What is GMSL camera？Understand GMSL technology

What is GSML camera?
GMSL stands for 'Gigabit Multimedia Serial Link', which is a serial communication protocol designed to specifically handle high-speed video data transmission, capable of supporting several Gbps of data transmission. The GMSL camera we are talking about is a camera that utilizes this communication protocol. Compared with the traditional GigE Vision, GMSL cameras provide a more efficient data link, are more reliable, have lower system complexity and reduce data transmission latency.

A deeper understanding of GMSL technology
We mentioned earlier that GMSL (Gigabit Multimedia Serial Link) is an advanced communication protocol, so what is so advanced about it?

The core point of GMSL technology is its point-to-point connection, this direct connection mode greatly simplifies the system architecture, reduces the intermediate links in the data transmission may exist in the delay and data loss and so on, simply put, it is to reduce the intermediary to earn the difference in price. It also has a significant feature is the direct support for image sensors, through the use of MIPI D-PHY and C-PHY interfaces, GSML cameras can be directly from the sensor to obtain the original image data, which can maximize the integrity of the data and the transmission efficiency, reducing the dependence on the processor.

In addition to this GMSL cameras have a flexible topology that allows multiple cameras to be connected to the same host system via a single serial link. This design is useful in systems such as self-driving cars where multiple vision devices need to be integrated to ensure perimeter security.

 
Advantages of GMSL cameras

• High-speed transmission with low latency: GMSL cameras offer several Gbps transmission rates for high-resolution video streaming, as well as lower and more predictable latency compared to GigE Vision.
• Simplified System Architecture and Flexible Topologies: GMSL cameras reduce reliance on external processors by simplifying the signal chain, while supporting network topologies including point-to-point, many-to-one, and through switches.
• Versatile Interface Support: GMSL cameras are equipped with interfaces such as MIPI D-PHY and C-PHY directly connected to the image sensor to maintain data integrity.

Long Distance Transmission and Anti-Jamming: GMSL technology utilizes serial communication to support long distance transmission with good anti-jamming capability.

Comparison of GMSL cameras with GigE Vision cameras
Compared with GigE Vision, the signal chain of GMSL camera is not so complicated. In a GMSL system, some of the outputs of the image sensor are connected to the input port of a serializer, whose role is to process the raw image data acquired by the image sensor and convert it to a level suitable for transmission over the GMSL link. This design eliminates the need for additional processing hardware and lightens the design of the camera, while also saving power.
GigE Vision cameras are based on the Ethernet standard, which provides good network compatibility and flexibility, but there is still some room for optimization in terms of data transfer efficiency, system complexity, and power consumption compared to GMSL cameras.
 
Overall, GMSL cameras are important in many areas because they offer extremely high data rates, very low latency, and high reliability. GMSL cameras are ideal for applications that require higher performance and reliability, such as ADAS in the automotive industry or vision inspection in industrial automation.