Sensory Systems

      This section describes the various sensors and optics available from S-Mart for outfitting the power armor they produce. Note that some of the optics come standard with the more advanced reality interface systems.

Anti-Dazzle Protection: This is essentially nothing more than a polarized film on the sensors that react to the ambient light. Thus if a bright flash occurs in the face of the power armor suit so equipped, the lense turns nearly black for an instant, and then quickly changes back to normal - protecting the operator from being dazzled.

Nightvision Optics: This system uses the ambient light from starlight, moonlight and similar to allow a sort of green-tinged vision beyond normal visual ranges for a human. The range of this system is 2,000'.

Infrared Optics: This system allows the power armor operative to see the heat emanating from an object. It can be set to be white hot or black hot, depending on operating status. If in combat black hot would be best to avoid being blinded by explosions and similar. While in passive mode, outside of combat, white hot would be best, so as things like body heat would better stand out. The range of this system is 2,000'.

Thermal Imaging Optics: This is very similar to the Infrared Optics in the sense that it detects heat, but unlike the imprecise nature of the infrared optics, this measures the heat signature precisely displaying them in colorful shades of reds, yellows, greens and blues with various degrees of heat. The thermal imaging optics are also far more sensitive than the infrared optics, actually allowing them to see heat through walls of structures at certain distances. The range of this system is 2,000', but it can only see heat through an obstacle such as a brick wall from 100'.

Ultraviolet Optics: This system allows the power armor operator to see into the ultraviolet spectrum of light. This versatile optics system allows a variety of uses. Certain colors are far more vivid when viewed under ultraviolet light - especially light colors. This is useful in searching the drab surroundings of a countryside, for anything unnatural or man made. It is also useful for detecting the corona around an energy weapon that is discharging, such as around a rail gun, ion blaster, plasma ejector, and similar. In the industrial field this system is useful for spotting the corona 'arc' of faulty electronics, and for examining glass, crystal, and other substances for flaws or weaknesses. It is also handy in the chemical sector as some chemicals fluoresce to varying degrees under ambient ultraviolet light. Range of this system is an astounding 2,000'.

Telescopic Optics: These are exactly as they sound, telescopic optics that enhance the image of far away objects. At a range of 6,000' an object appears only 100' away, as an example. The range of this system is 6,000' effectively - but it can enhance the image of objects further away yet still, they just are not quite so well detailed.

Macrovision Optics: These optics are essentially like a microscope, capable of magnifying objects hundreds of times, from a distance of 6'. This is a useful system for analyzing clues in the field, such as tracks, spent shell casings and similar. In the civilian field these optics are useful for analyzing just about anything one can imagine.

Periscoping Sensory Extentions: These are essentially lengthy periscope-like extensions that allow a power armor operator to extend an optical sensor into an area where the power armor cannot fit - or where the operator does not want to be. A good example of it's use would be for a civil protection suit extending a P.S.E. into an attic looking for a wanted fugitive, without exposing the whole of the armor. While typically mounted on power armor helmets, it can be mounted on the forearm or the shoulder. Typical length at full extension is a modest one and a half feet, but can be up to four feet in length. Note that the price for this system does NOT include the cost of any special optical system installed on the extension.

Ultrasound Transducer System: This system is designed to use ultrasound technology to evaluate an object in extreme detail. Through the use of ultrasound it can evaluate the proximity of objects under the surface, evaluate the structural integrity of an object - searching for cracks, scratches, manufacturing defects, etc., the rate of flow of fluids beneath the surface and the pressure levels exerted by subsurface fluids. This type of system is mostly intended for the civil industrial field for a variety of purposes. In the military it would be a valuable addition to suits custom built for the service with military engineers, armorers and the like. A suit so equipped with this would make it easily portable, protect it with at least moderate armor protection and would give the armorers a heavy duty suit capable of lifting heavy objects, and furthermore allow them to maintain/repair damaged equipment while protected by high technology powered armor. The main attraction of this type of sensor is that it would allow a mechanic to analyze exactly how badly damaged a piece of military equipment was, allowing them to look past armor plating, synthetic musculature, right to the very chassis without removing these and various other components just to check them over. While this system could theoretically be used by combat types, in searching for weakness in armor, it has not yet seen it's debut in these fields.

Alpha Particle & X-Ray Spectrometer: This device sends out alpha particles from decaying nuclear materials and x-rays to analyze the composition of rocks and metals. In the military field it may be useful in determining the weakness of particular materials used in armor, it may be useful in identifying explosive compounds found in a mysterious object, it may also be useful in identifying extraterrestrial devices as well. In the civilian field it's uses are many in the industrial field as well as the mining field - for identifying certain ores or materials.

Scintillation Counter: This is essentially a super sensitive geiger counter that operates using dissimilar methods to the classic, and generally inaccurate system commonly employed elsewhere. This system will give an exact radiation count, and with the programming that comes standard with this system, can give a percentage indication of what the likely cause of the radioactivity is.

Hygrometer Sensor: This tiny system measures the humidity in the air. It's military applications are limited, as far as power armor goes, but in the industrial field and mining field especially, it is particularly useful. A Hygrometer would be useful in tracking down a reactor coolant leak before it becomes critical. It may also be useful in determining the humidity in a welding/cutting environment so that the electronic equipment (Laser Torch or Plasma Torch) may be calibrated correctly to counter for it. In the mining field it is useful for determining the amount of moisture in a mine - indicating whether or not a subterranian water source may be nearby.

Environmental Multisensor: This sensor actually integrates a quartet of different systems, an infrared gas sensor, an electro chemical gas sensor, a catalytic combustion gas sensor, and a thermometer. These sensors can identify and measure the precise amounts of ambient gasses in the immediate atmosphere, such as carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulphide, sulpher dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, chlorine, oxygen, nitric oxide, hydrogen, hydrogen sulphide, methane, ethane, acetylene, natural gas, propane, butane, gasoline, crude oil, and nitrogen. It's practical applications are numerous in the civilian industrial and mining field.

Vibration Sensor: This system uses a laser beam to detect vibrations in objects, and give a read out of how violent the vibrations are and what axis the vibrations are on. In military applications this can be useful for detecting vibrations of objects a person may be hiding inside of, such as a vehicle that appears empty, a dumpster in an alleyway, or even a rock someone may be hiding behind and are in contact with - just from reading the vibrations of their' heartbeat. It can also be used to indicate if an enemy vehicle(s) is (are) approaching, just by focusing the laser beam on an inanimate object in contact with the ground. In the civilian field it has a multitude of uses. In the architectural field this may be used to detect swaying or minute vibrations from loose joints and similar. In the industrial field it can be used to detect the vibration in a mechanical construct of any type, indicating if a mounting is loose/broken, and similar. In the mining field it can be used to detect vibrations in rock from seismic activity or from rocks shifting position in the roof of a mine. While the range of the laser used is only 250', the range of the vibrations varies dramatically.

Laser Audio Spy Sensor: This system is useful in the espionage world for listening in on conversations or activities beyond closed doors. This is accomplished by focusing on closed doors, windows, or even walls to detect minute vibrations behind it. Unlike the Vibration Sensor, mentioned above, this system actually creates an audio of what is heard through the vibrations. While the range of the laser used is only 250', the range of the audio is equal to human hearing. Thus if the beam is focused on the front door of a large home, you are not likely to hear a conversation taking place in the master bedroom at the back of the home.

Alignment, Leveling, & Grade Calibration Laser: This is a small, turret mounted laser, that has a series of three functions. The first function allows it to function as an alignment recording device, capable of reading measurements of difference down to 1/10,000th of an inch. In it's leveling function, it works in much the same way as the alignment, recording the exact layout of the land, and indicating what changes would have to be made to make it level. In it's grade calibration function, it records the exact angle of slope in a downgrade. It also functions well as a range finder and measurement impliment, making things as quaint as tape measures obsolete. This is a vastly handy system to have for a suit of construction power armor, or even for a military engineering type power armor, where this would be a handy system for building bunkers, landing strips, digging trenches of specific angles, etc. The maximum range on this system is 6,000'.

Operational Recorder: This system is much like the "black box" of a modern aircraft in the sense that it records all data from the systems on board of a power armor suit, plus records a visual record of everything seen, and an audio record of everything heard.

Civilian Radar: This is a limited system that uses weak radar beams in a sixty degree arc in front of the power armor to detect distant objects above the ground clutter. Note that this system is largely ineffective when located amidst a clutter rich environment such as a forest or city ruins. The range of this model is a modest 10 miles.

Military Radar: This is a more advanced radar system that uses slightly more powerful radar beams than the civilian model, and covers a one hundred and twenty degree arc in front of the power armor to detect distant objects. Unlike civilian radar also, the military version is more sensitive to changes in environment. Thus if in a city scape, and a man in body armor steps out from behind a wall for a moment before ducking back, and the pilot does not notice it the radar will momentarily send out a tone and the H.U.D. (if so equipped) will indicate the spot where it was seen. (If an Operational Recorder is equipped, the pilot can actually bring up that brief video clip and see it for his or her own self.) The range of this model is a respectable 25 miles.

Sonar System: This system passive/active sonar sensor. In the passive role, a series of six sensitive hydrophones simply listen for noises in the waters surrounding the power armor unit and displays locations of echoes with approximate ranges and direction on a screen similar to a radar display. In the active role a loud pulse of sound, known in the submariner world as a "ping" is sent out. This "ping" will automatically reveal the location of the power armor unit, but it will also reveal the precise location of most any non-organic object within the range of the sonar. The range of the active and passive sonar is 20 miles, however the passive sonar CAN detect loud sounds in the water, like explosions, up to 100 miles away. About the only information possible from such "hot noises" is approximate direction of origin.

Magnetic Anomaly Detector: The magnetic anomaly detector, or as it is otherwise known, M.A.D., is a system used to detect masses of metal through their magnetic signature. While not very useful in an urban setting, this system allows a suit of power armor to detect hidden vehicles, hidden power armor, and similar in a wilderness setting. While not intended for this purpose, a rail gun or rapid fire field cannon firing shows up like a sore thumb while using this sensory system, at three times it's normal range. The maximum normal effective range of such a system is only 300'.

Laser Detector: This system is composed of a handful of sensitive light sensors specifically calibrated to detect the light from a laser beam. It's purpose is to detect any and all laser targeting systems currently trained on the suit. This system may be set only to emit a high pitched bell sound or it may be set to automatically activate a Stardust Cannister if so equipped.

Radar Detector: This system detects radar waves as they pass over the power armor, indicating to the operator that he has been picked up on radar. It is at least a fairly sensitive system though that can tell the difference between a low power radar system like those found on most Coalition States power armor that cannot see through ground clutter, an S-Mart Civilian Radar set that again cannot see through ground clutter, and a true military grade radar that can. The only failing of this system is that if the suit is ever attacked by a microwave type weapon it will fry this sensor automatically.

Name Range Weight S.R. Cost M.D.C.
Anti-Dazzle Protection N/A N/A N/A 2,000 N/A
Nightvision Optics 2,000' N/A 2.5 2,000 N/A
Infrared Optics 2,000' N/A 2.5 4,000 N/A
Thermal Imaging Optics 2,000' N/A 2.5 5,000 N/A
Ultraviolet Optics 2,000' N/A 2.5 3,500 N/A
Telescopic Optics 6,000' N/A 2.5 1,500 N/A
Macrovision Optics 6' N/A 2.5 4,500 N/A
Periscoping Sensory Extensions 1.5'-4' 2 Lb. 5 5,000 20
Ultrasound Transducer System 6' 25 Lb. 5 55,000 N/A
Alpha Particle & X-Ray Spectrometer 3' 5 Lb. 2.5 150,000 5
Scintillation Counter Varies. 3 Lb. 2.5 500 N/A
Hygrometer Sensor Varies. 1/2 Lb. 2.5 250 N/A
Environmental Multi Sensor Varies. 3 Lb. 2.5 2,500 5
Vibration Sensor 250' 5 Lb. 2.5 4,000 5
Laser Audio Spy Sensor 250' 5 Lb. 2.5 4,700 5
Alignment, Leveling, & Grade Calibration Laser 6,000' 10 Lb. 5 10,000 10
Operational Recorder N/A 2 Lb. 2.5 3,000 10
Civilian Radar 10 mi. 5 Lb. 5 1,000 N/A
Military Radar 25 mi. 20 Lb. 5 10,000 N/A
Sonar System 20 mi. 10 Lb. 10 20,000 N/A
Magnetic Anomaly Detector 900' 20 Lb. 2.5 30,000 N/A
Laser Detector N/A N/A 2.5 10,000 N/A
Radar Detector N/A N/A 2.5 5,000 N/A



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