Point2 is a new startup founded by industry veterans from Marvell, Nvidia and Samsung. Together, they’re transforming data center efficiency with their unique, industry-leading approach to data transmission. Established nine years ago, the company has secured $55 million in venture funding, with significant contributions from Molex, a leading manufacturer of computer cables and connections. This funding will energize Point2’s bold vision to create a new system. It’s intended to revolutionize how data is communicated within data centers.
Point2’s technology
Sophisticated matching system
Under the hood, Point2’s technology is a complex, intelligent system. This system is composed of a digital system that operates the GPUs, a terahertz-frequency generator and a mixer that modulates data onto the terahertz signal. This system provides huge benefits compared to existing optical technology including less power, cost and dramatically less latency.
Groundbreaking Cable Design
Point2’s new e-Tube cables are designed with forward-thinking performance in mind. Each cable is expected to come with eight e-Tube fibers. Surprisingly, each fiber up to 200 gigabits of data per second would be possible! This truly amazing ability means that Point2’s high-performance fiber optic cables can carry gigabits of information without skipping a beat. The e-Tube cable uses their newest ultrathin design, occupying just one-half the space of a 32-gauge copper cable. DBE, despite its size, it packs an amazing punch of up to 20X reach.
The e-Tube utilizes new and innovative waveguide technology. This enables it to send data even over stunning long distances, up to 20m. Such advancements render Point2’s technology uniquely attractive to data centers looking to maximize both space and performance.
“If I didn’t have to be at [an optical wavelength], where should I be?” – David Welch
Point2’s technology brings you more than increased efficiency. It holds enormous promise to set a whole new standard for speed and efficiency data is transmitted across today’s data centers. With comprehensive project experience, Point2 is accelerating to the forefront of the data transmission landscape. It does this, in part, by radically shrinking the physical footprint of data carrying cables while simultaneously increasing their transmission power.
Superior Performance Metrics
Point2’s e-Tube technology is noted for its operational efficiency. The ultra-low power system uses just one-third of the power needed by state-of-the-art optical systems, while costing only one-third as much. When it comes to latency, Point2’s solution has as low as one-thousandth the latency experienced in traditional optical solutions.
Welch emphasizes the reliability of electronics compared to optics, stating, “Electronics have been demonstrated to be inherently more reliable than optics.” This reliability is especially important to hyperscale data centers that need proven solutions to ensure nonstop operation.
Point2’s second-generation cable features fibers that are less than one-quarter of a millimeter in diameter. This unique design results in extraordinary low loss rates of only 0.3 decibels per meter. This flow efficiency maximizes the data throughput performance of transmission systems. Second, it further establishes Point2 as a powerful competitor to traditional optical technologies.
Strategic Market Positioning
Point2 has been putting radio frequency technology into data centers long before their competition AttoTude. This has proven to be a real differentiator for Point2 in the market. The fledgling startup is hoping to get a foothold with the hyperscalers—massive, scaled-out cloud service providers that have needs for the most efficient, scalable and reliable data possible.
According to Welch, “Customers love fiber. What they hate is the photonics.” This feeling is indicative of a much larger theme that traditional optical technologies are struggling with the market to deliver efficiency and reliability that customers expect today. Point2’s products could be a very attractive option, especially since they offer up to 10X improvement in performance with no loss of reliability.
Point2 is preparing to begin volume manufacturing the chips for one such cable—a world-first 1.6-terabit-per-second cable later this year. The excitement over its innovative technology is off the charts. Each end of the e-Tube cable will feature a silicon chip designed to convert incoming digital data into modulated millimeter-wave frequencies, paired with an antenna for effective radiation into the waveguide.
“Happens to be a beautiful distance for scale-up in data centers.” – David Welch
The soon-to-be launch will point out at Point2’s dedication in leading an innovation. Beyond that, it will signal the company’s preparedness to play a major role in the rapidly changing world of data transmission technologies.