SPECIFICATIONS
Part No.: IS200VCMIH2BEE
Manufacturer: General Electric
Country of Manufacture: United States of America (USA)
Board Type: 6U high VME board, 0.787 inch wide
Processor: TMS320C32
Temperature Operating: -30 to 65oC
Product Type: Communication Board
Availability: In Stock
Series: Mark VI
Functional Description
IS200VCMIH2BEE is a Communication Board developed by GE. It is a part of the Mark VI control system. It serves as a link between the central controller and the I/O boards within the system architecture, ensuring seamless bidirectional communication. Additionally, it acts as the gateway to the system control network, IONet, facilitating integration into the broader control infrastructure. Responsible for managing data transmission, protocol conversion, fault detection, and synchronization, the VCMI plays a pivotal role in enabling efficient and reliable operation of the industrial control system. Its functions encompass interpreting commands, regulating timing, and ensuring the integrity of data exchange, thereby supporting real-time control and monitoring tasks essential for system performance and reliability.
Communication Capabilities
- Internal Communication: Communicates internally with the I/O boards within its rack, facilitating data transfer and control functions.
- IONet Connectivity: Utilizes the IONet communication network to connect with other VCMI boards and external modules. The IONet serves as the backbone for inter-device communication within the system.
- Ethernet Ports: Depending on the system configuration, the VCMI board may feature one or three Ethernet ports. The single-port version is used in simplex systems, while the triple-port variant is employed in TMR (Triple Modular Redundancy) setups.
System Architecture
- Simplex Systems: In simplex configurations, a single control module is connected to one or more interface modules using a single cable. The VCMI board facilitates communication between these modules, ensuring coordinated system operation.
- TMR Systems: In TMR setups, the board with three Ethernet ports communicates with three distinct I/O channels (Rx, Sx, and Tx) and interfaces with multiple control modules. This configuration enhances fault tolerance and system reliability.
Fault Tolerance Mechanisms
- The board implements SIFT voting mechanisms to enhance system robustness. Input data from each IONet connection undergoes voting processes within each VCMI board (R, S, and T).
- The results of these votes are then transmitted to the control signal database in the controllers via the VME bus, ensuring consistency and reliability in data processing.
IONet Management
- Master Role: The voter in the control module takes on the role of the IONet master, overseeing communication within the system.
- Clock Synchronization: It provides the timing reference for the IONet network, ensuring that all connected devices operate in synchronization.
- Time-Synchronous Messages: Messages from the time source, typically located on the UDH (Universal Digital Hardware), are transmitted to the controllers and subsequently relayed to the VCMIs.
Data Transmission
- Packetized Data: Input data from a single rack is organized into one or more IONet packets, with each packet typically having a maximum size of around 1500 bytes.
- Broadcasting: In the control module, the VCMI broadcasts all data intended for remote racks in a single packet. This packet contains data for all remote racks within the system.
- Data Extraction: Upon receiving the broadcast packet, each VCMI in the remote rack extracts the relevant data pertaining to its associated components from the packet.
Efficient Communication
- Streamlined Transmission: By consolidating data for multiple remote racks into a single packet, the system optimizes bandwidth usage and facilitates efficient communication across the network.
- Data Parsing: Each VCMI in the remote rack parses the broadcasted packet to extract only the information relevant to its specific components, ensuring that each device receives and processes the appropriate data.
Key Roles
- Data Transmission Management:
- Manages the transmission of data packets between the controller and the I/O boards, ensuring reliable and efficient communication.
- It regulates the flow of information, maintaining synchronization and integrity across the network to support real-time control and monitoring tasks.
- Protocol Conversion and Interpretation:
- It interprets commands and data from the controller, converting them into formats compatible with the communication protocols used by the I/O boards.
- Similarly, it interprets feedback and status information from the I/O modules, translating them into formats understandable by the controller.
- Fault Detection and Handling:
- The VCMI monitors communication links for potential faults or disruptions, promptly detecting and diagnosing any anomalies that may arise.
- In case of communication errors or failures, it implements fault-handling mechanisms to mitigate disruptions and maintain system reliability.
- Synchronization and Timing:
- It ensures synchronization of data transmission timing between the controller and the I/O boards, maintaining coherence and consistency in system operation.
- By regulating timing parameters and coordinating communication events, it minimizes latency and optimizes responsiveness in data exchange.
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 IS200VCMIH2BEE?
It is a Communication Board developed by GE under the Mark VI series.
What internal power supply buses are monitored, and what are the typical alarm settings?
The internal 5 V, 12 V, 15 V, and 28 V power supply buses are monitored, with alarm thresholds typically set at 3.5 percent for most voltages. However, the 28 V supplies have their alarm thresholds set at 5.5 percent for specific requirements.
What diagnostic signals are monitored from the power distribution module (PDM)?
Diagnostic signals from the PDM, connected through J301, are monitored for ground faults, over/under voltage on the P125 V bus, two differential 5V dc analog inputs, signals for external monitoring circuits (P28A and PCOM), as well as digital inputs.
