Point2, working alongside engineers with the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, created new technology. This breakthrough technology has the potential to make a 3X improvement in data center efficiency. That’s the conclusion of a pioneering research paper published in the IEEE Journal of Solid-State Circuits. It’s based on 28-nanometer CMOS technology, which hasn’t been considered state-of-the-art since 2010. Point2 is aiming for operational frequencies of terahertz and above. This patented, leading-edge method mitigates the stress and congestion issues typically seen in computer racks.
With demand for data processing blasting through the roof, Nvidia is going all-in. By 2027, the company wants to increase the maximum number of GPUs per system from 72 to a staggering 576. This anticipated increase further emphasizes the importance of developing faster data-transfer technology. Point2’s e-Tube technology goes straight to the heart of this need. For this, it relies on copper cables that typically only reach one or two meters in length. Point2’s groundbreaking innovations are set to take data transmission capabilities far beyond common standards.
Transforming Data Transmission
Point2’s e-Tube cable is a revolutionary breakthrough for how data is transmitted over cable. It is made up of eight tiny polymer optical fibers and it’s about to change the way we transmit data inside data centers. Each waveguide has the capacity to carry 448 gigabits per second using two distinct frequencies: 90 gigahertz and 225 GHz. This kind of performance is more important now than ever, as there is an increasing demand for high-performance computing.
The e-Tube cable uses a single universal silicon-chip transceiver housed in a 4cm long round plastic chip that converts incoming digital data into modulated millimeter-wave frequencies. This chip is what makes it possible for the cable to vibrate an incoming signal into each of its waveguides efficiently. Importantly, Point2’s technology is able to cover distances of up to 20 meters without sacrificing performance.
As an industry leader, Don Barnetson, TDSI’s Director of Transportation, said it’s imperative to start with passive copper technology.
“You start with passive copper, and you do everything you can to run in passive copper as long as you can.” – Don Barnetson
Focusing federal dollars on ensuring a smooth and equitable transition from outdated, copper-based, connectivity to advanced solutions like Point2’s innovative e-Tube.
Meeting Modern Demands
The need for enhanced data transmission mechanisms is becoming increasingly evident as companies strive to keep pace with growing technological demands. Point2’s cutting edge fiber optic technology is set to provide superior experience compared to legacy copper solution. Those fibers on the second-generation e-Tube cable are only 200 micrometers thick—about the diameter of a human hair. It provides outstanding mechanical performance, with up to 0.3 decibel per meter losses.
Dave Welch, founder and CEO of AttoTude, shared some recent experience on what customers want when it comes to deploying fiber optics.
“Customers love fiber. But what they hate is the photonics.” – Dave Welch
Welch went on to underscore the general superiority of electronic systems over optical systems.
“Electronics have been demonstrated to be inherently more reliable than optics.” – Dave Welch
This reliability could be a key factor for companies considering the adoption of Point2’s e-Tube technology in their data centers.
Expanding Capabilities
Point2 is making progress with its plans to manufacture chips that are no worse than the bottleneck stopping a 1.6-terabits-per-second cable system from rolling out. This commitment is evident in the company’s continued pursuit of innovation within the data transmission ecosystem. Including many waveguides increases capacity, as well as efficiency. This capability is important, more so than one might initially think, in helping validate support for Nvidia’s massive GPU expansion plans.
Point2’s e-Tube is designed to increase distance as well as speed, especially to solve problems with signal loss over longer distances. With the ability to transmit data up to 20 meters without significant degradation, Point2’s solution stands out in a market where maintaining signal integrity over longer distances is critical.
