SPECIFICATIONS
Part No.: IS200EARCH1A
Manufacturer: General Electric
Country of Manufacture: United States of America (USA)
Product Type: DLAN Card
Availability: In Stock
Series: Mark VI
Functional Description
IS200EARCH1A is a DLAN Card developed by GE. It is a part of the Mark VI control system. This module serves as a communication interface that enables GE Innovation Series Controllers to seamlessly connect and communicate with GE drive systems using both legacy and modern communication protocols. The EARCH1A plays a pivotal role in drive network integration, ensuring compatibility between older GE drive systems—such as the AC/DC2000, OC2000, and IOS (Intelligent Operator Station)—and new-generation GE drives. By bridging these systems, the DLAN+ card provides a unified communication network that supports efficient data transfer, coordinated control, and enhanced performance across various industrial applications.
Product Overview
- The DLAN+ Card is engineered to enable real-time communication between controllers and drives through the GE DLAN+ protocol. This communication standard supports token-ring network topology, ensuring deterministic data transfer with minimal latency.
- The card features an advanced processor, improved buffering mechanisms, and enhanced noise immunity, making it highly reliable in demanding industrial environments with extended cable runs and high electromagnetic interference (EMI). It supports both 5VDC (Version G) and 3.3VDC (Version H) interfaces, ensuring backward and forward compatibility with different GE controller versions.
- Whether used as a renewal part or an upgrade module, enhances system longevity, simplifies modernization, and improves data communication efficiency.
Key Features and Enhancements
- Improved Performance and Data Handling
- Enhanced buffering capability enables faster data transmission and reduces retransmission delays caused by lost data packets.
- Optimized data throughput ensures smoother communication between controllers and connected drives.
- Reduced controller idle time allows for improved overall control system responsiveness.
- Superior Signal Integrity
- Improved receiver sensitivity ensures reliable signal detection over long cable runs.
- Enhanced noise rejection minimizes communication errors in electrically noisy environments, ensuring stable and uninterrupted data flow.
- Broad Compatibility and Upgrade Flexibility
- Fully compatible with both Version G (5VDC) and Version H (3.3VDC) GE Innovation Series Controllers.
- Can be used as a replacement or upgrade module for existing DLAN+ cards without requiring major system redesigns.
- Supports seamless integration of legacy and new-generation drives under a unified communication framework.
- Ease of Installation and Maintenance
- The card is physically and electrically interchangeable with previous DLAN+ module versions, ensuring quick and straightforward installation.
- Incorporates front-panel LED diagnostic indicators for real-time monitoring of communication status, simplifying troubleshooting and maintenance.
- Reliability and Diagnostic Improvements
- LED-based diagnostics offer immediate insight into link integrity, data activity, host communication, and network reconfiguration status.
- Improved data quality and fewer lost packets contribute to increased reliability and reduced downtime.
- Increased buffering speeds enhance the overall data rate and network efficiency.
LED Indicators and Diagnostic Functions
The card is equipped with four LED indicators on its front panel, offering continuous visual diagnostics for network monitoring and troubleshooting.
- LINK LED (Green): Indicates the status of the token ring network. It remains solid when the network link is established and functional, and turns off when the link is inactive.
- DATA LED (Green): Flashes whenever data packets are transmitted or received, providing a visual cue of network traffic.
- HOST LED (Green): Signals that the host controller is communicating with the DLAN+ card through the PCI interface. If this LED remains off while the DATA LED is active, it may suggest a host driver issue.
- RCON LED (Green/Red): Flashes green during a network reconfiguration cycle and red when a link error or CRC fault is detected, typically caused by external network disturbances.
When power is first applied, the DLAN+ card runs an internal setup process during which all LEDs remain off. Once configuration is complete, all four LEDs briefly illuminate in unison, confirming that the card has initialized successfully and the diagnostic indicators are operational.
Power-Up and Initialization Behavior
- Upon power application, the DLAN+ card undergoes an internal setup sequence. During this period, all LEDs remain off. Once the initialization completes and communication with the host controller is established, all four LEDs blink simultaneously to indicate successful configuration and proper operation.
- This self-check procedure confirms that the card’s diagnostic system and LEDs are functioning correctly before entering normal operation.
Benefits
- Seamless integration of new and legacy GE drives
- Improved communication reliability through enhanced noise immunity
- Real-time diagnostics for quick troubleshooting
- Backward and forward compatibility across controller versions
- Simplified maintenance and easy field replacement
The WOC team is always available to help you with your Mark VI requirements. For more information, please contact WOC.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is IS200EARCH1A?
It is a DLAN Card developed by GE under the Mark VI series.
Which GE controllers are compatible with this card?
The card is compatible with Innovation Series Controllers Version G (5VDC) and Version H (3.3VDC). It can be used as a renewal or upgrade module for existing controllers.
Can it connect to legacy GE drives?
Yes, the card supports legacy drives like AC/DC2000, OC2000, and IOS (Intelligent Operator Station), as well as newer GE drives, enabling mixed-system integration.
What are the key benefits of using this DLAN card?
Faster and more reliable data communication, Improved signal quality and noise rejection, Fewer lost packets and improved buffering speeds, Easy installation and interchangeability with older DLAN+ modules, and Real-time diagnostics via front-panel LED indicators
How does the card handle initialization?
When power is applied, the card runs an internal setup where all LEDs remain off. Once the configuration is complete, all LEDs briefly flash to indicate successful initialization and proper functionality.
Is the card easy to install?
Yes. The card is physically and electrically interchangeable with earlier DLAN+ modules, allowing for straightforward installation or replacement without system redesign.
