Re: FT Sensor Rules -- Request for Comments [LONG]

Hi,

For two sensor suites detecting the same radiation signature, the
one with an active component will have the greater range, since it
is able to detect targets that do not emit with the detected signature,
and the reflections will add to any inherent emissions from the
target.

Your torch/tower example is really two examples of active sensors.
The passive component is your eye. The active component is the
torch in one case, and whatever is illuminating the tower in the
second. If that same tower was on top of a hill in the middle of
nowhere with a new moon, you won't see it.

One could write a book on this subject (in fact, some already have.)
Only in very few special case scenarios will passive sensors outrange
active sensors.

Cheers,
Tony C.

On 23-Oct-04, at 5:06 AM, Doug Evans wrote:

>> It seems to me that the effective ranges are reversed. One would
>> expect active sensors to have much greater range than passive.
>
> It seems to me we had a good healthy 'discussion' on this. I think the
> point was that passive can look farther, but active is better at
things
> moderately close. Think of switching on a torch in the yard to have a 
> look
> at something going bump in the night. Active is MUCH better. Now look 
> at
> the dot on the tower half a mile away. Switching the torch on and off 
> only
> gives away your position. The diffused light has no useful effect over

> the
> distance. Inverse square law, and all that.
>
> I don't think anyone made believers out of the other, but I figured 
> the PSB
> was that over the relatively short spacial distances of unalloyed Full
> Thrust, it's shooting in your own backyard.
>
> Don't agree? It's rule-tweaking time!
>
> Hmm...
>
> I was about to say I was pretty sure Jerry typo'd; he already said 
> that,
> didn't he. ;->=
>
> The_Beast
>