Method and system for isolating local area networks over a co-axial wiring for energy management

Abstract

An energy management system. The system includes a coax controller apparatus comprising an exterior housing and plurality of coax modules numbered from 2 through N, where N is an integer greater than 3. In a specific embodiment, each of the coax modules comprises a powerline chip (PLC) module coupled to an analog front end, which is coupled to a coaxial connector. The system also has an electromagnetic shield configured to each of the coax modules. In a specific embodiment, the electromagnetic shield is configured to substantially maintain the coax module substantially free from interference noise or other disturbances. The system has a power meter coupled to one or more ports of the coax controller apparatus.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of configuring an energy management system comprising:
 providing a coax controller apparatus comprising an exterior housing and plurality of coax modules numbered from 2 through N, where N is an integer greater than 3, each of the coax modules comprising a powerline chip (PLC) module coupled to an analog front end, the analog front end being coupled to a coaxial connector;   an electromagnetic shield configured to each of the coax modules, the electromagnetic shield being configured to substantially maintain the coax module substantially free from interference noise;   coupling a power meter to one or more ports of the coax controller apparatus; and   coupling a multiplexer between a plurality of power lines numbered from 1 through M and a television broadcasting line; wherein   the multiplexer comprises a plurality of capacitor coupling circuits, the plurality of capacitor coupling circuits being coupled, respectively, to the plurality of power lines numbered from I through M, each of the plurality of coupling circuits being coupled to a filter configured to remove a frequency ranging from 0 to 30 MHz, the filter being coupled to the television broadcasting line.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein electromagnetic shield comprises metal material. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein each of the coaxial connects is substantially free from noise ranging from 1 MHz to 30 MHz. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the power meter is configured to transfer at least rate information. 
     
     
         5 . A high speed network system for energy management, the system comprising:
 an exterior housing;   a first shield configured to an analog front end coupled to a power line chip set configured for a data rate of at least 200 Megabits per second, and one or more interface ports, the first shield configured to remove noise ranging from 1 MHz to 30 MHz derived from at least the analog front end;   a second shield configured to the analog front end coupled to one or more inductive coupling elements, the one or more inductive coupling elements being configured to couple a power line signal from the analog front end to one or more coax connectors, the second shield configured to block noise from being transmitted to and from at least the one or more inductive coupling elements;   a third shield configured between the analog front end and the power line module, the third shield being configured to isolate one or more powerline signals communicated between the analog front end and the power line module; and   a fourth shield configured to one or more cables to form a shielded cable coupled to the one or more coax connectors,   whereupon the first shield, the second shield, third shield, analog front end, powerline chip set, inductive coupling elements, and power line module are provided within the exterior housing;   wherein the first shield comprises an aluminum allow material configured spatially around the power line chip.   
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5  wherein the aluminum alloy material further configured spatially around the analog front end, the inductive coupling element, and the one or more connectors. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6  wherein the second shield comprises an aluminum alloy or other metal configured to spatially isolate the one or more inductive coupling elements from the noise. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7  wherein the third shield comprises one or more metal jackets configured around one or more electrical members configured between the analog front end and the power line chip set. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8  wherein the first shield comprises a braded metal jacket configured around the one or more cables. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9  wherein one or more coax connectors is coupled to one or more coax cables. 
     
     
         11 . A method for using a high speed network system for energy management, the method comprising:
 providing a high speed system for energy management, the system comprising:
 a first shield configured to an analog front end coupled to a power line chip set configured for a data rate of at least 200 Megabits per second, and one or more interface ports, the first shield configured to remove noise ranging from 1 MHz to 30 MHz derived from at least the analog front end; 
 a second shield configured to the analog front end coupled to one or more inductive coupling elements, the one or more inductive coupling elements being configured to couple a power line signal from the analog front end to one or more coax connectors, the second shield configured to block noise from being transmitted to and from at least the one or more inductive coupling elements; 
 a third shield configured between the analog front end and the power line module, the third shield being configured to isolate one or more powerline signals communicated between the analog front end and the power line module; and 
 a fourth shield configured to one or more cables to form a shielded cable coupled to the one or more coax connectors; and 
   using the system to transfer one or more power line signals having energy consumption information over the one or more powerline network,   whereupon the first shield, the second shield, third shield, analog front end, powerline chip set, and inductive coupling elements are provided within an exterior housing;   wherein the first shield comprises an aluminum alloy material configured spatially around the power line chip.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the aluminum alloy material is further configured spatially around the analog front end, the inductive coupling element, and the one or more connectors. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the second shield comprises an aluminum alloy or other metal configured to spatially isolate the one or more inductive coupling elements from the noise. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the third shield comprises one or more metal jackets configured around one or more electrical members configured between the analog front end and the power line chip set. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the first shield comprises a traded metal jacket configured around the one or more cables. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein one or more coax connectors is coupled  2  to one or more coax cables.