8.5 Installed Hardware

The RF section consists of a network of fifteen triply redundant transceiver assemblies cross-connected by the QTDN and copper-yttrium 2153 hardlines and linked to the main computer comm processors. All are partially imbedded within the structural hull material at degree and distance intervals about the starship for maximum antenna coverage and manageable antenna timesharing loads.

Each transceiver assembly is a hexagonal solid measuring 1.83 meters across the faces and 1 meter in thickness. Each consists of separate voice and data subprocessors, 10 6-stage variable amplifiers; real-time signal analysis shunts and I\O signal conditioners at the hull antennae level. RF section power is obtained from Type II taps from the EPS. Basically, the major problem with the RF section stems from the c velocity limit, and a normal useful range at moderate power on the order of 6 AU`s (Astronomical Units). RF frequencies directed through the steerable central component of the main deflector can extend the useful range to some 1400 AU, though no practical applications of this power have yet been demonstrated.

The subspace transceiver specifications, in proportion, are roughly akin to the warp propulsion system being compared to its less powerful impulse cousin. Approximately ninety-four times more energy is required to drive voice and data signals across the threshold into the faster subspace frequencies, and even when applied to relatively short distances, the transmission reliability climbs dramatically. As with the RF section, small transceivers such as the standard subspace transceiver assembly in the personnel communicators need not emit great amounts of power if the large transmitters and receivers remain on the starship.

A series of 24 medium-power subspace transceivers are imbedded within the starship hull at various locations to provide communications coverage similar to that of the RF units. Each triply redundant device is contained within a trapezoidal solid measuring 2 x 2 meters by .5 meter in thickness. The system is powered by Type II EPS taps with a total maximum power load across the 24 of 3.42 x 10^3 MW. Each transceiver consists of voice and data processors, EPS power modulation conditioners, subspace field coil subassemblies and directional focusing arrays, and related control hardware. Signal handoff from the QTDN is done with a combination of real-time and sequence anticipation AI routines for maximum intelligibility, given the FTL nature of the outgoing and incoming subspace signals.