IS215UCVEM05A - Standard Controller

SPECIFICATIONS

Part Number: IS215UCVEM05A
Manufacturer: General Electric
Series: Mark VI
Function: Standard Controller
Availability: In Stock
Microprocessor: Intel Celeron 300 MHz
Operating System: QNX
Country of Manufacture: United States (USA)

Functional Description

IS215UCVEM05A is a Standard Controller developed by GE. It is a part of Mark VI control system. This controller serves as the central processing unit in Mark VI-based control architectures, executing control logic, managing I/O communication, and interfacing with system networks. Its design emphasizes reliability, modularity, and compatibility with GE’s control infrastructure.

Hardware Architecture and Processing Capabilities

It is built on a single-slot form factor, making it space-efficient for installation within standard VME racks. It is powered by a 300 MHz Intel Celeron processor, which provides sufficient computational performance for running real-time control applications in power generation and industrial automation environments. The board is equipped with 32 MB of DRAM, supporting dynamic memory needs during runtime, and comes with either 16 MB or 128 MB of flash memory to store the controller’s firmware, configuration files, and diagnostic logs.

Ethernet Communication Interfaces

A critical feature of the UCVEM05A controller is its network communication capability, particularly through its integrated 10BaseT/100BaseTX Ethernet port, which connects the controller to the Unit Data Highway (UDH). The UDH is GE’s high-speed network infrastructure used for inter-controller communication, data exchange, and system-level coordination.

In addition to the primary Ethernet port, the controller also supports secondary Ethernet ports that can be assigned to a different IP logical subnet. This allows for enhanced communication flexibility, such as connecting to separate control domains, maintenance networks, or isolated systems for cybersecurity purposes. These additional ports enable integration with auxiliary devices and third-party systems, including Profibus or Modbus gateways.

Configuration and Network Management

Configuration of both the primary and secondary Ethernet ports is performed using GE Toolbox or ToolboxST, the engineering software suite used to configure, monitor, and maintain Mark VI systems. During system startup, the controller performs a hardware validation routine, comparing the actual hardware configuration to the stored Toolbox settings. If any discrepancies are detected—such as missing or mismatched ports—the controller can log the fault and halt the startup, ensuring operational integrity.

The use of a distinct subnet address for each Ethernet port allows the controller to uniquely identify and manage each network interface, thereby enabling segregated communication paths for control, diagnostics, and data logging. This network segmentation is especially beneficial in distributed or security-sensitive environments where network traffic isolation is a requirement.

Primary Ethernet Interface (Ethernet 1)

• The primary Ethernet interface, designated as Ethernet 1, on the IS215UCVEM05A controller utilizes a twisted-pair 10BaseT/100BaseTX connection with a standard RJ-45 connector. This port serves as the main communication link between the controller and external systems, providing both configuration and operational data exchange capabilities.
• Ethernet 1 supports multiple industrial communication protocols. The TCP/IP protocol is used primarily for communication between the controller and GE’s engineering software tools, such as Toolbox or ToolboxST, enabling configuration, diagnostics, and firmware updates. In operational environments, the EGD (Ethernet Global Data) protocol facilitates real-time data sharing between the controller and CIMPLICITY HMI systems, as well as GE Series 90-70 PLCs, enabling seamless integration across GE’s control ecosystem.
• Additionally, the Ethernet 1 interface supports the Ethernet Modbus protocol, allowing the controller to communicate with third-party distributed control systems (DCS) or supervisory systems. This functionality is essential for ensuring interoperability in heterogeneous control environments where GE equipment needs to coexist with other vendors’ automation infrastructure.

WOC is happy to assist you with any of your automation requirements. Please contact us by phone or email for pricing and availability on any parts and repairs.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is IS215UCVEM05A?
It is a Standard Controller developed by GE.

Which communication protocols are supported on the primary Ethernet port?
It supports TCP/IP for toolbox communications, EGD (Ethernet Global Data) for real-time data exchange with CIMPLICITY HMI and Series 90-70 PLCs, and Ethernet Modbus for interoperability with third-party DCS systems.

How is the primary Ethernet port used during system configuration?
The primary Ethernet port connects the controller to GE engineering tools such as Toolbox or ToolboxST, allowing configuration, diagnostics, and firmware management over TCP/IP.

Is the primary Ethernet port the only way to connect the controller to the network?
No, the controller supports additional secondary Ethernet ports that can be configured on separate logical subnets for different communication purposes.

Does the controller validate Ethernet port configurations?
Yes, upon power-up, the controller validates the configured Ethernet ports against the actual hardware and raises faults if mismatches are detected.