Another exciting new startup, Point2 was founded by industry veterans from Marvell, Nvidia, and Samsung. With progress they are poised to revolutionize data center inefficiency with breakthrough radio technology. The Boston-based company has now raised a total of $55 million in venture funding. This success was not possible without the paired, enthusiastic support of Molex – a global, computer cable and connection manufacturer. This funding will help their lofty goal of developing the next generation of data transmission systems based on terahertz-frequency signals.
The creative crux of Point2 Technology’s pioneering solution is its proprietary cable, that the e-Tube. This cable combines 16 separate optical-to-electrical conversion channels each implemented on a single silicon chip that converts incoming digital data directly into modulated millimeter-wave frequencies. In addition to that, e-Tube has an antenna which radiates signals into a unique waveguide which makes efficient use of the signals and strains in data transmission.
Groundbreaking Technology
Point2 Technology’s approach is unique, amazing, and primarily because it can do so order of magnitude better than traditional state-of-the-art copper cables. The e-Tube can transfer data through 10-20 meters distances. This technology is the bleeding edge of advancement, due to the fact that it experiences very little data loss and damage unlike current alternatives. At last April’s Optical Fiber Communications Conference, the company made a splash with a record 4-meter single-shot transmission. They did this at record high frequency of 970 GHz.
David Kuo, vice president of product marketing and business development at Point2 Technology, highlights the potential of their innovative solutions. There are huge benefits to using terahertz-frequency signals, he emphasizes. These signals can enhance data center operations and meet the increasing demand for a faster and more reliable data transmission.
“Customers love fiber. But what they hate is the photonics.” – Welch
Designing a second-generation cable with even higher efficiency and performance in mind only drives Point2 Technology’s dedication to this result. This new cable design uses fibers that are only 200 µm in diameter. It’s on track to reach incredibly low losses of just 0.3 decibels per meter. This degree of efficiency might set a new benchmark for the efficiency of data movement within today’s data centers.
Future Manufacturing Plans
Point2 Technology has made headlines with its plans to start manufacturing the chips that will power a revolutionary 1.6-terabit-per-second cable later this year. This unique polymer cable features eight of those fine waveguides. Each waveguide is capable of supporting a staggering 448 gigabits per second through just two different frequencies – 90 GHz and 225 GHz. Point2 Technology leverages this technology to provide solutions that are purpose-built for today’s evolving data center needs. They work hard to go above and beyond those expectations too.
Its implications go further than increased speed alone. DNA data storage holds distinct advantages over optical technology in certain applications. Welch dives deeper into this potential, yet he argues that electronic solutions are by their nature more reliable than optical equivalents.
“Electronics have been demonstrated to be inherently more reliable than optics.” – Welch
Data centers can have faith in Point2 Technology’s groundbreaking inventions for their reliability. This trust would enable them to take these solutions on a quest for greater performance and stability.
Industry Insights
Data centers are growing both faster and deeper in complexity. This growth has made the demand for innovative, efficient, and effective new data transmission technologies key. Don Barnetson provides insight into the prevailing industry sentiment regarding traditional copper solutions:
“You start with passive copper, and you do everything you can to run in passive copper as long as you can.” – Don Barnetson
This view of the world highlights the pain points for data center operators that want better performance without having to start over completely with their current in-place infrastructures.
Point2 Technology’s breakthroughs could mark a monumental turn. The firm’s innovations can link existing copper-based solutions’ efficacy with fresh, cutting edge fiber-optic technologies. This means that many operators are understandably hesitant to embrace fiber optics due to the intricacies with photonics.
Kuo’s vision for Point2 Technology represents an innovative and future-focused method of solving data transmission stressors. He presses for more innovative approaches to finding new frequencies and mediums that maybe one day will make our communication of today’s data systems more interoperable.
“If I didn’t have to be at [an optical wavelength], where should I be?” – Welch
This investigation highlights the ongoing search for new approaches and tools. These innovations promise to provide robust and practical solutions for data centers.