Description
Key Technical Specifications
| Parameter Name | Parameter Value |
|---|---|
| Product Model | IC697CPX928-FE |
| Manufacturer | GE Fanuc Automation |
| Product Type | Central Processing Unit (CPU) |
| Processor | 80486DX4 @ 96 MHz |
| User Memory | 6 MB Battery-Backed RAM |
| Non-Volatile Memory | 256 KB Flash Memory |
| Boolean Execution | 0.4 µs per function |
| Discrete I/O Capacity | Up to 12,000 points |
| Analog I/O Capacity | Up to 8,000 points |
| Serial Ports | 1x RS-232, 2x RS-485 |
| Power Requirement | 5 VDC @ 3.1A (Backplane) |
| Form Factor | Single Slot, 90-70 Rack |
Product Introduction
Legacy 90-70 systems are still the heartbeat of countless water plants and manufacturing lines, but finding a working CPU is getting harder every year. The GE IC697CPX928-FE isn’t just a replacement part; it’s the only thing keeping those 20-year-old racks from becoming expensive paperweights. This module uses the 80486DX4 architecture, which sounds ancient until you realize it handles 12K discrete I/O points with a 0.4 µs scan time that still beats some modern budget PLCs.
Engineers stick with the GE IC697CPX928-FE because it supports the full 90-70 ecosystem, including IC660/IC661 Genius bus and VME backplanes. The 6MB of battery-backed RAM is massive for this generation, allowing complex motion control and data logging without constant flash writes. Bottom line — if your rack has the backplane for it, this CPU is the highest-performance option you can drop in without ripping out wiring. Just verify your firmware version; the -FE suffix matters for compatibility with newer programming tools.
QA/QC Transparency SOP
We don’t trust “tested working” stickers from eBay sellers. Here is the actual process for a GE IC697CPX928-FE:
- Intake & Origin Verification: We check the date code and PCB revision. The -FE suffix indicates specific flash memory sizing; we verify the EEPROM matches the label to prevent “bricked” units.
- Live Functional Testing: Module goes into a live 90-70 test rack with a VME backplane. We run a 4-hour burn-in at 55°C to catch thermal failures in the 80486 processor.
- Electrical Parameter Tests: Fluke 117 checks the 5V backplane draw (must be <3.2A). We verify the battery backup circuit holds RAM content during a simulated power loss.
- Firmware/Config Verification: We read the flash memory via the SNP port. If the firmware is corrupted or mismatched for the -FE hardware, we reflash or quarantine. You get the exact rev you ordered.
- Final QC & Anti-Static Packaging: Inspect the VME connector pins for bending. Bagged in ESD shielding with a fresh lithium battery installed. No loose hardware.
Field Engineer Gotchas
- Battery Backup Failure: The IC697CPX928-FE relies on an onboard lithium battery for the 6MB RAM. Risk: If you receive a unit with a dead battery and the previous owner left it unpowered for months, the RAM is garbage. Fix: Always verify RAM integrity immediately upon power-up. If the “OK” LED flashes red, the program is lost.
- Firmware Suffix Mismatch: The -FE denotes specific flash and RAM configurations. War Story: Saw a tech swap a -CD into a slot expecting a -FE. The CPU booted, but the programming software threw a “Hardware Configuration Mismatch” error and refused to download. Check the suffix. Always.
- VME Connector Damage: The 90-70 backplane pins are soft gold. Warning: If you force this CPU into a misaligned slot, you will bend the backplane pins, not the CPU pins. Now you’re replacing a $3,000 backplane because you didn’t use the alignment guides. Align first, seat second.
- Cooling Requirements: This 96 MHz 486 runs hot. Blunt Truth: If your rack fan is dead or the air filter is clogged, this CPU will thermal throttle or fail within weeks. Verify 70 CFM airflow across the module faceplate.
GE IC697CPX928-FE
Application Scenarios
- Water/Wastewater Treatment Plants: These sites run 90-70 systems for decades. The GE IC697CPX928-FE handles the massive I/O count for pump stations and clarifiers without needing a distributed architecture.
- Automotive Assembly Lines: Legacy transfer lines often use 90-70 for interlocking. The 0.4 µs scan time is critical for safety interlocks where 1ms of delay causes a crash.
- Power Generation Auxiliaries: Coal and gas plants use these for BOP (Balance of Plant) controls. The survives the electrical noise that fries newer, lower-voltage CPUs.
FAQ
Q: Can I replace an IC697CPX928-CD with this -FE model?
A: Yes, the -FE is generally upward compatible, but verify your firmware version in LogicMaster 90-70. The -FE has 6MB RAM vs. the -CD‘s lower memory. You may need to reconfigure memory allocation in the software.
Q: Does this CPU support Ethernet natively?
A: No. The has serial ports only. You need the IC697CMM711 or IC697CMM742 Ethernet module in an adjacent slot for TCP/IP. Don’t expect a network port on the faceplate.
Q: My “OK” LED is flashing red. Is the CPU dead?
A: Not necessarily. Flashing red usually means “RAM Checksum Error” or “Firmware Mismatch.” Try a cold start (remove battery for 30 seconds, then reinstall). If it persists, the RAM is corrupted or the flash is bad. Send it for evaluation.
Q: What programming software does this use?
A: LogicMaster 90-70 (DOS/Windows 3.1) or VersaPro (Windows 95/NT). Modern Windows 10/11 requires a virtual machine. The does not work with Proficy Machine Edition.
Q: Is the battery user-replaceable?
A: Yes, but it’s a soldered lithium cell on the PCB. You can do it with a soldering iron, but one slip and you lift a trace. We recommend sending it in for professional replacement and RAM backup.
Q: Can I hot-swap this CPU?
A: Absolutely not. The 90-70 backplane is not hot-swap rated. Pulling the while powered will arc the VME connector and likely fry the backplane. Power down, wait 30 seconds, then swap.
Q: What’s the max I/O expansion?
A: The supports up to 12K discrete and 8K analog points. This is limited by the VME backplane size and address space, not the CPU itself. A full 16-slot rack with high-density modules will hit this limit.
