PIO

Introduction
Proton camera USB interface.
Usages:
- Updating the camera
- Changing parameters from your computer
Spelling (NATO):
- P like Papa
- I like India
- O like Oscar
Pronounced: Pee - Eye - Oh
This is a connecting box for Proton cameras.
Reference: PCI-ACC-PIO
Depending on your computer USB power and the camera used, using a PSU is not mandatory (you could rely on USB power only).
But as a rule of thumb, prefer using the provided PSU so it works in a reliable way with all your Proton cameras.
LEDs
Meaning
The PIO has 3 LEDs:
- L1 for power (can be blue or off):
- L2 for camera (can be green or off)
- L3 for USB (can be blue or off)
LED | status | meaning |
---|---|---|
L1 | Blue or OFF |
|
L2 | Green or OFF |
|
L3 | Blue or OFF |
|
Examples
PIO state | Diagnostic |
---|---|
![]() | All good! PSU, camera and USB are plugged. |
![]() | No Power, check PSU (both sides) |
![]() | No USB, check USB cable (both sides). |
![]() | No camera, check Hirose. |
Sometime the connector looks inserted, but is not properly inserted.
Try to remove it and insert it back.
If that's still not working. Try replacing the cable or PSU.
Wiring
Computer

You could plug multiple PIO on a computer to control multiple cameras
Infos
Inputs:
- USB-mini to computer : for serial / control data
- 2.1mm barel jack for power (4.2-24V)
Output: 6P Hirose to the camera
As the voltage lower boundary is really low, you could definitely power the camera from USB (computer or power bank). As long as it can deliver sufficient Amps.
Cyanview RCP

You can find more information here
You could use a CI0 instead of the PIO.
Pros:
- robust
- PoE (Ethernet for control and power in a single cable)
Cons:
- price
- size