White Paper

The GMSL Interface in Machine Vision Systems

Compatibility, configuration, and operation

GMSL™, the Gigabit Multimedia Serial Link interface, enables the fast and reliable transmission of large amounts of image and video data over long distances. Protocol tunneling significantly increases the range of MIPI CSI-2. As most SoCs (System-on-Chips) and SoMs (System-on-Modules) support MIPI CSI-2, they can be flexibly combined with GMSL cameras. Complex vision tasks, such as using multiple cameras in conjunction with artificial intelligence on an embedded system, benefit from this.

  • Last updated: 20/03/2026

Key facts about the GMSL interface

  • GMSL transmits large amounts of image and video data over long distances

  • Proprietary interface from Analog Devices, available in bandwidths of 3, 6, and 12 Gbps

  • Uses serializer and deserializer chips and usually coaxial cables up to 15 m long

  • No uniform vision standard: each camera and each sensor require individual integration and configuration, which makes integration and exchange more difficult

  • Host systems: mostly embedded solutions such as SoCs / SoMs, integrated in IPCs or custom design hardware; in-depth low-level protocol and hardware expertise required for configuration

  • Basler GMSL solution with onboard processing in the camera offers GenICam compatibility and integration via GenTL; Basler's Camera Enablement Packages enable plug-and-play

  • Typical application areas: mobile robots, logistics systems, AGVs, and AI-based factory automation

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