Abstract: A network adapter includes a network port for communicating with a communication network, a hardware clock, and circuitry. The circuitry is coupled to receive from the communication network, via the network port, one or more time-protocol packets that convey a network time used for synchronizing network devices in the communication network, to align the hardware clock to the network time conveyed in the time-protocol packets, and to make the network time available to one or more time-service consumers running in a host served by the network adapter.

Abstract: Apparatus including a shared device in communication with a plurality of computing machines external to the shared device, the shared device including at least one PTP domain coefficient storage area, the at least one PTP domain coefficient storage area receiving a PTP coefficient from a computing machine having a PTP client, and providing the PTP coefficient to a computing machine not having a PTP client. Related apparatus and methods are also provided.

Abstract: A method including configuring a transmit process to store information including a queue of packets to be transmitted, the queue defining transmit process packets to be transmitted, each packet associated with a transmission time, and configuring a synchronization process to receive from the transmit process at least some of the information. The synchronization process performs one of: A) accessing a dummy send queue and a completion queue, and transmitting one or more of the transmit process packets in accordance with a completion queue entry in the completion queue, and B) sends a doorbell to transmission hardware at a time when at least one of the transmit process packets is to be transmitted, the synchronization process including a master queue configured to store transmission entries, each transmission entry including a transmit process indicator and an indication of transmit process packets to be transmitted. Related apparatus and methods are also described.

Abstract: An off-grid renewable energy harvesting device is disclosed, which provides electric power for purchase for general devices and for authenticated devices. In some embodiments only authenticated devices may be provided with electricity for purchase. In certain embodiments the authenticated devices may be provided electric power at a rate different than general devices. In some embodiments, secondary services may be provided by the authenticated devices. Secondary services may be providing communication, providing internet and internet-related services, video-on-demand services, digital video broadcasting, and the like.

Abstract: An energy storage apparatus. The energy storage apparatus includes an energy storage, wherein the energy storage is connected to at least one energy source, wherein the energy storage is configured to store energy from the at least one energy source; a power supplier, wherein the power supplier is connected to an external load, wherein the power supplier is configured to provide energy from the energy storage to the external load; and a distribution regulator, wherein the distribution regulator is configured, in real-time, to operate the energy storage apparatus in a reduced power mode.

Abstract: A system and method for optimizing energy generation. The method includes remotely connecting to an energy storage apparatus that is connected to a tested solar panel; receiving, from the energy storage apparatus, at least one test power measurement, wherein each test power measurement is an amount of power generated by the tested solar panel; obtaining at least one benchmarking power measurement, wherein each benchmarking power measurement is an amount of power generated by one of at least one benchmarking solar panel; determining, based on the at least one benchmarking power measurement, at least one optimization threshold; comparing each test power measurement to each optimization threshold; determining, based on the comparison, whether placement of the tested solar panel is at least an optimal placement; and generating a notification indicating whether placement of the tested solar panel is optimal.

Abstract: A system and method for prolonging a useful lifetime of an energy storage. The method includes: determining, based on a first set of test storage data of the test energy storage, a first set of test configuration parameters comprising a first maximum charge level for the test energy storage, wherein the first set of test configuration parameters corresponds to a first estimated useful life; determining, based on a second set of test storage data of the test energy storage, a second set of test configuration parameters comprising a second maximum charge level for the test energy storage, wherein the second set of test configuration parameters corresponds to a second estimated useful life; and sending, to a controller of the test energy storage, reconfiguration instructions, wherein the reconfiguration instructions are based on the second set of test configuration parameters, wherein the second estimated useful life is longer than the first estimated useful life.

Abstract: Apparatus including a shared device in communication with a plurality of computing machines external to the shared device, the shared device including at least one PTP domain coefficient storage area, the at least one PTP domain coefficient storage area receiving a PTP coefficient from a computing machine having a PTP client, and providing the PTP coefficient to a computing machine not having a PTP client. Related apparatus and methods are also provided.

Abstract: An energy storage apparatus. The energy storage apparatus includes an energy storage, wherein the energy storage is connected to at least one energy source, wherein the energy storage is configured to store energy from the at least one energy source; a power supplier, wherein the power supplier is connected to an external load, wherein the power supplier is configured to provide energy from the energy storage to the external load; and a distribution regulator, wherein the distribution regulator is configured, in real-time, to operate the energy storage apparatus in a reduced power mode.

Abstract: An energy storage apparatus. The energy storage apparatus includes an energy storage, wherein the energy storage is connected to at least one energy source, wherein the energy storage is configured to store energy from the at least one energy source; a power supplier, wherein the power supplier is connected to an external load, wherein the power supplier is configured to provide energy from the energy storage to the external load; and a distribution regulator, wherein the distribution regulator is configured, in real-time, to operate the energy storage apparatus in a reduced power mode.

Abstract: A method including configuring a transmit process to store information including a queue of packets to be transmitted, the queue defining transmit process packets to be transmitted, each packet associated with a transmission time, and configuring a synchronization process to receive from the transmit process at least some of the information. The synchronization process performs one of: A) accessing a dummy send queue and a completion queue, and transmitting one or more of the transmit process packets in accordance with a completion queue entry in the completion queue, and B) sends a doorbell to transmission hardware at a time when at least one of the transmit process packets is to be transmitted, the synchronization process including a master queue configured to store transmission entries, each transmission entry including a transmit process indicator and an indication of transmit process packets to be transmitted. Related apparatus and methods are also described.

Abstract: An energy storage device. The energy storage device includes a first pouch battery including a first terminal, a first pouch, and a first cell disposed in the first pouch; a second pouch battery positioned beneath the first pouch battery, the second pouch battery including a second terminal, a second pouch, and a second cell disposed in the second pouch; and a battery management system (BMS) positioned between the first cell and the second cell, wherein the BMS is coupled to the first terminal and to the second terminal; wherein each pouch has a top foil and a bottom foil, each foil including a first edge, a second edge, a third edge, and a fourth edge; wherein each edge of the bottom foil of the first pouch is bonded to a corresponding edge of the top foil of the second pouch.

Abstract: A battery pack includes a protective circuit module (PCM) including a first incoming power terminal and a second outgoing power terminal; a first pouch battery including a third power terminal and a fourth power terminal, wherein the third power terminal is electrically connected to the first power terminal; and a protective enclosure including a base plate and a wall extending perpendicularly from the base plate, wherein the PCM and a portion of the first pouch battery are disposed in the protective enclosure, wherein the portion of the first pouch battery includes the third power terminal and the fourth power terminal that cannot be accessed directly, wherein the PCM is affixed to the base plate, wherein the second power terminal of the PCM and at least one of the third power terminal and the fourth power terminal of the first pouch battery extend beyond the wall of the protective enclosure.

Abstract: A system and method for prolonging battery life in solar-powered power stations (SPPSs). The method includes determining, based on battery usage data captured by a SPPS including a battery and a current regulator, a first maximum charge level, wherein the current regulator has configured the battery such that a current charge level of the battery does not exceed the first maximum charge level, wherein the first maximum charge level corresponds to a first expected useful life; determining a second maximum charge level for the battery based on the battery usage data, wherein the second maximum charge level corresponds to a second expected useful life that is longer than the first expected useful life; and sending, to the current regulator, reconfiguration instructions that are based on the second maximum charge level, wherein the current charge level of the reconfigured battery does not exceed the second maximum charge level.

Abstract: A system for providing electrical energy to an energy consumer includes an environmental energy source; an energy storage unit being electrically connected to the environmental energy source and configured to operate with the environmental energy source; and a control unit connected to the environmental energy source and to the energy storage unit, the control unit further comprising an authentication unit configured to periodically authenticate operation of the energy storage unit with the environmental energy source such that, upon authentication by the authentication unit, the control unit enables energy to flow from the environmental energy source to the energy storage unit.

Abstract: A system and method for prolonging a useful lifetime of an energy storage. The method includes: determining, based on a first set of test storage data of the test energy storage, a first set of test configuration parameters comprising a first maximum charge level for the test energy storage, wherein the first set of test configuration parameters corresponds to a first estimated useful life; determining, based on a second set of test storage data of the test energy storage, a second set of test configuration parameters comprising a second maximum charge level for the test energy storage, wherein the second set of test configuration parameters corresponds to a second estimated useful life; and sending, to a controller of the test energy storage, reconfiguration instructions, wherein the reconfiguration instructions are based on the second set of test configuration parameters, wherein the second estimated useful life is longer than the first estimated useful life.

Abstract: A system and method for optimizing energy generation. The method includes remotely connecting to an energy storage apparatus that is connected to a tested solar panel; receiving, from the energy storage apparatus, at least one test power measurement, wherein each test power measurement is an amount of power generated by the tested solar panel; obtaining at least one benchmarking power measurement, wherein each benchmarking power measurement is an amount of power generated by one of at least one benchmarking solar panel; determining, based on the at least one benchmarking power measurement, at least one optimization threshold; comparing each test power measurement to each optimization threshold; determining, based on the comparison, whether placement of the tested solar panel is at least an optimal placement; and generating a notification indicating whether placement of the tested solar panel is optimal.

Abstract: An energy storage apparatus. The energy storage apparatus includes an energy storage, wherein the energy storage is connected to at least one energy source, wherein the energy storage is configured to store energy from the at least one energy source; a power supplier, wherein the power supplier is connected to an external load, wherein the power supplier is configured to provide energy from the energy storage to the external load; and a distribution regulator, wherein the distribution regulator is configured, in real-time, to operate the energy storage apparatus in a reduced power mode.

Abstract: A method includes receiving a wireless beacon from an ad hoc network at a wireless device, wherein the wireless beacon includes a data structure that encodes at least a portion of a wireless identifier of an access point. The method includes configuring the wireless device from the data structure received from the wireless beacon. The method also includes establishing a wireless network between the access point and the wireless device utilizing at least a portion of the wireless identifier encoded in the data structure.

Abstract: A wireless universal serial bus (USB) system that includes a wireless USB host, a first wireless USB device, and a second wireless USB device. The wireless USB host is configured to wirelessly transmit a beacon over a wireless USB network based on a wireless USB protocol. The first and second wireless USB devices are configured to exchange wireless packets with the wireless USB host. The beacon designates the wireless USB network address access times for the first and second wireless USB devices.