GMSL (Gigabit Multimedia Serial Link) is becoming popular in robotics because it solves many problems that USB and Ethernet face.
As the demands on robotic vision grow with more cameras, higher resolution, tighter synchronization, and harsher environments, traditional interfaces like USB and Ethernet often fall short in terms of bandwidth, latency, and integration complexity.
The below table compares the three technologies across key metrics relevant to robotic vision design.
| Feature/Criteria | GMSL (GMSL2/GMSL3) | USB (for example, USB 3.x) | Ethernet (for example, GigE Vision) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cable Type | Single coax or STP (data + power + control) | Separate USB + power + general-purpose input/output (GPIO) | Separate Ethernet + power (PoE optional) + GPIO |
| Max Cable Length | 15+ meters with coax | 3 m reliably | 100 m with Cat5e/Cat6 |
| Power Delivery | Integrated (PoC) | Requires separate or USB-PD | Requires PoE infrastructure or separate cable |
| Latency (Typical) | Tens of microseconds (deterministic) | Millisecond-level, OS-dependent | Millisecond-level, buffered + OS/network stack |
| Data Rate | 3 Gbps/6 Gbps/12 Gbps (uncompressed, per link) | Up to 5 Gbps (USB 3.1 Gen 1) | 1 Gbps (GigE), 10 Gbps (10 GigE, uncommon in robotics) |
| Video Compression | Not required (raw or ISP output) | Often required for higher resolutions | Often required |
| Hardware Trigger Support | Built-in via reverse channel (no extra wire) | Requires extra GPIO or USB communications device class (CDC) interface | Requires extra GPIO or sync box |
| Sensor Aggregation | Native via multi-input deserializer | Typically point-to-point | Typically point-to-point |
| EMI Robustness | High—designed for automotive EMI standards | Moderate | Moderate to high (depends on shielding, layout) |
| Environmental Suitability | Automotive-grade temp, ruggedized | Consumer-grade unless hardened | Varies (industrial options exist) |
| Software Stack | Direct MIPI-CSI integration with SoC | OS driver stack + USB video device class (UVC) or proprietary software development kit (SDK) | OS driver stack + GigE Vision/ GenICam |
| Functional Safety Support | ASIL-B devices, data replication, deterministic sync | Minimal | Minimal |
| Deployment Ecosystem | Mature in ADAS, growing in robotics | Broad in consumer/PC, limited industrial options | Mature in industrial vision |
| Integration Complexity | Moderate—requires SERDES and routing config | Low—plug and play for development High—for production | Moderate—needs switch/router config and sync wiring |
This makes GMSL a better choice for advanced robotic vision systems compared to USB and Ethernet.
Related Article:
Can GMSL support multiple cameras at once?
Why does Power over Coax (PoC) matter for robots, and how does GMSL use it?
How does GMSL solve the problem of bandwidth and latency?
Why are modern robots using more cameras than ever before?
What types of robotic systems benefit most from GMSL technology?
What is GMSL and how it is enhancing robotic vision systems?