Point2 Technology is an exciting new startup launched by industry veterans from Marvell, Nvidia, and Samsung. They’re disrupting the status quo in data transmission space with their revolutionary cable technology. The Chicago-based company, which recently raised $55 million in venture financing led by the generally well-connected computer cables and connections maker Molex. With this new investment, it hopes to transform the efficiency of data centers.
To solve this problem, the startup is developing a smart cable, dubbed e-Tube. Specifically, it employs a single silicon chip to convert incoming digital data into modulated millimeter-wave frequencies. This new revolutionary technology is set to vastly improve current data transmission abilities while addressing the increasing needs of today’s advanced computing capabilities.
Innovative Technology Behind e-Tube
Here’s a brief look at the technology behind Shimano’s e-Tube cable that makes it unlike any other data cable. It has eight polymide optic waveguides, every capable of transmitting an unimaginable 448 gbps. This remarkable speed is achieved by utilizing two specific frequencies: 90 gigahertz and 225 GHz. Because of its design, fiber has a higher carrying capacity for data which makes it a better and more desirable option to traditional copper cables.
Furthermore, the e-Tube cable integrates an antenna that emits signals into a waveguide. This innovative design reduces stress on the entire cable thus improving the cable’s overall performance. David Kuo, vice president of product marketing and business development for Point2 Technology, makes an interesting and important point. With bandwidth demands on traditional copper cables nearing the terabit-per-second mark, the laws of physics dictate that with copper we are relegated to using shorter, thicker cables. Point2’s solution avoids these problems by using millimeter-wave frequencies, which are even easier to manufacture in commercial silicon foundries.
Performance and Efficiency
Point2 Technology’s e-Tube cable showcases unmatched performance qualities that makes it a leader in data transmission technology, combining traumatic resistance with unmatched speed capabilities. The cable does work over shorter distances, around 10-20 meters. Preserving excellent signal integrity, it exceeds the performance of legacy copper solutions. Last April, Point2 made waves at the Optical Fiber Communications Conference in San Francisco. In their recent work, they demonstrated an astounding 4-meter wireless transmission, with a record high frequency of 970 GHz.
Kuo notes that this technology delivers enough bandwidth to support at least 224 Gb/s transmission, making it highly suitable for modern data center applications. The latter company’s design, too, has a much more compact form factor. The e-Tube cable occupies only 50% of the volume of a similar Active Electrical Cable (AEC). This smaller format often results in improved installation and management within data centers.
From there, the journey takes us to the stars! Reach is dramatically improved by waveguide technology, with data transmission distances reaching as far as 20 meters, according to industry leader Welch. This distance capability is a key benefit for data centers, where space and efficiency are essential.
Future Applications and Market Advantage
Point2 Technology is positioning its e-Tube cable for near term use cases across the data center ecosystem. AECs will most likely initially plug individual Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) into network switches. These dumb switches power the backbone of today’s scale-out networks. This application will help facilitate quicker and more efficient big data in environments where computational power is extremely essential.
Welch and Kuo believe that Point2’s underlying micro-display technology has the potential to deliver substantial benefits compared to current optical technologies in TtoP packages. By using millimeter-wave frequencies, designers have added flexibility. This innovation still has the potential to drive rapid adoption across many industries that rely on the benefits of high-speed data transfer.