franchise-star-trek-tng-technical-manual1

8.2 PERSONAL COMMUNICATOR8.2 PERSONAL COMMUNICATORThe current Starfleet-issue communicator represents thelatest improvement in small subspace radio devices. Itsprimary role is to maintain voice contact among crew membersaboard ship and during away missions, and to provide alock-on contact for transporter operations. Voice contact withother devices, such as the ship's main computers, is alsowithin the communicator's capabilities.The communicator casing is micromilled duranium overlayeredwith gold and silver alloys in a diffusion-bondingprocess. The metal alloys serve to complement the aestheticdesign of the device, which has been fashioned into theStarfleet emblem.SUBSPACE TRANSCEIVER ASSEMBLYThe heart of the internal electronics is the subspacetransceiver assembly (STA). This circuit incorporates ananalog-to-digital voice encoder and low-power subspace fieldemitter. It is also the same circuit used in devices such as thepersonal access display device (PADD) and tricorder, andshares the efficient data transmission protocols.Voice inputs are received by a monofilm pickup diffusionbondedto the inner casing and routed to the STA. While thestandard STA possesses input channels for other data, theseare not active in the communicator. As all Starfleet communicationsare normally encrypted, the voice signal pulses areconverted by a series of encryption algorithms. These algorithmsare changed on a random schedule by StarfleetCommand for galaxywide subspace transmissions, and individualstarship codes may be substituted during local awaymissions.Battery power is provided by a sarium krellide crystalrated for two weeks in normal use. When close to depletion,the crystal will produce a faintly audible oscillation; it can bereturned to full power by induction recharging.COMMUNICATOR CONTROLControl of the personal communicator while aboard aStarfleet vessel is a matter of preference and habit. To initiatea voice call, it is simply a matter of tapping the front of thebadge to confirm to the STA that the message is meant to goout. This may seem redundant, as the intrashipcomm systemis constantly monitoring and routing voice transmissions, butit is a good practice to learn. During away team operations,the tap is essential to preserving internal battery power. Thetap activates a dermal sensor to relay a power up commandto the STA.The range of the communicator is severely limited, mainlydue to the small size of the STA emitter and power supply. Intransmissions between two stand-alone communicators, clearExternal configuration• Duranium casingCommunicator shown full sizeInternal configurationSubspace transceiver assembly •Dermal sensor controller •Encryption circuit assembly •Sarium krellide power cell •8.2.1 Personal communicator assembly