GMSL

GMSL, or Gigabit Multimedia Serial Link, is a high-speed automotive interface designed to transmit video, audio, and data over a single copper cable. It was developed to address the growing need for multiple cameras and sensors in modern vehicles, enabling functions such as ADAS, surround-view displays, and in-cabin monitoring. The technology centers on serializer/deserializer (SerDes) pairs at each end of the link. A camera or sensor module uses a serializer to convert its data into a serial stream, which is carried over the cable to a central processing unit or gateway where a deserializer reconstructs the original data. Some implementations support a reverse or control channel for signaling between the ends. Multiple streams can be multiplexed onto one link, reducing wiring complexity and improving electromagnetic interference characteristics compared with parallel video buses.

GMSL was popularized in the automotive sector by Maxim Integrated (now part of Analog Devices) in the early 2010s, with later evolutions such as GMSL2 offering higher bandwidth and enhanced multi-camera support. It is widely used in automotive supplier ecosystems and vehicle platforms, but it is not a formal universal standard; implementations are largely vendor-specific and designed to work within compatible systems.

Applications include front, rear, and surround-view camera networks, cabin monitoring, head-up displays, and infotainment system integration. The technology emphasizes low latency and robust signal integrity over automotive harnesses, providing a means to consolidate high-bandwidth video and data transmission within vehicle electronics architectures.