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Why is GMSL Camera a Popular Choice for Vision Applications?

There are three primary types of cameras frequently used in AI embedded vision and they are GigE, USB3, and GMSL cameras. While GigE and USB3 cameras have been around for a while, the GMSL camera is relatively new to the scene for machine vision applications.

GMSL stands for Gigabit Multimedia Serial Link. The GMSL cameras are specialized digital video cameras that transmit uncompressed video data over long distances using a high-speed serial data link. They come with following features to address the challenges faced in new age AI embedded vision applications:

  • Long transmission distances
  • High data rates
  • Low latency
  • Robustness
  • Simplified cabling

These features enable the seamless integration of multiple sensors and cameras, providing high-speed, real-time data and video transmission. And with advanced features such as high dynamic range (120dB HDR), auto white balance (AWB), and LED flicker mitigation (LFM), GMSL camera can obtain high quality images with minimal latency regardless of lighting conditions, from bright sunny days to pitch-black nights.

What industrial applications benefit from using GMSL camera?

  1. Agriculture - Autonomous harvesting
  2. Autonomous vehicle - ADAS system
  3. Mining construction vehicle - Teleoperation
  4. Manufacturing - Quality inspection
  5. Warehouse logistics - Autonomous mobile robot (AMR)


There are three generations of GMSL technology, each generation offers improvements over the previous one in terms of data rate, features, and capabilities for more complex and demanding applications. Commonly referred to GMSL1, GMSL2 and GMSL3:

  • GMSL1: The first generation of high-speed serial link technology designed for automotive applications. It supports data rates up to 3 Gbps and can transmit uncompressed video over distances up to 15 meters using coaxial cable or shielded twisted pair (STP).
  • GMSL2: GMSL2 builds on the original GMSL technology by doubling the data rate to 6 Gbps, enabling higher resolution video transmission and more complex multimedia data. GMSL2 is suited for advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and in-car infotainment, offering enhanced data transmission capabilities and better support for high-resolution and complex data streams.
  • GMSL3: GMSL3 represents the latest generation, doubling the data rate again to 12 Gbps. It features further improved PoC for higher power delivery, making it suitable for the most demanding automotive applications, such as autonomous driving systems and complex sensor arrays. It offers superior support for multiple high-resolution video streams and advanced error correction and synchronization features.

Neousys Technology offers rugged and waterproof Jetson-based edge AI computers that support GMSL/ GMSL2 camera interfaces. The computers feature industrial-grade power, thermal design, and rich interfaces in compact dimensions. They are ready for in-vehicle deployments with anti-shock and vibration, wide-range DC input, ignition power control and mobile connectivity. Neousys Jetson-based edge AI computers can easily be implemented into solutions and deployed into the field, saving cost, additional testing and development time.