Point2, a new innovation partner that focuses on making data centers more efficient, has partnered with engineers at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST). Collaboratively, they’re building a groundbreaking new approach to data transmission. Together, this collaboration will drive the use of advanced technologies and set a new benchmark for data center performance and reliability.
The heart of Point2’s innovation lies in their implementation of 28-nanometer complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor CMOS technology. This groundbreaking technology enables the high-precision bonding of optical fibers to a photonic chip’s optical waveguide. Micrometer accuracy as a baseline for all geolocateable addresses is necessary to get the most out of every data transfer.
Advancements in Optical Fiber Technology
Meanwhile Point2 is already ramping up chip manufacturing where it will soon be powering an impressive 1.6-terabit-per-second cable. This cable is made up of eight ultra-thin polymer waveguides, each one able to accommodate a record-shattering 448 gigabits per second. The waveguides provide a tremendous boost to data transmission capabilities, largely due to operating in two frequencies — 90 gigahertz and 225 GHz.
Besides its phenomenal bandwidth capacity, Point2’s e-Tube cable is made of eight e-Tube fibers. Each fiber carries more than 200 gigabits of data per second, making possible a manyfold increase in total data throughput. SHIMANO’s new e-Tube cable has a unique design with the silicon chip built-in. This advanced chip seamlessly transforms upstream digital data into precisely modulated millimeter-wave frequencies, ensuring optimal processing and transmission to the network.
“You start with passive copper, and you do everything you can to run in passive copper as long as you can.” – Don Barnetson
To improve the performance of the unipolar transmission line, Point2’s novel cable design includes an antenna that radiates signals into the waveguide. This e-Tube cable only occupies half the space of standard AEC cables. It delivers big dividends in outreach and efficiency, too!
Efficiency and Cost-Effectiveness
The ability we’re most excited about, by far, is the incredibly low power consumption of Point2’s technology. This new system consumes just one-third of the power that typical optical systems require. It’s a more financially sustainable approach for data centers who are hungry to reduce energy costs and have a smaller environmental footprint. Furthermore, Point2’s system is available at about one-third the cost of conventional optical solutions, offering a less expensive option without compromising performance.
Latency is a very important aspect that Point2’s technology greatly excels in. The system features latencies up to a thousand times lower than optical counterparts. This phenomenal pace boosts data processing and communications within data centers. This enhancement is key for use cases that require on-the-fly processing with no or low latency.
“Customers love fiber. But what they hate is the photonics,” – Dave Welch
Point2’s e-Tube cable with compact architecture. This unique feature enables it to reach up to 20 meters without compromising the quality of the signal. This capacity not only improves flexibility in the design of data center environments, but guarantees consistent functionality over greater distances.
Implications for Data Centers
The ramifications of Point2’s technology go far beyond techno-babble specifications. They have the potential to radically change how data center operators do business. With the adoption of such innovative solutions, data centers can expect increased scalability and performance.
“Electronics have been demonstrated to be inherently more reliable than optics.” – Dave Welch
Dave Welch, an industry veteran, infers how critical reliability is in data transmission technologies. He explains that the nature of Point2’s technology means it’s especially well-suited to be scaled up in data centers.
“If I didn’t have to be at [an optical wavelength], where should I be?” – Dave Welch
Point2 exhibits major breakthroughs at exactly the moment when data centers need to accelerate their change the most. They are under increasing pressure to deliver more capacity at greater speed. Dave Welch further remarks on the optimal distances achievable with Point2’s technology:
“Happens to be a beautiful distance for scale-up in data centers.” – Dave Welch
Data centers are hungry to improve their infrastructure. Point2’s proven, innovative cable solutions lead the industry in helping to transform operations to be more efficient and effective.
