GE IC697PCM711

Description

Product Description

The GE IC697PCM711 is a critical communication and processor module for the GE Fanuc Series 90-70 PLC system. This module, specifically a Programmable Coprocessor Module (PCM), is designed to offload complex computational tasks from the main CPU, enabling advanced functions such as high-speed data processing, custom algorithm execution, and communication protocol handling. The IC697PCM711 acts as an intelligent, programmable satellite processor within the PLC rack, significantly expanding the system’s capabilities beyond standard logic execution. Implementing the GE IC697PCM711 module allows a Series 90-70 system to handle sophisticated applications that require dedicated processing power, such as motion control, statistical process control, or custom communication drivers.

Product Parameters and Specifications

• Product Type: Programmable Coprocessor Module (PCM) for Series 90-70.
• Compatible Systems: GE Fanuc Series 90-70 PLC.
• Processor: Features its own dedicated microprocessor (historically an Intel 80×86 family CPU), independent of the main Series 90-70 CPU.
• Memory: Contains onboard RAM for program execution and battery-backed memory for program storage.
• Programming: Programmed in low-level languages like C or assembly language using specialized GE development tools, not standard ladder logic.
• Communication with Main CPU: Interfaces with the main PLC CPU via the Series 90-70 backplane, using a shared memory area for data exchange.
• Serial Communication Ports: Typically includes one or more RS-232/422/485 serial ports on its front face for connecting to external devices (e.g., barcode scanners, weigh scales, specialized instruments).
• Function: Executes user-developed firmware to perform tasks that are too slow, complex, or impractical for the main PLC CPU to handle in its standard scan cycle.

Advantages and Features

1. Offloads Complex Processing from Main CPU: The primary advantage of the GE IC697PCM711 is its ability to handle computationally intensive or time-critical tasks independently. This prevents these tasks from slowing down the main control program’s scan time, ensuring deterministic performance for critical logic.
2. Enables Custom Communication and Protocols: It is exceptionally useful for interfacing with devices that use non-standard or proprietary serial protocols. Users can write custom drivers in C to communicate with virtually any serial device, bridging the gap between standard PLC I/O and specialized equipment.
3. Extends System Capabilities: Allows the Series 90-70 platform to perform advanced functions not available in standard PLC instruction sets, such as complex mathematical modeling, data logging with time-stamping, and advanced string manipulation.
4. Hardware-Level Access and Performance: Operating closer to the hardware level than ladder logic, programs on the IC697PCM711 can achieve very fast execution speeds and direct control of its serial ports, which is essential for high-speed data acquisition or preprocessing.
5. Firmware-Based Reliability: Once developed and debugged, the custom firmware runs reliably on the dedicated processor, providing a stable and specialized function as part of the overall control system.

Application Cases in Various Fields

• Automotive Manufacturing: Used to interface with vision systems for part inspection, reading complex data from robotic controllers, or managing high-speed data exchange with welding controllers.
• Pharmaceutical and Food & Beverage: Executes custom algorithms for recipe management, batch tracking, or interfaces with specialized filling and packaging equipment using unique serial commands.
• Material Handling: Handles communication with complex barcode scanning networks or weight scale systems that output data streams requiring parsing and preprocessing before being used by the main PLC logic.
• Test and Measurement: Serves as a data acquisition front-end, collecting high-speed sensor data via serial interfaces, performing initial calculations, and passing summarized results to the PLC for control actions.

Comparison with Competing Products

• vs. Standard PLC Communication Modules: Standard modules (like serial interface modules) offer fixed protocol support (e.g., Modbus). The IC697PCM711 is fully programmable, allowing it to emulate any protocol or create a custom one, offering ultimate flexibility for non-standard devices.
• vs. Using a Separate PC/Industrial Computer: Using an external PC adds cost, complexity, and a potential point of failure. The PCM integrates directly into the PLC rack, shares power and backplane communication, and is managed as part of the same system.
• vs. Modern PLCs with High-Speed CPUs: Modern CPUs are much faster and can sometimes handle these tasks in a structured text routine. However, the IC697PCM711 was a solution for its era to add capability and remains vital for extending the life of existing Series 90-70 systems with unique requirements.

Selection Suggestions and Precautions

1. Requires Specialized Programming Skills: Developing applications for the IC697PCM711 requires knowledge of C or assembly language programming, an understanding of hardware interrupts, and experience with the GE-specific development toolchain (e.g., the PCM Software Development Kit). This is not a task for a typical PLC programmer.
2. Firmware Development and Maintenance Overhead: Creating and debugging the custom firmware is a significant software engineering project. Long-term system support requires maintaining this source code and the expertise to modify it.
3. Memory and Processing Limitations: The module has limited memory and processing power compared to modern computers. Application code must be optimized and sized appropriately for the hardware.
4. Backplane Communication Planning: The data exchange area between the PCM and the main CPU in shared memory must be carefully planned and mapped in both the PCM firmware and the main PLC ladder logic to avoid data corruption.
5. Obsolescence and Tool Availability: This is a legacy module. Securing the original development software, compilers, and documentation can be challenging. Ensure you have all necessary tools and firmware source code archived before relying on it in a new project.

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