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SENSORS
This is a collective name for a variety of devices for gathering data about electromagnetic radiation and particles and for chemical, biological and medical analysis. External sensors are attached to the outer hull of a Starship.
Among them are navigational sensors which determine the ship's position and velocity and scientific sensors for astronomical observation, planetary surface analysis and remote life form analysis. Internal sensors are used to control life support and detect hazardous environmental conditions as well as to track potential intruders. Finally, sensors are also included in tricorders and other hand-held devices which can perform similar tasks; however, their range is limited.
Real world sensor systems will soon accomplish the basic functionality shown in Star Trek. However, subspace sensor beams travelling faster than light are as utopian as warp drive. The Ferengi ship attacking the U.S.S. Stargazer did not have FTL sensing capability, so Picard could fool its sensors with his famous "Picard Manoeuvre" (TNG: "The Battle"). Irrespective of the signal speed, there is a severe problem with long-range sensors. At short distances, with something like a normal photographic lens, it is no problem to show an approaching Starship at great detail. Collecting light from a few light years away, however, with a "super tele lens" would mean waiting for random photons coming from that direction - it's impossible to form an image, let alone a sharp image in real time this way. That's why we must find our explanation in subspace (again). Subspace obviously allows the transmission of electrical signals over long distances without significant losses, so it could be a "subspace image" of the remote ship.
Duotronics Sensors
Revolutionary computer technology invented by Dr. Richard Daystrom in 2243 as used in The Ultimate Computer [TOS]
Duotronics became the basis of the computers used aboard all Federation Starships for over 80 years, including the main computers aboard the Enterprise. The ship also used duotronic elements in its sensor arrays - Trials and Tribble-ations [DS9]
Last edited by Adge - June 2004
This is a collective name for a variety of devices for gathering data about electromagnetic radiation and particles and for chemical, biological and medical analysis. External sensors are attached to the outer hull of a Starship.
Among them are navigational sensors which determine the ship's position and velocity and scientific sensors for astronomical observation, planetary surface analysis and remote life form analysis. Internal sensors are used to control life support and detect hazardous environmental conditions as well as to track potential intruders. Finally, sensors are also included in tricorders and other hand-held devices which can perform similar tasks; however, their range is limited.
Real world sensor systems will soon accomplish the basic functionality shown in Star Trek. However, subspace sensor beams travelling faster than light are as utopian as warp drive. The Ferengi ship attacking the U.S.S. Stargazer did not have FTL sensing capability, so Picard could fool its sensors with his famous "Picard Manoeuvre" (TNG: "The Battle"). Irrespective of the signal speed, there is a severe problem with long-range sensors. At short distances, with something like a normal photographic lens, it is no problem to show an approaching Starship at great detail. Collecting light from a few light years away, however, with a "super tele lens" would mean waiting for random photons coming from that direction - it's impossible to form an image, let alone a sharp image in real time this way. That's why we must find our explanation in subspace (again). Subspace obviously allows the transmission of electrical signals over long distances without significant losses, so it could be a "subspace image" of the remote ship.
Duotronics Sensors
Revolutionary computer technology invented by Dr. Richard Daystrom in 2243 as used in The Ultimate Computer [TOS]
Duotronics became the basis of the computers used aboard all Federation Starships for over 80 years, including the main computers aboard the Enterprise. The ship also used duotronic elements in its sensor arrays - Trials and Tribble-ations [DS9]
Last edited by Adge - June 2004