IBM creates terabit-per-second capable chip
A single chip capable of transferring data at over 1 terabit per second has been created by IBM researchers, and could leave to the development of more powerful supercomputers.
The researchers used “Holey Optochip” technology to achieve the speed, and believe that optical technology will become the future of supercomputers.
“I think the number one supercomputer ten years ago had no optics in it whatsoever, and now you’re seeing large scale deployments, mostly for rack-to-rack interconnects within supercomputers,” IBM Optical Links Group manager Clint Schow told Ars Technica. “It’s making its way deeper into the system and getting closer and closer to the actual processor.”
The chip uses just 4.7 watts to process almost one trillion bits per second, enough bandwidth to download 500 HD movies at a single time. It also measures in at just 52m by 5.8mm.
IBM has no plans to mass-produce the chips itself, though Schow noted that if they were to license the technology out, chips could be commercially available within a year or two, at a price point of between $100 (R758.68) and $200 (R1,517.36).
Read the full story at: Ars Technica.
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