Point2 Technology, an innovative startup company founded by industry veterans, recently released a revolutionary new cable technology known as e-Tube. This new technology holds the potential to drastically improve data center efficiency. Nine years ago, specialists from major firms at the time – Marvell, Nvidia, Samsung – started Point2 Technology. Armed with $55 million in venture funding, the company is prepared to pursue bold moves. The e-Tube cable, featuring incredibly ambitious specifications, seeks to set a new standard in high performance data transmission technology.
The e-Tube cable has an impressive length of fast charge use of up to 20 meters. This incredible range provides unparalleled versatility for data centers small and large. Perhaps most importantly, it is meant to occupy far less physical space than bulky cords. The 1.6-terabit-per-second e-Tube fibre optic cable occupies less than half the diameter of a 32-gauge copper cable. This small form factor is key in allowing for more solutions to fit into today’s dense data center spaces. As the country’s data needs continue to expand, Point2’s technology will be an important part of addressing the rising demands for bandwidth.
The small size of the e-Tube cable helps contribute to a clean visual design. It provides an outstanding reach of up to 20 times farther than comparable copper cables. This additional capability provides more flexible configurations within data centers while eliminating signal degradation over distance. Point2’s patented and novel approach, built on 28-nanometer CMOS technology, enables a truly remarkable cable. This futuristic construct uses only a third of the power required by outdated optical alternatives.
Technical Innovations Behind e-Tube
Point2 Technology’s e-Tube cable contains only one silicon chip. Smartly built into this chip is the conversion from that incoming digital data to various modulated millimeter-wave frequencies, drastically increasing the efficiency of all digital data transmitted. This specialized silicon chip works in concert with an antenna to radiate signals into the waveguide. Combined, they allow for simple, reliable communication across vast distances without sacrificing data accuracy.
Shimano’s e-Tube cable has an elaborate design with eight fibers. That’s because each fiber can carry more than 200 gigabits of data per second! The high capacity allows data centers to process and transfer massive amounts of data quickly without experiencing bottlenecks. We are prototyping the technology in partnership with the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology. This new partnership further demonstrates our commitment to good, rigorous research and testing ensuring that we are getting the best possible performance.
Furthermore, Point2’s proprietary e-Tube technology provides multiple benefits compared to today’s optical technology. That’s because it requires only a third of the power that typical optical systems do. Such efficiency justifies it as the premier solution for sustainable data center operations. Perhaps most critical is how cost-efficient Point2’s technology is in today’s climate. Additionally, at just one-third the price of conventional optical options, it holds great promise for companies looking to reduce their operational costs.
Challenges and Market Reception
Point2 Technology and its e-Tube cable have an impressive record of accomplishments. Regardless of their potential benefits, new technologies come with their own sets of challenges. Historically, data centers have continued to default to passive copper cables for their established reliability and lower upfront cost. Don Barnetson remarked on this trend:
“You start with passive copper, and you do everything you can to run in passive copper as long as you can.”
This sentiment is indicative of the knee jerk reaction that most organizations have towards any new technology. As pressures mount for quicker, more cost-effective solutions, firms are anxious to find other options. e-Tube is quickly becoming the go-to choice among these cutting-edge solutions.
Dave Welch, another industry expert, highlighted a common perception among customers regarding fiber optics:
“Customers love fiber. But what they hate is the photonics.”
This one piece of testimony highlights the overall market reluctance to adopt optical technologies driven by the challenges related to photonics. Welch noted that electronics tend to be more fault-tolerant than optical systems. This indicates that Point2’s strategy could be well-suited for enterprises seeking trusted providers.
Future Implications
Commercial adoption of e-Tube technology will represent a major turning point for data centers all around the world. With its extreme low latency—up to one-thousandth that of optical technology—Point2’s cables have the potential to revolutionize data transmission and processing. Welch posed a critical question that reflects the potential of this innovation:
“If I didn’t have to be at [an optical wavelength], where should I be?”
This investigation highlights the potential for future breakthroughs in data transmission technologies outside the conventional limits. Point2 Technology is constantly improving its solutions and making real strides in the competitive online marketplace. Ultimately, it would help set the leading standard for overall efficiency and performance in data center operations.