Cooke CKEP SET6, CKEP 100, CKEP SET9, CKEP 75, CKEP 65 User manual

Version 3.0.1
May 2013

©2012 Cooke Optics Limited. All rights reserved.
Cooke, I, S4, S4I, 5I, CXX and Panchro are trademarks of Cooke Optics Limited.
The use of any of Cooke Optics’ intellectual property is strictly forbidden without its prior written consent.

Cooke Close, Thurmaston
Leicester, LE4 8PT, United Kingdom

T [phone]
F [phone]
E [e-mail]
W cookeoptics.com

Copyright 2012 Page 1

1.1

Purpose

1.2

Intended Audience

1.3

Contact Information

1.4

References

2.1

/I Technology Open Protocol

2.2

/I Technology Partners

2.3

Lens Types with/I Technology

3.1

Interface Requirements

3.1.1

Power

3.1.2

Camera Connector

3.1.3

External Connector

3.1.3.1

Standard LEMO Connector

3.1.3.2

Maximum Cable Length versus Baud Rate

3.2

Lens System Components

3.2.1

Lens System Overview

3.2.2

Potentiometer Connections

3.2.3

Illumination Ring

4.1

Basic Communications Format

4.2

Communicate with an/I Lens

4.2.1

Connect an/I Lens to an/I Camera

4.2.2

External Remote Readout of/I Lens Data

4.3

Viewer Software for Cooke/I Lenses

4.4

Update Ownership Program for Cooke/I Lenses

4.5

Hyper Terminal / PuTTY - Serial Terminal Emulators for COM Ports

4.6

External Data Source Unit (EDSU) for 5/I

4.7

I Lens Types – CORE Commands and EXTENDED Commands

4.7.1

PanchroI Prime Lenses T2.8

4.7.2

S4I Prime Lenses and CXX 15-40mm Zoom T2.0

4.7.4

5I Prime Lenses T1.4

4.7.5

Red Zoom Lenses

4.8

Command / Response Structure

4.8.1

CORE Command Function Table

Cooke I Communication Protocol: User’s Guide & Technical Manual

Table of Contents

1. Introduction

2. Cooke /I “Intelligent” Technology Overview

3. Hardware

4. System Communications

Copyright 2012 Page 2

4.9

Start-Up Sequence

4.9.1

Controlling Channel and Start-Up Baud Rate

4.9.2

Bluetooth Operation – S4I Lenses Only

4.9.3

Basic Lens Response Types

5. CORE Command Set

5.1

CORE Commands for All Lens Types

5.1.1

Command N - Retrieve Fixed Data: Required first Command

5.1.2

Command D - Retrieve one set of ASCII Calculated Data

5.1.3

Command Kd - Retrieve one set of Packed Binary Calculated Data

5.1.4

Command K3 - Retrieve name of Lens Manufacturer

5.1.5

Command K4 - Retrieve name of Lens Type

5.1.6

Command P - Retrieve board Temperature

5.1.7

Command B - Retrieve board Firmware Version

5.1.8

Command Kbn - Set Baud Rate

5.1.9

Command C - Set "Continuous Send" mode & Transmit ASCII Calculated Data

5.1.10

Command Kc - Set "Continuous Send" mode & Transmit Packed Binary Data

5.1.11

Command G - Set "Checksum" mode

5.1.12

Command Ka - Set "Inhibit Error Response" mode

5.1.13

Command X - Set Display Units to Imperial

5.1.14

Command Y - Set Display Units to Metric

5.1.15

Command V - Set "Film Size" to 35mm (default value)

5.1.16

Command W - Set "Film Size" to 16mm

5.1.17

Command Wnn -Set Film Size / Circle of Confusion Value

5.1.18

Command H - Stop "Continuous Send"; clear "Checksum"; clear "Inhibit Error”

5.2

CORE Commands for 5I ILLUMINATION COMMANDS

5.2.1

Command Kjn - Set "Scale Illumination" for both LED sets

5.2.2

Command Kkn - Set "Scale Illumination" for one LED set

5.3

5I START-UP UNITS COMMANDS

5.3.1

Command OX - Set Start-Up Units to Imperial

5.3.2

Command OY - Set Start-Up Units to Metric

5.4

CORE Commands for 5I SETTINGS & EXTERNAL INTERFACE [EDSU]

5.4.1

Command OS - Retrieve Channel Settings for This Channel

5.4.2

Command OT - Retrieve Baud Rate, Data Type, Display Unit [Opposite Channel]

5.4.3

Command OC - Commence Append of Data String

5.4.4

Command OD - Append Data String (up to 60 8-bit data values)

5.4.5

Command OH - Halt Append of Data String

6.1

Measured Values and Calculated Values

6.2

Start-Up Units

6. Measurement and Calculation Units

Copyright 2012 Page 3

6.2.1

Cooke PanchroI, Cooke S4I Prime & Zoom and RED Zoom Lens Units

6.2.2

Cooke 5I Lens Units and Startup Units Utility

7. Baud Rates and Response Times

7.1

Implementation – PANCHRO, RED & S4I Zooms; S4I Primes; 5I
Primes

7.2

Calculation Time

7.3

Repeat Rate (Frames / second)

8.1

Overview

8.1.1

5I Lighting Control Unit Instructions

8.1.2

5I Manual Scale Illumination Instructions

9.1

Overview

9.2

Principals of Operation

9.3

EDSU Dependencies – Blocking Requirements Pass-Through Operation

10.1

Loss of Program

11.1

Optional Commands to Retrieve User-Defined Combinations of Binary
Data Packets

A.1

Command/Response VARIATIONS - earlier software versions

A.1.1

D Command Variations

A.1.2

N Command Variations

A.1.3

Kd Command Variations

A.2

Bluetooth Communication Exchange

A.3

Checksum Mode – G Command Additional Details

B.1

Firmware and Lens Software Version Numbers

B.2

I Technology Partners

8. Illumination Scale – 5/I

9. External DATA Source Unit (EDSU) – 5/I

10. Troubleshooting – Possible Errors and How to Fix Them

11. NEW Commands - Planned for 2013

Appendix A:

Appendix B:

Copyright 2012 Page 4

B.3

I Accessories

Appendix C:

C.1

Update Ownership Program for Cooke /I Lenses Instructions

C.2

Viewer Java Program for Cooke /I Lenses Instructions

C.3

Using HyperTerminal or PuTTY to Communicate with Cooke I Lenses

Figure 1:

I Technology CORE Commands and EXTENDED Commands

Figure 2:

Camera Connector – Viewed from Rear of Lens

Figure 3:

Rear View of LEMO socket EGB00304CLL

Figure 4:

Rear View of LEMO PLUGS FGB00304CLAD35 or
FHB00304CLAD35

Figure 5:

5I Lighting Control Unit

Table 1:

Lens Types with I Technology

Table 2:

Maximum Cable Length versus Baud Rate

Table 3:

CORE Command - Function - Lens Type Table

Table 4:

Controlling Channel and Start-up Baud Rate

Table 5:

Basic Lens Response Types

Table 6:

Compare Calculation Time to Lens Type

Table7:

Compare Repeat Rate (frames/second) to Lens Type

Table 8:

Valid Commands - Allowed & Blocked Recommendations
with EDSU

List of Figures:

List of Tables

Copyright 2012 Page 5

Introduction

Cooke Optics Limited developed the/I Technology system to enable film and digital

cameras and equipment to automatically record and display key lens data for every
frame shot. Lens metadata includes information such as focal length, focus distance, T­stop, Zoom, depth of field, horizontal field of view, entrance pupil position and frame
rate. Script supervisors no longer need to manually write down lens setting for every
frame shot. Power and data are transmitted through a camera interface, an external
interface or both.

1.1 Purpose

This document is both a User’s Guide and a Technical Manual. It contains

instructions on how to control and communicate with Cooke/I lenses along with
additional information about current/I Technology protocol standards.

1.2 Intended Audience

 Sections 1. through 10. and Appendices A through C of this document are

available on the Cooke Optics Website and can be downloaded at

http://www.cookeoptics.com/cooke.nsf/itech/downloads.html. It is an/I Technology

Communications Protocol User Guide and Manual for Cooke lens users,
Technicians,/I Technology partners and anyone interested in learning more
about the I Technology protocols.

 Appendix D is available by special request to/I Technology partners and

Technicians who service /I Technology equipment.

 Appendix E is available only to Cooke Optics /I Technology developers.

1.3 Contact Information

Please email [e-mail] with questions or if you need additional

information.

1.4 References

Cooke/I Communications Protocols Version 2.41 – March 2011

Copyright 2012 Page 6

2. Cooke

/I Technology is a registered trademark of Cooke Optics Limited. It is a metadata

protocol that enables film and digital cameras to automatically record key lens data for
every frame shot. Equipment identification is by serial number, lens type and
manufacturer. The I Technology system records lens settings and performs a series of
calculations to provide continuous remote readout of focal length, focusing distance,
aperture, zoom, depth of field, hyperfocal distance, horizontal field of view, entrance
pupil position, normalized zoom and frame rate in both metric and imperial units. The
information is digitally recorded for every frame and stored as metadata, accessible via
cable connector near the lens mount and/or contacts in the PL mount that sync with I
compatible cameras and other equipment.

2.1 /I Technology Open Protocol

/ The goal behind I Technology is to provide an open standard that will streamline

and enhance the process of filmmaking by making equipment digitally compatible from
production through post. Any product that displays the “I” logo, from acquisition
through post, is compatible with all other/I Technology embedded products. This
means an/I lens from Cooke can be used with any other products that conform to the

I Technology standards.

/I

“Intelligent” Technology Overview

Within the I Technology Communication protocol standard, there are two types of

commands as shown in figure 1: CORE commands and EXTENDED commands. CORE
commands are used to communicate between different brands of equipment and are
supported by ALL/I Technology partners. The/I Technology protocol platform also
allows for brand specific commands known as EXTENDED commands. EXTENDED
commands are considered brand specific and are not supported by all lenses, cameras
or I Technology partners. Users should rely on the CORE command set.

EXTENDED command sets may include unique brand specific commands used for
tasks such as calibration, software updates, or communication between brand specific
equipment. EXTENDED commands should be considered hidden commands not used by
a typical operator. A list of some EXTENDED commands is available by request to
technicians who service equipment and I Technology developers.

Copyright 2012 Page 7

/I Technology CORE Commands and EXTENDED Commands

Figure 1

2.2 /I Technology Partners

Digital cameras that are I equipped (RED, SI 2K, Sony F35, F3, F65) and film
cameras (Aaton Penelope, Arricams) talk to I lenses directly via contacts in their lens
mounts. Transvideo monitors have built-in I Technology that can display lens data in
real time along with a graphic representation of the iris, focus and depth-of-field.
Metadata is passed through to post-production to improve VFX creation and DI
calibration. Post production artists can sync the lens data to the 3D camera data to
produce a more natural looking 3D model of the shot significantly faster than using
traditional manual processes and guesswork. A list of current I Technology partners
can be found in Appendix B.2.

Copyright 2012 Page 8

2.3 Table 1: Lens Types with I Technology

TYPE

SERIAL #

EXAMPLE

Cooke Optics Lenses

PanchroI Prime Lenses

8FFF-xxxx

8025-1234 = Panchro/I 25mm

S4I Prime Lenses

4FFF-xxxx
FF-xxxx

4025-1234 = S4/I 25mm
25-1234 = S4/I 25mm (older)

5I Prime Lenses

5FFF-xxxx

5025-1234 = 5/I 25mm

S4I CXX Zoom Lens 15-40mm

800xxx

Other Manufacturers’ Lenses

RED Zoom 18-50mm

600-xxxx

600-123

RED Zoom 50-150mm

610-xxxx

610-123

DigiOptical 18-50mm

620xxxx

620123

DigiOptical 50-150mm

630xxxx

630123

Angenieux OPTIMO 15—40mm

ABxxxxxxx

AB1234567

Angenieux OPTIMO 28—76mm

ACxxxxxxx

AC1234567

Angenieux OPTIMO DP 45—120mm

ADxxxxxxx

AD1234567

Angenieux OPTIMO DP 30—80mm

AExxxxxxx

AE1234567

Angenieux OPTIMO 17—80mm

AFxxxxxxx

AF1234567

Angenieux OPTIMO 24—290mm

AGxxxxxxx

AG1234567

Fujinon 19-90mm

F0700****

F07001234

Fujinon 85-300mm

F0701****

F07011234

Sony F3 35mm

S01Pxxxxx

S01P00001

Sony F3 50mm

S02Pxxxxx

S02P00001

Sony F3 85mm

S03Pxxxxx

S03P00001

Sony F3 Wide Zoom 11-16mm

S04Zxxxxx

S04Z00001

Sony F3 Power Zoom 18-252mm

S05Zxxxxx

S05Z00001

Copyright 2012 Page 9

Cooke I voltage range: 9 – 35V

Lens Type

Typical Current Draw

S4I Primes

30 milliamps

S4I Zoom - CXX

30ma

5I Primes

40ma when Illumination OFF / 70ma when Illumination ON

PanchroI Primes

70ma

3. Hardware

3.1 Interface Requirements

Some I lenses have both a camera communication connector (four contacts built in
the PL mount as shown in figure 2) and an external communication connector (figures 3
and 4). Some lenses have only the camera communication interface. Each interface is
described in detail in Sections 3.1.2 and 3.1.3.

3.1.1 Power

Power can be supplied to the lens through either the camera connector or an
external connector (if available) or both. The maximum voltage which can be supplied
on either connector is 35V (DC).

3.1.2 Camera Connector

Signal voltages on the camera interface are at TTL levels where the quiescent state
of the data line is a logical high (greater than 2.4 volts).

Copyright 2012 Page 10

Pin 1

Data from Lens

Pin 2

Data to Lens

Pin 3

0 volts

Data and Power

Pin 4

+V

Power in

Figure 2: Viewed from rear of lens

3.1.3 External Connector

Signal voltages on external connector are at RS 232 levels (+ and – with respect to 0
volts) where the quiescent state of the data line is at a negative voltage. The external
connector is a standard LEMO mechanical connector with 4 pins. Maximum cable
length depends on baud rate. (Refer to Table 2 on page 11.)

3.1.3.1 Standard LEMO Connector

Figure 3: Rear View of LEMO socket EGB00304CLL. (This is the view of the solder buckets and the red

dot marker and key way positions indicated for clarity.)

Copyright 2012 Page 11

Pin 1

Data from Lens

Pin 2

Data to Lens

Pin 3

0 volts

Data and Power

Pin 4

+V

Power in

Baud Rate

Max Cable Length

9600

50 meters

19200

30 meters

38400

10 meters

48000

8 meters

57600

5 meters

96000

2 meters

115200

2 meters

230400

0.5 meters

Figure 4:

Rear View of LEMO PLUGS FGB00304CLAD35 or FHB00304CLAD35. (This is the view of the solder buckets

and the red dot marker and key way positions are indicated for clarity.)

3.1.3.2 Table 2: Maximum Cable Length versus Baud Rate

Copyright 2012 Page 12

3.2 Lens System Components

3.2.1 Lens System Overview

The Cooke I Technology lens system contains resistance elements to sense ring
positions, an electronics board to process and calculate lens information, and one or
two serial communications interfaces to receive and send commands and data to a
camera and/or other external device. Cooke 5I lenses also have two sets of LEDs used
to illuminate the focus scale. The LEDs are connected to a secondary electronics
interface board.

The lens electronics board has a communication interface which connects directly to
the camera and may also have a second communication interface that can be connected
to an external device such as a monitor or External Data Source Unit. The camera
interface operates at TTL levels and the external interface operates at RS232 levels.
Each communication interface provides power supply and serial transmit and receive
lines through separate 4 way connectors. See Sections 3.1.2 and 3.1.3 for details.

3.2.2 Potentiometer Connections

Cooke Prime lenses house two sensor resistance elements with wipers to sense the
ring positions for focus and aperture. Cooke Zoom lenses house three sensor resistance
elements, with wipers to sense the ring positions of focus, aperture and zoom. The lens
electronics board connects to the resistance elements using one connector for Prime
lenses and two connectors for Zoom lenses. They are supplied with power from the logic
board and the wiper signals are fed back to the board for sensing. These current settings
are interpreted using analog inputs which have 12 bit resolution. (Some of the earlier
S4I lenses had only 10 bit resolution.)

3.2.3 Illumination Ring

The 5I Prime lens logic boards have an additional 4 way connector which connects
to a secondary electronics board via a cable. This connector carries +5 volts power plus

2 PWM current sinking signals to control the two sets of LED’s and provide scale

illumination. Lighting control instructions are described in Section 8.1.

Copyright 2012 Page 13

4. System Communications

4.1 Basic Communications Format

Standard serial communication is 8 bit data without parity, 1 stop bit in ACSII format.
The lens can also transmit a packed binary format response when requested, using the 8
bit no parity format, to reduce the time taken to transmit data from the lens.

The camera or external unit will initiate all data transfers from the lens except during
Power-Up. At Power-Up, a single automatically generated string is transmitted by the
lens to both channels indicating that a power-up has occurred.

All commands sent to the lens must be in ASCII format and terminate with a
carriage-return character [c/r]. The carriage return character has hex value “0x0D”.
Reply responses from the lens will normally be in ASCII format and terminate with the
character pair, linefeed followed by carriage return [l/f][c/r]. The linefeed carriage
return pair have hex values “0x0A” and “0x0D”.

The packed binary format also has termination character pair “0x0A” and “0x0D”

and neither of these characters will appear within the data string. All data string
characters have either bit 7, or bit 6, or both, set to 1.

4.2 Communicating with an/I Lens

Cooke 5I Prime lenses, Cooke S4I Prime and Zoom lenses have two
communications channels and Cooke PanchroI Prime lenses and RED Zoom lenses
have one communication channel.

Power inputs on the communication channels are monitored at startup and during
operation to determine which channel has control. Lenses that have a single
communication channel will be controlled by the camera interface. For 5I Prime
lenses, the two channels function independently and can both receive commands and
send replies at different baud rates. The two channels on S4I Prime and Zoom lenses,
however, do not function independently. For S4I lenses, if power is present on the
external interface, then the external interface is granted control. If power is not present
on the external interface, then the camera is granted control. S4I lenses can receive
commands on only one channel, but responses will be sent out on both channels.

Copyright 2012 Page 14

Typically, a lens will start-up at a baud rate of 115k2 and send the powerup string,
<[l/f][c/r/], (less-than symbol followed by a linefeed and carriage return), when power is
detected. The lens will then wait for one second to receive an N command from a
controlling channel. If the N command is not received within one second, the baud rate
will drop to 9600 and the lens will wait until an N command is received. The lens must
receive an N command as the first command. Once the lens has received and
responded to the N command, all other commands (valid for that lens type) are
available to the controlling channel(s). For example, the Kbn command can be sent to
the lens to revise the baud rate.

4.2.1 Connecting an/I Lens to an I Camera

Film and digital cameras which are I Technology compliant can automatically
retrieve and record key lens data for each frame through the four contact pins built into
the PL mounts. The extent of camera data made available is the choice of the camera
manufacturer via their software, so check with the camera manufacturer for details.

Cameras use different film sizes or Circle of Confusion values. The lens’ default film size

is 35 mm with Circle of Confusion value equal to 0.0250 mm. You can use the V, W or
Wnn command to set the appropriate film size to match any camera. See Section 5.15 –

5.17 for details.

4.2.2 External Remote Readout of/I Lens Data

Continuous remote readout of the precise lens data can be obtained by connecting
the lens to an external device such as the Cinematography Electronics I Lens Display
Unit. Lens data can be displayed on an externally connected/I compatible monitor,
such as Transvideo’s CineMonitorHD.

4.3 Viewer Software for Cooke I Lenses

The Cooke Viewer program can be used to display lens data through its external
interface. The program runs on a Windows or MAC OS X platform and can be
downloaded from the Cooke Optics website at:

http://www.cookeoptics.com/cooke.nsf/technical/downloads.html

The lens is connected to the PC or MAC through a serial port. If the computer does
not have a serial port, use a USB-Serial port adapter and install the correct driver.

A Java Runtime Environment (JRE) is required to run the program. If it is not already
installed on your computer, it can be downloaded for free from www.java.com.

See Appendix C.2 for additional details on how to use the Viewer Software.

Copyright 2012 Page 15

4.4 Update Ownership Program for Cooke I Lenses

The Cooke Owner Update program can be used to change the owner name stored in
the lens through its external interface. The program runs on Windows and MAC OS X
platforms and can be downloaded from the Cooke Optics website at:

http://www.cookeoptics.com/cooke.nsf/technical/downloads.html

The lens is connected to the PC or MAC through a serial port. If the computer does
not have a serial port, use a USB-Serial port adapter and install the correct driver.

A Java Runtime Environment (JRE) is required to run the program. If it is not already
installed on your computer, it can be downloaded for free from www.java.com.

See Appendix C.1 for additional details on how to use the Ownership Update
Software.

4.5 Hyper Terminal / PuTTY - Serial Terminal Emulators for COM Ports

HyperTerminal or PuTTY can be used to communicate with a lens by connecting the
external connector of the lens to a serial port on a PC.

HyperTerminal is an application that allows terminal emulation in Windows for
certain types of devices. HyperTerminal communicates over serial connections (like RS-

232) and provides access to a text based application console. If there are no serial ports
on the PC, you can use a USB-to-Serial port converter and use device manager to
determine which COM port is emulated by the USB converter.

If there is no HyperTerminal preinstalled on your PC, it can be downloaded from the
Internet or retrieved from a Windows XP computer. [Note: Windows 7 and Vista no
longer provide HyperTerminal.] Alternatively, PuTTY can be downloaded from

http://www.putty.org/ and configured as a terminal emulator.

More detailed instructions can be found in Appendix C.3.

4.6 External Data Source Unit (EDSU) for 5I

Cooke 5I lenses have additional facilities and commands, not available to the other
lens types, which enable an external device, (called an External Data Source Unit or
EDSU,) connected to the lens’ external RS232 channel, to perform special operations.

Under normal operation, a command is sent to a lens to request information. The
lens generates a data string and sends this information to the camera interface, the

Copyright 2012 Page 16

external interface or both. This data can then be stored by the camera or external
device for post processing. 5I lenses have the additional facility to collect a data
stream from an External Data Source Unit (EDSU) and then append this data to the
normally generated data string of the lens. This combined data string is then sent to the
camera. At the same time that the EDSU is sending data to the lens, it can also request
that the lens send the normal data stream back to it.

The commands and instructions for using this facility are described in Section 9.

4.7 /I Lens Types – CORE Commands and EXTENDED Commands

Within the/I Technology Communication protocol standards, there are two types
of commands: CORE commands and EXTENDED commands. CORE commands are used
to communicate between different brands of equipment and are supported by all/I
Technology partners. Any equipment from a manufacturer who adopts the/I
Technology protocols and agrees to implement all /I CORE commands, can
communicate directly with any I lens. An I lens accepts specific commands that
control the data output, including a continuous mode that can send a constantly
updated data stream at up to 285 frames per second. This data can be eembedded as
metadata. For cameras with I capability, the data can be stored as metadata with the
picture.

The I Technology open protocol platform also allows for brand specific commands
known as EXTENDED commands. EXTENDED commands are considered brand specific
and are not supported by all lenses, cameras or I Technology partners. Users should
rely on the CORE command set.

When each lens is built, a careful process is undertaken to ensure each individual
sensor is calibrated so that the resistance elements map correctly to their respective
optical ring markings. This information is stored in the electronics board along with
other unique lens characteristics. There is a set of EXTENDED commands, unique to
Cooke lenses, used for this purpose only. These hidden commands are considered
confidential.

In addition to the set of EXTENDED commands associated with calibrating a lens,
there is also a set of EXTENDED commands associated with lens program updates. These
commands are confidential.

4.7.1 PANCHROI Prime Lenses T2.8

PanchroI Prime lenses have a single channel interface for direct communication
with a camera. The start-up baud rate will be 115k2 if an N command is received within
one second. If no N command is received within one second, the speed will drop to

Copyright 2012 Page 17

9600 baud and the lens will wait without timeout for an N command. Baud rate can be
adjusted using the Kbn command. All CORE commands described in Sections 5.1
through 5.1.18 are available for PanchroI lenses.

4.7.2 S4I Prime and CXX 15-40mm Zoom T2.0 Lenses

S4I lenses have two communications channels which send the same response to
both channels and can receive commands only from a single controlling channel. If
power is present on the external interface, the external interface takes precedence over
the camera interface and will have control. If only one interface supplies power, it will
be the controlling channel.

If the external interface has control, start-up will be at 115k2 baud and the standard
power-on prompt, “< [l/f ][c/r]”, is sent. If no N command is received within one second
the data rate is dropped to 9600 baud and a modified power-up string in sent, “+++<”.
This is a unique Bluetooth feature built into the S4I lens series only. The modified
power-up string doubles as both a Bluetooth initialization prompt, “+++”, and a
standard start-up prompt. Additional details on establishing a Bluetooth connection are
described in Appendix A.2. Baud rate can be adjusted using the Kbn command. All
CORE commands described in Sections 5.1 through 5.1.18 are available for S4I lenses.

4.7.3 5I Prime Lenses T1.4

All 5I lenses have two communications channels which can receive commands and
send responses independently. These channels can operate at different baud rates up
to 230.4K. Start-up baud rate is at 115k2 on both channels if an N command is received
within one second from either channel. If no N command is received within one second,
speed is dropped to 9600 baud on both channels and the lens will wait, without
timeout, for an N command from either channel.

There are two unique commands, (OX, OY), associated with 5I’s dual marked focus
ring. These allow the user to change the Start-Up units to imperial or metric and are
described in Section 5.3. See Section 6.2.2 for a more detailed description of the dual
marked focus ring.

5I lenses are equipped with a scale illumination feature not found on any other
lenses. The LED’s are driven using Pulse Width Modulation to vary the intensity.
Intensity settings can be controlled either by using the Aperture ring or a separate
Lighting Control Unit. Section 8.1 describes different methods for controlling the scale
illumination. Section 5.2 defines commands specific to 5I’s illumination feature.

Under normal operation, a 5I lens will receive commands to generate and then
send the requested data string to the camera interface, the external interface or both.

Copyright 2012 Page 18

This data can be stored by the camera or external equipment for recording and
subsequent post processing.

A set of additional functions are available to 5I lenses which allow them to receive
an externally generated data string and then append this received data to the normally
generated data stream of the lens before it is sent to the camera. A unit which sends
data to a 5I lens through its external interface is called an “External Data Source Unit”
or EDSU. Operation with an EDSU is described in Section 9. Section 5.4 defines the
commands associated with the EDSU functionality.

4.7.4 Red 18-50mm and 50-150mm Zoom Lenses

Red lenses have a single channel interface for direct communication with a
camera. The start-up baud rate will be 115k2 if an N command is received within one
second. If no N command is received within one second, the speed will drop to 9600
baud and the lens will wait without timeout for an N command. Baud rate can be
adjusted using the Kbn command. All CORE commands described in Sections 5.1
through 5.1.18 are available for Red lenses.

4.7.5 DigiOptical, Angenieux, Fujinon and Sony Lenses

As I Technology partners, DigiOptical, Angenieux, Fujinon and Sony have agreed to

support all CORE I Technology commands. Each manufacturer may also have unique
EXTENDED command features which are considered hidden to the general user.
Depending on the manufacturer, some EXTENDED commands may be available by
request to technicians who service equipment and I Technology developers.

4.8 CORE Command / Response Structure

Communication with a lens is initiated by the Camera or External device and a lens
replies with the requested information and/or to acknowledge the command. The only
exception to this sequence is at Power-Up. A lens will automatically transmit a data
string to each existing channel to indicate a power-up has occurred. The lens will then
wait to receive an N command. The lens must receive the N command as its first
command, after which all other commands are available to the controlling channel(s).

Each command has a specific lens response. A lens will respond with the error

response string: ”? [L/F][C/R]“ to any unrecognized command, unless the Inhibit Errors
command “Ka” has been issued.

Each of the two communication channels on 5I lenses function independently.
S4I lenses send the same response to both channels and can receive commands only
from the controlling channel. For S4I lenses, when power is present on the external

Copyright 2012 Page 19

interface, the external interface will have control. Thus, the camera interface will have
control only when there is no power supplied to the external interface.

Some commands have been introduced with newer firmware versions and may not
be available if their firmware has not yet been upgraded. Note also, that certain
commands pertain only to 5I lenses.

Copyright 2012 Page 20

/I Technology CORE Commands

Command

Function

S4I

PanchroI

Red, Cxx

5I

N

Retrieve Fixed Data – Required first Command

x x x

x

D

Retrieve one set of ASCII Calculated Data

x x x

x

Kd

Retrieve one set of Packed Binary Calculated Data

x x x

x

K3

Retrieve name of Lens Manufacturer

x x x

x

K4

Retrieve name of Lens Type

x x x

x

P

Retrieve board Temperature

x x x

x

B

Retrieve board Firmware Version

x x x

x

Kbn

Set Baud Rate to n (where n = 1-7 See Chart) default = 115k2 or

9.6k

x x x

x

C

Set "Continuous Send" mode & begin transmission of ASCII
Calculated Data

x x x

x

Kc

Set "Continuous Send" mode & begin transmission of Packed Binary
Calculated Data

x x x

x

G

Set "Checksum" mode

x x x

x

Ka

Set "Inhibit Error Response" mode

x x x

x

X

Set Display Units to Imperial

x x x

x

Y

Set Display Units to Metric

x x x

x

V

Set "Film Size" to 35mm (default value)

x x x

x

W

Set "Film Size" to 16mm

x x x

x

Wnn

Set "Film Size" to nn (where nn = 00 - 09 refers to specified film
size/circle of confusion. See chart.)

x x x

x

H

Stop "Continuous Send"; clear "Checksum"; clear "Inhibit Error
Response" mode

x x x

x

5I ILLUMINATION COMMANDS

Kjn

Set "Scale Illumination" for both LED sets

x

Kkn

Set "Scale Illumination" for one LED set

x

5I START-UP UNITS COMMANDS

OX

Set Start-Up Units to Imperial

x

OY

Set Start-Up Units to Metric

x

5I SETTINGS & EXTERNAL INTERFACE COMMANDS [EDSU]

OS

Retrieve Channel Settings for This Channel

x OT

Retrieve Baud Rate, Data Type, Display Unit for Opposite Channel

OC

Commence Append of Data String

x

OD

Append Data String (up to 60 8-bit data values)

x

OH

Halt Append of Data String

x

4.8.1 Table 3: CORE Command - Function - Lens Type Table

4.9 Start-Up Sequence

Most lens will start-up at a baud rate of 115k2 and send the power-on string,
<[l/f][c/r/], (less-than symbol followed by a linefeed and carriage return), to the power-

Copyright 2012 Page 21

Lens Type

Interface with Power

Controlling Channel

Start-up Baud Rate

External

Camera

PanchroI

N/A

Yes

Camera

115k2

RED Zoom

N/A

Yes

Camera

115k2

S4I

YES

YES

External

115k2

S4I

YES

NO

External

115k2

S4I

NO

YES

Camera

115k2

S4I-older version

YES

YES

External

115k2

S4I-older version

YES

NO

External

115k2

S4I-older version

NO

YES

Camera

9600

5I

YES

YES

Both

115k2

5I

YES

NO

External

115k2

5I

NO

YES

Camera

115k2

on prompt. The lens will then wait for one second to receive an N command from a
controlling channel. If the N command is not received within one second, the baud rate
will drop to 9600 and the lens power-on string will be sent again. The lens will then wait
until an N command is received. The lens must receive an N command as the first
command. Once the lens has received and responded to the N command, all other
commands (valid for that lens type) are available to the controlling channel(s). For
example, the Kbn command can be sent to the lens to revise the baud rate.

Variations are shown in the table below.

4.9.1 Table 4: Controlling Channel and Start-up Baud Rate

4.9.2 Bluetooth Operation – S4I Lenses Only

S4I lenses are Bluetooth capable (if the external interface has control), although
this feature has been dropped from the 5I and PanchroI lens’ series and will likely be
retired in future S4I lenses. If an S4I lens is controlled by the external interface, its
start-up baud rate will be 115k2 and the standard power-on prompt, <[l/f][c/r/], is sent
to both channels. The lens will wait for one second to receive an N command from the
external channel. If no response is received within one second, the data rate will drop
to 9600 baud and a modified power-on string is sent: +++<[l/f][c/r/]. This string doubles
as a Bluetooth initialization prompt, “+++” and a standard start-up prompt, “<”. The
lens at this stage will accept either the N command directly through the external
interface or it will enter a series of exchanges to establish a Bluetooth connection. If the
N command is received on the external interface, the lens will skip further Bluetooth
operation and enter normal startup mode.

Copyright 2012 Page 22

Basic Lens Response

What It Means

< l/f c/r

Standard Power-On

+++< l/f c/r

Look for Bluetooth Initialization

^ l/f c/r

5/I (only) – Channel temporarily locked
out

@ l/f c/r or @x l/f c/r

Loss of Program

? l/f c/r

Invalid command (Note: Will not be sent if
Inhibit Error Command has been issued.)

[Tag]…..data string …… l/f c/r

Echo command that was sent followed by
the requested data.

! l/f c/r

Acknowledge the command was received
and implemented.

If a valid Bluetooth connection is established, the baud rate will remain at 9600
and the lens will wait for the N command. The Baud rate must remain at 9600 once a
Bluetooth link is established, so any command to change baud rate at this point will
receive the error response. In the event a Bluetooth connection is not established
correctly within one second, the lens will issue a standard startup string (<) and wait
until an N command is received from the external interface.

The series of command and responses to establish a Bluetooth communication
exchange is outlined in Appendix A.2.

4.9.3 Table 5 Basic Lens Response Types

Copyright 2012 Page 23