Description
Key Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | GE Fanuc |
| Model | IC690RFH008 |
| Product Type | Multimode Reflective Memory Hub |
| Fiber Ports | 8 |
| Fiber Type | Multimode |
| Network Function | Reflective memory data distribution |
| Power Supply | 24 VDC |
| Application | Distributed industrial control / real-time data sharing |
| Installation | Dedicated industrial control/network assembly |
| Lifecycle | Discontinued |
The identification of IC690RFH008 as an 8-port multimode reflective memory hub is consistent across multiple independent industrial component references. The available catalog descriptions also specify 24 VDC operation.
A number of current reseller pages incorrectly describe this part as an RF/wireless communications module and publish specifications such as 900 MHz, 2.4 GHz, Zigbee, or RS-232/RS-485. Those descriptions conflict with the established “8 multimode reflective memory hub” identification and should not be used for procurement.
Product Introduction
The GE Fanuc IC690RFH008 is an eight-port multimode reflective memory hub designed for legacy industrial control networks. Rather than functioning as a conventional Ethernet switch or radio module, it belongs to a reflective-memory architecture in which control-system data can be distributed between connected nodes with very low software overhead. The eight fiber interfaces provide the physical network connections required by the reflective-memory system.
For plant maintenance, the important issue is architectural compatibility. This is specialized network hardware, not a general-purpose fiber switch. Replacing it with a modern Ethernet switch will not reproduce the same reflective-memory function, addressing behavior, or application interface. The part is also discontinued, so exact identification and tested spare inventory are important for keeping an older control system operational.
IC690RFH008
Application Scenarios & Field Pitfalls
Engineering Pain Point
The difficult part of maintaining reflective-memory equipment is usually not the fiber itself. It is preserving the expected network architecture between the controller, memory hub, fiber links, and application software. A replacement that has compatible optical connectors but a different memory-network protocol is not a functional replacement.
Typical Applications
- Distributed PLC control: Sharing control data between separated legacy controller nodes.
- Power-generation control: Interconnecting control or monitoring computers where deterministic data exchange was required.
- Manufacturing systems: Coordinating data between multiple control nodes without relying on conventional message-based communications.
- Legacy high-speed control networks: Maintaining existing reflective-memory infrastructure where migration to Ethernet has not yet been completed.
Technical Pitfalls to Avoid
- Do not buy it as an RF module. The “RF” in the model number does not make IC690RFH008 a radio transceiver. The established product description is an 8 multimode reflective memory hub.
- Do not substitute a standard fiber Ethernet switch. Reflective memory and Ethernet switching are different architectures.
- Verify every fiber connection before startup. With an eight-port hub, unused, reversed, contaminated, or incorrectly terminated fiber links can prevent the expected network from forming.
- Check the complete legacy system architecture. The hub should be evaluated together with the connected reflective-memory interfaces, node configuration, fiber type, and controller hardware rather than as an isolated communication accessory.
- Be careful with published specifications. I could verify the eight-port multimode function and 24 VDC designation, but I would not treat unsupported claims such as 100 Mbps, 2 km, 32 nodes, or specific connector types as confirmed for this exact part without the original GE documentation.
Related Products
- IC697VRM015 — GE Series 90-70 reflective-memory hardware; useful as a reference when identifying older GE reflective-memory architectures.
- IC697RCM711 — Series 90-70 Hot Standby Redundancy Communications Module; a different communications function, not a direct replacement.
- IC697BEM731 — Series 90-70 Genius I/O Bus Controller; interfaces Genius I/O rather than reflective memory.
- IC697CMM741 — Series 90-70 MMS/TCP/IP Ethernet LAN interface; conventional network communication rather than reflective memory.
- IC697CMM742 — Series 90-70 Ethernet interface; useful when comparing Ethernet migration options, but not functionally equivalent to IC690RFH008.
- IC690RBT001 — GE Fanuc rechargeable battery accessory associated with the broader IC690 product family; unrelated to the reflective-memory network function.
- IC690USB128 — GE Fanuc USB memory accessory; different purpose and not a communications substitute.
Procurement Check
For IC690RFH008, specify the complete description as GE Fanuc , 8-Port Multimode Reflective Memory Hub, 24 VDC.
Before purchasing, verify fiber type, number of active optical links, existing reflective-memory interface hardware, node configuration, and the exact nameplate marking. Most importantly, reject listings that describe this part as a Zigbee, 2.4 GHz, 900 MHz, or generic RF communication module; those specifications are inconsistent with the established product identification.
