Computer Systems

4.0 COMPUTER SYSTEMS

4.1 COMPUTER CORE

Number of computer cores: Two. The primary computer core is accessed in the control room on Deck 5 in amidships for maximum protection. It covers five decks and extends from Deck 2 to Deck 5. The Auxiliary core is located on Deck 10 and extends down to Deck 12, covering three decks. It is fed by two sets of redundant EPS conduits as well as primary power.

Type: The AC-15 series computer core is built under contract for the Intrepid class vessel by Krayne Systems, an independent contractor based on Bynar. The structure of the computer is similar to that of most other supercomputing systems in use by Federation vessels with stack segments extending through the ship forming trillions of trillions of connections through the processing and storage abilities of modern isolinear chips. Cooling of the isolinear loop is accomplished by a regenerative liquid helium loop, which has been refit to allow a delayed-venting heat storage unit for "Silent Running.” For missions, requirements on the computer core rarely exceed 45-50% of total core processing and storage capacity. The rest of the core is utilized for various scientific, tactical, or intelligence gathering missions - or to backup data in the event of a damaged core.

Bio-Neural Gel Packs: Referred to typically as BNGs, Bio-Neural Gel Packs are a new innovation in shipboard data processing and routing. Mounted at strategic locations along the ODN pathways, each BNG consists of an artificial bio-fluid that allows transmission of neural signals. The heart of the BNG is a packet of neural clusters, grown copies of strands similar to those found in the brains of sentient beings. These clusters give the ship’s computer ‘instinctive’ data processing and routing ability as well as allowing the ship’s computer to utilize ‘fuzzy logic’ to speed up probability calculations much as a living, breathing entity would.

Though a breakthrough in shipboard technology, the BNG has shown one liability in that the biological components can contract contagions and make the ship ‘sick’.

4.2 LCARS

Acronym for Library Computer Access and Retrieval System, the common user interface of 24th century computer systems, based on verbal and graphically enhanced keyboard/display input and output. The graphical interface adapts to the task, which is supposed to be performed, allowing for maximum ease-of-use. The Intrepid class operates on LCARS build version 4.5 to account for increases in processor speed and power, limitations discovered in the field in earlier versions, and increased security.

4.3 SECURITY LEVELS

Access to all Starfleet data is highly regulated. A standard set of access levels have been programmed into the computer cores of all ships in order to stop any undesired access to confidential data.

Security levels are also variable, and task-specific. Certain areas of the ship are restricted to unauthorized personnel, regardless of security level. Security levels can also be raised, lowered, or revoked by Command personnel.

Security levels in use aboard the Intrepid class are:

  • Level 10 – Captain and Above
  • Level 9 – First Officer
  • Level 8 - Commander
  • Level 7 – Lt. Commander
  • Level 6 – Lieutenant
  • Level 5 – Lt. Junior Grade
  • Level 4 - Ensign
  • Level 3 – Non-Commissioned Crew
  • Level 2 – Civilian Personnel
  • Level 1 – Open Access (Read Only)

Note: Security Levels beyond current rank can and are bestowed where, when and to whom they are necessary.

The main computer grants access based on a battery of checks to the individual user, including face and voice recognition in conjunction with a vocal code as an added level of security.

4.4 UNIVERSAL TRANSLATOR

All Starfleet vessels make use of a computer program called a Universal Translator that is employed for communication among persons who speak different languages. It performs a pattern analysis of an unknown language based on a variety of criteria to create a translation matrix. The translator is built in the Starfleet badge and small receivers are implanted in the ear canal.

The Universal Translator matrix aboard Intrepid class starships consists of well over 100,000 languages and increases with every new encounter.

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