Description
1. Product Overview
Part Number: IC698CPE010-AA
Manufacturer: GE Vernova
Compatible System: Exclusively designed for GE PACSystems RX7i VME64 standard rack backplane, pluggable into a single rack slot. It provides full backward compatibility with the entire Series 90-70 range of I/O, communication and intelligent function modules, supporting direct replacement and system upgrade for legacy 90-70 controllers. Adopting open VME architecture, it accepts third-party standard VME industrial boards, serving as the core master controller for process industry, large turbine units, power plant auxiliary control systems and automated production lines.Product Definition: Industrial real-time PLC CPU module built around a 300MHz Intel Celeron embedded processor, equipped with 10MB battery-backed RAM and 10MB non-volatile flash memory. It integrates dual auto-negotiation Ethernet ports and multiple serial communication interfaces, with a typical Boolean logic scan speed of 0.33ms per 1000 contacts. Programming is supported via Ladder Diagram, Structured Text, Function Block Diagram and ANSI C. It executes I/O polling, closed-loop process calculation, interlock protection logic and multi-network data interaction, archiving fault events. It supports up to 32768 discrete I/O points and 32768 analog registers, establishing a maximum of 16 concurrent network server and FTP connections. Configuration, program upload/download, online monitoring and diagnosis are implemented via Proficy Machine Edition software, acting as the central control hub of RX7i distributed control systems.
2. Hardware Structure & Six Functional Units
2.1 300MHz Core Calculation & Hardware Watchdog Unit
Equipped with a 300MHz Intel Celeron industrial processor running RX7i dedicated real-time OS, delivering a Boolean execution speed of 0.33ms per 1000 contacts with native floating-point arithmetic for PID regulation and recipe calculation. An independent hardware watchdog automatically triggers CPU reset upon program deadlock, bus disconnection or system runaway to eliminate unprotected operation. The module supports up to 512 program blocks (max 128KB per block) for hierarchical modular programming of complex multi-sequence workflows.
2.2 Dual-Level Power-Fail Persistent Storage Unit
- 10MB lithium battery-backed RAM: Stores online programs, real-time registers and process variables with data retention after rack power loss to prevent loss of recipe and cumulative count values.
- 10MB on-board non-volatile Flash memory: Permanently stores firmware, backup project programs and system configuration without battery power, enabling full program recovery even if the backup battery is drained.Word-level bit addressing (%W) allows direct bitwise read/write on register bits to optimize memory and tag usage.
2.3 Five-Port Multi-Link Integrated Communication Unit
- Dual independent 10/100Mbps auto-sensing Ethernet ports: Supports EGD, Modbus TCP, OPC and FTP; redundant networking enables automatic failover if one link fails.
- RS485 serial port: SNP / Modbus RTU slave mode for connection to HMI and field instruments.
- Two RS232 ports: One for programming and online debugging, one dedicated site manager port for local on-site maintenance and troubleshooting.
2.4 VME64 Open Backplane Bus & Full Rack Scheduling Unit
A rear VME64 high-speed parallel bus gold-finger connector polls all I/O, co-processor, motion control and third-party VME peripherals on the rack. It is fully downward compatible with legacy GE Series 90-70 hardware, allowing direct system upgrade by replacing only the CPU. If remote substation communication is lost, the local rack continues executing core interlock logic for degraded fault-tolerant operation.
2.5 Front-Panel Indication & Comprehensive Power-On Self-Test Unit
Front-panel LEDs indicate power status, run mode, system fault and network link status for on-site diagnosis without upper-level software. Power-on self-test verifies firmware integrity, memory health, VME bus scanning, communication ports and battery level. The CPU halts with fault LED illumination upon abnormal detection to pinpoint hardware faults including memory corruption, bus short circuit and low battery.
2.6 VME Industrial Reinforced PCB & Multi-Stage Power Protection Unit
The VME backplane supplies rated power: +5VDC @ 3.2A, +12VDC @ 0.042A, -12VDC @ 0.008A. The power input incorporates EMI filtering, reverse polarity protection, overcurrent fusing and TVS surge clamping to suppress voltage fluctuation and plug-in transients. A 4-layer gold-plated FR-4 PCB is fully conformal coated for moisture, corrosion and salt fog resistance. Fanless passive cooling is expandable to higher temperature ratings with an optional fan tray for 24/7 continuous operation in power and chemical plants.
3. Detailed Technical Specifications
(1) Core Control & Memory Parameters
| Item | Specification |
|---|---|
| Model | IC698CPE010-AA RX7i VME Bus CPU Processor |
| Main Processor | Intel Celeron 300MHz Embedded Industrial CPU |
| Boolean Scan Speed | 0.33ms per 1000 logic contacts |
| Program Storage | 10MB Battery-Backed RAM + 10MB On-Board Flash Non-Volatile Memory |
| Max I/O Capacity | 32768 %I Inputs, 32768 %Q Outputs; 32768 %AI / %AQ Analog Words |
| Program Architecture | Up to 512 program blocks (128KB max per block), supports embedded ANSI C programming |
| Network Connections | Max 16 simultaneous network server + FTP access sessions |
| System Compatibility | Native RX7i rack support, full compatibility with Series 90-70 I/O and communication modules |
| Firmware Revision | Factory standardized stable industrial firmware batch AA |
(2) Electrical Power & Interface Parameters
- Backplane Power: +5VDC 3.2A, +12VDC 42mA, -12VDC 8mA
- Ethernet: 2×10/100M Base-T auto-adaptive ports with redundant link capability
- Serial Ports: 1×RS485, 2×RS232 programming & debug ports
- Programming Software: Proficy Machine Edition (PME)
- Hot Swap Restriction: Hot plugging while the VME rack is energized is strictly prohibited, as it causes permanent breakdown of the VME bus and main control chip.
(3) Environmental Operating Parameters
- Standard Fanless Operating Temperature: 0℃ ~ +50℃
- With Optional Fan Tray: 0℃ ~ +60℃
- Storage & Transport Temperature: -40℃ ~ +85℃
- Humidity: 5%~95%RH non-condensing, no corrosive gas or salt fog deposition
- Ingress Rating: IP20 for installation inside sealed industrial cabinets only
(4) Mechanical Mounting Dimensions
- Mounting: Horizontal plug-in installation into a single slot of standard RX7i VME rack
- Overall Dimension: 230mm (L) × 160mm (W) × 60mm (D)
- Net Weight: Approx. 1.4kg
- PCB Construction: Multi-layer anti-oxidation gold-plated PCB with VME64 gold-plated backplane contacts
4. Product Advantages
- Open VME architecture enables seamless upgrade of legacy Series 90-70 systems without replacing existing I/O terminal boards and communication cards, minimizing retrofit cost and program revision workload.
- Dual redundant Ethernet ports eliminate single-point communication failure; two independent hardware network paths can connect to separate SCADA systems to enhance overall control system availability for power plant DCS and process facilities.
- Multi-language programming (LD, ST, FBD, SFC, ANSI C) supports efficient development of complex algorithms, data processing and custom protocol parsing for precision closed-loop control and data acquisition.
- Dual-layer power-fail storage (RAM + Flash) ensures project and parameter recovery even if the backup battery is depleted, far improving fault tolerance compared to single battery-backed CPUs.
- Large-scale I/O resource capacity enables full plant/unit/plant-wide control with a single CPU, eliminating multi-CPU redundant networking and simplifying system topology and later maintenance.
- Standardized single-slot modular design allows direct drop-in replacement upon program download with no rack address or backplane reconfiguration required, greatly shortening unit outage maintenance duration.
5. Application Scenarios
Thermal & Gas Turbine Power Industry
Main control CPU for GE RX7i combined-cycle generating units, turbine ETS trip protection systems and boiler auxiliary control systems, executing furnace safety supervision, load regulation, interlock shutdown and remote data upload.
Petrochemical Process Industry
Control core for cracking units, large compression trains and long-distance pipeline interlock systems, realizing closed-loop pressure/temperature regulation, emergency cut-off interlock, automatic sequence control and production data archiving.
Heavy Equipment & Automated Production Lines
Central controller for automotive assembly lines, automated warehouses, port handling machinery and metallurgical rolling mills, coordinating motion modules and remote I/O stations for fully automatic workflow scheduling.
