Star Trek®: The Next Generation™ Technical Manual by Rick Sternbachmichael Okuda & Gene Roddenberry

Author:Rick Sternbachmichael Okuda & Gene Roddenberry
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: POCKET BOOKS
Published: 1991-11-15T00:00:00+00:00

8.3.1 Ship-to-ground communications

The subspace transceiver specifications, in proportion, are roughly akin to the warp propulsion system being compared to its less powerful impulse cousin. Approximately one hundred times more energy is required to drive voice and data signals across the threshold into the faster subspace frequencies, and even when applied to relatively short distances, the transmission reliability climbs dramatically. As with the RF section, small transceivers such as the standard subspace transceiver assembly (STA) in the personnel communicators need not emit great amounts of power if the large transmitters and receivers remain on the starship.

A series of twenty medium-power subspace transceivers are imbedded within the starship hull at various locations to provide communications coverage similar to that of the RF units. Each triply redundant device is contained within a trapezoidal solid measuring 1.5 × 2 meters by 1 meter in thickness. The system is powered by Type II electro plasma system (EPS) taps with a total maximum power load across the twenty nodes of 1.43 × 102 MW. Each transceiver consists of voice and data processors, EPS power modulation conditioners, subspace field coil subassemblies and directional focusing arrays, and related control hardware. Signal handoff from the optical data network is done with a combination of realtime and sequence anticipation Al routines for maximum intelligibility, given the FTL nature of the outgoing and incoming subspace signals.

APPLICATIONS

Communications between the starship and a destination typically 38,000 km to 60,000 km away from the antennae are handled by the above-mentioned radio systems. Situations encountered cover a broad range, but most notably include discussions with planetside governments, communication and control of Away Team operations, local and regional crisis management, data collection from remote and active occupied research stations, shuttlecraft departure and approach terminal guidance, and Starfleet search and rescue. The subspace transceiver network is the active system linked to the transporter for personnel locator and coordinate lock-on functions. A minimum of three transceivers covering a given portion of the spacecraft sky coverage must be available for reliable transporter lock. The maximum reliable distance for routine transport is 40,000 km, owing to the median matter stream blooming tolerance of 0.005 arc-seconds, though subspace communications by the medium-power network can extend to some 60,000 km.

Normal contact with the starship, if externally initiated, is divided into two basic types: Starfleet personnel, especially those persons directly assigned to the ship, and non-Starfleet agents. Away Team members will call directly to the Bridge or other active departments during the course of their work. Normal contact from outside agents will be held by Security for presentation to the captain or other senior officers. Emergency transmissions will usually be passed without computer delay for appropriate action.

Standard encryption/decryption, plus enhanced security encryption protocols, are handled by FTL processors within the main computers. Starfleet encryption algorithms are rotated and updated on a random schedule. Multiple private key portions are retained with the starship computers, and the public portions are transmitted to Starfleet-issue hardware, such as handheld instrumentation, communicators, personal access display devices, and other pieces of expendable gear vulnerable to possible capture by Threat forces.

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