Abstract: A system and method for monitoring energy usage through a power line network is disclosed. According to an embodiment, the present system for monitoring power usage comprises a power line having one or more phases and metering device. The metering device comprises an A/D converter configured to receive an electrical signal and convert the electrical signal to a digital signal, a processor configured to calculate power usage information using the digital signal, and a network interface module configured to transmit the power usage information to a server via the power line network.

Abstract: Method and system for virtual powerline local area networks. An embodiment of the present invention provides system for powerline networking. The system includes an external data source, the data source being derived from a world wide networks of computers. The system includes a router coupled to the external data source and coupled to a first datasource connection. The system includes a powerline network apparatus. The apparatus includes a second datasource connection coupled to the first datasource connection, a powerline device coupled to the second datasource connection, and a virtual local area network device that is configured to limit data forwarding between an end user and a downstream network connection.

Abstract: A system for powerline networking. The system has an external data source, which is derived from a world wide networks of computers. A router is coupled to the external data source and coupled to a first datasource connection. A powerline network switch apparatus is coupled to the first datasource connection. The apparatus has a second datasource connection, which is coupled to the first data source connection. The apparatus has a powerline device coupled to the second datasource connection. The powerline device is adapted to receive and transmit information in a first format from the second data source connection and adapted to receive and transmit information in a second format. The apparatus has a virtual local area network device including a first input/output port and a plurality of second input/output ports. Each of the second input/output ports is numbered from 1 through N, where N is an integer greater than 1.

Abstract: A system for powerline networking has an external data source derived from a world wide networks of computers. A router is coupled to the external data source and a first datasource connection. A powerline network-apparatus including a second datasource connection is coupled to the first datasource connection. The apparatus includes a powerline device coupled to the second datasource connection and adapted to receive and transmit information in a first format from the second datasource connection and adapted to receive and transmit information in a second format. The apparatus also has a virtual local area network (VLAN) device including a first input/output port and a plurality of second input/output ports. A plurality of modem devices are coupled to the VLAN device respectively via the plurality of second input/output ports and also are respectively coupled to a plurality of powerlines capable of communicating information to and from the second datasource connection.

Abstract: A powerline network system. An embodiment of the present invention provides a powerline network device. The device includes a first network interface connected to a data source, the first network interface being configured to receive network data in a first format. The device also includes a first powerline communication module configured to convert data from the first format to a second format. The device further includes a switch having an input port and N output ports, the input port being connected to the first powerline communication module. Also, the device includes a plurality of powerline communication modules, the plurality of power communication modules including a second powerline communication module and a third powerline communication module. Moreover, the device includes a first powerline coupler, the first powerline coupler being configured to couple a first data signal from the second powerline communication module to a first phase, a second phase, and a third phase of a powerline.

Abstract: A system includes a power transformer device and a powerline box coupled to the transformer device, the powerline box including three lines including a first phase, a second phase, and a third phase. The three phases are derived from the power transformer device. The system has a powerline coupler coupled to the first phase, the second phase, and the third phase and a multichannel data communication device coupled to the powerline coupler. The system has a first and a second capacitors coupled to the first phase and a first length of wiring between the first capacitor and the second capacitor. The system has a third and a fourth capacitors coupled to the second phase and a second length of wiring. The system has a fifth and a sixth capacitors coupled to the third phase and a third length of wiring.

Abstract: A system for powerline networking. The system has an external data source, which is derived from a world wide networks of computers. A router is coupled to the external data source and coupled to a first datasource connection. A powerline network switch apparatus is coupled to the first datasource connection. The apparatus has a second datasource connection, which is coupled to the first data source connection. The apparatus also has a powerline device coupled to the second datasource connection. Preferably, the powerline device is adapted to receive and transmit information in a first format from the second data source connection and adapted to receive and transmit information in a second format. The apparatus also has a virtual local area network device including a first input/output port and a plurality of second input/output ports. Each of the second input/output ports is numbered from 1 through N, where N is an integer greater than 1.

Abstract: A powerline network switch apparatus is coupled to a first datasource connection. The apparatus has a second datasource connection, which is coupled to the first data source connection. The apparatus also has a powerline device coupled to the second datasource connection. Preferably, the powerline device is adapted to receive and transmit information in a first format from the second data source connection and adapted to receive and transmit information in a second format. The apparatus also has a virtual local area network device including a first input/output port and a plurality of second input/output ports. Each of a plurality of modem devices is coupled respectively to one of the plurality of second input/output ports and each of the plurality of modem devices also being coupled to one of a plurality of power lines, capable of communicating information to and from the second data source connection.

Abstract: A power supply apparatus and related method. The power supply apparatus has an AC input. The apparatus has a converter for converting AC power into DC power. In a specific embodiment, the converter has an input and an output. In a specific embodiment, the input of the converter is coupled to the AC input. The power supply apparatus has a DC output for voltage ranging. The output of the converter is coupled to the DC output. The apparatus also has a fan operably configured to transfer thermal energy away from the converter and a data input/output port, the data input/output port being coupled to a data signal from a data source. The apparatus has a coupler coupled between the data input/output port and the AC input. A power line module is coupled to the coupler. The power line module is adapted to convert the data signal from a first format to a second format. The second format is capable of transmission to the AC input. An enclosure is provided for the coupler.

Abstract: A system for powerline networking. The system has an external data source, which is derived from a world wide networks of computers. A router is coupled to the external data source and coupled to a first datasource connection. A powerline network switch apparatus is coupled to the first datasource connection. The apparatus has a second datasource connection, which is coupled to the first data source connection. The apparatus also has a powerline device coupled to the second datasource connection. Preferably, the powerline device is adapted to receive and transmit information in a first format from the second data source connection and adapted to receive and transmit information in a second format. The apparatus also has a virtual local area network device including a first input/output port and a plurality of second input/output ports. Each of the second input/output ports is numbered from 1 through N, where N is an integer greater than 1.

Abstract: A powerline network system. The system includes a power transformer device at a public utility facility. The system has a powerline box coupled to the transformer device. In a preferred embodiment, the powerline box comprises at least three lines including a first phase, a second phase, and a third phase. The first phase, the second phase, and the third phase are derived from the power transformer device. The system has a powerline coupler coupled to the first phase, the second phase, and the third phase and a multichannel data communication device coupled to the powerline coupler. In a preferred embodiment, the multichannel data communication device includes N channels, whereupon N is an integer greater than 8. The system has a first capacitor and a second capacitor coupled to the first phase and a first length of wiring between the first capacitor and the second capacitor. Preferably, the first length of wire is inductively coupled to one or more power line communication devices.

Abstract: A system for powerline networking. The system has an external data source, which is derived from a world wide networks of computers. A router is coupled to the external data source and coupled to a first datasource connection. A powerline network switch apparatus is coupled to the first datasource connection. The apparatus has a second datasource connection, which is coupled to the first data source connection. The apparatus also has a powerline device coupled to the second datasource connection. Preferably, the powerline device is adapted to receive and transmit information in a first format from the second data source connection and adapted to receive and transmit information in a second format. The apparatus also has a virtual local area network device including a first input/output port and a plurality of second input/output ports. Each of the second input/output ports is numbered from 1 through N, where N is an integer greater than 1.

Abstract: A system for powerline networking. The system has an external data source, which is derived from a world wide networks of computers. A router is coupled to the external data source and coupled to a first datasource connection. A powerline network switch apparatus is coupled to the first datasource connection. The apparatus has a second datasource connection, which is coupled to the first data source connection. The apparatus also has a powerline device coupled to the second datasource connection. Preferably, the powerline device is adapted to receive and transmit information in a first format from the second data source connection and adapted to receive and transmit information in a second format. The apparatus also has a virtual local area network device including a first input/output port and a plurality of second input/output ports. Each of the second input/output ports is numbered from 1 through N, where N is an integer greater than 1.

Abstract: A system for powerline networking. The system has an external data source, which is derived from a world wide networks of computers. A router is coupled to the external data source and coupled to a first datasource connection. A powerline network switch apparatus is coupled to the first datasource connection. The apparatus has a second datasource connection, which is coupled to the first data source connection. The apparatus also has a powerline device coupled to the second datasource connection. Preferably, the powerline device is adapted to receive and transmit information in a first format from the second data source connection and adapted to receive and transmit information in a second format. The apparatus also has a virtual local area network device including a first input/output port and a plurality of second input/output ports. Each of the second input/output ports is numbered from 1 through N, where N is an integer greater than 1.

Abstract: A power supply apparatus and related method. The power supply apparatus has an AC input. The apparatus has a converter for converting AC power into DC power. In a specific embodiment, the converter has an input and an output. In a specific embodiment, the input of the converter is coupled to the AC input. The power supply apparatus has a DC output for voltage ranging. The output of the converter is coupled to the DC output. The apparatus also has a fan operably configured to transfer thermal energy away from the converter and a data input/output port, the data input/output port being coupled to a data signal from a data source. The apparatus has a coupler coupled between the data input/output port and the AC input. A power line module is coupled to the coupler. The power line module is adapted to convert the data signal from a first format to a second format. The second format is capable of transmission to the AC input. An enclosure is provided for the coupler.

Abstract: A powerline network system. The system includes a power transformer device at a public utility facility. The system has a powerline box coupled to the transformer device. In a preferred embodiment, the powerline box comprises at least three lines including a first phase, a second phase, and a third phase. The first phase, the second phase, and the third phase are derived from the power transformer device. The system has a powerline coupler coupled to the first phase, the second phase, and the third phase and a multichannel data communication device coupled to the powerline coupler. In a preferred embodiment, the multichannel data communication device includes N channels, whereupon N is an integer greater than 8. The system has a first capacitor and a second capacitor coupled to the first phase and a first length of wiring between the first capacitor and the second capacitor. Preferably, the first length of wire is inductively coupled to one or more power line communication devices.

Abstract: A system for powerline networking. The system has an external data source, which is derived from a world wide networks of computers. A router is coupled to the external data source and coupled to a first datasource connection. A powerline network switch apparatus is coupled to the first datasource connection. The apparatus has a second datasource connection, which is coupled to the first data source connection. The apparatus also has a powerline device coupled to the second datasource connection. Preferably, the powerline device is adapted to receive and transmit information in a first format from the second data source connection and adapted to receive and transmit information in a second format. The apparatus also has a virtual local area network device including a first input/output port and a plurality of second input/output ports. Each of the second input/output ports is numbered from 1 through N, where N is an integer greater than 1.