Guide to Telecommunications: Difference between revisions

The '''telecommunication''' system is a complete overhaul of the way radios work, introduced in [http://code.google.com/p/tgstation13/source/detail?r=2807 revision 2807]. It adds an entire realm of complexity to the very simple and previously straight-forward process of radio communication, but in turn presents new strategies for antagonists and offers the sandbox for some... very interesting shenanigans.  

== The Central Compartment ==

[[File:TelecommEg.PNG|896px|thumb|right|A basic example of a telecommunication central compartment. All essential machines, including a monitoring and logging computer, are present.]]

A functional telecommunication central compartment (otherwise known as the "Server Room") contains several machines, each with its own isolated function. These machines make up a usually independent telecommunication network, with a pre-specified array of frequencies to process. Optionally, monitoring computers may be used to keep track of telecommunication activity and network integrity. It is important to notice that the machines, most dominantly the ''Processor Units'', generate a significant amount of heat. The central compartment is generally kept at a very low temperature to prevent the damage of the hardware infrastructure, so maintenance is usually not done without proper protective equipment.

== The Machines ==  

There are 5 different kinds of machines essential for a healthy telecommunication network. Without one or the other, the entire system would cease to function or would not function optimally. All telecommunication machines idle until they receive a signal, and all the machines are built with Hyperwave Filtering modules that allow for the scanning of signal's frequency regardless of intensity. This means each machine can selectively choose which signals to pay attention to, if there are any specified frequencies to tune into.

== Maintenance Guide ==  

Telecommunications machines are flexible and can adapt to structure changes, and they are otherwise immortal to mundane errors and crashes. However, in the event of a catastrophe such as an explosion, singularity, or anything of the like the default warranty becomes void and the machines will probably be destroyed or totaled. If one or more machines are destroyed, chances are the entire communication grid or at least part of it will be down. While intercoms and station bounced radios are capable of limited non-subspace communication it is most definitely not reliable. It should be maximum priority to get those machines up again.

== Telecommunication Polymorphism ==

The machines can be retrofitted manually to work with other machines that normally would not be very common or wise. In the case of an emergency, however, it can be a life-saver. You can use a multitool to interface with telecommunication machines, which will allow you to modify some of the machines' properties. You can also link together machines with this interface, which is possibly the most important function.

In order to link two machines, access one of them with your multitool. Select [Add Machine] at the bottom of the window to store this machine in the buffer of the multitool. Now access the other machine with the same multitool. The machine previously buffered should still be in the buffer of the multitool. Select [Link] to add the machine currently buffered to the list of machine links of the machine currently accessed. This will establish a link between these two machines. (Note that it is possible to link a machine to itself; this is both harmless and pointless.)

You can link Subspace Receivers to ''Processor Units'' if you are unable to link to a functional bus mainframe. This can and will create substantial network lag, because Bus Mainframes are needed for rapid information transferring and advanced port configurations.

=== Bus Mainframes ===

You can link Bus Mainframes to ''Subspace Broadcasters'' if you are unable to link to a functional server. This will not have much of an effect besides a very miniscule performance decrease.

=== Processor Units ===

You can link Processor Units to ''Telecommunication Servers'' if you are unable to link to Bus Mainframes. This will naturally have a significant performance cost.

=== Telecommunication Relay ===

Relays must be connected to a HUB in order to add information to the signal about the Z level it is in, and which will broadcast in. It cannot be linked to any other machine usefully.

=== Telecommunication Hub ===

This machine is essential when creating relays that allow you to send the same signal to multiple broadcasters on different space levels.

It is ordinarily connected to Relays, Servers and Buses. When it receives information from Relays it sends it to all linked Buses. If it receives information from a machine that isn't a Relay, it assumes it's ready-to-transmit data and then sends it to all linked Relays. This data is ideally received from Servers but Buses and Processors can send this information too.

=== Telecommunication Servers ===

These cannot really be linked to anything else other than a broadcaster. They are only needed to store logs and maintain sane bookkeeping.

=== Subspace Broadcasters ===  

These are ESSENTIAL if you want an output. There is nothing you can do with these in terms of polymorphism.

=== Being An Ass ===

Now downing the radio may seem like something the captain does when he stubs his toe too hard, but downing the radios is something even the most [[Assistant|clueless trouble maker]] can do, provided they have the tools. Here are some easy ways to make nobody hear the screams of the station's inhabitants.