RADAR -- What technology will Replace it?

[BigDaddy_GFS]

I've been doing some research for a sci-fi story. While working on different hypothetical and futuristic technologies of my own creation, I'm wondering if there is any kind of detection and ranging technology that might replace RADAR in the projected future?

I'm thinking in terms of spacecraft, for navigating, detecting and identifying other craft.

Laser Imaging Distance and Ranging (LIDAR) is good for mapping terrain, and for avoiding objects. But it doesn't seem to offer you much info on an object detected.

I graciously call on the resident tech-heads for assistance and guidance.

[Adam2006]

Nano technology maybe. A very thin spread on tiny nano's, sort of like a minefield but without the explosives. If anything hits these nano robots then it will relay this back to the ship, and depending on which nano's send back info, then you will be able to map the shape. I dont think it will be very effective though, as the nano will have to be replaced or move back into position.

Do you understand this?

[BigDaddy_GFS]

Nano technology maybe. A very thin spread on tiny nano's, sort of like a minefield but without the explosives. If anything hits these nano robots then it will relay this back to the ship, and depending on which nano's send back info, then you will be able to map the shape. I dont think it will be very effective though, as the nano will have to be replaced or move back into position.

Do you understand this?

Yeah. Nanites used like guard dogs. Interesting notion. Might not work in space. No way to anchor them into place while in a vacuum. But on land, that would be wicked. They could be sprinkled like seeds on the ground, by hand, by flying aircraft, etc...You could set up a defensive perimeter and use these for early warning.

NOTE TO MOD: Please del the double post. Had a server error while positng.

Edited January 18, 2007 by BigDaddy_GFS

[BigDaddy_GFS]

Nano technology maybe. A very thin spread on tiny nano's, sort of like a minefield but without the explosives. If anything hits these nano robots then it will relay this back to the ship, and depending on which nano's send back info, then you will be able to map the shape. I dont think it will be very effective though, as the nano will have to be replaced or move back into position.

Do you understand this?

Yeah. Nanites used like guard dogs. Interesting notion. Might not work in space. No way to anchor them into place while in a vacuum. But on land, that would be wicked. They could be sprinkled like seeds on the ground, by hand, by flying aircraft, etc...You could set up a defensive perimeter and use these for early warning.

However, if they're mobile, they can swarm, and concentrate on certain areas of the perimeter.

[Leonardo]

What about something that 'fires' one of a pair of entangled particles at a target. Ok, it's only as fast as the particle, but you don't have to wait for the signal to reflect to get your result.

You could have the system fire a stream or field of these particles. So long as you have something 'observing' (quantum computer?) the state of the partner particle in your machine you can analyse the effect of the change in the remote particle and this would provide the information about any object entering the 'field'. Obviously the analysing system would be 'tuned' to ignore the 'normal' matter/energy of space, random energy interaction etc.

As I said, needs some work and maybe a lot of research to get technical terms nailed down - but it's an idea...dumb, but an idea.

[BigDaddy_GFS]

What about something that 'fires' one of a pair of entangled particles at a target. Ok, it's only as fast as the particle, but you don't have to wait for the signal to reflect to get your result.

You could have the system fire a stream or field of these particles. So long as you have something 'observing' (quantum computer?) the state of the partner particle in your machine you can analyse the effect of the change in the remote particle and this would provide the information about any object entering the 'field'. Obviously the analysing system would be 'tuned' to ignore the 'normal' matter/energy of space, random energy interaction etc.

As I said, needs some work and maybe a lot of research to get technical terms nailed down - but it's an idea...dumb, but an idea.

That's a novel idea. But what would you call it?

[Leonardo]

Wouldn't have a clue, never thought about this until your post. You are writing this story are you? Or is this research for another?

[BigDaddy_GFS]

I'm outlining a story that I'm working on. Just kicking around ideas for certain gizmos.

I had considered using tachyons for a type of sensor. My ships are using tachyon-based communications. I've speculated that they might have a tachyon-based sensor on the drawing board as well.

Edited January 19, 2007 by BigDaddy_GFS