Equipment: Scanners and Sensors.

Two peices of equipment which often interchangable in Sci-fi stories, the scanner and sensor. Here is my attempt to clarify the difference between the two.

Scanner: This came from Star Trek but I did two
important things. I limited their range
and their scope of detection. I then
divided them into three classes: Multiscanner, Maintenance and Medical
scanner. The device also uses a computer
program to do an analysis what the person was reading on his screen. The best
way to look at Scanners is how a CAT scan works. The following is a general
description of what a scanner can do.<o:o:o:p></o:o:o:p>

Range
and Motion Detection: The scanner can
detect whether or not an object is moving or stationary. It can also give you the range to the object.<o:o:o:p></o:o:o:p>

Power
Source: This function allows the operator to see what sort of power an object
is using. It can detect fire, internal
combustion engines, atomic power, electricity, and fusion reactors. Depending on the power source, even the hand
held deceive can detect a source at a great distance.<o:o:o:p></o:o:o:p>

Physical Structure: The device can analyze any physical object within its range. Detail scans are done at close range. At medium and long range, an operator can tell
the difference between a rock, building or starship. At close and short range, he can tell you
what the molecular structure is. <o:o:o:p></o:o:o:p>

Life Type: The scanner can discern between
plants and animals at long range. At
close range (100 meters or less) they can determine if a life form is a
reptile, mammal, bacteria, etc. More
detail information is gained by use of a medical scanner.<o:o:o:p></o:o:o:p>

Range
for these devices run from 100 meters to 1 AU.
The greater the distance causes a time lag between the scanner and the
information. There are two modes for a
Scanner: Active and Passives. Active is
where the operator sends out a beam to scan an object while Passives use
naturally occurring background particles to pass through an object to collect
information on the target. Active can be
detected by another ship while passives cannot.
The downside to Passive scanners is there is a considerable time lag
between detection and getting a reading due to the realistic nature of normal
space.<o:o:o:p></o:o:o:p>

Medical
and Maintenance are used at Point blank range (10 meters or less). These specialized scanners are intended to
aide in the diagnostic and detail study of an object. +30 to the operating the scanner in making a
diagnostic.<o:o:o:p></o:o:o:p>

Scanners
can be used by anyone but it takes a person with a Scanner Ops skill to ensure
a proper reading is derived from the device.
Otherwise, the person using the scanner must rely on the microcomputer
database and Predict program. <o:o:o:p></o:o:o:p>

Handheld
devices general come in two pieces: The Emitter and receiver and power
pack/computer housing. They are connected by a cord. Early models are the size
of a back pack, at higher Tech Level the device is merged into a single
unit. There range is limited to 10 kilometers
but could detect a strong power source up to 100 kilometers away. Their programs are limited to Level 2.<o:o:o:p></o:o:o:p>

Vehicle
Based Scanners can have up to 100 kilometer range and limited to Level 4.<o:o:o:p></o:o:o:p>

Starship
Base Scanners have up to a 1 AU range and limited to Level 6.<o:o:o:p></o:o:o:p>

Scanner
Ops skill is a level +10 on a die roll.Sensors:
You
have to think of sensors as a human’s five senses: Touch, taste, smell, seeing
and hearing. These are devices that for
the most part come in contact with an object.
They include: Atmospheric
detector, Radiation detector, audio detector, multi spectrum cameras, EMF
Detectors, Chemical detectors, motion detector, etc. Unlike a scanner, it doesn’t put out a beam
to gather information rather it samples the surrounding area (within 10 meters
of a person).<o:o:o:p></o:o:o:p>

Sensors can tell you the
direction something is moving or range through the use of optics, which way the
winds blowing, what is the light source being used or what is in the area
surrounding it and what chemicals are in the area. Sensors are usually
stationary for the best results. They
are used on probes to gather information about planets.<o:o:o:p></o:o:o:p>

Since sensors are a passive
device they can be placed anywhere and can be shield against detection. To gain the information from one of these
devices, a comlink or physical download must be made.<o:o:o:p></o:o:o:p>

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