Wolf's Ears: Trade name for a personal acoustic awareness enhancer. Used in the past by hunters, military shooters and surveillance personnel, this sort of system has become highly refined by AF 10. They take the form of small inserts into the ears worn like contoured earbuds. Inside is embedded fiberoptic microphones and a small computer. It's first function has the system help to pick up and boost ambient audio which is low, making it easier for the user to hear. This grants a +10 on Hearing related Perception tests, which does not stack with Enhanced Hearing. However, the computer can also detect harmfully loud audio and reduce it's strength to protect the hearing of the user. Normally loud noises which might cause harm like gunshots and explosions will be reduced to manageable levels, removing any penalties one might take to Perception or some other skills for them. Some noises are likely to be too loud to reduce completely, but still will cause reduced harm to the user. The GM may offer a +10-+30 bonus on tests to resist certain effects or allow their penalties to also be ignored if they feel it appropriate, such as when dealing with a Concussion or Overload grenade. [Low]
Most users do not bother with this system, as it is technically out-dated by modern bioware, and rarely do users require the hearing protection (which modern nanomedicine fixes very easily) but special tactics or military units in bioconservative circles may utilize them in place of invasive cyberware alternatives. People who need hearing enhancement in a pinch might also want to avoid a lengthy install time.
More importantly however, Firewall operatives utilize Wolf's Ears in a roundabout way, hacking the internal systems to block certain types of sound signatures which could be harmful, such as Basilisk Hacks, while also retaining their situational awareness. While not as surefire as something like Analog Tools or a Faraday Suit, it can be helpful, applying its resistance bonus in this case. However, in order to program in the proper sound block, the Firewall Sentinel must be aware of the nature of the aural Basilisk Hack in the first place.
Showing posts with label sensors. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sensors. Show all posts
Sunday, October 1, 2017
Wednesday, March 15, 2017
Heartbeat Sensor
A "heartbeat sensor" has been long sought by military and law enforcement, and long speculated by military fiction for over 100 years. Motion Detectors (p. 153 Panopticon) are very small, reliable systems which can detect motion via body heat and other IR radiation, and can even do so through surfaces close enough. But, this is not necessarily comprehensive, and even in active or passive modes requires targets to be moving when the sensor is pointed at them. It's ideal for security systems, but not always to carry on your person. And while they do not often make false positives, an active or passive pulse might miss a target who happens to be relatively still. To this end, the Heartbeat Sensor is an alternative.
Heartbeat Sensor: A small, handheld alternative to the Motion Detector, the Heartbeat sensor is an active sensor which uses a small array of antennas and combinations of IR and radio waves to measure back the minute responses related to respiration and pulse. The result is that it can detect a target breathing or with a beating heart even if they stand still. The accuracy enough is to measure the target's heart rate, and if maintained long enough can detect heartbeats which are faint or artificially slowed such as through drugs. It has a material penetration and range similar to Radar, though will not always be detected by the same equipment as a Radar setup. The sensor can have a flat display, or be linked to another display such as AR over mesh - and provides a rough position, range and heart rate data. [Low]
The heartbeat sensor, sometimes also called the biologic sensor, is considered an alternate for the motion detector, and neither is a replacement for the other. Motion detectors in passive mode can be defeated by thermal dampening and some chameleonic materials, but are hard to block in active mode. The Heartbeat sensor is only active, which can harm its user's stealth profiles, and can be affected by measures which inhibit both Radar and IR - but works even on targets which are still. The heartbeat sensor works perfectly on biomorphs and smart animals, and will also detect masked synthetics and Pods - but does not normally locate a Synthmorph. Depending on the user, this may be a benefit or hindrance. While small and one-handed, the Heartbeat sensor cannot be too small, as the antenna array needs to be spread a small amount to work - and takes in just less than 180 degrees in the FOV of the sensor. It is, however, small enough to mount onto a wrist or a two-handed gun if needed.
Heartbeat Sensor: A small, handheld alternative to the Motion Detector, the Heartbeat sensor is an active sensor which uses a small array of antennas and combinations of IR and radio waves to measure back the minute responses related to respiration and pulse. The result is that it can detect a target breathing or with a beating heart even if they stand still. The accuracy enough is to measure the target's heart rate, and if maintained long enough can detect heartbeats which are faint or artificially slowed such as through drugs. It has a material penetration and range similar to Radar, though will not always be detected by the same equipment as a Radar setup. The sensor can have a flat display, or be linked to another display such as AR over mesh - and provides a rough position, range and heart rate data. [Low]
The heartbeat sensor, sometimes also called the biologic sensor, is considered an alternate for the motion detector, and neither is a replacement for the other. Motion detectors in passive mode can be defeated by thermal dampening and some chameleonic materials, but are hard to block in active mode. The Heartbeat sensor is only active, which can harm its user's stealth profiles, and can be affected by measures which inhibit both Radar and IR - but works even on targets which are still. The heartbeat sensor works perfectly on biomorphs and smart animals, and will also detect masked synthetics and Pods - but does not normally locate a Synthmorph. Depending on the user, this may be a benefit or hindrance. While small and one-handed, the Heartbeat sensor cannot be too small, as the antenna array needs to be spread a small amount to work - and takes in just less than 180 degrees in the FOV of the sensor. It is, however, small enough to mount onto a wrist or a two-handed gun if needed.
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