Know-How: what is GMSL2? Capabilities and test challenges

Know-How: what is GMSL2? Capabilities and test challenges

Gigabit Multimedia Serial Link™ (GMSL) serializer and deserializers (SerDes) are high-speed communication ICs developed by Maxim Integrated™ (now Analog Devices – ADI) that provide multistream support over a single cable, which can be up to 15 m with coax or shielded twisted pair. It can aggregate protocols like Ethernet and DisplayPort over a single link while meeting automotive electromagnetic-compatibility (EMC) requirements. GMSL was introduced in 2017, with 3K video and Gigabit Ethernet support, and then in 2018 GMSL2 was released to provide 4K video support.

The family of GMSL SERDES chips is tailored to handle multiple data streams. This includes the ability to split video streams to cope with the many displays in a car, such as the Information Cluster (IC) and the Central Information Display (CID). Furthermore, GMSL incorporates bidirectional diagnostics, which makes it possible to test the interfaces and cables. This works during development as well as when deployed in the field, providing superior field diagnostics: as an example, the eye-mapping tool essentially offers embedded sampling scope functionality, while the link margin tool can measure the minimum transmit amplitude required to run an error-free link in both directions.

From the low-power requirements of cameras to the widely varying bandwidth of sensor data aggregation, GMSL™ SerDes ICs address the needs of high bandwidth, complex interconnect, and data integrity requirements needed to support evolving automotive infotainment and Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). Advanced link integrity and diagnostic capabilities enable a breakthrough in link performance monitoring – a vital capability to the design of automotive safety systems. Using Shielded Twisted Pair (STP) or coax cables of up to 15 meters, GMSL SerDes ICs meet the most stringent electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) requirements of the automotive industry.

GMSL is proprietary, but its functionality is hard to argue with. Reducing the number of cables in a connected car is important, as well as reliability. To improve the latter, GMSL utilizes spread-spectrum technology. Spread-spectrum capability is built into each SerDes design to improve the electromagnetic interference (EMI) performance of the link, without the need for an external spread-spectrum clock. Interoperation of serializers and deserializers within the family allows the use of different interfaces at each end of the link. In addition to driving high-resolution central/rear-seat displays and instrument clusters, GMSL high-speed SerDes can also be used in megapixel camera systems.

Testing of GMSL2™ devices

GMSL2 devices include automotive displays, multi-camera driver assistance systems and infotainment head units, that are subject to thorough V&V and manufacturing test. In the first case (displays), testing of these DUTs (Devices Under Test) requires the generation and transmission of multimedia digital streams, and the programmable generator must be equipped with the Serializer corresponding to the Deserializer mounted on the DUT. In the second case (cameras) the test requires a video frame grabber and real-time analyzer to acquire and analyze multimedia streams coming from the digital stream sources, equipped with the Deserializer corresponding to the Serializer used on the DUT. In the third case (head units), testing requires both a generator and a frame grabber with the aforementioned capabilities.

Use case 1: GMSL2 automotive display testing with Flexmedia XM Multimedia Stream Programmable Generator
Use case 2: GMSL2 multi-camera driver assistance system testing with Flexmedia XM Multimedia Stream Real-Time Analyzer
Use case 3: GMSL2 infotainment head unit testing with Flexmedia XM Multimedia Stream Programmable Generator

The ideal test tool is a modular solution, that can be used in R&D, V&V and manufacturing test, with a rugged and at the same time compact shape to save manufacturing floor space, closer to DUT for more efficient cabling and conceived for continuous 24/7 operations.

Flexmedia XM GMSL2TC1 and GMSL2TD1 modules are versatile video generators based on Maxim Integrated MAX96765 GMSL2 serializer over coaxial or twisted pair respectively. Both modules fully support Maxim Integrated chipset functions, they are equipped with programmable frame size, synchs & porches. Video frame content is customizable from image files, and two different generation modes are available: still frame and circular buffer movie. Real time adjustable overlays can be enabled, and RGB or YCbCr color space can be selected. Additional features include 4:2:2 chroma sub-sampling and ITU656 coder, and an arbitrary audio generator can be provided as an option.

Flexmedia XM GMSL2RC1 and GMSL2RD1 modules are versatile video frame grabber and real-time frame analyzer based on Maxim Integrated MAX96754 (conceived for displays) GMSL2 deserializer over coax or twisted pair respectively. Both modules fully support Maxim Integrated chipset functions, they are equipped with video timing detection and burst capable video grabbing. The real-time video analyzer is able to provide BER, PER and PSNR analysis, that can be performed on multiple & simultaneous ROI. Additional features include 4:2:2 chroma sub-sampling and ITU656 decoder, and an audio stream capture can be provided as an option.

Flexmedia XM GMSL2RC3 (and GMSL2RD3) modules are versatile video frame grabbers and real-time frame analyzers based on Maxim Integrated MAX96716A (conceived for cameras) GMSL2 deserializer over coaxial or twisted pair respectively. The main difference with GMSL2RC1/GMSL2RD1 is the deserializer, that is conceived to connect cameras rather than displays. All features align with the previous frame grabber modules.

To complete the full features set, they support bidirectional sideband communication and programmable I/O trigger. As all Flexmedia XM modules, they share the same rugged industrial design in a portable, palm-sized form factor. They use a Gigabit PoE low-cost control & power infrastructure, based on IEEE 802.3af PoE and 10/100/1000BASE-T Ethernet, and are provided with a variety of software interfacing methods, including Windows GUI & APIs (DLL, LabVIEW®, NI TestStand® & Supernova™ Step Types) and a simple OS-agnostic Command Line Interface (CLI). Remote firmware updates can be performed via Ethernet.

Conclusion

Based on a foundation that pioneered many of the features seen in automotive video interconnect today, GMSL SerDes technology offers the bandwidth, rich features, and flexibility needed to support the future of automotive design, including autonomous driving systems.

References:
Maxim Integrated GMSL ICs
www.electronicdesign.com