Starship Sensor Systems

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 nin reducing their interference on the other sensor systems. The most important, of course, is detecting other ships.