The e-Tube cables promise remarkable performance metrics. Each waveguide can transmit 448 gigabits per second by using two different frequencies—90 gigahertz and 225 GHz. This advancement in technology greatly decreases power consumption and cost along with speeding up data transfer rates, collected by sensors scattered. Point2’s cables consume only a third of the energy optical cables typically require. They do it for a third of the cost. The latency of Point2’s cables is extremely low, up to one-thousandth that of optical analogs.
The Engineering Behind e-Tube
Point2 Technology partnered with civil engineers from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology. To meet these requirements, the two companies collaborated to produce the e-Tube cable—manufactured with cutting edge 28-nanometer CMOS technology. This collaborative development has created an incredibly streamlined, low-latency data transmission solution. Compared to traditional copper cables, it can achieve distances over 20x farther.
The e-Tube runs on just one silicon chip. This chip is highly power-efficient, turning incoming digital serialized data streams into modulated millimeter-wave frequencies. A narrowband antenna radiates these frequencies into the waveguide. This allows for the fastest data transfer capabilities to date—with an extremely small form factor. The new e-Tube cable length is 20 meters maximum, but still meeting the high-performance standards.
David Kuo, the then vice president of product marketing and business development at Point2 Technology, painted an alluring picture. With this transformational approach, they’ll connect copper and optical technologies in a novel way to leverage the power of both and overcome their limitations.
Advantages Over Optical Technology
Point2’s e-Tube cables offer a host of benefits compared to existing optical technologies. Cutting data centers’ power use is a high priority. It gives them a powerful tool to advance energy efficiency and reduce their own operational costs. Meanwhile, data demands are reaching new heights. In spaces demanding ultra-fast processing, Point2’s cables are fast enough and provide the ultra-low latency necessary to make them the optimal choice.
The company emphasizes that customers appreciate fiber optics for their capabilities but often express frustrations with the complexities associated with photonics. Dave Welch, a notable figure in the tech industry, highlighted this sentiment, saying, “Customers love fiber. What they hate is the photonics.” This really highlights the need for easier to use solutions in data centers.
Welch noted that electronics are just more reliable than optics, by nature. This conclusion provides powerful validation for Point2’s mission to provide a more reliable, low-cost alternative to complex data transmission technologies.
Competitive Landscape
What started out in a Cedar Valley basement, has led Point2 Technology to become a major player in the tech industry. Especially startups like AttoTude are encouraging disruptive solutions that integrate optical and copper technologies. In fact, Point2 has spent more time than its competitors completely integrating radio frequency technology into data center operations. Their relentless innovation makes them unique in the industry.
One promising development within this competition has been the growing awareness of the merits of passive copper systems. These systems are untested for the vast majority of data centers. Don Barnetson remarked, “You start with passive copper, and you do everything you can to run in passive copper as long as you can.” This quote perfectly summarizes the current penchant to cling to old systems despite newer, better technology.