SESR Module Specifications

System of Enhanced Sensor Resolution (SESR)

Description
------------

The System of Enhanced Sensor Resolution has been designed 
to complement the faster-than-light (long range) sensors of 
a ship of a given type compared to the original long range 
sensors installed in the ship. As each starship class has a 
different sensor specifications and types, there's roughly 
a type of SESR for each ship class, which can be fine tuned 
to a specific vessel.

The principles behind the SESR design are simple. By 
providing a greater diameter of measurement, ships get a 
greater paralax when resolving distant objects, which 
greatly boosts the long range usability of the sensors.

The operation of the system is very unobstrusive. A SESR 
module is towed by the ship, at a given distance (some 
kilometers), by a highly resistant polymeric cable. This 
gives the diameter of resolution. The SESR module is linked 
with the ship computers through optical fibers attached to 
the cable that transmit the data directly to the computer 
core, which uses specialized programs to integrate the data 
from both the ship and the SESR module sensors, creating a 
much better image of distant objects.

The resolution that a sensor system is able to provide is 
proportional to the amount of information the sensor collects. 
In traditional electromagnetic sensors (radars, 
telescopes, ...) the resolution is proportional to the 
diameter of the parabolic dish, main lense diameter, ... The 
coupling of the SESR and the ship sensors creates a virtual 
sensor system with a greater sensibility which provides 
enhanced resolution. This enhanced resolution also enhances 
the effectiveness of the long range sensors, allowing to 
discriminate between two close objects farther than the 
nominal usable distances.

The short range sensors, like radars and telescopes, are 
also enhanced, providing a much greater resolution in a 
broader range of frequencies.

The SESR can only work at impulse speeds, for the short range 
sensors are basically useless at speeds greater than light. On 
the other hand, a ship long range sensors are carefully 
calibrated to work despite the gravitatory distortions created 
by the Warp engine through the ship nacelles. However, as the 
SESR is attached to a ship, the Warp field renders the module 
useless.

By the design of the system, the sensory enhancement is 
directional, working better in the perpendicular direction of 
the line created by the ship and the module and being minimal 
in directions parallel to this line. The modules have attitude 
control thrusters that allow to position the module in any 
position relative to the ship, thus allowing to aim the system 
where it's interesting. Once in position, the inertia will keep 
the module solidary to the ship course.

However, the normal configuration is to tow the module in the 
tail of the ship. The reason for this is simple. A ship scanning 
its surroundings creates a volume of space that it controls. 
Thus, another ship trying to stealthly scan that enemy ship will 
naturally try to stay in maximum silence, using passive sensors 
only, out of reach of the enemy ship sensors, but as near to 
those limits as possible. This situation calls for a good lateral 
sensors system, that operate at maximum efficiency while we are 
moving perpendicular to that a ship.

Another common situation is an orbit around a planet. Ships 
usually adopt a standard, circular, ecuatorial orbit around the 
planet, in which the ship prow-stern line is perpendicular to the 
planet surface, so the impulse engines are ready to easily and 
rapidly abandon that orbit in case of need.

The SESR has been designed to work optimally in these situations, 
while being useful for any other needs a ship in impulse speeds 
may have, that's the reason for using the cable and optical 
fibers, as using a tractor beam and radio could compromise the 
ship position.

As the SESR is stored and deployed in a ship shuttlebay, all the 
deployment, recovery and operation hardware is stored there as 
well, the usual ship shuttle compliment is necessarily reduced. 
This is a considerable shortcoming that prevents its installation 
to all ships.

Physical specs for the SESR modules are given below. The shape 
of the modules is similar to a huge torpedo case.

Type       Mass (kg)        Size (relative to a small shuttlepod)

 I          3,200               110%
 II         3,800               175%
 III        4,500               210%
 IV         6,200               280%


SESR module type is given by the broad general types of sensors, 
listed below. The table also lists approximate enhancement in 
resolution and in distance (LR) of useful discrimination of 
close object as compared to the serial ship sensors.

Type   Sensor    Distance    Resolution
                             (LR)  (SR)

I      Basic       13%        19%   23%
II     DELPHI      17%        21%   26%
III    ORACLE      18%        23%   29%
IV     AUGUR       16%        18%   23%

Note: AUGUR sensors are too integrated to their ship 
characteristics to get better enhancements.

SESR design (c) 2000, 2001 David Suarez de Lis
Kudos to SFE for their suggestions, comments and help.
For use in Alt.Starfleet.RPG only.