Jump Drive Signature Detector

hobbes409 shared this feedback 3 years ago
Submitted

Add a block which detects when a jump drive has been used within a given range. Think of the 2006 TV show Battlestar Galactica, where the Cylons could detect a nuclear explosion and triangulate it.

The strength of a jump drive signiture could be derived from Mass of the ship times Distance jumped, for example a small ship that jumps a short distance gives off a weak jump drive signature, but a heavy ship that jumps a very long distance gives off a strong signature, at the origin of the jump.

The readout would look like early jet-age radar warning receivers, where depending on the strength of the signature, and the power allocated to the detector, it only gives the rough direction from the detector block, and whether it is above or below the plane of the detector and how far.

The direction to a long distance, heavy ship jump could be detected within a cone of 45 degrees.

Whereas a weak signature within range would just read "jump drive signature detected" but only show the direction within 180 degrees.

Longer detection ranges require more power, up to a maximum range that could be set in server config.

Or if the server operator wants to make it more expensive, it could use zone chips to operate.

Replies (1)

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Have almost the exact ide for detecting jump signatures. (Have written about it on or one two discord servers before.)

I don't think we need a separate block, just use the normal antennas. (But I would like to see the antenna system rework so we get a few different sizes and a advanced version with modules for jamming, jump disruption, range boost, radar e.c.t then maybe jump detection can be a module.) Determine the signal strength by the power used for the jump. That will give a signal strength set by both ship size and jump distans. Limited the max detection range by the antenna size or broadcasting/detection radius. Use more power for better detection range. The signature should not give the exact positions but the closer to the jump, stronger the signal and more powerful antenna gives a more exact position.

I would like it to work so that with a large antenna you can detect a ship jumping on the same side of a planet as you but maybe not if it jumps in on the outer side or far out from the planet. The jump signature can be presented on the HUD. If that should be with a GPS coordinator or more like detecting enemy block that I will leave for playtesting. The ranges and TTL for the signature need also to be balanced so the players don't get swarmed by signatures from all over the server. The jump signatures should promote players to take actions to scout for jumps and avoid being detected.

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I like these ideas. I agree about detecting range set by power used for the jump, and the closer you are, the more accurate. My reason for having it a separate block is to have a cost that only established players can afford... e.g. if you have a jump drive and gravity generator you're more ready for pvp than someone just starting out. The max range could be a server setting. Time delay for a signature based on distance is an interesting idea.

Also for roleplay purposes, antennas use electromagnetic radiation, and jump drives would be something else altogether, like maybe gravity waves? Anyway, I think it makes sense to have them use different parts.

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