Starship Sensor Systems

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Starship Sensor Systems are the eyes and ears of the spacecraft(though some very specialized systems, such as one installed aboard the Saratoga also give the ship the ability to taste). Sensor systems fall in to two categories: Active(send/receive), and Passive(receive only). Most ships have multiple, independent sensor suites, called "arrays" that preform different functions. The arrays work together as part of a "grid". Larger vessels have more arrays. Larger ships have separate "passive-only" arrays as well as active ones. Smaller vessels, such as fighters, have dual-mode receivers that let them operate as either active or passive.

Sensor Descriptors

An Active Scanner is one that works by producing a pulse of something(such as radio waves, lasers, light, X-Rays, etc), called a Sender, coupled with a "Receiver" that picks up the return-signal from the target.

The part of an Active Scanner that sends a signal is called an Emitter. The part that receives the return-signal is called a Receiver.

A Passive Scanner is one that simply receives all data coming in from around the ship, which is then analyzed. It is also called a Receiver.

A Sensor Array comprises any group of emitters and receivers that are organized into an independent block or unit.

A sensor Grid is the combination of all arrays on a given ship.

Sensor Resolution refers to the quality of the data being gathered, and is often colloquially used to refer to the quality of different specific sensor arrays.

Array Groups

Generally speaking, a ship will have it's grid separated into three clusters: Forward, Lateral, and Aft. Warships will usually add an additional dedicated top and bottom arrays to help in tracking targets in the near-field(civilian ships use the lateral sensor array).

Typically the forward sensors are tuned for the greatest possible distance, including special packages to help in distance(lasers, for example, can provide a return faster than radio waves, when simply looking for the pretense of a solid object.

Lateral sensor arrays are spaced out along the hull, with multiple emitters and receivers. Due to the length of the ship and the movement, lateral sensor arrays have a much higher resolution than the forward arrays, allowing them to produce a more complete "picture" of a target. it is not uncommon for ships to turn sideways or to travel at an angle towards their target in order to use the lateral sensor arrays to gather information.

Aft-Arrays are specialized and focus primarily on detection(Look Back/Shoot Back functionality). Due to interference from the ship's engine exhaust, this region is the most difficult to scan. A large part of the role of aft-sensors is to measure the effects of the engines in order to better aid in reducing their interference on the other sensor systems. The most important, of course, is detecting other ships.

At greater ranges, the lateral sensor array can easily produce a high resolution, three hundred and sixty degree picture of the space around the ship. After arrays are used for close-in detection, while forward are used for max-distance.

Types of Sensors

RADAR and LIDAR are the most common forms of object detection and the most well-known active sensors. LIDAR can very effectively be used over great distances, and is primarily used for confirming range measurements as gathered by other scanners. In addition to common terrestrial-style RADAR, many ships also use a system called FOG RADAR, which uses many emitters and receivers to quickly build a three-dimensional picture of a target.

Passive scanners are derived from scientific instruments, and there are dozens, if not hundreds of types. Every system is used on conjunction with one another to verify readings and produce more precise results. Different types of specialized sensors are often refereed to as "packages".

Sensor Interpretation

Raw sensor data often takes weeks or months to go through by hand, which is more or less useless when it concerns navigating a starship or fighting a battle. As such, computers are used to quickly break down the data and convert it into human-readable information in real-time. This requires a great deal of processing power.

There are two main approaches to ata interpretation:

  • The most common, and, arguably most effective method, is called "Look and Compare", which involves matching the raw data to known values store in a database, and using them to draw conclusions about the information. The Sight And Sound Corporation, a whole owned subsidiary of the Gudersnipe Foundation, has over six thousand years of accumulated sensor information in it's database, and uses it to manufacture some of the most precise and efficient sensor grids on the market. They are far and away the largest manufacturer, controlling a major share in the civilian market as well as supplying the Foundation's needs.
  • A secondary method uses artificial intelligence to essentially copy the analysis work that would have been done by humans, and draw conclusions that way. While proponents of this technology claim it is "an order of magnitutde more precise", blind trials conducted by Sigh and Sound indicated... otherwise.

Sensor Displays

While interpreting the information from a sensor system presents its own challenges, dispalying the useful data in an easy to read, meainingful way, causes a whole new set of problems.