Nvidia has recently introduced a bold initiative. By 2027, they plan to increase the maximum number of GPUs allowed in a single system from 72 to a staggering 576. This major improvement is designed to help meet today’s increasing data processing and computation needs in today’s dynamic data centers. Point2 Technology and the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) have recently collaborated on a very cool new endeavor. This ambitious project is featured in the October 2015 edition of the IEEE Journal of Solid-State Circuits. Their collaborative work is advancing new methods of optimizing the flow of data, unlocking cutting-edge technologies that could redefine the future of high-speed communications.
The project builds on leading edge 28-nanometer CMOS technology which is key for delivering and pushing higher bandwidth functionalities. A notable challenge has emerged: accurately attaching optical fibers to waveguides on photonic chips requires precision at the micrometer level. While this task seems technical, it is the foundation for future high-quality data transfer and system performance.
Innovations in Optical Fiber Technology
Point2 Technology and its collaborative partner AttoTude are leading the charge with a transformative solution. This effort links two established technologies and brings in creative new concepts. On a super-fast 1.6-terabit-per-second cable composed of eight thin, flexible polymer waveguides, Point2’s method would be to mass produce chips that use those flexible elements. Each waveguide is already in use carrying an incredible 448 gigabits per second. It does this through the use of two different frequencies, 90 gigahertz and 225 gigahertz.
With AttoTude‘s invention, the most critical individual components of this advanced technology have been created. Those components are a digital data chip, a terahertz-signal generator, and a circuit that mixes the two signals. The terahertz regime, 300-3,000 GHz, is a frequency range that is the upper limit attainable by purely electronic means. This cutting-edge achievement has exciting potential to dramatically increase data transmission speeds for everything from mobile communications to medical applications.
As David Kuo of Point2 Technology puts it, “the time has come to treat adapting to surging bandwidth needs as an urgent matter.
“As bandwidth demands on copper cables approach the terabit-per-second realm, physics demands that they be made shorter and thicker.” – David Kuo
Portland based Point2’s innovative e-Tube cable includes 8 optical fibers, each of which can carry more than 200 gigabits of data per second. This design results in a cable that occupies only half the area of a traditional 32-gauge copper cable while achieving up to 20 times the reach.
Overcoming Challenges in Photonic Integration
The marriage of optics with current electronic systems is still a difficult beast. Credo’s Don Barnetson, who has really shined a light on this issue, explains that
“You start with passive copper, and you do everything you can to run in passive copper as long as you can.” – Don Barnetson
Many companies in the industry would understandably rather take a safer bet on proven copper technologies. They’re holding out until optical solutions are more cost-effective and practical before switching over. For one, everyone is moving towards optical solutions. Earlier this year, Nvidia and Broadcom released optical transceivers that live in the same package as their processors.
AttoTude’s CEO, Dave Welch, has similarly expressed the plight of companies entering the photonics space. Most importantly, he observes that customers love the benefits of fiber optics but hate dealing with the downsides of the complexity tied to photonics.
“Customers love fiber. But what they hate is the photonics.” – Dave Welch
Welch goes on to claim that electronics, from a reliability standpoint, are better than optics. He poses an interesting question around their operational flexibility.
“If I didn’t have to be at [an optical wavelength], where should I be?” – Dave Welch
This line of inquiry lays the groundwork for investigating longer wavelengths that can produce superior results and greater efficiency.
The Future Landscape of Data Centers
Advancements in technology are changing at a breakneck pace. Both Point2 and AttoTude are poised to upend the traditional data center operator model and truly be on the cutting edge. The partnership between these companies and KAIST represents a new era in high-speed data transmission technologies.
Advocacy group Credo’s Don Barnetson has the details of an extraordinary success. Their start-up has engineered an Active Electrical Cable (AEC) that’s capable of 800 Gb/s at lengths of seven meters or more. This trailblazing innovation dovetails beautifully with Point2’s e-Tube cables—enabling ultra-high speed connectivity over long, yet practical, distances.
The continuing development of cable technology is critically important as industry needs continue to increase. As bandwidth requirements continue to tighten, businesses are forced to create change faster than ever to stay ahead of what users want. As David Kuo highlights, adapting to these changes is not just beneficial. It is essential for survival in a competitive market.
