Sensor refers to any kind of equipment and technology which is used to measure, record, and detect the environment of time and space.
Sensors can range from a simple visual recording device to technologies which can analyze and detect occurrences in and out of the spectrum of theuniverse.
Types[]
Long-range subspace sensor capability required thetechnology of thetranstator. (TOScomic: "Prisoners")
Passive sensors only analyse data emitted by other entities and objects.Active sensors, on the other hand, emit a beam and analyse data that is reflected back. Activity of an active sensor can be detected by a third party. (TNGnovel:Ghost Ship)
Handheld sensors[]
Early handheld sensors took on the form ofscanners which had limited abilities and range. By the23rd centuryStarfleet usedtricorders, a far more advanced sensor technology; there were alsospecialist tricorders for medical scans.
In addition to general purpose handheld devices, there are hand held detectors and scanners for a variety of specific detection and measuring requirements.
Starship and facility sensors[]
Starships generally have much more powerful sensors, capable of detecting a wide range of phenomenon from a great distance. If a single starship is insufficient, groups of ships can be used, as was the case when the firsttachyon detection grids were developed to detectcloaked ships. (TNGepisode: "Redemption")
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External link[]
- Sensor article atMemory Alpha, the wiki for canonStar Trek.