GE FANUC 10-Slot Base With CPU IC693CPU321 IC-693CPU321

IC693CPU321 | GE Fanuc Series 90-30 10-Slot Embedded CPU Baseplate — 12KB Logic / 10MHz / 320 I/O / RS-485 / No Expansion / Battery-Backed

CPU Embedded in the Backplane — What That Means Practically

The IC693CPU321 is a 10-slot Series 90-30 baseplate with its CPU, RAM, EPROM, and EEPROM chips soldered directly to the backplane board. There is no separate CPU module. All 10 slots are open for I/O modules — digital, analogue, or function modules — without any slot being consumed by the CPU.

This design reduces the cost and physical footprint of a complete Series 90-30 system. A single part — the IC693CPU321 baseplate — plus a power supply and the required I/O modules is the complete PLC. No separate CPU module to purchase, no separate mounting.

The trade-off is that the CPU type is fixed. Because the CPU is soldered to the backplane, it cannot be upgraded to a higher-speed or higher-memory processor without replacing the entire baseplate. The IC693CPU321 is also not expandable — it has no expansion connector, so no additional baseplates can be added to the system.

Key Specifications

Serial Port and Communication Options

The RS-485 15-pin D-type port supports connection to a programming PC, a GE Fanuc handheld programmer, and compatible serial peripherals. Through optional communication modules installed in I/O slots, the system extends to:

• Serial SNP and RTU protocols
• Ethernet TCP/IP (SRTP and Modbus TCP)
• Profibus-DP
• DeviceNet

For installations that require Ethernet connectivity, an Ethernet TCP/IP module (such as the IC693CMM321) in one of the 10 I/O slots provides the network interface — reducing the available I/O slot count from 10 to 9 when the communication module is installed.

Application Scenarios

Compact machine control: A packaging machine with 60 discrete I/O points and 4 analogue channels needs a simple, low-cost PLC. The IC693CPU321 in a single 10-slot baseplate with appropriate I/O modules covers the complete machine without additional racks or expansion hardware.

Legacy Series 90-30 maintenance: A plant has multiple machines running IC693CPU321 baseplates. A baseplate failure requires a direct replacement. The IC693CPU321 accepts the same I/O modules, power supply, and programme restore procedure as the original unit.

Process monitoring station: Eight analogue input modules and two digital output modules in the 10 slots read temperature, flow, and pressure sensors and control two final elements. The IC693CPU321's analogue capacity handles the measurement density in a single compact enclosure.

FAQ

Q1: Can the IC693CPU321 user logic memory be expanded?

No. The 12KB user logic memory is part of the circuit chips soldered to the backplane board. It cannot be upgraded or expanded. If additional programme memory is required, the application must use a separate modular IC693 CPU module (such as the IC693CPU374) in a standard baseplate instead.

Q2: What happens to the programme if power is lost?

The IC693CPU321 uses battery-backed RAM to retain the user logic programme during power-off periods. The IC693ACC315 battery accessory kit maintains memory for an extended period after main power removal. If the battery is disconnected or fails without a prior programme backup, the stored programme is lost. Regular programme backups to a programming PC are recommended for systems where programme loss would require re-entry from paper documentation.

Q3: Does the IC693CPU321 have a real-time clock?

No. The embedded CPU baseplates in the Series 90-30 family (including the IC693CPU321) do not have a time-of-day (TOD) clock function. Applications requiring time-stamped data, time-scheduled operations, or event logging with clock reference must use a modular CPU baseplate with TOD support, such as the IC693CPU374 or higher.

Q4: Is the IC693CPU321 compatible with Series 90-30 I/O modules of all generations?

The IC693CPU321 is compatible with the broad range of Series 90-30 I/O modules. However, some later-generation analogue modules require CPU firmware at version 8.0 or later. The IC693CPU321 cannot be upgraded to firmware version 8.0 — if these specific analogue modules are required, a different CPU model that supports v8.0 firmware is needed.

Q5: What programming software is compatible with the IC693CPU321?

Three software platforms are compatible: Logicmaster 90-30 (DOS-based, older generation), VersaPro (Windows-based), and Proficy Machine Edition / Proficy Logic Developer (current-generation Windows-based software). Connection for all three is via the RS-485 serial port on the power supply using the appropriate serial cable. All three support Ladder Diagram programming for the Series 90-30 CPU.