Any use?
Cornwell Class Covert Sensor Platform
Ewan Quibell 2009-10-30
Updated 2009-12-20
CraftID: Cornwell Class Covert Sensor Platform, TL9, Cr650,345
Hull: 2/5, Disp=2, Config=9USL, Armour=50,
Unloaded=29.47 tons, Loaded=29.47 tons
Power: 1/2, Batteries=0.96 Mwh, Solar=0.06235 Mw,
Duration=7.6 hours/unlimited
Loco: -
Comm: Radio=System, Laser=System
Sensors: EM Mask, Radar Direction Finder, Radio Direction Finder, Adv Image Enh, Laser Sensor 2nd Gen, Passive IR, Light Amplification,
Off: Hardpoints=1
Def: DefDM=+2
Control: Computer=0/bis, Panel=Computer linked x7
Accom: -
Other: 5 klitres of planetoid tunnelled, Cargo=0.21 klitres, ObjSize=Small,
EmLevel=Faint (None)
Comment: Construction Time=8 weeks single, 6 weeks multiple
The Cornwell Class is an older model covert sensor platform of the old Empire’s design. Cornwells are passive devices deployed in stable orbits to form a network of sensor platforms designed to gather intelligence for the old Imperial Navy. A minimum of 4 Cornwells were deployed in any system in order to triangulate data from their sensors, and the platforms are programmed to coordinate the network between themselves to provide accurate data.
The need for the network is twofold, firstly each platform being static can only provide one heading for radar and radio direction, and secondly because it is not possible to run both the radio (to receive) and the radar direction finder continuously at the same time using just the power form the solar cells. The platform is programmed to run from the solar cells indefinably. The laser communicator is only used for communications between the other members of the network and then only infrequently and draws the power to do this from the batteries, otherwise it is kept powered down. With all the sensors active the total power draw is slightly higher than that provided from the Solar cells, so for around 65% of the time both the radio and the radar direction finder are in use. The resulting 35% of the time is used to recharge the batteries to the 60% charge level. The batteries are charged to 60% capacity and only ever drawn down to 30% capacity in order to extend their useable life indefinitely. This available capacity gives the Laser communicator a 12 hour continuous operational window before the platform has to recharge the batteries. With either the radio or the radar direction finder powered down it takes a little over 24 hours for the solar cells to recharge the batteries from 30% to 60% level.
The sensor network provides it’s intelligence by firstly deciding which nodes will run the radio predominantly and which will run with the radar detection finder predominantly and then performing a sensor baseline of the system. While in baseline mode the network simply receives data and analysis it in order to identify the “normal” objects in system. Once the network has established what it believes to be the baseline of the system it continues to use the data to reaffirm its current baseline image and also uses it to identify abnormalities, or changes to the baseline. It then flags these changes for analysis by the network operator. It can take a significant time to establish an accurate baseline of any system; however it is known that Cornwell sensor networks have worked in systems for decades without the need for any maintenance.