Point2, a pioneering technology company, has made significant strides in the data transmission sector by collaborating with engineers from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology. This partnership with CHT has resulted in a truly innovative project. It was covered most recently in the IEEE Journal of Solid-State Circuits and showcases Point2’s ground-breaking e-Tube cable technology. The new system is expected to improve efficiency in the data center by a wide margin, cutting costs and energy use in the process.
Well e-Tube cable uses 28-nanometer CMOS production technology, which isn’t particularly old as it dates back to 2010, but in this case is a huge benefit. Point2 is committed to developing a radically more efficient optical solution than what’s available today. Their stunning performance metrics come with the benefit of reduced power consumption, cost, and drastically improved latency.
Breakthrough in Efficiency and Cost-Effectiveness
Point2’s new e-Tube system uses just one-third of the energy needed by optical technologies. Data centers need to make deeper cuts into energy use to get costs down to operation needs. Given the imperative to perform at a high level, this reduction is key. e-Tube cable is just a third of the price of conventional optical systems. This is what makes it such an attractive lure for companies and charters all too eager to get their hands on faster infrastructure.
The system addresses one of the critical challenges faced by current optical technologies: latency. Remotely controllable, Point2’s e-Tube cable has latency up to 1,000 times lower than opto-electronic systems. This decrease both increases the speeds at which data can be transmitted and creates a more responsive system overall—a key consideration for any real-time application.
“Customers love fiber. But what they hate is the photonics,” – Dave Welch
Advanced Design and Performance Capabilities
Point2’s e-Tube cable with TranzX’s pointed design For one, it uses just one silicon chip that converts incoming digital data directly into modulated millimeter-wave frequencies. This new approach includes an antenna design that radiates entirely into a rectangular waveguide enabling ultra-efficient data communication. Each of these e-Tube cables has eight fibers. Each of these fibers is capable of carrying more than 200 gigabits of data per second—that’s a total data throughput of more than 1.6 terabits per second.
Each waveguide within the e-Tube system can carry 448 gigabits per second using two distinct frequencies: 90 gigahertz and 225 gigahertz. The system’s second-generation capabilities spell good news for impressive performance. Losses have been minimized down to a mere 0.3 decibels per meter, signaling its unmatched efficiency over long-distance data transport.
Point2’s intelligent technology makes it possible to send data in real-time over 20-meter distances. This would be a huge step forward from what is possible today. The e-Tube cables are very thin, measuring only half the cross-section of a typical 32-gauge copper wire. It’s exactly this unusual design that makes them so attractive. This smaller form factor significantly increases reach by up to 20x versus legacy copper solutions. It allows for maximum flexibility for potential data center layout and design.
Industry Impact and Future Prospects
Point2’s e-Tube cable technology solves those issues and more with small but mighty improvements. This innovation represents a watershed moment in the way enterprises manage data movement across their hybrid infrastructures. The company has successfully secured $55 million in venture funding, notably from Molex, a major player in computer cables and connection manufacturing. This funding will help Point2 fulfill its mission to make its next-generation technology available in the market.
Consequently, experts in the industry see the possibilities for future transceiver-processor packages as Point2’s technology matures. Delivering a new and affordable high-frequency alternative solution to optical technology can dramatically change any complex dynamic of the marketplace.
“Electronics have been demonstrated to be inherently more reliable than optics.” – Dave Welch
Point2’s dedication to using electronics instead of optics to solve problems is in step with a larger industry movement towards long lasting, reliable solutions. They tout this more selective approach particularly by centering on passive copper technology. Don Barnetson sighting the challenges of scaling up with passive copper, his insights are key to understanding their strategy.
“You start with passive copper, and you do everything you can to run in passive copper as long as you can.” – Don Barnetson
As Point2 gears up to manufacture its multi-functional chips, so too does the excitement around its modular e-Tube cables, which offer customizable drivetrain options. The integration of advanced technology with cost-effective solutions positions Point2 as a key player in the future of data transmission.
