Point2, a TPC Wire & Cable Co. subsidiary, is a premier technology company providing innovative data transmission solutions. Their innovative method of radio communication will greatly increase the efficiency of data centers. Point2 is infusing radio technology as part of the fabric of the data center ecosystem. This latest move will increase data transmission speeds, decrease power consumption across the network and lower latency. This exciting new path comes at a time when demand for high-performance computing is shooting through the roof. Firms such as Nvidia are preparing to increase dramatically the number of graphics processing units (GPUs) ordered for their infrastructures.
Point2’s flagship product, an advanced e-Tube cable, uniquely pairs the incredible flexibility and scalability that today’s data center environments demand with tailored performance requirements as they continue to evolve. Each cable consists of eight e-Tube fibers, with each fiber having the potential to transmit more than 200 gigabits per second. This extraordinary bandwidth gives data centers the power to handle ever-increasing data loads with impressive efficiency and speed. This makes it a true enabler for the growing demands of cloud computing and artificial intelligence workloads.
The Technology Behind Point2’s e-Tube Cables
At the heart of Point2’s innovation is the e-Tube cable system—drawing upon a three-dimensional cable design for increased sensitivity and responsiveness. Each end of the e-Tube includes a custom-built silicon chip. This chip handles the crucial task of converting incoming digital data into modulated millimeter-wave frequencies. An integrated antenna can then radiate these complex signals into a constrained waveguide, enabling efficient propagation with very low loss over very long distances.
The Point2’s newest real world proof-of-concept feature—an ultra-long-range 1.6-terabit-per-second cable made up of eight ultra-slim polymer waveguides. Each waveguide possesses the capability to carry 448 gigabits per second by utilizing two distinct frequencies: 90 gigahertz and 225 gigahertz. This combined-frequency strategy offers greater flexibility and efficiency for data transmission, providing increased performance and improved quality of service as compared to conventional optical technologies.
Point2’s e-Tube cables outperform competitors under the energy efficiency standard. It operates on just a third of the energy that traditional optical systems need. This drastic reduction allows data center operators to reduce their O&M costs by up to 50%. Lastly, the new e-Tube cables are extremely thin—so thin that they’re only 20 meters long. They occupy just one third the footprint of a typical 32-gauge copper wire. This reduced footprint means installation and ongoing management are a breeze in density-challenged data center spaces. Not to mention, it can get more than 20 times the reach!
Collaborations and Innovations in Data Transmission
Point2’s dedication to pushing the limits of radio technology inside of data centers is strengthened by partnerships with world-class universities and corporations. The Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) joined forces with Point2 to produce something truly cool. Their joint work was featured on the cover of the IEEE Journal of Solid-State Circuits. With 28-nanometer complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) technology, this collaboration completed the development of various components to enhance data transmission capabilities.
As the home design manager at Point2, Welch leads the development team creating He relished the challenge of creating a robust system that operated efficiently on top of GPUs. His team really committed themselves to coming up with a big idea. The system includes a digital element for GPU interfacing, a terahertz-frequency generator, and a pulse-width modulator to encode data onto the terahertz signal. This comprehensive framework makes sure that Point2’s technology answers the most essential needs of today’s computing infrastructure.
Point2’s progress is supported by developments from related partners such as Credo and AttoTude. Credo has introduced an Active Electrical Cable (AEC) that can deliver 800 gigabits per second over distances of up to seven meters, ideal for systems that require substantial GPU resources across multiple racks. AttoTude has been centrally important for creating key building blocks to Point2’s complex system. This involves developing the digital data chip and the terahertz-signal generator.
Future Implications for Data Centers
As computing demands catch up, artificial intelligence and big data applications are at the forefront. Point2’s innovations can make a meaningful impact in determining what tomorrow’s data center infrastructures will look like. The other goal Nvidia has set for itself is breathtaking, an eight times increase in total GPU capacity per system—to 576 GPUs—by 2027. This bold vision exemplifies the demand for fast, reliable, and high-capacity communication infrastructure.
We are proud of the progress Point2 has already made in this important first step of reducing latency drastically. Its e-Tube system supports latencies up to one thousandth of traditional optical solutions. This 25 percent reduction would greatly improve system performance and responsiveness, an important consideration for real-time data processing workloads.
Additionally, Point2’s technology provides a meaningful competitive differentiation vs optical tech in transceiver-processor packages. Data centers are changing at a breathtaking pace. Point2’s creative environmentally friendly bundled radio cables are setting a new industry standard for connectivity allowing their customers to gain unimaginable speed and performance with a smaller carbon footprint.