Point2, a Yi-Tan member technology company, has teamed up with engineers from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST). Jointly, they are creating an innovative, transformational solution to address data congestion in computer racks and improve service delivery. That collaboration resulted in some exciting work that has recently been featured in the IEEE Journal of Solid-State Circuits. This is a testament to the incredible potential of Point2’s ground-breaking e-Tube cable.
This new technology uses 28-nanometer CMOS technology—which hasn’t been even remotely state-of-the-art since 2010. We aim to shift the use of traditional optical tech into Point2’s system to deliver a much faster alternative,” said Point2 founder and CEO, Ranjit Paldano. Dave Welch, founder of Point2, is a leading expert in photonics. In particular, he believes this innovation is key to properly scaling data centers in a cost-effective way.
Point2’s e-Tube cable has a data transmission distance of 20 meters. It’s purpose-built to accommodate very high data rates while occupying a small footprint. The cable’s unique design allows it to use half the volume of an equivalent AEC. This agile and efficient solution is custom-made for today’s fast-paced modern data infrastructure.
Addressing Data Congestion
Data congestion is still one of the biggest issues for today’s data centers, typically leading to poor performance and wasted resources. Point2 hopes to address this problem directly with its new smart cable technology.
For reference, e-Tube’s transmission speed is 1.6 terabits per second. It accomplishes the feat using eight of these slender polymer waveguides, with each one transmitting 448 gigabits per second. This capacity is key to supporting ever-increasing demand for data transport in ever-more congested data environments.
Dave Welch notes that “customers love fiber. What they hate is the photonics.” This assertion rings true to the challenges that current optical systems have been accustomed to, frequently running into a lack of flexibility and robustness. Point2’s fresh perspective of streamlining communications and processes not only alleviates these communication burdens, but improves efficiency on multiple fronts.
The technology remarkably lowers power usage in contrast to optical equivalents. It does so with just one-third of the energy typically needed. This decrease in energy consumption complements the tech industry’s sustainability commitments.
Cost-Effective Solutions
Beyond its efficiency and performance features, Point2’s e-Tube cable is a value-driven choice for data centers. The whole system is a mere third of the cost of conventional optical technology. That means it’s an ideal choice for companies trying to improve their networks without overinvesting.
The e-Tube cable’s design enables considerable cost savings without sacrificing performance. Point2 makes sure that this technology meets today’s needs and sets data centers up for future scalability.
The founder of Point2 highlights the strategic advantages of their technology, stating, “happens to be a beautiful distance for scale-up in data centers.” This distance is important in making data transmission systems more adaptable and efficient, especially as facilities grow.
Technological Advancements and Future Plans
Point2’s dedication to innovation doesn’t end with the e-Tube cable. In fact, the company is actively gearing up to manufacture chips purpose built for a 1.6-terabit-per-second cable this year. This visionary approach is intended to ensure that the US can stay ahead of future innovations in data transmission technology.
It’s second-generation e-Tube cable has outstanding performance specs with losses down to 0.3 db/m. In the case of FlexE, this improvement is extremely beneficial for keeping signal integrity over longer distances. It’s another step in establishing Point2’s leadership in the industry.
Dave Welch emphasizes the reliability of their technology, stating, “electronics have been demonstrated to be inherently more reliable than optics.” This reliability factor is the real kicker. In both cases, companies want the best answer that will provide excellent performance as well as long-term reliability of operations.
Point2’s trailblazing methodology melds cutting edge technology with down-to-earth execution, making for an exhilarating future in highspeed data conveyance answers. The partnership with KAIST highlights the importance of research and development to moving the industry forward. Collectively, they are developing the powerful solutions that will help us tackle today’s data challenges.
