WhatsApp: +86 16626708626
Email: 
Phone: +86 16626708626Description
Product Model: IC697BEM731U
Product Brand: GE Fanuc (Emerson)
Product Series: Series 90-70, Genius I/O Network Controller
Product Features:
• Single-channel Genius Bus Controller for distributed automation architectures.
• Supports up to 30 devices per channel with asynchronous scanning and data transfer.
• Flexible configuration via HHM port and Windows/MS-DOS tools.
• Proven reliability in harsh industrial environments with redundancy support.
Technical Specifications Table
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Model Number | IC697BEM731U |
| Series | GE Fanuc Series 90-70 |
| Module Type | Genius Bus Controller |
| Channels | 1 |
| Maximum Devices per Channel | 30 |
| Communication Protocol | Genius token-passing bus |
| Baud Rates Supported | 38.4, 76.8, 153.6 kbps |
| Ports | 1 Bus Controller Channel, 1 HHM Port |
| Configuration Interfaces | MS-DOS / Windows Software |
| Diagnostics | LED Indicators, Device Status |
| Power Requirement | 5.0 V DC, ~1.3 A |
| Mounting | Single Slot PLC Rack |
| Typical Operating Temp | 0°C to +60°C (industrial range) |
- IC697BEM731U
Product Role and System Fit
When integrating a reliable and deterministic communication backbone in a GE Fanuc Series 90-70 PLC environment, the IC697BEM731U plays a central role. As a Genius Bus Controller Module, it serves as the communication master for a Genius I/O network segment — a network protocol developed by GE for high-integrity industrial data exchange.
Unlike standard CPU or I/O interface modules that simply process logic and I/O status, the IC697BEM731U assumes responsibility for coordinating traffic on the serial Genius bus. In this capacity, it oversees polling and token passing for up to 30 connected devices on its channel. This means that controllers, remote I/O scanners, and I/O blocks such as the IC660 or IC661 family become integrated parts of a synchronized automation network.
The way the IC697BEM731U fits into the Series 90-70 landscape reflects a design philosophy focused on modular expansion and predictable performance. Installed in a dedicated handheld monitor (HHM) slot of the PLC rack, it does not occupy a CPU slot, thus preserving processing resources for logic execution. Yet it remains fully integrated within the backplane communication architecture, enabling seamless exchange of I/O data between external devices and the main CPU.
In practice, automation engineers use this bus controller to build distributed I/O topologies that span across large machine centers, packaging lines, and control panels spread across production floors. During network design reviews, specifying the IC697BEM731U early ensures that cable lengths, device counts, and redundancy schemes can be engineered appropriately to meet uptime and safety requirements.
