NovaSparks launches NovaSparks Gen2

NovaSparks, providers of ultra-low latency solutions have introduced the NovaSparks Gen2 appliance. This new development, available from June 2011, aims to offer faster processing and deliver guaranteed sub-microsecond speed through its appliance measured on an end-to-end basis. The NovaSparks Gen2 solution offers highly parallelised processing paths within the appliance and guarantees deterministic latency for users irrespective of volume and number of markets being processed.

NovaSparks offers sub-microsecond latency using exclusively Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) technology. The firm's Gen2 release offers unique filtering sets of market data on a line-by-line output basis which enables consumers to have their own unique virtual instrument set and order book tailored to meet their specific business requirements.

The modular NovaSparks Gen2 solution can be configured with up to three feed handlers per appliance and can be cross-connected to other appliances with no latency; consequently all outputs, PCIe Gen2 or 10 Gps Ethernet can see all updates in real-time from any venue and act upon them without relying on slower CPU-based processing.

The NovaSparks appliance is also designed to host client's own proprietary algorithms within the appliance; itself a first for FPGA solutions. Clients will be able to embed their own developed FPGA based algorithmic trading programs and compliance checks within an off-the-shelf FPGA solution offering a zero latency 'tick-to-trade' capability in the nanosecond timescale.

Yves Charles, Chief Executive Officer of NovaSparks said, "We are delighted to introduce Gen2. From our discussions with customers, many anticipate Gen2 be a market-leading solution which combines unique ultra-low latency market data processing features with highly flexible and scalable data distribution capabilities. Thanks to uniquely configured connectivity, the solution provides up to 24 Output/Input connections per appliance, including up to 12 PCIe Gen2 connections in addition to 10G Ethernet connections. Customer application servers can therefore access market data with the lowest latency possible and can process order books with the greatest flexibility."

Marc Battyani, Chief Technology Officer added, "NovaSparks has the fastest decoders available in the market and our appliances now fully support 10Gb/s market data input with no added latency compared to the 1Gb/s data stream. We are therefore capable of processing 10 times more data within the same time period. Thanks to a unique proprietary approach, by combining our own algorithms (for order decoding and management) and unique compiler technology, NovaSparks can easily handle the challenging volumes of venue information in this increasing arms race of data versus processing."