SMPTE STANDARD 
SMPTE ST 2081-11:2016 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2160-line Source Image  
and Ancillary Data Mapping  
for Dual-link 6G-SDI 
 
 
Page 1 of 20 pages 
 
 
 
  Page 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents   
Foreword .................................................................................................................................................   2 
Intellectual Property ................................................................................................................................   2 
Introduction..............................................................................................................................................   2 
1   Scope .................................................................................................................................................   4 
2   Conformance Notation .......................................................................................................................   4 
3   Normative References .......................................................................................................................   4 
4   Mode 1: Carriage of 2160-line Source Image Formats and Ancillary Data .......................................   5 
     4.1  Mapping .....................................................................................................................................   6 
     4.2  Audio Data ................................................................................................................................. 11 
     4.3  Payload Identifier ....................................................................................................................... 13 
     4.4  Blanking (Informative) ................................................................................................................ 15 
     4.5  Multiplex ..................................................................................................................................... 16 
     4.6  Levels of Operation (Informative) ............................................................................................... 16 
5   Dual-link 6G-SDI 10-bit Multiplex ....................................................................................................... 16 
6   6G-SDI Link 1 / 6G-SDI Link 2 Interface Timing ................................................................................ 18 
Annex A    Ancillary Data Capacity of the Dual-link 6G-SDI Interface (Informative) ............................... 19 
Annex B    Bibliography (Informative) ..................................................................................................... 20 
 
 
 
 
 
  Copyright © 2016 by THE SOCIETY OF 
MOTION PICTURE  AND TELEVISION ENGINEERS 
3 Barker Avenue, White Plains, NY 10601 
(914) 761-1100 
Approved 
June 15, 2016 
SMPTE ST 2081-11: 2016 
Foreword 
SMPTE (the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers) is an internationally-recognized standards 
developing  organization.  Headquartered  and  incorporated  in  the  United  States  of  America,  SMPTE  has 
members  in  over  80  countries  on  six  continents.  SMPTE’s  Engineering  Documents,  including  Standards, 
Recommended Practices, and Engineering Guidelines, are prepared by SMPTE’s Technology Committees.  
Participation in these Committees is open to all with a bona fide interest in their work. SMPTE cooperates 
closely with other standards-developing organizations, including ISO, IEC and ITU. 
SMPTE Engineering Documents are drafted in accordance with the rules given in its  Standards Operations 
Manual.  
SMPTE ST 2081-11 was prepared by Technology Committee 32NF.   
 
Intellectual Property 
At  the  time  of  publication  no  notice  had  been  received  by  SMPTE  claiming  patent  rights  essential  to 
the implementation of this Engineering Document.  However, attention is drawn to the possibility that some 
of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent rights. SMPTE shall not be held responsible 
for identifying any or all such patent rights. 
 
Introduction 
SMPTE ST 2081-11 defines the mapping of various source images and associated ancillary data into a Dual-
link 6 Gb/s [nominal] SDI bit-serial interface. 
The general process for creating a dual-link 6G-SDI is illustrated below in Figure 1. Detailed definitions of how 
this process applies to each of the modes defined in the scope follow in other sections of this document. 
 
 Source 
Image data
Division to Sub 
Images
Mapping onto 80-bit 
Virtual Interface 
Dual 6G-SDI 10-bit 
Multiplex
2160-line 
Image
Sub Image One
Sub Image Two
Sub Image Three
Sub Image Four
Data Stream 
One
Data Stream 
Two
Data Stream 
Three
Data Stream 
Four
Data Stream 
Five
Data Stream 
Six
Data Stream  
Seven
Data Stream 
Eight
Mux
6G-SDI 10-bit 
interface ST 2081-1
Link One
Mux
6G-SDI 10-bit 
interface ST 2081-1
Link Two
 
Figure 1 – Carriage of 2160-line images in a Dual-link 6G-SDI interface – generalized process 
 
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SMPTE ST 2081-11:2016 
Formatting 
The source images are divided into four 1080-line sub images. 
The sub images are then mapped onto an 80-bit virtual interface consisting of eight 10-bit data streams. Each 
10-bit  data  stream  includes  timing  and  sync  words,  line  numbers,  cyclic  redundancy  codes,  ancillary  data, 
including audio, and payload identification packets. 
Multiplex 
The 80-bit virtual interface is multiplexed onto two 6G-SDI 10-bit interfaces. The first four data streams are 
multiplexed in the order data stream four, data stream two, data stream three, data stream one…onto 6G-SDI 
Link 1. The second four data streams are multiplexed in the order data stream eight, data stream six, data 
stream seven, data stream five…onto 6G-SDI Link 2. 
 
 
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SMPTE ST 2081-11: 2016 
1  Scope 
This standard defines the mapping of: 
  Mode 1: 2160-line Source image formats and ancillary data into a Dual-link 6 Gb/s [nominal] SDI bit-
serial interface 
This  standard  also  defines  the  carriage  of  the  SMPTE  ST  352  payload  ID’s  for  the  Dual-link  6Gb/s  SDI 
interface. 
It  is  not  necessary  for  implementations  to  include  support  for  all  formats  that  are  included  in  this  ST. 
Implementers should indicate supported formats in commercial publications. 
2  Conformance Notation 
Normative  text  is  text  that  describes  elements  of  the  design  that  are  indispensable  or  contains  the 
conformance language keywords: "shall", "should", or "may". Informative text is text that is potentially helpful 
to  the  user,  but  not  indispensable,  and  can  be  removed,  changed,  or  added  editorially  without  affecting 
interoperability. Informative text does not contain any conformance keywords.  
All text in this document is, by  default, normative, except: the Introduction, any section explicitly labeled as 
"Informative" or individual paragraphs that start with "Note:”  
The keywords "shall" and "shall not" indicate requirements strictly to be followed in order to conform to the 
document and from which no deviation is permitted. 
The keywords, "should" and "should not" indicate that, among several possibilities, one is recommended as 
particularly suitable, without mentioning or excluding others; or that a certain course of action is preferred but 
not necessarily required; or that (in the negative form) a certain possibility or course of action is deprecated 
but not prohibited.  
The keywords "may" and "need not" indicate courses of action permissible within the limits of the document.  
The keyword “reserved” indicates a provision that is not defined at this time, shall not be used, and may be 
defined in the future. The keyword “forbidden” indicates “reserved” and in addition indicates that the provision 
will never be defined in the future. 
A  conformant  implementation  according  to  this  document  is  one  that  includes  all  mandatory  provisions 
("shall")  and, 
if  implemented,  all  recommended  provisions  ("should")  as  described.  A  conformant 
implementation need not implement optional provisions ("may") and need not implement them as described. 
Unless otherwise specified, the order of precedence of the types of normative information in this document 
shall be as follows:  Normative prose shall be the authoritative definition; Tables shall be next;  followed by 
formal languages;  then figures;  and then any other language forms. 
3  Normative References 
The  following  standards  contain  provisions  that,  through  reference  in  this  text,  constitute  provisions  of  this 
standard. At the time of publication, the  editions indicated were valid. All standards are subject to revision, 
and parties to agreements based on this standard are encouraged to investigate the possibility of applying the 
most recent edition of the standards indicated below. 
SMPTE ST 299-1:2009, 24-Bit Digital Audio Format for SMPTE 292 Bit-Serial Interface 
SMPTE ST 299-2:2010, Extension of the 24-Bit Digital Audio Format to 32 Channels for 3 Gb/s Bit-Serial 
Interfaces 
SMPTE ST 352:2013, Payload Identification Codes for Serial Digital Interfaces 
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SMPTE ST 2081-11:2016 
SMPTE ST 425-5:2015, Image Format and Ancillary Data Mapping for the Quad Link 3 Gb/s Serial Interface 
SMPTE ST 2048-1:2011, 2048 × 1080 and 4096 × 2160 Digital Cinematography Production Image Formats 
FS/709 
Amendment 1:2016 to SMPTE ST 2048-1:2011 
4  Mode 1: Carriage of 2160-line Source Image Formats and Ancillary Data 
In the case of 2160-line mapping, the image formats supported are defined in SMPTE ST 425-5, Table 1 –
2160-line Source Image Formats, repeated here for convenience.  
 
Table 1 – 2160-line Source Image Formats Supported  (Informative) 
Reference 
SMPTE 
Standard 
Image Format 
ST 2036-1 
3840  2160 
Signal Format Sampling 
Structure/pixel Depth 
4:2:2 (Y′C′BC′R),  
4:2:0 (Y′C′BC′R)/10-bit 
ST 2048-1 
4096  2160*2 
4:2:2 (Y′C′BC′R)/10-bit 
Frame Rate 
Hz 
50, 60/1.001 and 60 
Progressive 
48/1.001, 48, 50, 
60/1.001 and 60 
Progressive 
ST 2036-1 
3840  2160 
ST 2048-1 
4096  2160*2 
ST 2036-1 
3840  2160 
ST 2048-1 
4096  2160*2 
ST 2036-1 
ST 2048-1 
ST 2036-1 
ST 2048-1 
3840  2160 
4096  2160*2 
3840  2160 
4096  2160*2 
ST 2036-1 
3840  2160 
ST 2048-1 
ST 2048-1 
4096  2160*2 
4096  2160*2 
4:4:4 (R′G′B′) 
4:4:4 (R′G′B′*1), 
4:4:4:4 (R′G′B′*1+A)/10-bit 
4:4:4 (Y′C′BC′R) 
4:4:4 (Y′C′BC′R), 
4:4:4:4 (Y′C′BC′R+A)/10-bit 
4:4:4 (R′G′B′)/12-bit 
4:4:4 (R′G′B′*1)/12-bit 
4:4:4 (Y′C′BC′R)/12-bit 
4:4:4 (Y′C′BC′R)/12-bit 
4:2:2 (Y′C′BC′R)/12-bit 
4:2:0 (Y′C′BC′R)/12-bit 
4:2:2 (Y′C′BC′R)/12-bit 
4:2:2:4 (Y′C′BC′R+A)/12-bit 
24/1.001, 24, 25, 
30/1.001 and 30 
Progressive 
Notes: 
*1 
*2 
In this image format R′G′B′ indicates either R′G′B′ or R′FSG′FSB′FS. An additional Color VANC packet to 
describe the FS characteristics is defined by SMPTE ST 2048-1. 
This is the maximum pixel array, the active image may not fill the maximum array. 
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SMPTE ST 2081-11: 2016 
4.1  Mapping 
The source image shall be divided into four sub-images in accordance with the 2-sample interleave division 
method defined in SMPTE ST 425-5, Section 5.2.1,  2160-line Image Division into Four Sub Images. 
The four resulting sub-images shall then be mapped into an 80-bit virtual interface in accordance with the sub 
image mapping structure numeral 1, 2, 3 or 4 defined in SMPTE ST 425-5, Table 2 – 2160-line Source Image 
Formats, such that: 
Sub image 1 is mapped into data stream one and data stream two.  
Sub image 2 is mapped into data stream three and data stream four.  
Sub image 3 is mapped into data stream five and data stream six.  
Sub image 4 is mapped into data stream seven and data stream eight  
This process is illustrated in SMPTE ST 425-5, Figure 2 – Mapping Overview for 2160-line Source Images. 
The 80-bit virtual interface shall include sync and timing (TRS) words, Cyclic redundancy code (CRC) words, 
line  numbers,  HANC  and  VANC  data  and  time  code  —  except  audio  —  according  to  SMPTE  ST  425-5, 
Section 6, Level A Mapping for 2160-line Source Images. 
Informative Annex A provides information about the amount of HANC and VANC data space available in this 
operating mode.  
4.1.1  Mapping Process  (Informative) 
Figure  2  illustrates  the  process  for  the  carriage  of  SMPTE  ST  2036-1  and  SMPTE  ST  2048-1  2160-line 
source image formats in a Dual-link 6G-SDI interface. 
 
 
Source Image
2 sample interleave Sub-
division
80-bit Virtual Interface 
Mapping
Dual 6G-SDI 10-bit 
Multiplex
0
0
1
3
1
3
21
43
21
43
2 1
4 3
2 1
4 3
21
43
21
43
2
4
2
4
1
3
21
43
2 1
4 3
21
43
2
4
2159
1920/
2048
1
42
0
V
A
E
HANC
Data
V
A
S
1919/
2047
Sub Image 1
Data Stream One
Data Stream Two
1122
1125
3839/
4095
V
A
E
HANC
Data
V
A
S
V
A
E
HANC
Data
V
A
S
V
A
E
HANC
Data
V
A
S
Sub Image 2
Data Stream Three
Data Stream Four
Sub Image 3
Data Stream Five
Data Stream 
Six
Sub Image 4
Data Stream  Seven
Data Stream Eight
 
Mux
6G-SDI 10-bit 
interface ST 2081-1
Link One
Mux
6G-SDI 10-bit 
interface ST 2081-1
Link Two
Figure 2 – Carriage of 2160-line mapping source image formats in a dual-link 6G-SDI interface 
 
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SMPTE ST 2081-11:2016 
The  2160-line  source  image  is  divided  into  four  1080-line  sub  images  in  accordance  with  the  2  sample 
interleave sub-division method referenced in SMPTE ST 425-5 2160-line Mapping. 
For a 4:2:0 source image, the C′B and C′R samples in sub images 3 and 4 are set to the value 200h for 10-bit 
systems and 800h for 12-bit systems. 
Each 1080-line sub image has the structure as shown in SMPTE ST 425-5, Table 2 – Sub Image Formats, 
repeated here for convenience in Table 2. 
Table 2 – Sub Image Formats  (Informative) 
Source Image 
Sub Image 
Reference 
SMPTE Standard 
ST 2036-1 
ST 2048-1 
Image Format 
3840  2160 
4096  2160 
Reference 
SMPTE Standard 
ST 274 
ST 2048-2 
Image Format 
1920  1080 
2048  1080 
 
Each sub image is mapped into two 10-bit data streams. 
Sub image 1 is mapped into data streams one and two. 
Sub image 2 is mapped into data streams three and four. 
Sub image 3 is mapped into data streams five and six. 
Sub image 4 is mapped into data streams seven and eight. 
Each data stream includes sync and timing (TRS) words, Cyclic redundancy code (CRC) words, line numbers, 
HANC and VANC data and time code. 
The eight 10-bit data streams are combined onto an 80-bit virtual interface: 
 
4.1.2  2160-line 80-bit Virtual Interface Multiplex Structure  (Informative) 
The video data words from each sub image are conveyed in the following order in the data streams of the 80-
bit virtual interface: 
Mapping Structure 1: 
Sub image 1 is mapped into data streams one and two: 
data stream one:   Y′0, Y′1, Y′2, Y′3... 
data stream two:   C′B0, C′R0, C′B1, C′R1... 
Sub image 2 is mapped into data streams three and four: 
data stream three:  Y′0, Y′1, Y′2, Y′3... 
data stream four:   C′B0, C′R0, C′B1, C′R1... 
Sub image 3 is mapped into data streams five and six: 
data stream five:   Y′0, Y′1, Y′2, Y′3... 
data stream six:   C′B0, C′R0, C′B1, C′R1... 
Sub image 4 is mapped into data streams seven and eight: 
data stream seven: Y′0, Y′1, Y′2, Y′3... 
data stream eight:   C′B0, C′R0, C′B1, C′R1... 
For a 4:2:0 source images, the 10-bit C′B and C′R samples in sub images 3 and 4 are set to the value 200h. 
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SMPTE ST 2081-11: 2016 
 
Mapping Structure 2: 
Sub image 1 is mapped into data streams one and two: 
data stream one:   G′0, R′0, G′1, R′1... 
data stream two:   A0, B′0, A1, B′1... 
Sub image 2 is mapped into data streams three and four: 
data stream three:  G′0, R′0, G′1, R′1... 
data stream four:   A0, B′0, A1, B′1... 
Sub image 3 is mapped into data streams five and six: 
data stream five:   G′0, R′0, G′1, R′1... 
data stream six:   A0, B′0, A1, B′1... 
Sub image 4 is mapped into data streams seven and eight: 
data stream seven: G′0, R′0, G′1, R′1... 
data stream eight:   A0, B′0, A1, B′1... 
 
Mapping Structure 3: 
Bit b9 in every word is the complement of b8. The lists and tables below describe Bits b8 – b0 
Sub image 1 is mapped into data streams one and two: 
data stream one:   R′G′B′ 0 [11:9], R′G′B′ 0 [5:3], R′G′B′ 1 [11:9], R′G′B′ 1 [5:3]... 
data stream two:   R′G′B′ 0 [8:6], R′G′B′ 0 [2:0], R′G′B′ 1 [8:6], R′G′B′ 1 [2:0]... 
Sub image 2 is mapped into data streams three and four: 
data stream three:  R′G′B′ 0 [11:9], R′G′B′ 0 [5:3], R′G′B′ 1 [11:9], R′G′B′ 1 [5:3]... 
data stream four:   R′G′B′ 0 [8:6], R′G′B′ 0 [2:0], R′G′B′ 1 [8:6], R′G′B′ 1 [2:0]... 
Sub image 3 is mapped into data streams five and six: 
data stream five:   R′G′B′ 0 [11:9], R′G′B′ 0 [5:3], R′G′B′ 1 [11:9], R′G′B′ 1 [5:3]... 
data stream six:   R′G′B′ 0 [8:6], R′G′B′ 0 [2:0], R′G′B′ 1 [8:6], R′G′B′ 1 [2:0]... 
Sub image 4 is mapped into data streams seven and eight: 
data stream seven: R′G′B′ 0 [11:9], R′G′B′ 0 [5:3], R′G′B′ 1 [11:9], R′G′B′ 1 [5:3]... 
data stream eight:   R′G′B′ 0 [8:6], R′G′B′ 0 [2:0], R′G′B′ 1 [8:6], R′G′B′ 1 [2:0]... 
 
Mapping Structure 4: 
Bit b9 in every word is the complement of b8. The lists and tables below describe Bits b8 – b0 
Sub image 1 is mapped into data streams one and two: 
data stream one:   Bits b8 – b6:  A0 [11:9], 
 
Bits b5 – b0:  Y′0 [11:6], 
 
data stream two:   Bits b8 – b6:  A0 [8:6], 
 
A0 [5:3], 
Y′0 [5:0], 
A1 [11:9], 
Y′1 [11:6], 
A1 [5:3]... 
Y′1 [5:0]... 
A0 [2:0], 
A1 [8:6], 
A1 [2:0]... 
Bits b5 – b0:  C′B 0 [11:6],  C′B 0 [5:0],  C′R 0 [11:6],  C′R 0 [5:0]... 
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