4A, and the PLC modem 2B is connected to an outlet 5B of another power line 4B. It is connected. The distribution board 3 is a device that distributes power to a plurality of home wirings at the end of a single-phase three-wire low-voltage distribution line. A communication device such as an optical line terminal is connected to the PLC modem 2A, for example, a personal computer is connected to the PLC modem 2B, and the personal computer can be connected to an optical line via a power line network.

  The PLC modems 2A and 2B are so-called integrated devices in which a PLC signal is always superimposed on power supply power and output. The PLC signal is output from a power plug 7. The power plug 7 of the PLC modem 2A is connected to the outlet 5A via the PLC adapter 10. Therefore, the PLC modem 2A is configured to receive power supply from the power line 4A via the PLC adapter 10 and transmit a PLC signal onto the power line 4B via the PLC adapter 10. On the other hand, the power plug of the PLC modem 2B is directly connected to the outlet 5B. Therefore, the PLC modem 2B is configured to receive power supply from the power line 4B and transmit a PLC signal on the power line 4B.

  The PLC adapter 10 is a device that extracts a PLC signal output from a power plug of the PLC modem 2A while being superimposed on power supply power. The communication line 12 of the PLC adapter 10 is connected to the power line 4B via the coupler unit 13.

  The outlet 5A to which the PLC modem 2A is connected via the PLC adapter 10 is preferably the outlet closest to the distribution board 3. In order to make the communication line 12 as short as possible, it is preferable that the mounting position of the coupler unit 13 on the power line 4B is as close as possible to the distribution board 3. In this case, the coupler unit 13 is installed closer to the distribution board 3 than the outlet 5B to which the PLC modem 2B is connected.

  FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram schematically showing a configuration of the PLC adapter 10 according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the PLC adapter 10 is an additional device provided between the PLC modem 2A and the outlet 5A, and includes a PLC adapter main body 11, a communication line 12 connected to the PLC adapter main body 11, And a coupler unit 13 attached to the wire 12.

  The PLC adapter body 11 includes a first power terminal 14 connected to the power plug 7 of the PLC modem 2A, a second power terminal 15 connected to the outlet 5A, a first power terminal 14 and a second power terminal 15. A signal separation circuit 16 is provided on a pair of power supply lines 18a and 18b to be connected, and a signal terminal 17 from which a PLC signal separated from power supply by the signal separation circuit 16 is output. The signal separation circuit 16 is housed in the housing 11a, and the first power terminal 14, the second power terminal 15, and the signal terminal 17 are provided on the surface of the housing 11a. The first power terminal 14 is preferably provided on one main surface of the substantially rectangular parallelepiped housing 11a, and the second power terminal 15 is preferably provided on the opposite main surface of the housing 11a. The first power terminal 14 has a terminal shape that can be directly connected to the power plug 7, and the second power terminal 15 has a terminal shape that can be directly connected to the outlet 5A.

  The signal separation circuit 16 plays a role of separating the PLC signal transmitted from the PLC modem 2A from the power supply power and superimposing the PLC signal flowing from the communication line 12 on the power supply power. In addition, it serves to reduce noise in the same frequency band as the PLC signal flowing in from the outlet 5A side, and also to reduce the influence on the PLC modem 2A due to the impedance fluctuation of the outlet 5A side. That is, the signal separation circuit 16 allows the flow of the PLC signal from one of the first power terminal 14 and the signal terminal 17 to the other and the flow of the power from the second power terminal 15 to the first power terminal 14, The flow of the PLC signal from the first power supply terminal 14 or the signal terminal 17 to the second power supply terminal 15 and the flow of the power supply from the second power supply terminal 15 to the signal terminal 17 are prevented.

  The communication line 12 is, for example, a twisted pair cable, and exchanges a PLC signal between the signal separation circuit 16 and the coupler unit 13. The coupler section 13 plays a role of injecting a PLC signal flowing from the PLC adapter main body 11 into the power line 4B and extracting a PLC signal from the partner PLC modem 2B from the power line 4B. The injection and extraction of the PLC signal by the coupler unit 13 are performed without contact with the conductor of the power line 4B.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view illustrating an example of the structure of the coupler unit 13.

As shown in FIG. 3, the second magnetic core coupler portion 13, which is mounted a first magnetic core 30A which is attached to one of the power line 4B ₁ constituting the pair of power lines 4B, the other power line 4B ₂ 30B. Each of the first and second magnetic cores 30A and 30B is a so-called clamp-type coupler constituted by a two-piece toroidal core, and is a half-plane on a plane including a central axis (Y-axis) of a cylindrical shape (annular shape). It is composed of a first core part 31 and a second core part 32 that are split, and has a through hole through which a power line (cable) can be inserted in the cylindrical axis direction. The material of the first and second magnetic cores 30A and 30B is not particularly limited, but is preferably made of a magnetic material such as ferrite. The first core portion 31 and the second core portion 32 are housed in, for example, a resin case (not shown) and fixed in a cylindrical shape. The first is the through hole of the magnetic core 30A being inserted one power line 4B _1, the through hole of the second magnetic core 30B and the other power line 4B ₂ are inserted. Further, one loop signal line 33 extending from the end of the communication line 12 is wound or inserted through the first and second magnetic cores 30A and 30B. Thus, the communication line 12 is magnetically coupled to the power line 4B via the first and second magnetic cores 30A, 30B.

  Next, the operation of the PLC adapter 10 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  A PLC signal is superimposed on the power plug 7 of the PLC modem 2A in addition to the commercial power of AC 100V (50 Hz / 60 Hz). The power plug 7 of the PLC modem 2A is a male AC plug that can be connected to the outlet 5A, and has a pair of terminals. The first power supply terminal 14 of the PLC adapter main body 11 is a female terminal having the same shape as the outlet 5A. The power supply plug 7 of the PLC modem 2A is inserted, and the other end is connected to the signal separation circuit 16. The second power terminal 15 is a male terminal having the same shape as the power plug 7 of the PLC modem 2A.

The signal separating circuit 16 is designed to send only the PLC signal from the first power terminal 14 to the signal terminal 17 and send only the power from the second power terminal 15 to the first power terminal 14. More specifically, coils L ₁ and L ₂ are inserted in series on a pair of power supply lines 18 a and 18 b inside the signal separation circuit 16. The coils L ₁ and L ₂ are choke coils and have a low impedance with respect to the commercial frequency (50 Hz / 60 Hz), but have a high impedance with respect to the frequency band of the PLC signal (2 MHz to 30 MHz or 10 kHz to 450 kHz). Is selected.

The pair of power supply lines 18a, a pair of signal lines 19a drawn from each of the middle of the 18b, the capacitors _C 1, _{C 2} on 19b is provided. Capacitors C ₁ and C ₂ are coupling capacitors and have a constant that has a high impedance for a commercial frequency but has a low impedance for a frequency band of a PLC signal. Therefore, by combining the coils L ₁ and L ₂ with the capacitors C ₁ and C ₂ , the PLC signal is output only from the signal terminal 17 and not output from the second power supply terminal 15 as shown by an arrow D ₁ in FIG. Thus, it is possible to separate the power from the power supply. Moreover, the source power may be as arrow D as shown in ₂ flows from the second power supply terminal 15 toward the first power supply terminal 14, not the output from the signal terminal 17.

Between the pair of coils L _1, L ₂ and second power supply terminals 15, it is provided a capacitor C ₃ connecting the one power supply line 18a and the other power supply line 18b. Capacitor C ₃ is a pair of power supply lines 18a, a bypass capacitor to short circuit AC-between 18b, but for the commercial frequency is high impedance, the constants a low impedance to the frequency band of a PLC signal Has been selected. Therefore, by combining the capacitor C ₃ and the coils L ₁ and L ₂ , noise in the frequency band of the PLC signal flowing into the signal separation circuit 16 from the second power supply terminal 15 is reduced as shown by the arrow D ₃ in FIG. As a result, the influence on the PLC modem 2A can be eliminated. Further, even in the event that the impedance of the power line fluctuates in the frequency band of the PLC signal due to the connection of the inverter device or the like, the impedance of the coils L ₁ and L ₂ appears to be high in the frequency band of the PLC signal. Can be eliminated.

The power supply line 18a for the purpose of protection by short-circuit current, may be added fuses F ₁ to at least one of the 18b, the insulating transformer T between the signal terminal 17 and the signal separation circuit 16 for ensuring insulation ₁ may be installed, but it is only a safety consideration and is not an essential component. It is preferred fuse F ₁ is provided between the third capacitor C ₃ and the second power supply terminal 15. Thus, the PLC modem and the PLC adapter can be protected from short-circuit current.

The PLC signal transmitted from the signal terminal 17 reaches the coupler unit 13 through the communication line 12. As described above, the coupler unit 13 includes the magnetic cores 30A and 30B (see FIG. 3), and the communication line 12 and the power lines 4B ₁ and 4B ₂ are inserted through the magnetic cores 30A and 30B to form the power line 4B. The PLC signal can be superimposed without contacting the conductor. The superimposed PLC signal reaches the opposing PLC modem 2B installed at the end of the power line 4B.

On the other hand, the PLC signal transmitted from the opposite PLC modem 2B to the power line 4B reaches the coupler unit 13. The coupler unit 13 superposes a PLC signal from the power line 4B to the communication line 12 using a magnetic field generated inside the magnetic cores 30A and 30B. After passing through the communication line 12, the PLC signal enters the signal separation circuit 16 from the signal terminal 17. As described above, since the impedances of the coils L ₁ and L ₂ are large with respect to the frequency band of the PLC signal, the PLC signal flows only to the first power supply terminal 14 side and reaches the inside of the device from the power supply plug 7 of the PLC modem 2A.

  Next, the operation of the power line communication system 1A will be described with reference to FIGS.

When the PLC adapter is not connected to the PLC modem 2A as shown in FIG. 5A, the PLC signal transmitted from the PLC modem 2A passes through the power line 4, so that various power devices and home appliances 40 connected to the power line 4 are connected. PLC signal is deteriorated due to attenuation in the noise (see arrow _{D 4)} and the distribution board 3 or the like (see an arrow _{D 5).}

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5B, by using the PLC adapter 10 according to the present embodiment, the coupler section 13 can be used even in the so-called PLC modem 2A of an integrated device. It becomes possible to inject / extract the PLC signal in a place that is difficult to receive. Thus, it can (see arrow D ₆₎ to suppress the deterioration of the PLC signal, it is possible to construct a stable communication environment.

  FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a power line communication system according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 6, in the power line communication system 1B according to the present embodiment, the communication line 12A extending from the PLC adapter 10 branches in the middle, and one branch line 12B is connected to the power line 4B via the coupler unit 13B. The other branch line 12C is connected to the power line 4C via the coupler unit 13C. A PLC modem 2C is connected to an outlet 5C of the power line 4C.

  In the above configuration, the PLC modem 2A can communicate not only with the PLC modem 2B via the PLC adapter 10 but also with the PLC modem 2C via the PLC adapter 10 and extend from the distribution board 3. One-to-many communication can be realized across power lines of the system.

  As described above, the PLC adapter 10 according to the present embodiment can easily change the PLC modem 2A as an integrated device to a separated type in which a coupler can be used. Accordingly, there is no need to prepare a dedicated PLC modem configured as a separate device from the beginning, and a commercially available PLC modem can be used, so that the cost can be reduced.

  Further, by changing the PLC modem 2A to the separation type, the PLC signal can be injected / extracted at a position where there is no outlet on the power line 4B. Further, by changing the PLC modem 2A to the separation type, the PLC signal can be injected / extracted by bypassing a noise source such as a power device or a distribution board where a branch loss occurs, so that a stable communication system can be constructed. it can. Since the coupler unit 13 can transmit and receive the PLC signal to and from the conductor of the power line in a non-contact manner, the safety of the worker during the installation work of the coupler is secured, and there is no power failure, so that there is no influence on the customer.

  As described above, the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. It goes without saying that they are included in the range.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, the PLC adapter 10 is connected to both the pair of power lines 4B ₁ and 4B ₂ via the coupler unit 13 and the communication line 12, but either _{one of the} pair of power lines 4B ₁ or 4B ₂ is used. The PLC adapter 10 may be connected to one side. In the above embodiment, the power supply connected to the second power supply terminal 15 has the same effect as that of the commercial AC power supply as well as the DC power supply.

1A, 1B power line communication system 2A, 2B, 2C PLC modem 3 minutes board 4, 4A, 4B, 4C power line _4B 1, 4B ₂ power lines 5A, 5B, 5C outlet 7 power plug 10 PLC adapter 11 PLC adapter body 11a housing 12, 12A Communication line 12B, 12C Communication line (branch line)
13, 13B, 13C Coupler unit 14 First power supply terminal (female terminal)
15 Second power terminal (male terminal)
16 signal separation circuit 17 the signal terminals 18a, 18b power supply lines 19a, 19b signal line 30A first magnetic core 30B second magnetic core 31 first core portion 32 and the second core portion 33 loop signal line 40 Appliances _C 1, C ₂ capacitor C ₃ capacitor F ₁ fuse L ₁ , L ₂ coil T ₁ insulation transformer

Claims (7)

A first power terminal connectable to a power plug of the PLC modem;
A second power terminal that can be connected to an outlet,
A signal separation circuit provided on a pair of power supply lines for electrically connecting the first power supply terminal and the second power supply terminal, and separating a PLC signal transmitted from the PLC modem from power supply power;
A signal terminal for outputting the PLC signal separated by the signal separation circuit. The signal separation circuit,
Allowing a flow of the PLC signal from one of the first power supply terminal and the signal terminal to the other and a flow of power supply power from the second power supply terminal to the first power supply terminal;
The PLC adapter according to claim 1, wherein a flow of a PLC signal from the first power supply terminal or the signal terminal to the second power supply terminal and a flow of power supply power from the second power supply terminal to the signal terminal are prevented. The signal separation circuit,
First and second coils respectively provided on the pair of power supply lines;
A pair of signal lines respectively drawn out of the pair of power supply lines on the first power supply terminal side with respect to the first and second coils;
First and second capacitors respectively provided on the pair of signal lines;
A third capacitor connecting between the pair of power lines closer to the second power terminal than the first and second coils;
The first and second coils have a relatively low impedance with respect to a commercial frequency, a relatively high impedance with respect to a frequency band of the PLC signal,
3. The PLC adapter according to claim 1, wherein the first to third capacitors have a relatively high impedance with respect to a commercial frequency and a relatively low impedance with respect to a frequency band of the PLC signal. 4.   The PLC adapter according to claim 1, further comprising a fuse provided on at least one of the pair of power supply lines.   The PLC adapter according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising an insulating transformer provided between the signal separation circuit and the signal terminal. A communication line connected to the signal terminal;
The PLC adapter according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising: a coupler unit for magnetically coupling the communication line to a power line. Distribution board,
First and second power lines respectively extending from the distribution board;
A first PLC modem that receives power from a first outlet provided on the first power line and transmits a PLC signal toward the first power line;
A second PLC modem that receives power from a second outlet provided on the second power line and sends a PLC signal toward the second power line;
2. The power supply according to claim 1, wherein the power supply is provided between the first PLC modem and the first power outlet to separate the PLC signal from power supply power and to prevent the PLC signal from being transmitted on the first power line. The described PLC adapter;
A communication line connected to the signal terminal of the PLC adapter;
A power line communication system, comprising: a coupler unit for magnetically coupling the communication line to a second power line.

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