High-performance cameras have become an indispensable tool across various industries. From ensuring the safety of autonomous vehicles to enabling precision in industrial robotics, the demand for efficient, reliable, high-quality imaging systems has never been greater. Meeting these demands requires innovative solutions capable of handling high data rates, transmitting over long distances, minimizing latency, and maintaining data integrity under challenging conditions. This is where GMSL2 (Gigabit Multimedia Serial Link – 2) technology comes into play.
GMSL2 is a sophisticated technology designed for connecting high-performance cameras to embedded processors, addressing the needs of demanding applications. It offers key features such as high-definition video support, long-distance transmission, low latency, and robust error correction for reliable transmission.
This blog post explores the core of GMSL2 cameras: their definition, architecture, features, and applications across industries.

What is GMSL2 Technology?
GMSL2 is a high-speed interface developed by Maxim Integrated (now part of Analog Devices) for transmitting video, audio, control data, and power over a single coaxial or shielded twisted-pair cable (up to 6 Gbps over a 15-meter cable).
On the transmitter side, it employs a serializer to transform parallel data into a high-speed serial stream. On the receiving end, a deserializer reconstructs the data into its original parallel format, making it ready for processing.
Building upon its predecessor, GMSL (introduced in 2008), GMSL2, first available in 2018, offers enhanced bandwidth, longer transmission distances, and advanced error correction. This makes it ideal for modern applications requiring reliable and high-speed communication.
Further Reading: GMSL2 General User Guide
Evolution and Advantages
Compared to first generation GMSL and traditional interfaces such as MIPI and USB, GMSL2 provides superior transmission distances (up to 15 meters) while maintaining comparable bandwidth. It also supports features like Power over Coaxial (PoC). The feature helps simplify cable management by combining data and power delivery in a single cable. These capabilities make GMSL2 a more efficient choice for systems where long-distance communication and minimal latency are crucial.
Applications
GMSL2 technology finds its place in advanced systems such as:
- Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS)
- Autonomous vehicles
- Robotics
- Industrial automation
Essentially, any vision system that requires high-bandwidth long-distance transmission will find GMSL2 cameras a perfect fit.

GMSL2 Camera Architecture
The core components of the GMSL2 camera architecture are:
Image Sensor
The image sensor is the heart of any camera system. It captures images or videos, converting optical input into electrical signals. Modern-day sensors include advanced imaging features such as High Dynamic Range (HDR) and low-light enhancements, ensuring superior image and video quality.
Serializer
The serializer is vital in the GMSL2 architecture. On the transmitter side, the serializer takes the parallel data from the image sensor and converts it into a high-speed serial stream. This transformation reduces the number of data lines required, simplifying the transmission process and minimizing potential interference.
Also read: Multi-Camera Systems in Embedded Vision: Applications and Features
Transmission Medium
The GMSL2 interface utilizes robust transmission mediums such as coaxial cables or shielded twisted pair (STP) cables. These cables are designed to carry both power and data over a single connection, leveraging the Power-over-Coaxial (PoC) technology. This integration reduces wiring complexity and enhances system reliability. This is especially helpful in environments where space and weight constraints are critical.
Also Read: Difference between UTP and STP
The transmission medium ensures stable high-speed data transfer even over long distances, up to 15 meters. This makes GMSL2 cameras ideal for automotive and industrial applications. Their ability to resist electromagnetic interference further ensures data integrity in challenging environments.
Deserializer
At the receiving end, the deserializer performs the reverse operation, reconstructing the serial stream back into its original parallel format for further processing. Combined, the serializer and deserializer form a SerDes system, enabling GMSL2 cameras to transmit large volumes of high-resolution data over extended distances without compromising integrity.
Additionally, by efficiently multiplexing multiple video streams, GMSL2 supports multi-camera setups. This makes GMSL2 a popular choice for surround-view systems and autonomous robots.
Control Mechanisms
Control mechanisms in GMSL2 systems include interfaces like I²C and GPIO, between the host processor and the camera sensor. These facilitate seamless device configuration and communication. I²C allows for efficient communication between the camera and the host system, enabling settings adjustments, firmware updates, and real-time diagnostics.
GPIO pins provide additional control for triggering specific camera functions, such as starting or stopping video capture, and frame synchronization. These mechanisms enhance the flexibility and adaptability of GMSL2 systems. They ensure that the systems can be customized to meet the unique requirements of diverse applications like autonomous vehicles and robots.
Key Features of GMSL2 Cameras
GMSL2 cameras are widely recognized for their advanced capabilities, making them ideal for high-performance imaging applications. Below are some of the most important attributes:
High Bandwidth for Superior Performance
GMSL2 cameras support high-definition video streams, enabling features such as 4K resolution and High Dynamic Range (HDR) imaging. The high bandwidth allows simultaneous transmission of video, audio, and control data, enhancing functionality without compromising performance.
Low Latency and High Reliability
Low latency is critical for applications requiring real-time decision-making, such as collision detection and robotics. GMSL2 technology minimizes delays while transmitting data over long distances, ensuring swift responses to dynamic environments. Additionally, its robust design ensures consistent reliability, even in conditions prone to interference or signal degradation.
Error Correction for Data Integrity
GMSL2 cameras incorporate Forward Error Correction (FEC) mechanisms, safeguarding data integrity during transmission. This feature is particularly important in environments with high electromagnetic interference as it helps in preventing errors from affecting video quality or system functionality.
Long-Distance Transmission Capabilities
One of GMSL2’s central features is the ability to transmit data over long distances of up to 15 meters. This is important in large embedded vision systems (such as fleet management cameras for example), where cameras are to be positioned far from the central processing unit.
Power over Coaxial (PoC) Technology
Power over Coaxial simplifies installation by delivering both power and data through a single cable. This reduces the need for complex wiring systems, lowering costs and enhancing system reliability. PoC is especially beneficial in applications requiring multiple cameras, as it streamlines setup and maintenance.
Use Cases of GMSL2 Cameras
Let’s look at how GMSL2 enhances various systems:
ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems)
In ADAS, GMSL2 cameras provide high-resolution, low-latency video streams from multiple cameras placed around the vehicle. These cameras support critical safety features like lane departure warnings, collision avoidance, and adaptive cruise control by delivering real-time video feeds with minimal delay.
The high bandwidth of GMSL2 ensures that all cameras, including front, rear, and side cameras, transmit video without interference, latency, or signal loss. Moreover, the error correction features ensure that the video quality remains intact, even in adverse conditions. For example, fog, rain, or high-speed driving, where precise situational awareness is critical for safe driving.
Surround-View Systems
In modern vehicles and trucks, surround-view systems require multiple cameras to create a composite 360-degree image around the vehicle, enhancing the driver’s awareness of their surroundings. GMSL2 cameras can allow these systems to seamlessly transmit video from multiple cameras simultaneously.
The ability to transmit high-bandwidth video without latency ensures that drivers can rely on these systems for accurate, real-time situational awareness, which is especially helpful in maneuvering in tight spaces or parking.
Robots
Robots, from industrial arms to autonomous delivery vehicles, can also make use of GMSL2 cameras for high-quality imaging needs. These robots often require long-distance video transmission to monitor different angles or parts of their surroundings, particularly in large, complex environments such as factories, warehouses, or public spaces.
GMSL2’s long-distance transmission capability allows robots to place cameras farther from their processing units, which helps reduce wiring complexity while ensuring high-quality video. Robust error correction ensures that data integrity is maintained, making robots more efficient in performing tasks such as object detection, navigation, and precise manipulation.
In all these applications, GMSL2 cameras help create safer, more efficient, and user-friendly systems.

GMSL2 PCB Board Camera with onsemi AR0144 1MP Global Shutter with Onboard ISP and S-mount Lens
UVLS-GM2-AR0144-SL
- onsemi AR0144 1MP Global Shutter Sensor
- Captures high-speed dynamic targets clearly within an ultra-short exposure time
- S-Mount for Interchangeable Lenses
- GMSL2™ (Gigabit Multimedia Serial Link) interface
- FAKRA Z-Code Automotive Connector
- Plug & Play with Linux OS & Yocto
- VizionViewer™ configuration utility
- VizionSDK for custom development
Sensor | onsemi AR0144 |
Shutter | Global |
Megapixels | 1MP |
Chromaticity | Color |
Interface | GMSL2 |
Challenges and Future Trends
Here is a closer look at some of the key challenges and future trends shaping GMSL2 technology:
Challenges
One of the main challenges with GMSL2 technology is integration complexity. Adopting GMSL2 cameras requires specialized knowledge and adjustments in vehicle design or industrial systems to accommodate the high-speed data transmission.
Furthermore, the high performance of GMSL2 systems can drive up costs, making it a more expensive solution for some manufacturers or applications. This can become a huge problem in large-scale deployments.
Future Trends
The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) is expected to play a key role in processing and analyzing the high-resolution video streams from GMSL2 cameras in real-time. This AI-enabled processing will be particularly valuable in applications like ADAS and robotics, where rapid decision-making is crucial.
As demand for more advanced and intelligent systems grows, GMSL2 technology will likely see wider adoption. This can be seen in industries such as automotive, robotics, and healthcare, driving the continued evolution of high-performance camera systems.
TechNexion – GMSL2 Cameras for High-end Vision Systems
GMSL2 technology is a game-changer for high-performance camera systems, offering enhanced transmission capabilities, low latency, and robust error correction. TechNexion is committed to making a change in the world of vision by offering its GMSL2 cameras as a perfect solution for high-performance imaging systems. From robots to autonomous vehicles and ADAS, our cameras are perfectly suited for high-bandwidth long-distance transmission.
TechNexion’s cameras come with a wide array of sensors including AR0234, AR0522, AR0821, AR1335, and more. With key features such as high-speed transmission, length up to 15 meters, and low latency, TechNexion’s GMSL2 cameras can be a perfect fit for new-age imaging systems that demand high performance. To learn more about our GMSL2 cameras, please visit the products page. If you are looking for help in integrating our GMSL2 cameras into your vision system, please get in touch with us here.
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