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CAMERAS · INTERFACES

What Is GMSL2?

GMSL2 (Gigabit Multimedia Serial Link 2) is a high-speed serial link that carries camera video, power and control data over a single coaxial cable of up to around 15 metres. Developed for automotive cameras, it is now widely used on robots, autonomous machines and drones with NVIDIA Jetson computers.

01

The Short Answer

A camera on a vehicle or robot is often several metres from the computer. GMSL2 puts a serialiser in the camera and a deserialiser at the computer, and moves uncompressed video over thin, rugged coax with very low latency, which suits real-time perception.

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    Long cable runs Cameras can sit metres from the computer.
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    Low latency Uncompressed video for real-time AI.
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    One cable Power over coax reduces wiring.
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    Rugged Locking automotive connectors resist vibration.
02

Why It Matters

Multi-camera perception needs a computer with enough GMSL inputs. Our autonomous tractor case study runs eight GMSL2 cameras on one Jetson AGX Orin computer, and our guide to GMSL technology goes into more depth.