Sensors and Scientific Gear: Difference between revisions

From gurps
Jump to navigation Jump to search
← Older editNewer edit →
mNo edit summary
Line 57: Line 57:


=Bio-Tech=
=Bio-Tech=
TODO
* [[Biosensors]] ([[TL8]]-[[TL9|9]])
* [[Smart Sensors]] ([[TL9]])


=Ultra-Tech=
=Ultra-Tech=

Revision as of 09:01, 16 January 2014

This page has not been finished up!

Basic Set

Binoculars (TL6). Gives (TL - 4) levels of Telescopic Vision. $400, 2 lbs.
Camcorder (TL8). Has 10× zoom. Gives Night Vision 5. $1,000, 1 lb., 7 hrs.
Camera, 35mm (TL6). Basic equipment for Photography skill. Extra film is 32 shots ($10, neg.). Better cameras cost much more! $50, 3 lbs.
Metal Detector Wand (TL7). +3 to find metal items. $50, 1 lb., 8 hrs.
Mini-Camera, Digital (TL8). Stores pictures on optical disk. $500.
Night Vision Goggles (TL8). Give Night Vision 9. $600, 2 lbs., 8 hrs.
Spy Camera (TL6). Holds 36 exposures, uses microfilm. $500.
Telescope (TL4). Gives (TL-3) levels of Telescopic Vision. $500, 6 lbs.

High-Tech

A bewildering array of technology is available to detect virtually anything – from atoms to galaxies.

Active Sensors

Active sensors detect objects by bouncing energy off them and analyzing the returned signal. Radar emits radio or microwaves, sonar uses sound, etc. All such sensors incorporate display panels or terminals that translate the raw data into a comprehensible image.

Active sensors are rated for sensor type and range. Detecting hidden targets or resolving fine detail requires an Electronics Operation roll; the specialty depends on the sensor. This is at no range penalty out to the sensor's rated range. Each doubling of range beyond that gives -2 to skill.

Rolls are only allowed against targets within the sensor's arc. Unless otherwise noted, assume that active sensors scan a 120° arc in front of them. In effect, they have No Peripheral Vision.

Specialized detectors within an active sensor’s arc can detect the energy that the sensor emits at up to twice the sensor’s range. The signal doesn’t simply vanish at that distance, of course – sensitive detectors may sense it from much further away. Each type of sensor requires a different kind of detector.

Targeting Mode: Expensive combat-capable or "tactical" sensors incorporate a "target-acquisition" or "fire-control" mode, which works identically for all active sensors: The sensor generates a narrow targeting beam. It requires an Aim maneuver to "lock onto" a target that has already been detected. The sensor then acts as a rangefinder, determining the target's precise range and speed. This gives +3 to hit with an aimed ranged attack – cumulative with the benefits of targeting software.

Passive Visual Sensors

IR Illumination

Most night-vision optics and thermographs pick up visible and infrared wavelengths. An infrared filter placed over a light source such as a flashlight completely blocks the passage of visible light but permits infrared – which is invisible to the naked eye – to shine through. Night-vision gear within such a source's normal range can function even in total darkness, and gains two additional levels of artificial Night Vision. However, anybody with night-vision optics or a thermograph will see this "active IR" source as a flashlight or a spotlight, and get +4 to all rolls made to locate it (Vision, Observation, Electronics Operation, etc.).

Throughout TL5-6, "passive visual sensors" means the Mark I Eyeball, assisted by ever-improving optics. At TL7, sensors appear that work like normal vision but extend the limits of human sight. In particular, great advances are made in the area of night vision.

The most common feature of passive sensors is telescopic magnification. Each doubling of magnification lets the user ignore -1 in range penalties on Vision rolls while using the sensor. The user can also "zoom in" on a particular target by taking an Aim maneuver, which is useful for making a more precise identification. While doing so, each doubling of magnification cancels -2 in range penalties to see that one target, but the sensor provides no bonus to spot other targets.

When comparing real-world sensors to those described here, note that the listed magnifications represent a simplification of a complicated issue. For most optics, aperture size and eyepiece magnification define performance. Determining the actual power of a telescope is a tricky proposition, and involves aperture size, focal length, focal ratio, etc.

Most of the sensors listed below can accommodate a camera. This is affixed to the eyepiece for non-electronic optics (all TL5-6 hardware). At TL7-8, electronic sensors can be plugged into other electronics using a cable. All of these devices protect the eye(s) behind them with DR 1.

Indirect Passive Sensors

New weapons and vehicles fielded in the World Wars spur the development of many non-visual passive sensors at TL6. Cold War cat-and-mouse games played with spies, subs, and nukes at TL7 – and efforts to enforce global security at TL8 – ensure that such technologies continue to mature. Except as noted, these detectors are omnidirectional and don't require a line of sight.

Scientific Equipment

Scientific researchers use a lot of specialized, expensive gear. Mad-scientist PCs can improvise to save money, but there can be consequences beyond simple skill penalties. Thomas Edison's first "lab" was a loose collection of chemicals, batteries, and glassware in a freight car. An accidental fire ensured that the 15-year-old railroad employee was promptly evicted!

Bio-Tech

Ultra-Tech

These systems work like normal vision, but extend the limits of human sight. They include light-intensifying, infrared, ultraviolet, and hyperspectral sensors. Passive sensors often incorporate levels of telescopic magnification. Each doubling in magnification lets the user ignore -1 in range penalties on Vision rolls when using the sensor. The user can also "zoom in" on a particular target by taking an Aim maneuver. This doubles the benefit against that target (useful for making a more precise identification) but eliminates the bonus to spot other targets. All passive sensors incorporate a digital camera. All these sensors provide anti-glare protection and DR 2 for the eyes.

Passive Visual Sensor Configurations

Ultra-tech passive visual sensors come in standard models:

Binoculars: A manual hand-held viewer. It limits the user's vision to a 120° forward arc (see No Peripheral Vision) and requires one free hand and Aim maneuvers to use. Binoculars incorporate a built-in HUD, a laser rangefinder, and a digital camera. They can be used as basic equipment for Photography skill.

Goggles or Visor: These are wearable hands-free optics with a wide field of view, but lower magnification than equivalent binoculars. They also incorporate a built-in HUD and digital camera, but the simple controls for the latter give a -5 (quality) modifier to Photography skill.

Imaging Sensor Array or Surveillance Camera: A security system or vehicle-mounted sensor. It does not come with a display; it requires a separate terminal as its interface. It limits the user's vision to a 120° forward arc (see No Peripheral Vision), but is often mounted on a rotating turret or tripod. It can be used as a digital cam- era with a +1 (quality) bonus to Photography skill.

Video Glasses: These resemble ordinary sunglasses (providing DR 2 for the eyes). They have the same capabilities as goggles, but less magnification. It takes a Ready maneuver to don or remove them.

Video Contacts: These rigid gas-permeable contact lenses contain intricate microcircuitry and auto-focusing systems. They have the capabilities of goggles, but much less magnification. It takes a day to adjust to wearing contacts; until then, vision rolls are -1. It takes six seconds to insert or remove both lenses; before TL11 they should be taken out every week and cleaned. They're powered by body heat or piezoelectricity.

These passive visual sensor configurations can include night vision optics, infravision, and hyperspectral vision – see below.

Passive Visual Sensors

Indirect Passive Sensors

Active Sensors

Active sensors detect objects by bouncing energy off them and analyzing the returned signal. Radar and imaging radar emit radio or microwaves; ladar emits laser light; sonar uses sound, etc. All ultra-tech active sensors incorporate embedded digital image processing that translates the raw analog data into a comprehensible image.

Active sensors are rated for the type of sensor and a range in miles or yards. An Electronics Operation skill roll is required to use an active sensor to detect hidden targets or fine detail. Active sensors can sense objects out to their rated maximum range at no range penalty; each doubling of range beyond that gives -2 to skill.

The scanning wave of an active sensor can be detected by specialized detectors. Normally, this is at twice its range. (Most scanners radiate energy that could, theoretically, be detected at a longer range, but ultra-tech sensors operate on multiple frequencies that make detection difficult.) The detector required depends on the sensor.

Unless otherwise noted, assume an active sensor scans a 120° arc in front of it (see No Peripheral Vision).

Special Modes

Targeting: Active sensors are available in tactical versions that incorporate a rangefinder mode. This works the same way for all active sensors: it generates a narrow targeting beam. It requires an Aim maneuver to "lock onto" a particular target that has already been detected. This determines its precise range and speed, and gives +3 to hit with an aimed range attack used in conjunction with targeting software.

Low-Probability Intercept (LPI): The sensor uses a rapid frequency-agile burst of radar energy. This halves range, but results in a radar signal that can only be detected at 1.5 times the halved range rather than twice the normal range.

Disruption or Blinding: Some sensors have the ability to emit high-power narrow beams that can be used as weapons – see the individual sensor descriptions.

Vehicular Arrays (TL9)

Aircraft, submarines, or spacecraft often have very large active sensor arrays that cover a sizable fraction of their surface area on one or more facings. Active arrays operate indefinitely off vehicle power; the cost and weight are included as part of the vehicle, as the capabilities depend on the vehicle's surface area.

Combination Sensors

Scientific Equipment

This section describes laboratory equipment and specialized sensing tools.

Retrieved from "https://gurps.ilmatar.net/index.php?title=Sensors_and_Scientific_Gear&oldid=3361"