GE IS200ICBDH1A | Mark VI Communication Board | New Surplus

Description

Product Introduction

This IS200ICBDH1A is a factory-sealed I/O Communication Bridge board from GE’s legacy Mark VI turbine control platform. The ICB (I/O Communication Bridge) board serves as the data highway between the Mark VI main CPU and the distributed I/O racks, remote I/O panels, and fieldbus networks connected to the turbine control system. It handles all data exchange, protocol translation, and buffering for I/O communication.

The ICBDH1A is the “ICB” variant with specific communication capabilities. It operates using DMA (Direct Memory Access) for high-speed data transfer between the VME backplane and its communication ports. The board typically interfaces with remote I/O racks via proprietary GE communication protocols, and in some configurations, supports Modbus or other fieldbus protocols for third-party device integration. If your Mark VI system communicates with remote I/O or external devices, this board is the backbone of that communication.

Key Technical Specifications

Key Selling Points & Differentiators

• DMA Data Transfer: The ICBDH1A uses Direct Memory Access to move I/O data directly to/from the CPU’s memory without CPU intervention. This offloads the CPU for control processing and reduces communication latency.
• Multiple Communication Ports: Supports connection to multiple remote I/O racks or fieldbus networks from a single board. Reduces the number of communication boards needed in the rack.
• Protocol Flexibility: Supports GE’s proprietary I/O bus for Mark VI remote racks, and can be configured for Modbus RTU or other fieldbus protocols for third-party device communication.
• Isolated Communication Ports (1500 VAC): Opto-isolated ports protect the VME backplane and CPU from ground loops and voltage differences between remote equipment.
• 100% Live-Tested on ICB Simulator: Every ICBDH1A board runs through our full ICB test sequence—VME bus handshake, DMA transfer verification, communication port loopback testing, protocol handshake verification, and 4-hour thermal soak at 55°C. We verify the board can successfully communicate with a simulated remote I/O rack.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What does the ICB board do in a Mark VI system?

A: The ICB (I/O Communication Bridge) board acts as the gateway between the Mark VI CPU and the remote I/O racks or fieldbus networks. It handles all data transfer, protocol translation, and buffering for communication with devices outside the main VME rack. Without the ICB board, the CPU cannot communicate with remote I/O, valve positioners, third-party devices, or other external equipment.

Q: Is this board the same as the Ethernet or serial communication boards in Mark VI?

A: Not exactly. The ICB is specifically for I/O communication—it bridges the VME backplane to remote I/O racks using GE’s proprietary I/O bus protocol. Mark VI also has separate communication boards for Ethernet (e.g., IS200EGPS, IS210) for workstation communication, and serial boards (e.g., IS200TBCI) for serial device communication. The ICB focuses on I/O expansion.

Q: What communication protocols does the ICBDH1A support?

A: The primary protocol is GE’s proprietary Mark VI remote I/O bus, which communicates with IS200 I/O racks. In some configurations, the ICBDH1A can also be configured for Modbus RTU (RS-485) or other fieldbus protocols. The specific protocol and port configuration are set in ToolboxST. If you need a specific protocol, check your system configuration before ordering.

Q: Can I use this board to communicate with a Modbus device?

A: Possibly—the ICBDH1A supports Modbus RTU in certain configurations. However, the board’s primary function is GE’s proprietary I/O bus. If you need Modbus, verify that your system configuration supports it on this board. Some sites use a separate Modbus communication board for third-party device integration. We can help verify compatibility if you provide your system configuration details.

Q: Will this board work in a Mark VIe system?

A: No. Mark VIe uses a different backplane architecture and communication structure. This board is VME-based and will not physically fit in a Mark VIe rack. If you’re on Mark VIe, you need the corresponding communication bridge board for that platform (typically part of the IS220 series).

Q: Is this board hot-swappable?

A: Not recommended. The ICB board handles active communication with remote I/O racks. Pulling it live can cause communication faults, dropped data, or even process upsets. Always de-energize the I/O rack before replacement. This is especially important for ICB boards, as they manage real-time data transfer.

Q: My Mark VI lost communication with remote I/O. Is this board the problem?

A: Possibly—the ICB board is the primary communication pathway to remote I/O. If you’ve lost communication with all remote racks or fieldbus devices, the ICB board is a likely suspect. However, before replacing the board, check: (1) physical communication cables and connectors, (2) remote rack power supplies, (3) remote I/O board status LEDs, and (4) system configuration in ToolboxST. If all other checks pass, the ICB board is the next likely failure point.

Q: How do you test this board during QA?

A: We use a Mark VI test rack with a simulated remote I/O setup. The test sequence includes: (1) VME bus handshake verification with a live CPU, (2) DMA data transfer test—we move large data blocks to/from the CPU and verify data integrity, (3) communication port loopback test—we send and receive data on all ports to verify transceivers are functioning, (4) protocol handshake test with a simulated remote I/O rack, (5) 4-hour thermal soak at 55°C with continuous communication traffic, and (6) error injection test—we simulate communication faults and verify the board reports errors correctly. If any data corruption or communication fault is detected, the board is rejected.

Q: Does this board store any configuration data?

A: The ICBDH1A has volatile buffer memory only—all configuration is loaded from the CPU during boot. No user-accessible non-volatile memory is present. No backup or restore is required when replacing the board. The only persistent settings are hardware jumpers or DIP switches (if any).

Q: What’s the warranty on this board?

A: 12 months replacement warranty from ship date. These boards are obsolete and no longer manufactured. If it fails under normal operating conditions (indoor environment, voltage within spec, temperature within 0–55°C) during the warranty period, we replace it from our remaining stock or issue a full refund. No restocking fees.

Q: How many ICBDH1A boards do you have? Should I buy spares?

A: Our stock on ICB boards is limited—fewer than 30 units remain. This board is critical for Mark VI systems with remote I/O. If you lose the ICB board, you lose communication with all remote devices, which typically forces a turbine shutdown. We strongly recommend buying a spare if your facility relies on remote I/O communication. Volume discounts are available for multiple units. These boards are not repairable in the field—when they fail, replacement is the only option.

Q: Can I use this board as a replacement for the IS200ICBDH1 (without the “A” suffix)?

A: Yes—the H1A is the latest production revision and is a direct drop-in replacement for earlier H1 (no suffix) and H1B boards. The H1A includes updated logic devices and improved signal integrity. No configuration changes are required. We’ve replaced many older ICB boards with H1A boards with zero issues.

Q: I replaced my ICB board and now the remote I/O racks show communication faults. What went wrong?

A: There are a few possibilities: (1) The new board may have different jumper/DIP switch settings than the original—check and replicate any hardware settings from the old board, (2) The communication cable may have been damaged during replacement, (3) The remote I/O racks may need to be power-cycled to re-establish communication, (4) The board may need to be “commissioned” in ToolboxST (re-scan the bus). In our experience, the most common issue is DIP switch settings. Before replacing, take photos of the old board’s jumper positions and DIP switch settings. If you’re unsure, contact us before installation and we’ll help you verify the correct settings.

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