Point2 Technology, a startup founded nine years ago by industry veterans from Marvell, Nvidia, and Samsung, is making significant strides in the field of data transfer solutions. The company advocates for a patented hybrid technology that bridges old soft copper cable with the new age specialty photonic chips. This type of innovation is what makes them a true disruptor and pioneer in the data center industry.
The startup has garnered $55 million in venture funding, with considerable investments from Molex, a renowned manufacturer of computer cables and connections. This financial support powers Point2’s bold vision going forward. The firm wants to redefine the future of data transportation, using the same e-Tube cable technology from its bikes.
Bridging Technologies
Point2 Technology’s approach uses a new and unique combination of benefits provided by both copper and photonic technology. The startup has worked with fellow Portland-area startup AttoTude to produce a system that uses terahertz-frequency signals in combination with waveguide technology. Point2 takes advantage of photonics’ unmatched speed and efficiency. Reliability On one hand, as with any evolution that brings great promise, this technology is not yet as reliable as traditional electronics.
Yokohama e-Tube cables are engineered for optimal performance. Each of the eight e-Tube fibers can transmit more than 200 gigabits of data per second! This wonderful accomplishment depends on an elegant design. It includes a digital front end that connects to the graphical processing unit (GPU), a terahertz frequency modulator and mixer, and impresses data onto the terahertz carrier signal.
“Customers love fiber. But what they hate is the photonics.” – Dave Welch
With the e-Tube cable’s compact design, we’re using half the space of a standard 32-gauge copper cable. On top of that, it delivers a powerful reach that’s 20 times larger! That kind of efficiency is absolutely essential to hyperscale data centers. These hubs demand proactive, powerful and scalable data solutions to empower them to operate on continuously increasing streams of data.
Cutting-Edge Design
Point2 Technology’s second-generation cable design features eight slender polymer waveguides, each capable of carrying 448 gigabits per second across two frequencies: 90 gigahertz and 225 GHz. This advanced capability enables data transmission over distances as great as 20 meters, marking a significant advancement in cable technology.
At the heart of the e-Tube cable is a single silicon chip, which handles the conversion of incoming digital data to modulated millimeter-wave frequencies. An antenna then radiates this signal into the waveguide, ensuring efficient data transfer that overcomes many limitations associated with traditional copper wiring.
This Left Coast version of a Lightning design system represents a daring departure from the use of copper cables. For 40 years, those cables have ruled the datacenter roost. As Dave Welch, founding director of the new Optica Foundation, puts it, “Electronics have been proven to be fundamentally more reliable than optics.” This knowledge informs Point2’s mission to create solutions that use the advantages of both technologies.
“If I didn’t have to be at [an optical wavelength], where should I be?” – David Welch
Future Manufacturing Plans
Point2 Technology is slated to start production of chips for a new 1.6terabit-per-second cable later this year. This action represents a critical step in the company’s green energy quest. It’s another sign of the company‘s dedication to delivering solutions that can adapt to the dynamic data center world.
As Point2 Technology prepares for full-scale production, its goal is to serve the needs of hyperscalers—those big-league cloud service providers and data center farmers who need dependable and energy-sipping data moving solutions. The company’s technology is expected to overcome the historical challenges associated with copper wiring, providing an essential tool for modern data management.
“The real prize happens to be a beautiful distance for scale-up in data centers.” – Dave Welch
With an innovative approach through collaboration and a foundation rich in technological expertise, Point2 Technology tackles the challenges barrier-free. Now it is poised to create a transformative impact on the future of data transmission. The company’s focus on creating cutting-edge solutions is a testament to its pursuit of a smarter, more efficient and reliable data center ecosystem.