IS215VCMIH2BZZ01A - Communication Interface Board

SPECIFICATIONS

Part No.: IS215VCMIH2BZZ01A
Manufacturer: General Electric
Country of Manufacture: United States of America (USA)
Size: 8.26 cm x 4.19 cm x 12.1 cm
Technology: Surface-mount
Temperature Operating: -30 to 65oC
Product Type: Communication Interface Board
Availability: In Stock
Series: Mark VI

Functional Description

IS215VCMIH2BZZ01A is a communication interface board developed by GE. It is a part of the Mark VI control system. It serves as a pivotal component within the control and interface module, facilitating communication between the controller, I/O boards, and the system control network, IONet. The module acts as the primary communication interface between the controller and the I/O boards, managing data exchange within the system. Additionally, it serves as the gateway to the system control network, IONet, enabling seamless integration and communication with other system components.

VME Bus Master

• As the VME bus master within the control and I/O racks, the VCMI (VME Communication Interface) board is responsible for managing the communication process across the system. It oversees the identification (IDs) of all boards within its assigned rack, ensuring that each board, along with its associated terminal boards, is properly recognized and addressed.
• By serving as the central controller for communication within the rack, the VCMI facilitates efficient data flow and coordination, preventing conflicts and ensuring synchronized operations. This master functionality is essential for maintaining the integrity and organization of data exchanges within the Mark VI control system.

Internal Communication

• Communication within the Rack: It communicates internally with I/O boards in its assigned rack, ensuring seamless data transmission between sensors, actuators, and controllers. This allows for real-time monitoring and control of field devices.
• System-Wide Communication: Beyond its rack, the VCMI board interfaces with other VCMI boards through IONet, the high-speed proprietary communication network of the Mark VI control system. This system-wide data exchange ensures synchronization across multiple racks, allowing distributed control modules to function cohesively.
  By supporting both local and network-wide communication, the VCMI board helps maintain a unified control strategy across complex industrial systems.

Versions and Connectivity

• Single-Port Version (Simplex Systems): Designed for simplex configurations where a single control module communicates with its interface modules through one Ethernet cable. Suitable for systems where redundancy is not a primary requirement.
• Three-Port Version (TMR Systems): Designed for Triple Modular Redundancy (TMR) systems, which require multiple communication paths for fault tolerance. Features three
• Ethernet ports for redundant network connections, ensuring continuous operation even in the event of a network failure. These versions provide flexibility in system design, allowing the Mark VI control system to be deployed in various industrial environments with different reliability and redundancy requirements.

Fault Tolerance

The board employs Software Implemented Fault Tolerance (SIFT) voting, a key mechanism for enhancing system reliability and robustness in critical industrial applications.

• Input data from each IONet connection is processed and analyzed across multiple VCMI boards.
• Data is compared and validated using voting logic, ensuring that only the most accurate and consistent signals are forwarded to the control system.
• Once validated, the processed data is transferred to the control signal database in the controllers via the VME bus, ensuring a stable and fault-tolerant communication framework. This fault-tolerant architecture prevents single-point failures from disrupting system operations, making the Mark VI control system highly reliable for mission-critical applications.

Operation in TMR Mode

In Triple Modular Redundancy (TMR) mode, the VCMI board plays a pivotal role in synchronizing system-wide communication:

• IONet Master and Clock Synchronization: The voter in the control module acts as the master of the IONet and provides the IONet clock to ensure precise timing across the system.
• Time-Synchronized Messaging: The UDH (Unit Data Highway) time source distributes time-synchronous messages to all controllers, which in turn relay this information to the VCMI boards.
• Data Transmission: Each rack transmits its data in IONet packets, allowing for efficient and organized data exchange. The VCMI board in the control module consolidates and broadcasts data for all remote racks in a single packet, optimizing network bandwidth and minimizing transmission delays.

IONet Features

• Physical Connection: The IONet connection on the VCMI utilizes a BNC interface for 10Base2 Ethernet. The interface circuit is designed with high impedance, allowing for T tap connections with a 50 ohm terminal at both the first and last nodes. Cabling distances are limited to 185 meters (607 ft) per segment, accommodating up to eight nodes. RG-58C/U or equivalent cable is recommended for optimal performance.
• Link Layer Protocol: The IONet employs the IEEE 802.3 standard Ethernet protocol at the Link Layer, ensuring compatibility and interoperability with Ethernet-based networks.
• Application Layer Protocol: The application layer protocol utilizes Asynchronous Device Language (ADL) messaging, customized with special adaptations for efficient input/output handling and state exchanges within the system.
• Master-Slave Communication: The board serves as the master of the IONet, orchestrating communication between the various nodes. It polls the remote interface modules for data, initiating communication cycles. The master broadcasts commands to all slave stations on a single IONet, prompting them to respond sequentially. To prevent collisions on the media, each station receives instructions on the duration of delay before attempting to transmit data.
• Transmission Rate: Operating at 10 Mb/s, the IONet is capable of transmitting a 1000 byte packet every millisecond, corresponding to an 8 MHz bit rate. This high-speed transmission capability ensures efficient data exchange and timely communication across the network.

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 IS215VCMIH2BZZ01A?
It is a communication interface board developed by GE under the Mark VI series.

Does powering down one module of a channel disrupt IONet communication in a multiple module or cabinet system?
No, powering down one module of a channel does not disrupt IONet communication between other modules within that channel. The IONet communication remains intact, ensuring continuous data exchange and system operation.

What happens if one IONet stops communicating within a channel?
If one IONet stops communicating within a channel, the I/O boards in that channel will time out, and the outputs will go to a safe state. This safety measure ensures that the system remains operational and prevents any adverse effects on TMR system operation.

How does the system respond if two IONets stop communicating?
If two IONets stop communicating, the I/O boards in both channels will go to a safe state. This results in a turbine trip if the turbine was generating. This safety precaution helps prevent potential hazards and ensures the integrity of the system in critical situations.