RE: Active vs Passive

This is a fair analogy.

I would chnage it to fignting under moonlight rather than pitch black.
An
area with a lot of solar flares or other sporatic radiation may be like
a
cloudy night. An area in deep space, far from radiation sources may be
like
a clear night. Hiding in a solar flare or magnetosphere of a planet may
be
like a moonless night.

The flashlight would give you better definition (better 3D perception
especially at long range) and more information (such as color) about
what is
around you. But you have to shine it on the target for it to be
effective.

Your opponent, however will be able to see both what you are shining the
beam on and the origin of the flashlight.

Another good analogy would be sonar. 

You could tell that another ship is out there. You may even be able to
gain
some information on the opponent due to reflection of ambiant radiation
(sound) or emitions from the target. You may also be able to get a
location,
course, and/or speed of the opponent depending on  how long you
listened, if
your possition changes, if the target's possition changes, and if you
are
using multiple sensors that enable you to triangulate. The ability to do
this would depend on how good your equipment is, how much time you have
to
collect and sort data, how strong a signal you are getting from the
target
(ie. how poor his stealth is), and how good your crew is. If you have a
database of profiles, you may even be able to determine the type of
ship.

However, to get the best lock on the target you project a STRONG signal
(ping) that is still strong after it reflects off your target. This way
you,
to a large extent, determine how strong a signal the target is
providing.
However, you have also just provided an even stronger signal for your
target's targeting.

-----
Brian Bell
bkb@beol.net
http://members.xoom.com/rlyehable/ft/	   
-----

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Popeyesays@aol.com [SMTP:Popeyesays@aol.com]
> Sent: Thursday, April 13, 2000 11:24 AM
> To:	gzg-l@CSUA.Berkeley.EDU
> Subject:	Re: Active vs Passive
> 
> 
> Active sensors are like fighting a knife fight in pitch black - sure
you 
> might catch him in the flashlight beam - but he sure as hell will see
the 
> beam AND its source.