GE IC697BEM731 Genius Bus Controller Module (BCM)
Product Overview
IC697BEM731 is a Genius Bus Controller Module (BCM) produced by GE Fanuc in the United States. It is the core communication component of GE 90-70 series programmable logic controllers (PLCs).
📌 Core positioning: This module is the “traffic commander” on the Genius bus, responsible for managing token passing on the bus, connecting up to 30 devices, and implementing data exchange between the CPU and intelligent I/O modules. It is both a communication gateway and an interface for system configuration.
Model Interpretation
Meaning of field codes
IC697-GE 90-70 Series PLC Module Identification
BEM – Bus extender module
731- Specific model, supports 1 communication channel+1 handheld monitor port
Order number IC697BEM731 Standard Edition (with variants such as IC697BEM731T/X/Z available)
Core technical parameters
Parameter specifications
Brand GE Fanuc/Emerson
The system belongs to GE 90-70 series PLC (Genius bus architecture)
Module Type Genius Bus Controller (BCM)
communication channel ✅ 1 Genius bus communication channel
HHM port ✅ 1 Handheld Monitor port
Maximum connected devices up to 30 devices (Genius bus nodes)
Communication Protocol GE Genius Bus Protocol (Token Passing Mechanism)
Default baud rate 153.6 Kbaud (standard)
Optional baud rates of 153.6 Kbaud (extended), 76.8 Kbaud, 38.4 Kbaud
Default bus address 31 (can be modified through software)
Working voltage 5V DC (powered by PLC backplane/power module)
Working temperature: 0 ° C~60 ° C (industrial grade)
Protection level IP20 (installed inside the cabinet)
Installation method: DIN rail/plug-in installation
Configuration method MS-DOS or Windows programming software (configurator function)
Production Status ⚠️ Stopped production, the market is dominated by inventory/disassembled parts
Comparison Table of Communication Distance and Baud Rate
Baud rate (Kbaud) Maximum allowable communication distance Applicable scenarios
153.6 (standard) 2000 feet (≈ 610 meters) for most standard industrial applications
153.6 (Extension) 3500 feet (≈ 1067 meters) Extension distance requirement
76.8 4, 500 feet (approximately 1372 meters) long distance, low speed
38.4 7, 500 feet (≈ 2286 meters) ultra long distance, low data volume
⚠️ Important: All devices on the same bus must be configured with the same baud rate, otherwise communication will be impossible or unstable.
System architecture and working principle
┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ GE 90-70 PLC Genius Bus System │
│ │
│ ┌─────────┐ ┌─────────┐ ┌─────────────────────┐ │
││ CPU ││ IC697 ││ Intelligent I/O module ││
││ Module │◄►│ BEM731 │◄►│ (IC697ALG/MDL, etc.) ││
│ │ │ │ (BCM) │ │ · AI/AO/DI/DO │ │
│└—————————————————————————————-
│ │ │ └─────────────────────┘ │
││ Token Passing │
│ │◄═══════════►│ │
│ │ │ ┌─────────────────────┐ │
││└═════►│ HHM handheld monitor ││
│││ (Configuration/Debugging) ││
│ │ └─────────────────────┘ │
│ ┌────▼─────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │
││ Physical communication cable ││
││ Belden 9182 (15 inches)/IC660BLC003 (36 inches) ││
│ └──────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ │
└──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Core working mechanism
Mechanism description
Token passing BCM passes tokens on the bus, and only devices holding tokens can send data to avoid conflicts
Global data transmission supports high-speed exchange of global data between CPU and intelligent modules
The backend of the HHM port is equipped with a handheld monitor port, which can be connected to HHM devices for on-site configuration/diagnosis
Alarm reporting supports reporting PLC alarm system data with timestamps to the processor data table
The baud rate adaptation is set through configuration software, and all nodes must be consistent
Comparison of Model Variants
Description of the characteristics of the number of channels in the model
⭐ IC697BEM731 1-channel standard version (this product) is most commonly used, with 1 bus port and 1 HHM port
IC697BEM731T 1-channel T-variant specific firmware/configuration version
IC697BEM731X 1-channel X-type variant specific firmware/configuration version
IC697BEM731Z 1-channel Z-type variant supports different baud rate configurations
IC697BEM711 1 channel early versions have similar features but different firmware
IC697BEM713 1 Channel Enhanced Edition with More Diagnostic Features
IC697BEM733 1-channel high-performance version with faster processing speed
Typical application scenarios
Industry Application Description
⚡ Data Bridge between Auxiliary Control CPU of Power Turbine and Remote I/O
🛢️ Petrochemical process data collection connection with 30+intelligent sensors/actuators
🏭 Genius bus expansion for manufacturing production line control, reducing wiring
💧 Long distance communication for water pump station monitoring (76.8/38.4 Kbaud)
🏗️ Building HVAC Control HVAC System I/O Expansion
Constant pairing module (GE 90-70 ecosystem)
Module Model, Order Number, Type, Function Description
IC697CP771 IC697CP771 Main Processor CPU ⭐ System Core
IC697 CPU 781 IC697 CPU 781 Main Processor CPU (Enhanced) ⭐ System Core
IC697CHS790 IC697CHS790K rack/backplane 10 slot Genius bus rack ⭐ necessary
IC697PWR711 IC697PWR711 power module 24VDC ⭐ necessary
IC697ACC701 IC697ACC701 battery module CPU holds battery ⭐ necessary
IC697ALG230 Analog Input 8-Channel AI Optional
IC697MDL250 Digital Input 32 Channel DI Optional
IC697MDL650 IC697MDL650 digital output 32 channel DO optional
IC697CMM711 Communication module RS232/RS485 optional
IC697CMM742 IC697CMM742 communication module with dual RS485 optional
Physical connections and cables
Component ordering number specification
Bus cable (15 inches) IC660BLC001 Belden 9182 type is used for connecting both ends of the bus
Bus cable (36 inches) IC660BLC003 Belden 9182 type for intermediate node connection
Bus terminator (150 Ω) IC660BLM506 150 Ω resistor, one at each end of the bus
Bus terminator (75 Ω) IC660BLM508 75 Ω resistor backup/special configuration
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