Post by Machina Haruspex on Dec 17, 2007 17:05:14 GMT -5
To detect small, widely spaced objects at a distance in three-dimensional space it is most efficient to emit a pulse of radiation and record the resulting reflections. Active sensors are phased-array radars or lidar systems (easiest and middle tech), hadron, meson or neutrino, (ultra tech.) They are used for hi-res target identification.
Active sensors are used to track vessels whose drives are not active, and so are the primary sensors system at shorter ranges. The decision to 'go active' is a major tactical choice as the sensor system becomes visible at a considerably greater range that that at which it can detect targets. To avoid damage to important locations active centres should be bistatic- the expendable transmitters separated from the vital receivers and command centres.
Radar systems
Using microwave electromagnetic radiation require much less accuracy for aperture synthesis than optical sensors, so a common strategy is to deploy the emitters and detectors on sensor drones. This provides much greater resolution and also keeps the bright radio emission away from the controlling ship.
Lidar systems
Use shorter, often visible wavelengths and can be used to produce a holographic recording of all objects within a volume, say a solar system; the shorter wavelength the better, to detect dust-like nanoswarms- these can usually be distinguished by their pattern of movement. Doppler effects can determine relative velocity of objects.
Hadron
Or Meson scanning, while of greater resolution again, require very high-energy output and pico- and femtotech equipment, and can easily be detected by an intelligent hull.
Neutrino
This type of scanning is stealthier and of lower energy, but generally of very poor resolution, and certainly not exempt from detection. It is also requires pico- or femtotech; femtotech in fact is necessary if one is to have halfway decent results. Receivers for neutrino scanning can be bulky, although may be hidden effectively on or in moons or planets.
HARP
(Harmonic Resonance Projection), housing both phased electrical and sonic generators. Resonance projection is accomplished through the generation of a static field that is arced forward, serving as a conduit for the oscillating sonic waves.
A slowly oscillating beam of sound, channeled through tightly focused phased electrical particles, is used by the Haruspex to scan worlds or vessels with a series of set frequencies. The effects of this are somewhat different depending on the target. A side effect however is that non-shielded(Hardened) devices or non-organic objects tend to vibrate slowly at first, building speed over time, no more then a minute until (in a near blur) they shatter in a usually impressive fashion. Organic targets, however, tend to have their internal neural systems disrupted and if exposed for long durations can cause severe internal injuries and crippling agony leading to death.
The HARP can map a vessel as per it bypasses most defenses. An early warning is what one thinks is a very high pitched whine, ultrasonic of the sort that canines experience like say a dog whistle. The scanner is a two fold device, the sonic makes an imprint of the targeted mass like a blue print and depending on data fed into it's system, can hunt for body heat and other such data.
Active sensors are used to track vessels whose drives are not active, and so are the primary sensors system at shorter ranges. The decision to 'go active' is a major tactical choice as the sensor system becomes visible at a considerably greater range that that at which it can detect targets. To avoid damage to important locations active centres should be bistatic- the expendable transmitters separated from the vital receivers and command centres.
Radar systems
Using microwave electromagnetic radiation require much less accuracy for aperture synthesis than optical sensors, so a common strategy is to deploy the emitters and detectors on sensor drones. This provides much greater resolution and also keeps the bright radio emission away from the controlling ship.
Lidar systems
Use shorter, often visible wavelengths and can be used to produce a holographic recording of all objects within a volume, say a solar system; the shorter wavelength the better, to detect dust-like nanoswarms- these can usually be distinguished by their pattern of movement. Doppler effects can determine relative velocity of objects.
Hadron
Or Meson scanning, while of greater resolution again, require very high-energy output and pico- and femtotech equipment, and can easily be detected by an intelligent hull.
Neutrino
This type of scanning is stealthier and of lower energy, but generally of very poor resolution, and certainly not exempt from detection. It is also requires pico- or femtotech; femtotech in fact is necessary if one is to have halfway decent results. Receivers for neutrino scanning can be bulky, although may be hidden effectively on or in moons or planets.
HARP
(Harmonic Resonance Projection), housing both phased electrical and sonic generators. Resonance projection is accomplished through the generation of a static field that is arced forward, serving as a conduit for the oscillating sonic waves.
A slowly oscillating beam of sound, channeled through tightly focused phased electrical particles, is used by the Haruspex to scan worlds or vessels with a series of set frequencies. The effects of this are somewhat different depending on the target. A side effect however is that non-shielded(Hardened) devices or non-organic objects tend to vibrate slowly at first, building speed over time, no more then a minute until (in a near blur) they shatter in a usually impressive fashion. Organic targets, however, tend to have their internal neural systems disrupted and if exposed for long durations can cause severe internal injuries and crippling agony leading to death.
The HARP can map a vessel as per it bypasses most defenses. An early warning is what one thinks is a very high pitched whine, ultrasonic of the sort that canines experience like say a dog whistle. The scanner is a two fold device, the sonic makes an imprint of the targeted mass like a blue print and depending on data fed into it's system, can hunt for body heat and other such data.