INTRASHIP COMMUNICATIONS

	Communications aboard the USS Enterprise take two basic forms, 
voice and data transmissions. Both are handled by the onboard computer 
system and dedicated peripheral hardware nodes. Though those sections of 
the computer normally allocated to communications tasks are named the 
communications system, the metaphor of the human central nervous system 
is more applicable in this situation. The sheer mass of adaptable links 
radiating outward from the main computers virtually assures that all 
information within the spacecraft will be rapidly transmitted to the correct 
destination, and will be received with little or no detectable loss of that 
information. While the multitude of communications functions are directly 
traceable to the same hardware, the operating modes and protocols around 
which they are based are distinctly different and are worth noting.

SYSTEM CONFIGURATION

	The hardware configuration for dedicated intraship communications 
involves a minimum of 12,000 allocated data line sets and terminal node 
devices distributed throughout the starship, in parallel with the pure 
hardware telemetry links of the optical data network (ODN). This is the 
primary route for voice and data signals. An equal number of radio frequency 
(RF)-based terminal node devices are distributed throughout the ship as a 
first backup layer. A second backup layer runs parallel to the electro plasma 
system and consists of 7,550 kilometers of copper-yttrium-barium 
superconducting strands. This layer utilizes the same terminal node devices.

	Each terminal node device is a disk measuring 11.5 cm in diameter 
and 2 cm thick. The casing is constructed of molded polykeiyurium, the 
internal arrangement consisting of a voice section and a data relay section. 
The voice section contains an analog-to-digital voice pickup/speaker wafer, 
preprocessor amplifier, optical fiber modulation input/output subcircuit, and 
digital-to-analog return processor. The data relay section contains two 
nested circuits consisting of a standard subspace transceiver assembly 
(STA), found most prominently in Starfleet-issue communicator badges, and 
short-range RF pickup and emitter. Handheld devices and transportable 
devices not hardwired to the ODN send and receive data via this part of the 
terminal node. While duplicate RF pickups exist in the backup system, their 
function in the primary system is to manipulate data signals for transmission 
over the optical fibers.

OPERATION

	During voice operations, the normal procedure involves a crew 
member stating his or her name, plus the party or ship area being called, in a 
form that can be understood by the computer for proper routing. Examples: 
ÒDr. Selar, this is the captain,Ó or ÒEnsign Nelson to Engineering.Ó The 
artificial intelligence (AI) routines in the main computer listen for intraship 
calls, perform analyses on the message opening content, attempt to locate 
the message recipient, and then activate the audio speakers at the 
recipientÕs location.

	During the initial message routing, there may be a slight processing 
delay until the computer has heard the entire name of the recipient and 
located same. From that point on, all transmissions are realtime. When both 
parties have concluded their conversation, the channel may be actively 
closed with the word Òout,Ó which will be detected in context by the 
computer. If both parties discontinue without formally breaking the channel, 
and no other contextual cues have been offered to keep the line open, the 
computer will continue listening for ten seconds, and then close the line. 
When using the communicator badge to initiate a call aboard ship, the 
computer will consider the badge-tap to be force of habit, or simply a 
confirmatory signal.

	In the event that the recipient is unavailable for a routine voice call, a 
system flag will be set in the computer and will alert the recipient that a 
waiting message has been stored. Emergency voice transmissions are 
prioritized and controlled by command authority instructions within the 
computer, and can be redefined by command personnel according to the 
situation.

	During most Alert conditions, the communications system is 
automatically switched over to high-speed operations optimized to afford the 
Bridge uninterruptable links to the rest of the ship for contact with other 
departments and assessment of possible damage. At this time, routine 
channel operations are disabled.

	Data transmissions may be established between any standard 
Starfleet hardware units equipped with RF or STA devices, either by manual 
keypresses or by vocally commanding the computer to handle the data 
transfers. In most cases, the computer will automatically execute the desired 
functions; on occasion, the computer may request identification keypresses 
for specific pieces of hardware, usually for verification of device type, data 
transmission protocols, or sequencing of multiple devices.

	During both voice and data transmissions, channels may be secured 
by either manual inputs or vocal request, depending on the respective 
locations of the parties or devices involved.  Æ