IC660ELB910 - Network Interface Board

SPECIFICATIONS

Part No.: IC660ELB910
Manufacturer: General Electric
Country of Manufacture: United States of America (USA)
LED: 6
Product Type: Network Interface Board
Availability: In Stock
Series: IC967 family

Functional Description

IC660ELB910 is a Network Interface Board developed by GE. It is part of the Mark I and II control system. It is a sophisticated micro GENI Network Interface Board designed and manufactured by GE Fanuc. This board functions as a daughterboard within a user’s microprocessor system, providing crucial interfacing capabilities between the micro GENI and the motherboard of a CPU-type device. The micro GENI allows the CPU (referred to as the host) to read and write to the general-purpose shared RAM on the micro GENI, enabling efficient communication and control of the Genius I/O bus.

Core Functionality and System Role

It is part of the micro GENI family, designed to interface a general-purpose microprocessor with the GE Genius I/O network, an industrial-grade LAN optimized for real-time control environments. The board enables the host processor—such as a PLC, turbine control processor, or PC-based system—to perform read/write operations to a shared dual-port RAM on the micro GENI board. This shared memory mechanism allows asynchronous communication between the CPU and the network interface, ensuring fast and deterministic data transfer.

By offloading the task of managing Genius I/O bus communications to the micro GENI, it reduces the processing burden on the host, enabling more efficient execution of turbine control logic or automation tasks.

Interface and Adaptability

• IBM PC Bus Optimization: While the micro GENI interface is originally optimized for the IBM Personal Computer (PC) bus architecture, its design includes provisions for porting to alternate CPU architectures. This adaptability allows it to be deployed in non-PC embedded systems, as well as custom industrial controllers, by reconfiguring address, data, and control signal mapping to match the host’s bus protocol.
• Daughterboard Integration: It is implemented as a plug-in daughterboard, typically mounted on a host CPU card or mainboard. This design approach provides a compact, efficient means of embedding Genius LAN functionality into user-specific hardware platforms, including turbine control racks, automation panels, or legacy computing systems.

Data Transfer and Control

The micro GENI is responsible for all communication between the host system and Genius I/O devices. It performs tasks such as:

• Reading and writing discrete or analog I/O values
• Managing I/O status information
• Processing fault data
• Sending and receiving control commands

Data is exchanged through the dual-port RAM interface, which the host accesses via memory-mapped I/O or programmed interface registers. The interface operates asynchronously, allowing both the host and micro GENI firmware to access memory concurrently without bus conflicts.

This mechanism enables the host to focus on control sequencing, diagnostics, or HMI operations, while the GENI board ensures real-time, deterministic communication with remote I/O blocks.

Network Communication and Interoperability

Beyond I/O operations, it communicate with other GENI-equipped host systems across the Genius LAN. This peer-to-peer communication enables coordinated control across distributed systems, such as:

• Multiple turbine units sharing common load demand or temperature references
• Central supervisory control communicating with local turbine nodes
• Cross-controller diagnostics or data logging in plant-wide automation networks

The Genius LAN is known for its high noise immunity, deterministic data timing, and resilience, making it suitable for use in power plants, industrial environments, and areas with substantial electromagnetic interference.

General-Purpose Controller Features

• Initialization and Fault Management: The micro GENI acts as a general-purpose controller, handling initialization tasks and managing faults for over 30 bus devices. It maintains up-to-date images of each device’s status, ensuring effective monitoring and control.
• Communication Capabilities: The micro GENI can communicate with other controllers using various communication methods, including Global Data, datagrams, and Directed Control Data messages. This versatility supports complex control and data exchange requirements within the system.

Components

• 6303-Serial Interface Microprocessor: This microprocessor writes messages to the MIT chip, which manages the hardware interface to the bus. The MIT chip supports various functions such as error checking, LED driving, and timer operations.
• Transmit/Receive Circuit: The micro GENI includes a transmit/receive circuit that works in conjunction with the MIT chip, handling bus transmit and receive signals to ensure accurate data transfer.
• Dual Port RAM: The micro GENI uses dual-port RAM to facilitate data exchange between the 6303 microprocessor and a manager microprocessor (64180). This RAM allows both processors to access memory equally, managed by a GAL that delivers memory on a byte-by-byte basis. The 64180 microprocessor also has an additional 8Kb of RAM dedicated solely to its operations.

Mounting and Installation

• Mounting Instructions: Users should mount the micro GENI board to the motherboard using spacers such as screws, standoffs, or plastic PCB supports placed in the four corner holes of the motherboard. It is crucial not to use any adhesive products on the board.
• Airflow Considerations: To prevent overheating and ensure proper operation, the micro GENI board should be mounted in a way that does not obstruct airflow across the board. It should not be installed within 1/8 inch of any other board or component on the motherboard.

The WOC team is always available to help you with your Mark I and II requirements. For more information, please contact WOC.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is IC660ELB910?
It is a Network Interface Board developed by GE under IC967 family.

What types of CPUs compatible with?
It is optimized for the IBM personal computer bus but can be adapted for use with various other CPU types, making it versatile across different systems.

How does the micro GENI Board benefit the host system?
The micro GENI Board handles all data transfers between the host and the Genius I/O bus, effectively freeing up the host to focus on controlling remote I/O operations. This offloads communication tasks from the host, leveraging the high reliability and noise immunity of the Genius I/O system.