Intel "Light Peak" to replace USB 3.0 by 2011?

‘Light Peak’ is the codename for a new high-speed optical cable technology designed to connect devices together and transfer data at lightening speed, much like those promised by USB 3.0. Intel claims Light Peak is capable of a whopping 10Gbps.

Intel has employed light technology to create the surrogate as they argue USB is “approaching practical limits for speed and length, due to electro-magnetic interference (EMI) and other issues”.

The reasoning behind the swap is because Light Peak “does not have these limitations since it transmits data using light instead of electricity” so ultimately it’s cost-effective, and generally…well… more effective.

It’s actually pretty simple. It consists of a controller chip and an optical module which converts electricity to light and vice versa using miniature lasers and photo detectors.

Transmitting data using light (fibre optics) has been growing steadily more popular over the years, from key-hole surgeries to super-speed broadband connections.

Another motivating factor is the fact that users can connect multiple devices to the computer through one single cable… so no more of those ridiculous novelty USB gadgets, and no more fiddling with the cable to get it the right way round.

It does seem like a revolution in connection systems, but whether or not it replaces the brand spanking new USB 3.0 is another kettle of fish.