Point2 is not done and has bigger plans to further disrupt the data center industry. The company was founded by veterans from organizations such as Marvell, Nvidia and Samsung. This year Point2 will start manufacturing the chips for its new state-of-the-art 1.6-terabit-per-second cable. That new cable technology certainly holds the promise to greatly improve data transmission efficiency. Beyond its obvious technical benefits, it cuts latency in half, addressing some of the most critical issues of today’s data centers.
The cable’s innovative design incorporates eight slim polymer waveguides that can each transfer 448 gigabits per second. Point2 has created a groundbreaking three-tiered structure. The goal is to democratize and accelerate the process of moving from traditional copper to photonic technologies. The company’s e-Tube fibers will transmit more than 200 gigabits of data per second, providing future-ready, high-speed connectivity, reliability and flexibility.
Collaboration with Leading Research Institutions
Point2’s recent progress is a result of an ongoing partnership with engineers at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology. Together, their collaborative work dazzled in the IEEE Journal of Solid-State Circuits. This publication went on to further display the amazing capabilities that the new cable technology could provide.
The use of 28-nanometer CMOS technology, while not considered cutting-edge since 2010, allows for efficient production and integration into existing systems. The creativity really can’t be overstated and it shows, from the bolt of brilliance speed, to its smaller stature. Point2’s cable has a diameter of only 8.1 millimeters, which is half the size of similar AEC cables. This small form factor maximizes deployment versatility, providing unparalleled layout flexibility in data centers.
“Customers love fiber. But what they hate is the photonics.” – Dave Welch
Dave Welch, a prominent figure in the field, emphasizes the industry’s struggle with photonic technologies and points out that Point2’s innovations may offer a viable alternative.
Efficiency and Cost-Effectiveness
Perhaps the biggest benefit to Point2’s cable system is its efficiency. The new technology uses just a third of the energy needed for equivalent optical systems and costs just a third too. What’s more, it has figures on latency that are one-thousandth that of optical systems.
To show the e-Tube’s incredible length too, the e-Tube cable is able to transmit data up to 20 meters without a noticeable signal degradation. Point2’s innovative technology allows it to become a highly competitive alternative to incumbent copper solutions. Unlike copper, which faces limitations in transmission distance and speed, Point2 has no such constraints.
“Electronics have been demonstrated to be inherently more reliable than optics.” – Dave Welch
Welch’s statement underscores the inherent advantages of electronics over optical solutions, hinting at why Point2’s technology could gain traction among data center operators.
Future Prospects and Funding
Founded just nine years ago, Point2 has so far drawn an eye-popping $55 million in venture capital. This has attracted significant investment including from Molex, a global leader in computer cables and connections. This level of financial backing will allow them to scale up their manufacturing processes and continue their research on how to make cables even more advanced.
Needless to say, Point2 has become a leader in bridging the gap between copper and photonic technologies. They are committed to developing innovations that meet the demands of today’s data centers.
“If I didn’t have to be at [an optical wavelength], where should I be?” – Dave Welch
Welch’s probing question represents an eternal chase for the best possible way to transmit information. Point2’s innovation may just provide an answer.