Customer Value & Operational Benefits
Deterministic Scan Times (Offloaded Stack)
The 200MHz co-processor is the selling point. In a RX7i running a complex batch sequence, if the CPU also had to parse TCP/IP headers for 50 SRTP connections, the scan time would vary (jitter) under load. The ETM001 handles the socket management and packet assembly. The CPU scan stays rock solid at 10ms regardless of whether you are moving 100 words or 10,000 words of EGD data. This prevents “Watchdog Timeouts” on fast motion loops during large data uploads to the MES.
Flexible Topology (Daisy Chain / Redundancy)
You aren’t forced to buy a $500 industrial switch for every small skid. The two ports allow Daisy Chaining (Port 1 to Switch, Port 2 to next RX7i). For critical lines, you land Port 1 on Switch A and Port 2 on Switch B with Redundant IPs. If Switch A fails, the ETM001 shifts communication to the second IP/Port without the CPU even knowing. This builds fault-tolerant networks without expensive ring-manager switches.
Standalone Diagnostics (Web Server)
Even if the CPU is stopped (faulted code), the ETM001 is often still alive (linked). You can open its IP Address in a web browser to see “Link Status,” “Packet Counts,” and “Error Stats.” This tells you if the cable is unplugged at the switch (Physical layer) vs a configuration mismatch (IP conflict) before you even touch the PLC program. Cuts network troubleshooting time by 50%.
Field Engineer’s Notes (From the Trenches)
The “Gotcha” is Slot Placement and IP Conflicts.
Slotting: This mustgo in a Standard I/O Slot (e.g., Slot 2-8 in a 12-slot rack). Do not put it in the CPU Slot (Slot 1 usually) or the Power Supply Slot (Slot 0 or last). The RX7i backplane keys these slots differently; forcing it into the CPU slot might damage the pins or cause “Hardware Mismatch.”
IP Conflicts: The supports Redundant IP (great for Hot Standby), but if you are notusing Hot Standby, disable the second IP. If you leave “IP Address 2” configured but unused, and another device on the network accidentally takes that IP, the will flap between the two addresses, causing intermittent “I/O Loss” on your HMI links.
Rule: Only enable Redundant IP if you have a Redundant CPU pair (IC698CRM001). Otherwise, set IP 2 to “0.0.0.0”.
Auto-MDIX: The ports are Auto-MDIX (crossover detection). You can use straight-through or crossover cables. However, if linking directly to a laptop for config, ensure the laptop’s adapter is also auto-MDIX (most are). If the “LINK” LED is dark, try a different cable; the RJ45 jack on these sees heavy use and the internal springs fatigue after 10 years, causing “partial contact” (LED flickers, comms drop).
Real-World Applications
- Pharmaceutical Batch Skid (RX7i): An in Slot 2 of a 4-slot rack. Port 1 connects to the Plant DCS (Modbus TCP) to receive Setpoints. Port 2 daisy-chains to the next skid’s . The 200MHz processor handles the EGD exchange of 500 batch parameters with the MES without slowing the 5ms PID loop on the IC698CPU1700.
- Power Plant BOP (Balance of Plant): Using the Redundant IP feature. The has IP A (10.10.10.50) on the Main Plant Network and IP B (10.10.20.50) on the Backup Control Network. The HMI writes to both. When the main switch failed during a storm, the RX7i stayed online via IP B, avoiding a trip on “DCS Comms Loss.”
High-Frequency Troubleshooting FAQ
Q: “MODULE OK” LED is Green, but “LAN ONLINE” is Off, and “LINK” LEDs are dark.
A: Physical Layer Issue (Cable/Switch).
- Check the Ethernet Cable (Cat5e/Cat6). Is it seated in the RJ45? The latch breaks easily; re-crimp if loose.
- Is the Switch Port enabled? (Link light on switch?).
- If daisy-chaining, ensure the cable from Port 1 (To Switch) is good, and Port 2 (To Next Device) is terminated or connected.
- Verify the Network Speed: The auto-negotiates. If the switch is forced to 1000Mbps (Gigabit) and the is 10/100, the link fails. Set switch port to “Auto” or “100Mbps.”
Q: “LAN ONLINE” is Green, but HMI shows “Timeout” or “No Connection” (SRTP).
A: IP Configuration / Subnet Issue.
- Check the IP Address, Subnet Mask, and Gateway in PME (Hardware Config -> ). Does it match the Plant Network subnet? (e.g., ETM is 192.168.1.50, HMI is 192.168.2.10 -> Different subnets, no route).
- Firewall: Is there a firewall between the HMI and the blocking port 18245 (SRTP) or 502 (Modbus)?
- Duplicate IP: Another device on the network has the same IP as the . Change the IP to a free one, download, and test.
A: No. Physically it fits (VME slot), but logically it is incompatible.
- The is for RX7i / Series 90-70 racks (IC698CHS…).
- For RX3i (IC695CHS…), you must use the IC695ETM001.
- The backplane signaling and memory mapping differ. Forcing an IC698 into an IC695 rack results in “Hardware Mismatch” or the module not being recognized by the IC695CPU315.
Please note: The listed price is not the actual final price. It is for reference only and is subject to appropriate negotiation based on current market conditions, quantity, and availability.
