Point2 Technology plans to start manufacturing chips for a new generation 1.6-terabit-per-second cable by the end of this year. This groundbreaking superfast cable, or the e-Tube, as it’s called, stands to revolutionize data transmission speed and effectiveness across the world’s data centers. Point2 uses eight narrow polymer waveguides, each one able to carry 448 gigabits per second. The technology, known as hybrid photonics, is the leading contender to close the gap between legacy optics and copper. The e-Tube cable is specifically designed to offer improved performance while greatly minimizing power and expense.
The demand for sophisticated data transmission solutions is at an all-time high. As data centers further fill up and demand for bandwidth around the world grows, Point2’s e-Tube cable is an attractive alternative. The e-Tube is made up of eight e-Tube fibers, with each one handling more than 200 gigabits of data per second. This advancement not only enhances sustainable computing, but it puts Point2 at the forefront of the next wave in data center technology.
Innovative Technology and Design
Point2’s e-Tube cable features an ultra-slim design, occupying only 50% of space compared to a conventional 32-gauge copper cable. It provides unparalleled reach—over 20 times more than their competition. The cable makes for simple connectivity over distance, extending up to 20 meters without issue. This greater flexibility can enable more versatile data center layouts without sacrificing performance. This combination of size and efficiency makes the e-Tube an attractive option for facilities looking to maximize space and capability.
Developed for this application, the proprietary technology behind the e-Tube cable utilizes the terahertz regime, a domain extending between 300 to 3,000 GHz. Point2 employs a single silicon chip to convert digital data into modulated millimeter-wave frequencies. This innovative development allows for more efficient data transmission while improving overall reliability. Dave Welch reminds us that electronics are always going to be more reliable than optics. Here’s a look at the key benefits this new approach could provide.
Point2’s smart solution uses one third of the energy of optical systems and costs a third of the price too. This increased efficiency not only shrinks your organization’s operational costs, but can help curb the environmental impact that often accompanies data at a mass scale.
Strong Market Position and Financial Backing
Point2 has caught the eye of investors, reeling in $55 million in venture capital funding, with major investments coming from Molex. This investment allows Point2 to accelerate development of its technical solutions and scaling up manufacturing processes. Shimano’s second-gen e-Tube cables now use fibers that are just 200 micrometers wide. On top of that, they get astonishingly low loss figures at only 0.3 dB/m.
Point2 was a clear winner in performance and affordability. This move smartly positions the company to capture a significant chunk of the burgeoning market for high definition speed data transmission. Data centers are one of the fastest changing environments, generating an acute need for solutions that can keep pace with technological innovation. Point2 is excited to meet that challenge and provide just that.
Bridging the Gap Between Technologies
Point2 and its partner AttoTude strongly support a solution that covers a sweet-spot between optical and copper technologies. Union steelworker and activist Don Barnetson lays out the process. You start with the copper in passive form. Milgrom makes the case for lingering in non-active copper for as many years as you can. This hope-filled sentiment captures the tension between a desire to continue building the old way, while recognizing the need to innovate and do better.
The e-Tube cable will be key to applications that need pluggable connections. It will further develop radio transceivers that are co-packaged with processors. By marrying the benefits of both electronic and optical technologies, Point2 is leading the charge towards a more efficient future for data centers.
Dave Welch emphasizes the strategic importance of distance in data center scalability: “Happens to be a beautiful distance for scale-up in data centers.” Point2’s technology provides an unrivaled solution that soars above and beyond the competition in performance and reach. This is a significant breakthrough in data center design.