IC697BEM731Y GE PLC Genius I/O Bus Interface Module

Description

Product Model: IC697BEM731Y
Product Brand: General Electric (GE) / GE Fanuc (Emerson)
Product Series: Series 90-70 Genius I/O Control System
Product Features:
• Single-channel Genius I/O bus controller module for robust distributed I/O communication.
• Interfaces up to 30 I/O devices on a single bus segment with flexible speeds and extended cable runs.
• Includes an HHM (Hand-Held Monitor) port for configuration and diagnostics.
• Asynchronous scanning and support for directed and global communication modes.

Technical Specifications

Product Role & System Fit

Inside a Series 90-70 rack, the IC697BEM731Y occupies a single slot and functions as a central communication hub between the PLC CPU and a Genius I/O bus network. Its primary task is to asynchronously scan remote I/O blocks — such as digital input, output, and analog signal modules — and make that data available to the CPU via backplane transfers once per system scan.

The module supports a range of network speeds, including standard 153.6 kbaud, extended 153.6 kbaud, 76.8 kbaud, and 38.4 kbaud, allowing you to balance throughput with required cable distance (e.g., up to 7,500 ft at lower rates). By configuring the baud rate and bus address via Windows-based or MS-DOS configurator software, system integrators can tailor the network to match topology and latency requirements.

Designers often pair this controller with handheld monitors (HHM devices) for on-site setup and troubleshooting. The HHM port lets technicians interact with the module directly for configuration or diagnostic tasks, reducing reliance on rack-mounted CPU screens or remote workstations.

Because it supports directed and global communication modes, the IC697BEM731Y can also facilitate broader bus interactions beyond simple I/O scanning — for instance, sharing data across network segments or responding to explicit CPU requests for specific information.