GE IC697CMM742-LL TCP/IP Ethernet Interface (Type 2)

Description

In legacy industrial automation and process control systems built on the Series 90-70 platform, engineers often encounter the limitations of serial-only communication when trying to integrate plant-floor PLCs with modern supervisory networks, HMIs, or third-party systems. Isolated serial links restrict data throughput, complicate remote programming, and make peer-to-peer exchanges cumbersome—leading to higher engineering effort, slower diagnostics, and difficulty achieving real-time visibility across the facility.

The GE IC697CMM742-LL resolves these issues by providing a robust TCP/IP Ethernet interface directly in the Series 90-70 rack, enabling high-performance networking over standard 10 Mbps IEEE 802.3 LANs. As a Type 2 Ethernet module, it supports both configuration-based and logic-driven Ethernet Global Data (EGD) exchanges, SRTP channels for programming and data access, and comprehensive station management tools—all while maintaining full compatibility with existing IC697 CPUs and I/O.

The GE IC697CMM742-LL is particularly valuable in sustaining long-running Series 90-70 installations that need Ethernet connectivity for SCADA integration, remote monitoring, or gradual migration to newer protocols without replacing the entire backplane. This late-revision unit incorporates refined firmware support and manufacturability improvements, delivering high reliability for I/O signals and network data in process control environments where modular upgrades and signal integrity are critical for ongoing operations in industrial automation.

The GE IC697CMM742-LL occupies a single slot in any Series 90-70 VME rack and interfaces directly with the CPU over the backplane bus. It features three physical network ports: a 15-pin AUI for transceiver-based connections (thick/thin coax, fiber), a built-in 10BaseT RJ-45 twisted-pair port, and a 10Base2 BNC thin-wire port—automatically selecting the active connection for flexibility in legacy plant cabling.

Communication relies on TCP/IP over SRTP for host access and EGD for efficient producer-consumer data sharing among GE PLCs or compatible devices. Configuration occurs through Logicmaster 90-70 or CIMPLICITY software, defining IP parameters, channels, and global data exchanges. The module includes an RS-232 Station Manager port for local diagnostics/commands and an RS-485 port for firmware loading.

Front-panel diagnostics are straightforward: four LEDs report module health, LAN connection, serial activity, and overall status, supplemented by a restart pushbutton for controlled reinitialization. In the automation stack, the GE IC697CMM742-LL positions as the primary network gateway, bridging field-level control to enterprise layers while preserving deterministic performance.

Selecting the GE IC697CMM742-LL brings proven network reliability to Series 90-70 systems, with EGD ensuring low-overhead, deterministic data exchanges that maintain signal integrity even on shared 10 Mbps segments. Engineered for demanding industrial settings, it handles electrical noise and temperature swings typical in control rooms, providing long-term performance where newer gigabit modules would require full platform changes.

Maintenance efficiency is enhanced by the Station Manager interface and clear LED feedback, allowing quick resolution of connectivity or configuration issues without extensive downtime. Integration overhead remains low for experienced 90-70 users—standard software tools handle setup, and the module’s preloaded firmware simplifies initial deployment.

The true value emerges in extended system life: add Ethernet capability without stranding investments in proven logic or field wiring. The GE IC697CMM742-LL delivers consistent operation across years of service in critical environments.

The GE IC697CMM742-LL is commonly found in power generation facilities for integrating turbine controls or balance-of-plant data with plant historians, supporting continuous uptime in noisy electrical settings.

Water treatment plants use it in process control environments for remote station monitoring and SCADA links, handling EGD exchanges reliably across facility-wide networks.

Manufacturing lines, including metals and batch processing, deploy it for peer-to-peer data sharing between multiple 90-70 PLCs, ensuring high reliability and fast cycles under harsh conditions with vibration or dust.

IC697CMM742-KL – Previous hardware revision with established field performance

IC697CMM742-HJ – Earlier widely-used revision for baseline compatibility

IC697CMM742-ML – Later production variant with minor refinements

IC697CMM741 – Type 1 predecessor (single port, older firmware)

IC697CMM711 – Serial communications coprocessor for non-Ethernet needs

IC693CMM321 – Series 90-30 equivalent Ethernet interface

IC697BEM731 – Genius bus controller for alternative distributed I/O

Before installing the GE IC697CMM742-LL, confirm your CPU firmware is version 6.00 or later and that the rack power supply can accommodate the additional draw—reserve capacity for full loads. Verify network media compatibility (e.g., terminate 10Base2 properly with 50-ohm BNC terminators) and plan IP addressing to avoid conflicts.

Test transceiver operation if using AUI, and prepare a serial cable for initial Station Manager access to set parameters. Ensure adequate rack ventilation, as the module generates moderate heat under network load.

For ongoing maintenance, regularly check LEDs during inspections for LAN or status indications, and use Station Manager to review error logs periodically. Inspect connectors for corrosion in humid areas, and perform a restart/test annually to validate firmware integrity. Maintain a configured spare with your site IP and load settings for rapid replacement in operational systems.