Detection
The detection system is FtD's means of figuring out whether a construct belonging to faction A can "see" a construct belonging to faction B, and if so, with what degree of accuracy. Additionally, some sensors are able to not only detect constructs, but also certain incoming munitions.
Because a constant supply of target data is essential for the proper functioning of autonomous constructs during combat, the relevant components can be found in a sub-folder within the "AI" section of the build menu.
Signature types
- Strategic Signals Intelligence: The detection of "Out of Play" stuff by eavesdropping on the low-frequency radio transmissions between them and their faction's HQ. Although capable of detecting transmitting constructs at extreme ranges, it is also extremely imprecise, and thus can't produce useful fire control solutions.
- Visual: The detection of visible stuff. The more stuff is visible, the easier it is to detect.
- Infrared: The detection of hot stuff. The hotter stuff is, the easier it is to detect. On the flip side, the bigger stuff is, the less easy it is to detect, as the heat spreads out and becomes less distinct.
- Acoustic: The detection of underwater stuff that isn't being quiet. The more un-quiet stuff is, the easier it is to detect. Alternatively, the detection of stuff that is quiet, by simply making enough noise to create a detectable echo off of the quiet stuff.
- Radar: The detection of stuff by throwing radio signals everyhwere until they echo off of something. Much like acoustic detection, but above water.
- LIDAR: The detection of stuff by pointing a fancy flashlight at it, and then using a camera to detect any reflections.
- Tactical Signals Intelligence: The detection of high-frequency radio signals, such as those coming off of a Wireless Transmitter, or Inter-construct Transmitter.
Active/Trancieving sensors
These are sensors which actively transmit some sort of signal, and then wait for an "echo" of that signal to return to them, allowing them to generate very precise range data, while typically providing somewhat poor bearing data.
The inevitable drawback of these sensors is that their active emissions can be detected by certain passive sensors.
| Name | Mode | FoV | Sensitivity modifier | Angular error | Range error | Scan rate | GPP | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Radar 360 | RADAR | 360° | 1 | 0,3° | 12,5% | 10 | 3 | |
| Radar 90 | RADAR | 90° | 1 | 0,2° | 10% | 20 | 2 | |
| Radar Gimbal Tracker | RADAR | 10°/360° | 1 | 0,1° | 8% | 25 | 1 | |
| Sonar 360 | SONAR | 360° | 1 | 0,75° | 0,75% | 5 | 2 | |
| Sonar 90 | SONAR | 90° | 1 | 0,5° | 0,5% | 10 | 1 | Notes |
| Laser Retroreflection sensor | LIDAR | 360° | 1 | 1° | 0,2% | 4 | 1 | Notes |
| Laser Rangefinder Tracker | LIDAR | 10°/360° | 1 | 1° | 0,1% | 15 | 0,1 | Notes |
- Because sensors must be connected to a processing system, all sensors will be "blind" on at least one side due to visibility being obstructed by whatever block is connecting them to the system.
Passive/Recieving sensors
These are sensors which passively "listen" or observe their surroundings. As a general rule, they're pretty good at determining the direction to the target, but can't be relied upon to provide accurate range data.
On the flip side, they don't emit any signals of their own, and so can't be passively detected by other sensors.
| Name | Mode | FoV | Sensitivity modifier | Angular error | Range error | Scan rate | GPP | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Camera 360 | Visual | 360° | 1 | 0,3° | 12,5% | 10 | 3 | |
| Camera 90 | Visual | 90° | 1 | 0,2° | 10% | 20 | 2 | |
| Camera Gimbal Tracker | Visual | 10°/360° | 1 | 0,1° | 8% | 25 | 1 | |
| Coincidence Rangefinder(s)* | Visual | ??? | 1,25 | 0,05° | 2% 1,428571% 1,111111% |
5 | 2 | These are available in 3 base lengths: 4m, 6m, and 8m. |
| IR Camera 360 | IR | 360°* | 1 | 0,45° | 12,5% | 15 | 2 | Notes |
| IR Camera 90 | IR | 90° | 1 | 0,3° | 10% | 30 | 1 | Notes |
| IR Camera Gimbal Tracker | IR | 10°/360° | 1 | 0,15° | 8% | 40 | 0,5 | Notes |
| Radar Warning Reciever | RADAR | 360°* | 1 | 1,5° | 25% | 8 | 2 | Notes |
| Passive Sonar 360 | SONAR | 360°* | 1 | 0,75° | 25% | 5 | 2 | Notes |
| Wireless Snooper | SigInt | True 360° | 1 | 2° | 10% | 5 | 3 | Notes |
- Again, the network connection blocks visibility in at least one direction.
Bearing/Elevation vs Range accuracy, and FCS tuning
As seen above, FtD generates direction data and range data separately, and some types of sensors are inherently better at generating range data than they are at determining the bearing to target, whereas others may be very good at determining the direction but lousy at finding the range.
TBC
Signature reduction
Maybe
Trivia
Eventually