'TREKNOLOGY'

OF THE FEDERATION

Page Two...

ODN (Optical Data Network)

Data relay system, utilising a network of micro-fibre-optic transmission conduits which are ubiquitously spread throughout the ship. Analogous to 20th century computer networks, they act as the vessel's computer nervous system. The network incorporates hundreds of microprocessors located throughout the ship. They regulate response times and compliment central core workload by taking the burden off memory and system resources. ODN fibres connect and link to every individual panel and display interface onboard. Separated into primary and secondary systems, overall computer power is protected for key ship systems by multiple backup and re-routing bypass utilities.

PADD (Personal Access Display Device)

Small, touch-sensitive handheld computing device for easy display, management and input of information. With a capacity of more than 4 kiloquads, the PADD can transfer data to and from the ship's computer, and can be used for extended periods on away missions whilst performing uplink operations to the ship.

PHASERS

Acronym for PHASed Energy Rectification. It is in basic terms a directed-energy particle stream which is used as standard in starship defence. Affected by the properties of the 'rapid nadion effect', the emitter chamber produces a pulsed protonic charge resulting in a phaser discharge. Such a weapon is categorized by 'Type', with lowest types, 'Type I' and 'Type II' used in personal handheld devices. 'Type III' emitters are used in larger, and much more powerful phaser rifles which are seldom used by Starfleet, as Types I and II are sufficient for most defensive purposes on away missions and ground combat situations. Type IV's are commonly fitted to small space vehicles such as Shuttlecraft.

The 'Type' of phaser is governed by power and pulse frequency available -the more energy channelled into the pre-fire chamber, the greater the percentage of 'nuclear disruption force'. Emissions on handheld devices, such as phaser pistols are regulated by the unit's individual settings. The lowest, being Level One results in a 'Stun' effect, whereby the nuclear disruption threshold is not crossed, and the subject merely receives a thermo-magnetic impact, usually resulting in unconsciousness and superficial burns. Settings on most of the pistols go up to Level Sixteen, which is several thousand times more powerful than the mostly harmless first two levels. The largest (known) emitter assemblies available are 'Type X', and are employed as the main defensive countermeasure on Heavy Cruisers, encompassing multiple arrays. Even the smallest and least powerful of starships would have emitters rated at no less than 'Type VII'. Individual emitters of Type X phasers have a tactical range of roughly 300,000 km, and carry an energy emission ratio 500 times more powerful than Type II.

PHOTON TORPEDOES

Highly destructive tactical weapon used on Federation Starships. First developed in the early part of the 23rd century, Photon Torpedoes were a great defensive necessity, as Phasers alone were limiting, particularly at warp when they were virtually redundant.

Built into the torpedo's elliptical tubing are a series of deuterium pellets, which are forced into a magnetic chamber containing suspended anti-deuterium. The corresponding 1:1 matter/antimatter annihilation rates result in an explosion yield of up to 200 isotons. Incorporating onboard guidance and navigation systems, the units are propelled from the firing tube, and can cruise via their own propulsion at high impulse velocities up to a maximum tactical range of 3.5 million km to detonation point. They have a minimum firing range of no less than 15 km, at which point the firing vehicle must engage evasive maneouvres to escape the effects of the explosion. Torpedo casings have many applications, for when not used in combat situations, the warhead is removed and instead the tube can be armed with sensors probes and research equipment, and be deployed on numerous scientific missions.

PLASMA INJECTORS

Component of the Warp Drive systems, which involves the channelling of ionized gas (plasma) into the Warp coil assembly via the power transfer conduits. (See 'Dilithium' and 'Nacelles' on page one)

QUANTUM TORPEDOES

Developed by Starfleet in the 2360's, Quantum Torpedoes were introduced as more powerful and efficient explosive than the long enduring Photon Torpedo. The 'Quantum Effect' encompasses an energetic local release of the zero point energy field. Being highly efficient, in both deployment speed, onboard propulsion and navigation links, they carry the much heavier yield of 450 isotons. They are now employed as standard on Federation Starships. One of the first classes to pioneer the technology was Defiant Class. (The isoton yield that I quote here is of my own speculation)

REPLICATORS

This revolutionary technology was designed to supplement food and provisions supplies on Federation Starships. Utilizing rudimentary transporter technology and a preset program involving molecular structure, components and dimensions, a replicator can materialize the desired object on command. Most starships employ two types of replicators: food replicators, and those designed for hardware. Such a device uses a phase transition coil chamber, whereby the precisely attenuated quantity of the necessary raw material is fed via the matter stream into the quantum imaging scanners (set at high resolution when producing organic materials), where it is precisely conformed to the stored molecular pattern matrix, and routed to the pertinent replicator terminal, where the programmed object is then materialized via another phase transition chamber. Such invaluable units greatly reduce storage and manufacturing requirements, particularly with foodstuffs, as well as tools, raw materials and spare parts for ship systems. Another great plus is that they are highly energy efficient, as all materials are invariably recycled via waste management protocols.

SENSORS

Any of many multi-facetted, sophisticated scanning devices used for the collection and analysis of properties, and the detection and measurement of various physical, environmental and energetic forces. Most sensor systems on starships employ three primary systems, including long-range sensors, lateral arrays (and sub-sensor systems located in lateral array blind spots), and the navigation sensors. Giving a basic overview, they operate via various forms of optical wideband EM scanning techniques for stellar mapping, surveying, object detection and mission specific studies. Additionally, a system incorporating 'charged cluster quark resonance scanners' deliver high resolution sweeps detailing biological data across orbital and limited interplanetary distances for lifeform analysis.

SHIELDS

Force field grid deployed around starship hulls for protection against any number of threats found in space, from naturally occurring dangers such as radiation, debris, ion storms, nuclear, magnetic and thermal forces, and of course enemy weapons. Modern shield systems function via a heavily energized graviton field suspended within a layer of controlled spatial distortion. Shaped and refined in many preprogrammed configurations, nutations and frequency modulations, the shield grid around the ship is capable of deflecting and partially absorbing hazardous external energies and forces, from heavy particle bombardments, to objects of great physical mass. At impact, a localised object or force would appear to the eye to visibly 'bounce' off the shields, this is caused by the intense gravitational/spatial distortion. The emissions of radiation at such collisions may cause a momentary blue flash. Shield systems are further complemented by advanced ablation shielding, which has recently been developed. (See Ablative Armour on page one)

SONIC SHOWER

An alternative to water based personal hygiene and cleansing in which a subject is coated in envelopes of dermal-regenerative fields, and various preparations of bio-extraneous extraction filters. (As with a few others, this rough and brief explanation is purely and entirely speculated by me, as there is no specific canon info -that I know of- on how sonic showers work and operate...)

STARBASES AND OUTPOSTS

Any of up to 700 military operations posts throughout the Federation. Their designations can encompass strategic operations, supply support, scientific study, services, operation logistics and any of the many other common fleet requirements. Some Starbases are orbital, or stand alone space structures, others can be located on key planet surfaces. Some of the largest Starbases have full internal starship dry docking facilities. Such major Starbases are either appointed numerically, or after significant persons or the station's star system location. Some of the smaller ones can be divided into sub categories such as outposts, mission specific space stations and observatories, or simple supply depots. The most distant Outposts, some of which lie in neutral territory beyond Federation space can be designated as 'Deep Space Stations', numbered from 1 onwards.

23rd/24th Century Starbase	23rd Century Deep Space Station	Standard Starbase/Outpost or research station	Jupiter Station (Sol System)
Sorry, I don't have permission to show these full size

STELLAR CARTOGRAPHY

Sophisticated scientific laboratory involving astrometric analysis and star chart mapping. Sometimes (depending on the starship classification and designation) such departments possess huge multistorey wrap around visual display screens that can expand, focus and pinpoint areas of space down to the 100 square km range, and this facility can also be used to study and track stellar objects and phenomena.

STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY FIELD

Internal force field layers which act as struts to absorb and deflect certain physical forces, such as external pressure and acceleration/deceleration effects. Such fields can be precisely shaped and attenuated to counteract these forces to boost and supplement the natural strength of the hull's spaceframe chassis. Without these fields in place, serious stress and structural weakness would be observed, causing damage such as fractures and buckling of the hull materials.

SUBSPACE

Secondary quasi-dimensional lower domain to the normal three dimensional spatial continuum. First explored after the initial breakthrough and application of warp theory in the mid twenty first century, it was discovered that the differing properties therein allowed certain manipulation factors to be exerted on normal space. Such distortions support the warp drive process. The medium of subspace not only makes faster than light propulsion possible, but interstellar communication, which is thousands of times faster than traditional radio transmission times via normal space.

SYNTHEHOL

Synthetic substitute to alcohol used throughout the Federation. First used by the Ferengi, it provides the same effects as alcohol, but not the unpleasant after effects of resulting intoxication.

TRACTOR BEAM

An attenuated linear emission of gravitons designed to grasp, tow, deflect or manipulate physical objects at close range. Such devices are employed on all Federation starships as a standard means of controlling external bodies and masses. The system involves a subspace/graviton beam to apply stress patterns on the target mass, allowing the tractoring subject to hold it in a fixed position, or to change its position and/or trajectory. Such a vehicle under spatial stress is also prevented from forming its own subspace field, and hence renders it warp incapable.

TRANSPORTER

Matter/energy transposition device used primarily for the safe and almost instantaneous transport of personnel and hardware. The technology involves the breaking down of the transport subject's molecular composition before being channelled via the matter stream into 'pattern buffers'.

The transport process from a vessel to a planet's surface for instance would then involve the molecular matrix being emitted to its remote location, Heisenberg Compensators realign the molecular pattern and reconstitute it into its original form. (For more go to page one as see 'Annular Confinement Beam', 'Biofilter', and 'Heisenberg Compensators').

TRICORDER

Sophisticated analytical handheld device incorporating onboard EM sensor clusters, multi-channel communications assemblies and multiple databank modules. Encompassing visual displays and standard graphic touch pad interface it provides easy means for on the spot archive retrieval; the recording of away mission events, and constant scientific measurements, whether biological, geographical or meteorological.

TURBOLIFT

Any of numerous elevator capsules that traverse the turboshaft network conduits connecting the individual decks and sections throughout a starship. Usually controlled and activated verbally, such a system is essential to provide safe, high-speed passage for onboard personnel. Various arterial tubes link all habitable decks and sections both vertically and horizontally. Several safety measures and back-ups are available in case of an emergency, such as vertical hold bulkheads and escape hatches. If ever a scenario occurs whereby the system has malfunctioned, intra-ship movements are supplemented by various access ladders and Jefferies Tubes.

UNIVERSAL TRANSLATOR

Highly complex and advanced technology involving brain wave frequency linkage and verbal comparison protocols designed to for real time language translation. The primary software of which is called Linguacode. (see page one for 'Linguacode' and 'Combadge')

WARP

Faster then light propulsion system used on Federation Starships. First conceived of and developed by Zefram Cochrane in the mid twenty first century, a warp engine produces a huge matter/antimatter reaction to produce the energies necessary to propel the vessel beyond the warp barrier. (For more, see The Warp Scale, and page one for 'Antimatter', 'Antimatter Containment', 'Dilithium' 'Matter/Antiatter reaction chamber' and 'Nacelles/Warp Coils')

WORMHOLE

Subspace conduit connecting two points in space (and sometimes time), possibly by great distances. Most wormholes are unstable, and have unpredictable entry/exit points as they fluctuate and oscillate across space-time.

The only known stable, and artificial wormhole is located in the Bajoran sector. Its two event horizons separate 70,000 light years of space. The 'tunnel' is made up of a neutrino rich verteron membrane, wide enough for a starship to traverse at limited impulse powers.

YARD

Old ocean vessel construction installations, a term now used to describe the large starship construction facilities throughout the Federation incorporating multiple complexes and stations geared toward the design, manufacturing and support of varied class ships. Utopia Planitia Fleet Construction Yards in geo-stationary orbit above the Utopia Planitia surface settlement on Mars is one of the Federation's most important yards. Known 'canon' construction yards of the Federation include:

References for this compilation can be found in the 'Star Trek Encyclopedia' © 1994-1999 Paramount Pictures, and 'The Star Trek: The Next Generation Technical Manual', © 1991 Paramount Pictures. I have used the text in the aforementioned books for reference and research purposes, but the words here are more or less my own. I have tried not to use direct quotes, but have embellished and extrapolated the information to form my own words, ideas and interpretations. No infringement is intended by the representation of this material on my site.

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