KR101095030B1 - Express storage apparatus for large capacity using optical connection - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a high-speed mass storage device using an optical connection, and an input / output module for connecting to an external optical interface to input / output an optical signal, and converts an optical signal transmitted from the input / output module into an electrical signal. Or an optical / electric conversion module for converting an electrical signal into an optical signal, a signal processing module connected to the optical / electric conversion module to perform signal processing and control to divide or collect an electrical signal, and processing from the signal processing module. The memory module includes a storage module connected to a plurality of memory units in parallel so that the read signals can be read and written at high speed simultaneously, without signal loss such as inter-channel interference and distortion in high-speed, high-capacity signals. There is an effect that can transmit a signal.

SSD, nonvolatile memory, removable storage, optical connection, optical PCB, parallel structure, optical printed circuit board, high speed storage

Description

High-speed mass storage device using optical connection {EXPRESS STORAGE APPARATUS FOR LARGE CAPACITY USING OPTICAL CONNECTION}

The present invention relates to a high-speed mass storage device, and more particularly, to channel-to-channel in a high-speed mass signal generated by connecting a plurality of nonvolatile memories in parallel by using stacked optical transmission paths and photoelectric conversion technology. The present invention relates to a high-speed mass storage device using an optical connection capable of transmitting signals without signal loss such as mutual interference and distortion.

In general, storage devices include a magnetic storage device represented by a hard disk drive (HDD), an optical storage device represented by a compact disk or a Blu-ray disk, a universal serial bus (USB) memory, or a solid state drive (SSD). There is a representative memory type storage device.

Among them, SSD is a memory storage device that supports lightweight mobile storage using non-volatile memory (NVM, NVRAM). The SSD has been developed due to the increase in the use of mobile storage devices and the development of memory technology.

It is a technology that converts the analog characteristics of the existing hard disk (HDD) into an electrical form and guarantees a longer life, high stability and high speed. The SSD mainly uses a NAND flash memory whose write function is rather than read.

Such NAND flash memory types include a single level cell (SLC) and a multi level cell (MLC). Since the SLC uses only one level, it has a smaller capacity than the MLC, but provides higher speed due to the advantage of electrical signal control. However, the conventional storage device has a problem that is incompatible with an external device supporting the optical signal.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a high-capacity, high-capacity signal generated by connecting a plurality of nonvolatile memories in parallel by using stacked optical transmission paths and photoelectric conversion technology. The present invention provides a high-speed mass storage device using an optical connection capable of transmitting a signal without loss of signals such as mutual interference and distortion between channels.

In order to achieve the above object, a first aspect of the present invention provides an input / output module for connecting an external optical interface such that an optical signal is input / output; An optical / electric conversion module for converting an optical signal transmitted from the input / output module into an electrical signal or converting an electrical signal into an optical signal; A signal processing module connected to the photoelectric conversion module to perform signal processing and control to divide or collect an electrical signal; And a storage module in which a plurality of memory units are connected in parallel to enable high-speed read / write of the signals processed by the signal processing module at the same time.

Here, the signal processing module, Serdes (SerDes, Serializer and Deserializer) is connected to the photoelectric conversion module to generate a high-speed signal by splitting a high-speed signal or a plurality of signals; And a control unit for controlling the signal to read / write the divided signal in the sudes to be transmitted to each memory unit of the storage module in parallel.

Preferably, the input / output module and the optical / electric conversion module may be connected to each other through optical transmission means for optical signal transmission.

Preferably, the optical transmission means may be made of any one of an optical fiber, an optical waveguide or an optical PCB.

The second aspect of the present invention, the input / output module for connecting the optical interface with the external so that the optical signal input / output; A plurality of optical / electric conversion modules each connected to a plurality of optical transmission paths connected in parallel with the input / output module and converting an optical signal transmitted from the input / output module into an electrical signal or an electrical signal into an optical signal ; A plurality of memory units each connected in series to each photoelectric conversion module to store signals processed from each photoelectric conversion module; And electrically connected to each optical / electric conversion module so that a signal processed from each optical / electric conversion module can be selectively stored in each memory unit, thereby providing a high-speed mass storage device using an optical connection including a control module. It is.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, an input / output module connects with an external optical interface such that an optical signal is input / output; A plurality of optical / electric conversion modules each connected to a plurality of optical transmission paths connected in parallel with the input / output module and converting an optical signal transmitted from the input / output module into an electrical signal or an electrical signal into an optical signal ; A plurality of storage modules connected in parallel with a plurality of memory units to simultaneously read and write signals processed from each photoelectric conversion module at a high speed; It is connected between each photoelectric conversion module and each storage module, and controls the signal to read / write so that the signal processed in each photoelectric conversion module can be transferred in parallel to each memory unit of each storage module. A plurality of first control modules; And a second control module electrically connected to each photoelectric conversion module to control a signal processed from each photoelectric conversion module to be selectively transmitted to each first control module. It is to provide a storage device.

In this case, the input / output module may include an optical transmission path made of at least one optical fiber, an optical waveguide, or an optical PCB, and an input / output port in which guide holes or guide pins are formed.

Preferably, the guide hole or guide pin may be connected through a power line to supply power.

Preferably, the memory unit may include a nonvolatile memory or a volatile memory that is always connected to a separate power source.

According to the high-speed mass storage device using the optical connection of the present invention as described above, a high-speed large-capacity signal generated by connecting a plurality of non-volatile memory in parallel by using a stacked optical transmission path and optical / pre-conversion technology There is an advantage in that a signal can be transmitted without a signal loss phenomenon such as mutual interference and distortion between channels.

In addition, according to the present invention, by implementing a high-speed mobile storage device by incorporating optical connection technology into a mobile storage device, it is possible to transmit a high-speed signal of several Gbps units and to implement a high-speed mobile storage device having a response speed of several ms. This allows not only direct use of high-speed removable storage devices in personal computers, but also lightweight, high-speed removable storage devices in mobile systems such as mobile computers, and more advanced optical connection technology to computers. The advantage is that it can be expected to contribute to the implementation of next-generation high-speed computers.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the following embodiments of the present invention may be modified into various other forms, and the scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below. The embodiments of the present invention are provided to enable those skilled in the art to more fully understand the present invention.

1 is an overall block diagram illustrating a high speed mass storage device using an optical connection according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 is a specific plan view for explaining the input / output module applied to an embodiment of the present invention 3 is a detailed block diagram illustrating a photoelectric change module applied to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a detailed block diagram illustrating a signal processing module applied to an embodiment of the present invention. to be.

1 to 4, a high-speed mass storage device using an optical connection according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an input / output module 100, an optical / electric conversion module 200, and a signal processing module 300. ) And the storage module 400.

Here, the input / output module 100 is a signal transmission means for transmitting an optical signal, an optical PCB (Printed Circuit Board) for transmitting the optical signal broadly, and the high-speed mass storage device of the present invention to connect to the outside It can include both the physical device of the port and the transmission of optical signals through it.

The input / output module 100 is for connecting to an external interface of a computer so that an optical signal is input / output, and is composed of an input / output port 110 and an optical transmission path 120.

The input / output port 110 is capable of bi-directional transmission and reception according to a computer interface. SATA (Serial) supporting a next-generation USB (Universal Serial Bus), an optical serial bus (OSB), or an express card supporting high-speed transmission is provided. Although an input / output port having a structure corresponding to an input / output such as Advanced Technology Attachment is possible, a port having a structure supporting optical USB (aka OSB-Optical Serial Bus) capable of transmitting and receiving high-speed data without loss is preferable.

In addition, the input / output port 110 is an embodiment in which an optical transmission path, such as an optical fiber, is optically connected using an optical PCB stacked in a PCB, but the optical fiber and wave guide are not stacked. Other optical transmission paths or transmission methods that support optical transmission, such as wave-guides and polymers, can also be used.

In more detail, the input / output port 110 constituting the input / output module 100 is a sculpture (not shown) properly designed for the MT ferrule 111 or the interface, as shown in FIG. 2. And a guide pin (not shown) or a guide hole 112 that serves as a support when interconnecting with a component (not shown) that secures it to the PCB and other devices with an optical USB interface. It is.

In this case, the MT ferrule 111 should be properly aligned to communicate the optical signal with the optical transmission path (for example, the optical PCB) 120, and the optical / electric conversion module 200 and the signal processing module 300, etc. The power for the bias may be supplied through a separate power port, but in one embodiment of the present invention, a guide pin inserted into the guide hole 112 that fixes the MT ferrule 111. ) May be connected to the power line 121 to supply power.

That is, the input / output module 100 may be, for example, an optical transmission path in which an MT ferrule 111 or a connector corresponding thereto with at least one guide hole 112 and at least one optical fiber or optical waveguide is stacked. It consists of 120.

Meanwhile, in one embodiment of the present invention, the guide hole 112 is formed in the MT ferrule 111, but is not limited thereto, and may be formed as a guide pin that can be inserted into the guide hole 112. The guide pins may be connected to the guide holes 112 to support the high speed mass storage device of the present invention.

The optical / electric conversion module 200 is connected to the input / output module 100 through the optical transmission module 150, and converts the optical signal transmitted from the input / output module 100 into an electrical signal or converts the electrical signal into an electrical signal. Performs the function of converting to an optical signal.

As shown in FIG. 3, the photo / electric conversion module 200 includes a photo detector 210 and a laser diode (for example, a VCSEL (eg, a VCSEL) that converts an electrical signal in response to an optical signal. A vertical cavity surface emitting diode (220) and a transmitter / receiver 230 including a driver IC, a receiver IC, and the like, which transmit and receive the electric signal at an appropriate level.

That is, the optical / electric conversion module 200 converts the optical signal received through the optical transmission module 150 into an electrical signal or converts the electrical signal from the signal processing module 300 into an optical signal. The optical signal received from the unit 230 is converted into an electrical signal through the photo detector 210, and after being subjected to appropriate signal processing in the receiver IC of the transceiver 230, is transmitted to the signal processing module 300, the signal processing module In the case of the electrical signal received from the 300 is converted into an optical signal through the driver IC and the laser diode 220 of the transceiver 230 is transmitted to the input / output module 100.

In addition, the optical transmission module 150 is a so-called optical link that connects the optical signal of the input / output module 100 to the optical / electric conversion module 200, the optical transmission path 120 in the present invention. The optical waveguides are preferably stacked on a PCB, but optical waveguides may be used as optical transmission paths with or without lamination using, for example, wave guides or polymers. .

That is, the optical transmission module 150 is an optical waveguide in which the optical fiber is stacked as described above or an optical waveguide capable of the same function, and converts the optical signal from the input / output module 100 to the optical / electric conversion module 200. It acts to transmit.

The signal processing module 300 is electrically connected to the photoelectric conversion module 200 and performs a function of performing signal processing and control to divide or collect electrical signals.

As shown in FIG. 4, the signal processing module 300 is connected to the optical / electric conversion module 200 to divide a high speed signal or to collect a plurality of signals to generate a high speed signal. Read so that the signal divided in the Serializer and Deserializer (or Mux / Demux) 310 and the SerDes 310 are transmitted to each memory unit 450 of the storage module 400 in parallel. It is composed of a control unit 320 for controlling the signal for writing (Write).

That is, the signal processing module 300 is composed of a SerDes 310 and a controller 320. The Serdes 310 divides a high-speed signal or collects a plurality of signals to generate a high-speed signal. The control unit 320 is a signal for the signal divided in the SerDes (310) is properly transmitted to the storage module 400 in parallel and read (Read) / Write (Read) Serves to control.

In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the controller 320 includes a plurality of registers, clocks C, and the like that temporarily store a decoder, an address, an instruction, and the like. It consists of a PLL (Phase Locked Loop) for correcting the phase difference and a plurality of detailed controllers 320a composed of several other devices as necessary, and the number of required detailed controllers 320a is connected in parallel to the storage module 400. Is determined by the number of memories.

In the signal processing module 300 configured as described above, a signal passed through the input / output module 100 and the photoelectric conversion module 200 is transmitted to the Serdes 310 in the form of an electrical signal. In the Serdes 310, the high-speed signal is divided into 1: N according to FIFO (First-In, First-Out) by muxing and demuxing to the storage module 400. It serves to transmit a signal, or vice versa collects the signal received from the storage module 400 and transmits it to the photoelectric conversion module 200.

In order to properly transmit and receive the signal divided by the SerDes 310 to the storage module 400 and to store the signal, the control unit 320 exists.

That is, the control unit 320 includes a detailed control unit 320a to control a plurality of memory units 400a, for example, a plurality of nonvolatile memories, and the detailed control unit 320a commands commands for each nonvolatile memory. It executes to control read and write. In order to perform this properly, an address table for a location where each signal is to be stored is required, and an instruction for an address is required. To this end, a decoder, an address controller, a register controller, and the like use the instructions and addresses stored in registers such as an address register and an instruction register to perform the above-described tactics. Will perform a function.

In the storage module 400, a plurality of memory units 400a are connected in parallel to enable high-speed read / write of signals processed by the signal processing module 300 at the same time.

That is, the storage module 400 is composed of a plurality of memory units 400a. The memory units 400a should be a nonvolatile memory because they have to perform a storage function, but the power supply unit is required by the specific purpose of the system to which the structure is applied. It is also possible to use a volatile memory that is always connected to, and these memories are connected to the control unit 320 in parallel to control the function.

In addition, the storage module 400 is composed of a plurality of non-volatile memory, the plurality of received signals stored or stored in the memory unit 400a according to the command of the control unit 320 command of the control unit 320 It transmits according to the function.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a high-speed mass storage device using optical connection according to another embodiment of the present invention. Compared to the above-described embodiment, the memory units of the storage modules connected in parallel are each serial. It shows the structure connected.

Referring to FIG. 5, a high-speed mass storage device using an optical connection according to another embodiment of the present invention includes a large input / output module 100 'and a plurality of optical / electric conversion modules 200'-1 to 200'-. n), a control module 300 'and a plurality of memory units 400'-1 to 400'-n.

Here, the input / output module 100 'is the same as the above-described embodiment of the present invention, and a detailed description thereof will be referred to the above-described embodiment of the present invention.

The plurality of photoelectric conversion modules 200'-1 to 200'-n are connected to a plurality of channels, that is, optical transmission lines 150 ', connected in parallel with the input / output module 100'. The optical signal transmitted from the input / output module 100 ′ is converted into an electrical signal or the electrical signal is converted into an optical signal.

In addition, each photoelectric conversion module 200'-1 to 200'-n has a different arrangement structure compared to the above-described embodiment of the present invention, but the photoelectric conversion applied to the above-described embodiment of the present invention. Since the module 200 has the same function and effect, the detailed description thereof will be referred to the above-described embodiment of the present invention.

The control module 300 'is electrically connected to each photoelectric conversion module 200'-1 to 200'-n, and is processed from each photoelectric conversion module 200'-1 to 200'-n. Performs a function of controlling the signals so that they can be selectively stored in each of the memory units 400'-1 to 400'-n.

The plurality of memory units 400'-1 to 400'-n are connected in series to each photoelectric conversion module 200'-1 to 200'-n, and each photoelectric change module. And stores the processed signals from (200'-1 to 200'-n), respectively.

In addition, each memory unit 400'-1 to 400'-n has a different arrangement structure compared to the above-described embodiment of the present invention, and is identical to the memory unit 400a applied to the above-described embodiment of the present invention. Since it has a function and an effect, a detailed description thereof will be referred to the embodiment of the present invention described above.

6 is a block diagram illustrating a high-speed mass storage device using an optical connection according to another embodiment of the present invention. Compared to the above-described embodiment, the memory of the storage module connected in parallel is shown. It shows a structure in which the parts are mixed and connected in series / parallel respectively.

Referring to FIG. 6, a high-speed mass storage device using an optical connection according to another embodiment of the present invention includes an input / output module 100 ″ and a plurality of optical / electric conversion modules 200 ″ -1 to 200 ″. n), a plurality of first control modules 300a "-1 to 300a" -n, a second control module 300b ", and a plurality of storage modules 400" -1 to 400 "-n. .

Here, since the input / output module 100 ″ is the same as the above-described embodiment of the present invention, a detailed description thereof will be referred to the above-described embodiment of the present invention.

The plurality of photoelectric conversion modules 200 "-1 to 200" -n are respectively connected to a plurality of channels, that is, optical transmission lines 150 ", connected in parallel with the input / output module 100". The optical signal transmitted from the input / output module 100 ″ is converted into an electrical signal or the electrical signal is converted into an optical signal.

In addition, each photoelectric conversion module 200 "-1 to 200" -n has a different arrangement structure compared to the above-described embodiment of the present invention, but the photo / electric conversion applied to the above-described embodiment of the present invention. Since the module 200 has the same function and effect, the detailed description thereof will be referred to the above-described embodiment of the present invention.

The plurality of first control modules 300a "-1 to 300a" -n are each photoelectric conversion module 200 "-1 to 200" -n and each storage module 400 "-1 to 400" -n. Are connected in series, and the signals processed by each photoelectric conversion module (200 "-1 to 200" -n) are connected in parallel to each of the storage modules (400 "-1 to 400" -n). It performs a function of controlling a signal to read / write to be transferred to each memory unit 400a'-1 to 400a'-n.

The second control module 300b "is electrically connected to each photoelectric conversion module 200" -1 to 200 "-n, and each photoelectric conversion module 200" -1 to 200 "-n. It performs a function to control so that the signal processed from can be selectively transmitted to each of the first control module (300a "-1 to 300a" -n).

In addition, the plurality of storage modules 400 "-1 to 400" -n simultaneously read and write signals processed from each photoelectric conversion module 200 "-1 to 200" -n at a high speed. A plurality of memory units 400a "-1 to 400a" -n are connected in parallel to enable writing.

In addition, each storage module 400 "-1 to 400" -n is composed of a plurality of memory units 400a "-1 to 400a" -n as in the above-described embodiment of the present invention. The units 400a "-1 to 400a" -n should be nonvolatile memory because they have to perform a storage function. However, due to the specific purpose of the system to which the structure is applied, the units 400a "-1 to 400a" -n may use volatile memory that is always connected to the power supply. The memory units 400a "-1 to 400a" -n are connected to each of the first control modules 300a "-1 to 300a" -n in parallel to control their functions.

In addition, each of the storage modules 400 "-1 to 400" -n is composed of a plurality of nonvolatile memories, and the received plurality of signals of each of the first control modules 300a "-1 to 300a" -n A function of transmitting or storing a signal stored in or stored in each of the memory units 400a "-1 to 400a" -n according to a command according to a command of each of the first control modules 300a "-1 to 300a" -n. Do it.

By combining the optical connection technology according to the embodiments of the present invention configured as described above with a storage device using a nonvolatile memory, it is possible to easily implement a high speed mobile storage device and a storage device for a personal computer.

In addition, according to the present invention, by using a stacked optical transmission path and photoelectric conversion technology, such as inter-channel interference, distortion, and the like in a high-speed, high-capacity signal generated by connecting a plurality of nonvolatile memories in parallel. There is an effect that can transmit a signal without a signal loss phenomenon.

In addition, the parallel structure applied to the present invention is a structure that enables read / write at the same time by connecting a plurality of memories in parallel, and enables high-speed read and write.

In addition, according to the present invention, by utilizing the optical connection technology in the implementation of the storage device to combine the characteristics of the optical connection that does not cause distortion and interference even in high-speed large-capacity signal transmission to the storage device, firstly, the existing SSD Alternatively, bottlenecks of nonvolatile memory such as flash disks can be eliminated. Second, distortion and interference that can occur when nonvolatile memories are connected in parallel using high-speed Serdes can be eliminated. As a result, a high-speed mass storage device can be implemented at high speed, and a storage device that can maintain compatibility with a device using optical USB by transmitting and receiving an optical signal can be implemented.

In addition, according to the present invention, by using a parallel connection structure to access a plurality of non-volatile memory at the same time and a high speed storage device by using a high speed, high capacity optical connection technology to implement a large number of memory at the same time By operating independently, it is possible to provide a signal transmission speed of several times the number of memories, and optical connection technology can prevent the signal distortion and loss caused by the high-speed electrical signal transmission, It can effectively provide compatibility for optical signal devices free from impedance matching. Here, the memory is mainly SLC or MLC NAND flash memory (Flash Memory) is used, but other non-volatile memory is also possible.

In order to implement this, the input / output module of the present invention should provide an optical input / output. The structure is preferably an optical USB (OSB-Optical Serial Bus), but the structure may be different depending on the interface of the device in which the storage device is used. Light input / output structures are also possible.

On the other hand, in the case of OSB, signals are transmitted by using two-channel optical PCBs in which optical transmission paths such as wave guides or fibers are stacked on the PCB, but the signals are not stacked or printed on the PCB. Optical signal transmission paths can also be used.

Although a preferred embodiment of the high-speed mass storage device using the optical connection according to the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited thereto, but the scope of the claims and the detailed description of the invention and the accompanying drawings are various. It is possible to carry out modifications and this also belongs to the present invention.

1 is an overall block diagram illustrating a high speed mass storage device using an optical connection according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a detailed plan view illustrating an input / output module applied to an embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a detailed block diagram illustrating a photoelectric change module applied to an embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a detailed block diagram illustrating a signal processing module applied to an embodiment of the present invention.

5 is a block diagram illustrating an overall high speed mass storage device using an optical connection according to another embodiment of the present invention.

6 is a block diagram illustrating an entire high speed mass storage device using an optical connection according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Claims (9)

An input / output module connected to an external optical interface such that an optical signal is input / output; An optical / electric conversion module for converting an optical signal transmitted from the input / output module into an electrical signal or converting an electrical signal into an optical signal; A signal processing module connected to the photoelectric conversion module to perform signal processing and control to divide or collect an electrical signal; And It includes a storage module connected in parallel with a plurality of memory units to enable high-speed read (Read) / Write (Write) the signal processed from the signal processing module at the same time, The signal processing module, A Serdes (SerDes, Serializer and Deserializer) connected to the photoelectric conversion module to generate a high speed signal by dividing a high speed signal or by collecting a plurality of signals; And And a control unit for controlling the signal to read / write the divided signals in the sudes in parallel to the memory units of the storage module. delete The method according to claim 1, The high speed mass storage device using the optical connection, characterized in that the input / output module and the optical / pre conversion module is connected to each other through an optical transmission means for transmitting an optical signal. The method of claim 3, The optical transmission means is a high-speed mass storage device using an optical connection, characterized in that made of any one of an optical fiber, an optical waveguide or an optical PCB. An input / output module connected to an external optical interface such that an optical signal is input / output; A plurality of optical / electric conversion modules each connected to a plurality of optical transmission paths connected in parallel with the input / output module and converting an optical signal transmitted from the input / output module into an electrical signal or an electrical signal into an optical signal ; A plurality of memory units each connected in series to each photoelectric conversion module to store signals processed from each photoelectric conversion module; And A high speed mass storage device using an optical connection including a control module electrically connected to each photoelectric conversion module so as to control a signal processed from each photoelectric conversion module to be selectively stored in each memory unit. An input / output module connected to an external optical interface such that an optical signal is input / output; A plurality of optical / electric conversion modules each connected to a plurality of optical transmission paths connected in parallel with the input / output module and converting an optical signal transmitted from the input / output module into an electrical signal or an electrical signal into an optical signal ; A plurality of storage modules connected in parallel with a plurality of memory units to simultaneously read and write signals processed from each photoelectric conversion module at a high speed; It is connected between each photoelectric conversion module and each storage module, and controls the signal to read / write so that the signal processed in each photoelectric conversion module can be transferred in parallel to each memory unit of each storage module. A plurality of first control modules; And High speed mass storage using an optical connection including a second control module electrically connected to each photoelectric conversion module to control a signal processed from each photoelectric conversion module to be selectively transmitted to each first control module. Device. The method according to any one of claims 1, 5 or 6, The input / output module, A high speed mass storage device using an optical connection comprising an optical transmission path made of at least one optical fiber, an optical waveguide, or an optical PCB, and an input / output port formed with guide holes or guide pins. 8. The method of claim 7, The high speed mass storage device using the optical connection, characterized in that the guide hole or the guide pin is connected via a power line to supply power. The method according to any one of claims 1, 5 or 6, The memory unit is a high-speed mass storage device using an optical connection, characterized in that consisting of a nonvolatile memory or a volatile memory always connected to a separate power supply.

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