Technologies

Stock Terminals

Stock terminals are in no way a new technology they are a system that “allows investors access to real-time market data, investing analytics, and proprietary trading platforms” [1].

Fiber optic cables

Information is coded into a form of light. This light is projected through a cable and bounces off the walls of the cable to the end. The latency of a fiber optic cable is the measure of time it takes to transmit information. In a vacuum, the latency is 0.33 microseconds for 100m. In real world applications, a vacuum cannot be achieved, and materials that try to mimic the behavior of light in a vacuum is used. However, they only allow a fraction of the speed of light in a vacuum to travel through the cable. For example, a thick coaxial cable allows light to travel at 77% of the speed of light in a vacuum, which leads to a latency of 0.432 microseconds for 100m [4].

Optical regenerator

The purpose of an optical regenerator is to boost the optic signal which is collected by the regenerator. The regenerators convert the optical signal to an electric form to then be converted back to an optic signal to be sent out. This new signal is a new wavelength but doesn’t change the data/signal content. They work hand in hand with optical repeaters which extend the optical signal to cover a larger distance [6].

Stock market millisecond significance (HFT)

Trading is done over powerful and fast computer software that allows traders to analyze multiple market conditions. High-frequency trading also emphasizes the need for computing speed because the fastest traders gain a competitive advantage of the others as they can assess the markets earlier [2].

Microwave Tower data transmission

Microwave Towers bounce off microwaves that carry information. Microwaves are a type of electromagnetic wave, which means that it travels at the speed of light. Microwave towers are faster than optic fiber cables for high-frequency trading because “radio signals travel through air about 50 percent faster than light moves down fibre”, however, the only limiting factor is the cost to finance the tower masts [5].

Payload Attacks

Anton dials a phone number that is linked to a computer in his cabinet. When the number is dialed, it activates the computer from its sleep. The computer then sends out a phone menu, and Anton dials 1 to send a payload to the network in Torres & Thatcher Corp. This payload shows the latency of the network by 20 milliseconds. The movie does not explicitly say how the payload was sent and activated. There are a number of ways this payload could have accessed the company's network. Someone could have downloaded the malicious payload through the email. Anton could have placed a receiver within the network before he quit the company. Anton could also conduct a botnet attack to slow down the network.

As The Hummingbird Project is portrayed in modern-day, there isn't any technology that is something futuristic instead the technology which doesn't exist is being researched and certainly plausible.

All of the technology in the movie is either some which has already existed and is being used for fair amount of time or technology which is still being researched and therefore no emerging technology was featured.

The Hummingbird Project didn't showcase any technology which is impossible.

Neutrino Messaging High-Frequency Trading

Neutrino messaging is the process of composing a message, using a particle accelerator to translate the message from binary to neutrino bunches which are then sent to a neutrino detection to decipher the neutrino bunches and then convert it back into binary code for a person to read it as. Through the use of neutrino messaging, in theory, people are able to send a message directly to a receiver without needing to worry about neutrinos being stoped as they go through essentially every object. Through the use of neutrino messaging, sending stock orders and numbers could be cut down by milliseconds [3].