14 DAY TRIAL // The current rage of Mac computers to feature support for the high-speed Thunderbolt interconnect will also be compatible with the next-generation of optical cables designed for this interface, confirmed Intel recently to the press.
This new technology will enable Thunderbolt cables to span larger distances than before, Intel promising a maximum range of six meters (about 20 feet).
“Circuitry will ensure compatibility of optical cables with existing Thunderbolt ports,” said Intel representative Dave Salvator, reports the 9to5 Mac website.
“Copper cables provide adequate data transfer for use over short distances of up to six meters (about 20 feet), but optical cables will be good for data transfers over longer distances of tens of meters,” continued Salvador.
Intel's representative refrained himself from divulging any information regarding the pricing or the availability of these cables, but it did mention that Intel is working on developing even faster inter-connects that use silicon photonics.
Salvator hasn't mentioned anything about the new technology, but he was most probably referring to the post-Thunderbolt (PTB) interface that Intel announced it's working on at the end of April.
Compared to Thunderbolt, PBT will be able to reach transfer data rates of up to 50Gb/s over distances of 100 meters (about 328 feet).
The external interconnect will use new data transfer protocols and will be fabricated using conventional silicon manufacturing technologies.
This should make it less expensive than the current technologies that combine electrical and optical devices on a single chip.
Intel believes that thanks to the new design approach and to the advanced manufacturing technologies to be available in 2015, the PTB interconnect will be fairly affordable which should enable it to make its way into a wide range of devices including personal computers, tablets, smartphones, televisions and others.