Technical Specifications

Main Features and Advantages

Dual-protocol consolidation in a single 2005 slot: The SYSTEM 2005 rack is notoriously slot-constrained — most slots host either a bus controller, a fieldbus card, or a serial link, rarely all in one. The 3IF681.96-B/R​ packs a full UART (with 32-byte FIFO to offload the 2005 CPU from character-level interrupt handling) and a 10BASE-T MAC with 128 KB buffer into one module. A CP260 rack that previously required an external “serial card + Ethernet gateway box” can now collapse both into a single slot — freeing carrier slots and eliminating a point-to-point external cable that used to be a chronic failure mode.

Hardware-level station addressing via BCD rotary switches: Instead of burying the INA2000 node ID in a software parameter file that lives on a 15-year-old laptop with a dead parallel port, the 3IF681.96-B/R​ puts two BCD rotary switches directly on the faceplate. Dial the tens and units, reseat the module, and the Ethernet station number is set — no software re-flash, no Automation Studio project file required. In retrofit jobs where the original B&R project file is lost and nobody wants to reverse-engineer the hardware configuration, this hardware fallback is precisely what gets the line talking to the MES again.

Industrial-grade UART for reliable serial communication: The side of the 3IF681.96-B/R​ leverages the ST16C650 UART with 32-byte FIFOs in both transmit and receive directions, sustaining baud rates up to 115.2 kBaud. Full DTR/DSR/RTS/CTS hardware handshake lines are supported, and the DSUB-9 male connector follows the standard pinout. While the side is not galvanically isolated, it incorporates an input filter and protective circuit to resist electrical transients. The 15-meter maximum cable distance at 19200 baud is perfectly suited for connecting to local HMIs, programming computers, barcode scanners, and weighing instruments within the same cabinet or adjacent enclosure.

Buffered, isolated Ethernet for robust LAN connectivity: The Ethernet side of the 3IF681.96-B/R​ is built around the AM79C960 controller with a substantial 128 KB send/receive buffer, delivering 10 Mbit/s throughput over a standard RJ45 twisted-pair connection. Crucially, the Ethernet port is galvanically isolated from the 2005 backplane, protecting the controller from ground loops and electrical noise on the plant LAN. Running B&R’s INA2000 protocol — the native 2005-era Ethernet stack — the module integrates seamlessly with legacy B&R networks, programming stations, and HMI panels that speak INA2000.

Ultra-low power backplane operation: Drawing a maximum of just 1.65 W from the 5 V backplane supply, the 3IF681.96-B/R​ adds negligible thermal load to the CP260 rack. There is zero 24 V draw, no external power wiring, and no auxiliary power supply required — simplifying cabinet design and reducing the bill of materials for panel builders and retrofit engineers alike.

Instant visual diagnostics: The 3IF681.96-B/R​ incorporates RXD/TXD LEDs for the interface, clearly indicating when data is being received or transmitted. The Ethernet port provides link and activity indication via carrier LEDs. Maintenance personnel can instantly verify communication health without specialized diagnostic tools or software — simply observing the LED activity distinguishes between serial data transfer, Ethernet link establishment, and idle states, dramatically reducing mean time to diagnose communication issues.

Rugged industrial construction with global certifications: Manufactured to B&R’s legendary industrial standards, the 3IF681.96-B/R​ carries CE and cULus (E115267) certifications, operates reliably across 0°C to +55°C — the standard SYSTEM 2005 cabinet rating — and is designed for long-service life in electrically hostile factory environments. Its slot-in form factor into CP260 or IF260 carriers, combined with DIN-rail cabinet mounting, ensures secure mechanical fixation and effortless replacement.