GE Communications Module IC693CMM302

Product Description

The GE Fanuc IC693CMM302 is an Enhanced Genius Communications Module. It is quite commonly know as GCM+ for short. This unit is an intelligent module which enables automatic global data communications between any Series 90-30 PLC and up to a maximum of 31 other devices. This is done on a Genius bus. It is possible for the IC693CMM302 GCM+ to be installed on a number of different baseplates, including expansion or remote baseplates. That being said, the most efficient performance of this module can be achieved by installing it in the CPU baseplate. This is because the sweep impact time of the module is dependent on the PLC model and varies according to which baseplate it is located in.

Users must note that if a GCM module is already present within a system, they will not be able to implement the GCM+ module. It is actually possible to have multiple GCL+ modules in a single Series 90-30 PLC system. Each GCM+ module can have its own separate Genius bus. In theory, this would enable a Series 90-30 PLC (with three GCM+ modules installed) to automatically exchange global data with up to 93 other Genius devices. Additional uses for the IC693CMM302 GCM+ module include data monitoring of PCs or industrial computers and peer-to-peer communications between devices on the bus. On the front of the IC693CMM302 GCM+ unit, there are LEDs to show the operating status. These will be switched on if everything is operating normally. The LED marked COM will blink intermittently if there any bus errors. It will turn off if the bus has failed.

Technical Information

IC693CMM302 Enhanced Genius Communications Module (GCM+)

The Enhanced Genius Communications Module (GCM+), IC693CMM302, is an intelligent module that provides automatic global data communications between a Series 90-30 PLC and up to 31 other devices on a Genius bus.

The GCM+ can be located in any standard Series 90-30 CPU baseplate, expansion baseplate, or remote baseplate. However, for most efficient operation, it is recommended that the module be installed in the CPU baseplate since the sweep impact time of the GCM+ module depends on the model of PLC and the baseplate where it is located. Note: if a GCM module is present in a system, GCM+ modules cannot be included in the system.

Multiple GCM+ modules can be installed in a Series 90-30 PLC system with each GCM+ having its own Genius bus serving up to 31 additional devices on the bus.  For example, this allows a Series 90-30 PLC with three GCM+ modules to exchange global data with as many as 93 other Genius devices automatically. In addition to basic global data exchange, the GCM+ module can be used for various applications such as:

• Data monitoring by a personal computer or an industrial computer.

• Monitoring data from Genius I/O blocks (although it cannot control Genius I/O blocks).

• Peer-to-peer communications among devices on the bus.

• Master-slave communications among devices on the bus (emulates remote I/O). The Genius bus connects to the terminal board on front of the GCM+ module.