Emerson Automation Solutions

Intelligent Platforms, LLC

2500 Austin Drive
Charlottesville, VA 22911
USA

T 1 (434) 978 5000

October 20, 2021

RE: RX3i Backplane Shortage

Dear Customer:

Due to unprecedented supply chain challenges, we are having difficulty getting key components
to build the RX3i backplanes.

The component in question is needed for the serial bus slots, used to connect IC694* modules
to the backplane. As a tool to manage this disruption, we are creating new part numbers for the
7, 12, and 16 slot RX3i backplanes, as shown below:

• IC695CHS007PCIONLY
• IC695CHS012PCIONLY
• IC695CHS016PCIONLY

These backplanes will have all of the functionality to support IC695* modules, and are directly
usable for many architectures, with no change to your programs (i.e. no PME changes). These
architectures can include redundant controllers, controllers that communicate over Profinet to
VersaMax or RSTi-EP I/O, controllers that only use IC695 IO modules, etc. Though the
component in question is internal to the board, we will also de-populate the serial backplane
connector as an extra visual indicator that the backplane is only usable for IC695* modules. In
IC695* applications, these backplanes will serve as form-fit-function replacements, with no
changes to mounting patterns, agency certifications, or pricing.

These new parts will be available in the system by Oct 22nd, and are expected to begin shipping
from our US factory by mid-November 2021.

Please Note that Conformal Coat (CA) and Low Temp (LT) versions will not be created as PCI-
Only versions .

While you consider the switch to the PCI_ONLY versions, we would like you to pay close
attention to the following use cases to help you decide the most suitable backplane version to
meet your application specific needs

1. If you do not use any IC694* modules in your system, AND are not ordering for an
environment that needs Conformal Coat (CA) or Low-Temp (LT), you should convert
your order to the PCI-Only version for fastest fulfillment.
2. If you need to use IC694* modules, then you can utilize the LRE Serial Expansion
Module (IC695LRE001) with a 12 or 16-Slot PCI-Only backplane and a serial expansion
backplane (IC694CHS398 – 5-Slot Backplane or the IC694CHS392 – 10-Slot
 Emerson Automation Solutions
Intelligent Platforms, LLC
2500 Austin Drive
Charlottesville, VA 22911
USA

T 1 (434) 978 5000

Backplane). Please see GFK-2314 for additional details and required components for
this solution.
3. For applications where the panel layout may not accommodate expansion backplanes,
consider using the IC695CEP001/IC694CEE001 combination to create additional IC694*
slots on a Profinet network.

We, at Emerson, are committed to supply quality products to our customers even in these
unprecedented times. Please work with your Emerson sales partner to identify the best solution
that meets your timeline and application needs

Sincerely,

Emerson Product Team