Janet's Star Trek Voyager Site

SHIP U.S.S. VOYAGER:
COMMUNICATIONS

screenshots by Janet

 

FUTURE COMMUNICATIONS DEVELOPMENT

Subspace will probably remain the primary high-speed carrier environment, with RF as the short-range backup transmission mode, followed by modulated versions of standard phaser, X-ray laser and infrared emitters. The speed of propagation of a subspace signal continues to be the limiting factor in any long-range communications. Subspace radio signals, even those highly focused and radially polarised, will decay over time, as the energies forced across the subspace threshold will tend to "surface" to become normal slower EM. As this decay occurs, enormous amounts of information are lost, since the modulated signal does not decay evenly. The propagation speed under ideal galactic conditions is equivalent to warp factor 9.9997, and RF energy is limited to light-speed velocity (c). This places subspace radio about sixty times faster than the fastest starship, either existing or predicted. The phenomenon, which occurs at distances proportional to the peak radiated power of the outgoing beam with an upper distance limit of 22.65 light years, has necessitated the placement of untended relay booster beacons and small numbers of crew-tended communications bases at intervals of twenty light years, forming irregular strings of cells along major trade lanes and areas of ongoing exploration. Within the Federation, Starfleet's sub- space communications network is supplemented by the Federation's civil communications system, as well as by various local networks. New relay beacons are placed as areas of the galaxy are charted. Small expendable beacons are carried aboard USS Voyager and other starships as temporary devices until permanent units can be placed. Already the extended exploration and patrol range of Starfleet vessels is so great that over 500 new subspace relays are made operational each year. Starfleet is continuing to conduct experiments with higher energy levels in an attempt to drive communications signals into "deeper" layers of subspace, where it is thought the signal will travel farther prior to decay. If this is indeed feasible, it may someday be possible to eliminate up to 80% of the installed boosters.

Based upon the above drawing, the model of the SS Birdseye from [TNG: The Neutral Zone] was modified to be the Relay Station 47 in [TNG: Aquiel] (shown left). The solar panels were removed, and there were also several changes to the main body, enough to make the relay station look considerably different. The station in the above diagram has not appeared on tv and may be a preliminary sketch of Relay Station 47, another type of station or a typical station.

New methodologies are, however, being explored for increasing the warp-equivalent velocities of modulated subspace energy waves. These include the adaptation of helical verteron membranes akin to that found at the Bajoran wormhole interface. (Information on the Bajoran wormhole, including its role in Bajoran religion, is included in LIFEFORMS: Bajorans.) That would essentially create a micro-wormhole jacketed around the com.stream as well as a variant on the soliton wave phenomenon. Soliton-based communications may take advantage of the self-sustaining nature of the wave energy fields, possibly extending the range of intelligble messages beyond the 22.65 light-year limit for standard subspace.

Whatever the Federation advances in communication technology, USS Voyager can expect, on returning home, to receive upgrades to various ship's systems including the comms.

Long-range communications are vital to the continued effective operations of starships and their attendant planetside and free-flying base stations. Federation policy is formulated and carried out based on the rapid and accurate conveyance of orders, analyses, opinions, and scientific and technical information. While the hardware and processes have been described in this article, the basic concept of communications is more important because life in the galaxy is dependent upon communications, especially for explorers hoping to meet and interact with new sentient lifeforms. USS Voyager has made friendly contact with numerous Delta Quadrant species, and long-range communications across scores of thousands of light-years has become feasible if not easy or frequent, therefore I (Janet) believe there is real incentive for Starfleet to continue with exploration of the Delta Quadrant via such long-range communication, and to try and develop regular and easier means as the forerunner to eventual planned deep space missions. USS Voyager's data gathered on the Delta Quadrant would be invaluable for such an enterprise. There is also Neelix, upon whom Janeway has bestowed the position of Starfleet's Ambassador to the Delta Quadrant, and although we know about none of the future beyond USS Voyager's dramatic return to the Alpha Quadrant (save what appears in the film [Star Trek: Nemesis]), it is possible to believe and hope that Neelix would have a significant role to play.