Point2 Technology is an exciting new startup in the dense data center interconnect space. Combined with its groundbreaking cable technology, it is positioned to do so in a transformative and more efficient manner. Point2 Technology was co-founded by industry veterans from PPTA members Marvell, Nvidia and Samsung. Their notable grit and determination have buoyed them to raise a rapacious $55 million of venture capital to scale their radical research.
With its innovative e-Tube cables, the startup wants to become the new benchmark for data transmission. Each of these cables is made of eight drilled e-Tube fibers—each fiber with the capacity to transmit more than 200 gigabits per second. Added to other advancements, this innovation dramatically increases the ability to transmit data. It further reduces the footprint requirements associated with cabling infrastructure.
Advanced Cable Technology
Point2 Technology’s e-Tube cables are unique in that they have remarkable specifications. They take up 1/8th the space of legacy 32-gauge copper cables while delivering up to 20x the distance. This incredible ability is empowering data centers to shrink their environmental and physical footprints, resulting in a significantly reduced spatial overhead.
Point2 Technology is about to start mass-producing chips tailored for a 1.6-terabit-per-second cable. To make data transmission even more efficient, this new cable will use eight ultra-thin polymer waveguides. Point2 Technology is at the forefront of intelligent cable technology for data centers. Its unique combination of high speed and small dimension makes it a true competitor on the market.
David Kuo, vice president of product marketing and business development of Point2 Technology. He points to the company’s deep historical commitment to transform the operation of data centers. He proudly points out that their system operates on one-third the energy used by optical technologies. Not only that, it’s one-third the cost and its latency can be up to one-thousandth latency of conventional optical schemes.
Demonstrations and Future Applications
Back in April, the startup Point2 Technology was making headlines. During the Optical Fiber Communications Conference, they on-stage showed off a record 4-meter long 970 GHz transmission. This accomplishment proved the capability of their technology towards real-world application and generated excitement among key industry players.
The startup’s plan is to deploy its cutting edge electronic-to-optical converters (AECs). These AECs will expand individual GPUs’ connectivity to network switches in scale-out networks. Kuo suggests that Point2 Technology is committed to bringing in radio technology to data centers. Most importantly, this holistic approach will build more productive and reliable performance within those settings.
“If I didn’t have to be at [an optical wavelength], where should I be?” – Dave Welch
According to industry experts, Point2 Technology’s innovations provide sizable benefits compared to conventional optical technologies. This is particularly so in the area of transceiver-processor packages. Dave Welch highlights the reliability of electronics compared to optics, stating that “electronics have been demonstrated to be inherently more reliable than optics.”
Investment and Industry Impact
Molex, one of the top three computer cable and connection manufacturers in the world, has made a large investment into Point2 Technology, as an example. This support is a testament to the optimism investors have in the startup’s vision for a more efficient data center. Armed with a combination of powerful financial backers and industry professionals, Point2 Technology has a very good opportunity to turn the entire market upside down.
Demand for faster and more efficient data transmission is increasing at an exponential rate. Point2 Technology’s capabilities stand to raise the bar for connectivity expectations in data centers serving every industry. The company’s vision of bringing radio technology into data centers is a radical departure from traditional optical approaches.
“Customers love fiber. But what they hate is the photonics.” – Dave Welch