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CTD - Neural Shielding Facility


Kamikazee

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i will cut and paste rather than put an rtf here to save u downloading it.
aren't i kind.

I need lots of ideas please thankyou. (see i didnt say 'input please')
I dont think anyone has started this already so here goes:

[quote]RESEARCH COMPLETED: [MIND SHIELD]

HEAD OF RESEARCH PROJECT: [JAMIE HILLSDEN]

SPECIFICATIONS:
COST:_____________________  £ ??????
WEIGHT:__________________  N/A
SIZE:______________________ N/A
DAMAGE TYPE:____________ N/A
TYPE:_____________________ PSI
POWER:___________________ N/A
ACCURACY:_______________ N/A
RANGE:___________________ 20 miles
FIRE RATE:________________ Every 10 seconds
OTHER:___________________ Reduces chance of detection by [???] %.

(The Mind Shield drastically reduces the chance of an [X-corp] base being detected and attacked.)

With the arrival of new [psionic] technology a large array of new technologies is becoming available. The latest development from this new technology is the [Mind Shield].
Alien forces rely on human brain waves in order to locate areas of high population and [X-corp] bases and installations. This new development uses the special enzymes from the [Psi-Amp] in a large array which can change one terawatt of electrical energy into an extremely powerful pulse of brain wave interference with an effective range of 20 miles. In order to achieve such a large amount of power elerium-technology based super capacitors are used to store large amounts of power with as little waste as possible. Although this reduces power consumption the power consumption is still rather high, this results in high maintenance costs. However, it allows the Mind shields array to send a pulse of interference every 10 seconds, making it almost impossible to pick up the bases location.[/quote]
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to add on the end:

This pulse of brainwaves causes no harm to any lifeforms in its radius. However, some soldiers reported headaches within the first week, but over time these reports have ceased.
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Remember that we are not using elerium, currently the element is Xenium-122.

Lets see;
You may want to change the first sentence to something that flows better, like "With the discovery of the latent human psionic ability, we have discovered how to harness this power for numerous useful purposes.

Ok that was a bad example. :-)

You may want to include the maintence figure, I mean, it is a base facility, and you do need to pay the janitors... :)
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I'm just wondering... isn't it possible to get the mind shield without researching elerium in the original?
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I dont know. Somebody should really make (or tell me where one is) a tech tree. so people can base their cts around it.

as for including figures for maintenance i will. for all my ct's i have left weight cost etc blank so i can play the game again later and figure out their stats and just fill them in.

oh and i will place [] around elerium so it wont matter.

thanks. is there any scientific explanations/ points i should add in?
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That's a good start to the text. I think people are referring to alpha waves or something like that for mind control and telepathy, so maybe the shield can cloak the base to look like there isn't anybody there? If the scout ufo is trying to pick up brain activity, then the best option would be to block any output rather than mask it with other signals. Otherwise they might check it out as a possible terror site or abduction. I would also think that a massive pulse that blocks brain waves would leave everyone in a trance when it went off, wouldn't it? Perhaps the shield operates like those noise-cancelling headphones that Bose made. They were working on something similar for luxury sedans too, small speakers that produced sound waves that cancelled out road noise sound waves. So you could say the shield picks up the brain waves of the base inhabitants, and emits an opposing wave away from the base, and the two cancel each other out for the most part. Like all the new tech based on aliens goodies, it's not perfect, so there's still a chance to be found, but the risk is greatly reduced, that kind of thing.
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I suppose yor right. ill make two copies one your way one mine.
wot i was trying to say was that the shield released random signals nothing precise enough to affect anyobody, it just made the waves look like natural interference. But there is a risk of aliens noticing the pattern and locating the base.
Nevertheless your idea is good.
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  • 1 year later...
some already-mentioned ideas implemented, streamlined, put into correct format; all we need now is a fluff. and perhaps some more ideas - the text is still rather short B)

oh, by the way, writing this I came across an interesting idea that is so probable and easy-to implement that perhaps it should be discussed: if the aliens detect bases through the brain-waves of its inhabitants, shouldn't the probability of detection actually be proportional to the number of people there?


[quote name='new draft' date=' some changes... a lot of them, really :D']Neural Shielding Facility
X-Net://Pegasus.net/Base Facilities/Neural Shielding Facility

With our recently gained awareness of psionic technology, a large array of new applications is becoming available. The latest of these is the Neural Shielding Facility, something that nobody thought necessary before.
Alien forces can use long-range detection of the human brain waves emitted by larger numbers of people in order to locate areas of high population. X-Corps bases, even those with few people, also appear to be detectable, perhaps through some sort of typical brain-wave patterns involuntarily induced by X-Corps training. Once this was realized, it became obvious that some way of masking our bases from the Aliens' prying minds had to be found.
This newly developed installation uses the special enzymes from the Psionic Amplifier in a large array powered by the base's energy systems and set up in a cancellation grid. This special arrangement, instead of trying to actually block the brain waves as the name implies, picks up the brain waves emitted from within its sensory area and sends out similar but phase-shifted waves, greatly reducing the original wave's strength through negative interference. By masking the psionic signatures of our bases this way, the probability of detection is greatly reduced, according to calculations.

The power consumption of the Neural Shielding Facility is rather high. Also, the delicate technology involved requires constant technical service, resulting in high maintenance costs. However, considering the possibility of remaining unnoticed by the Aliens, and consequently lower risk of an attack, it is highly advisable to build at least one Neural Shielding Facility in every existing or future X-Corps base.[/quote]
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Whew, it's been a while since I've gone line-by-line through a text. I must be getting out of practice! I tried to bulk up the text with some new ideas while I was at it.

[quote name='Moriarty' date='Sep 25 2005, 01:05 PM']oh, by the way, writing this I came across an interesting idea that is so probable and easy-to implement that perhaps it should be discussed: if the aliens detect bases through the brain-waves of its inhabitants, shouldn't the probability of detection actually be proportional to the number of people there?[/quote]This is a neat idea. So overall, an Alien searching for X-Corps bases would sift out all the fear and terror that is found in the civilian population and zero in on locations that emote strong feelings of resolve and hatred towards Aliens? Maybe this is a V1+ issue, but what if we tied the chance of detection to how many base modules a base has?

[quote]Neural Shielding Facility
X-Net://Pegasus.net/Base Facilities/Neural Shielding Facility

With our recently gained awareness of psionic technology, a large [color="blue"]vast?[/color] array of new applications is becoming available. The latest of these is the Neural Shielding Facility, [color="blue"]something that nobody thought necessary before[/color].[/quote]I don't think "something that nobody thought necessary before" really conveys the danger that the X-Corps faces if their bases are detected. Maybe:
"With our recently gained advances in psionic technology, a vast array of new applications is becoming available. The latest of these is the Neural Shielding Facility, designed in response to the frightening realization that Aliens may be able to pinpoint the location of our bases by our thought patterns alone."

[quote]Alien forces can use long-range detection of the human brain waves emitted by larger numbers of people in order to locate areas of high population. X-Corps bases, even those with few people, also appear to be detectable, perhaps through some sort of typical brain-wave patterns involuntarily induced by X-Corps training. Once this was realized, it became obvious that some way of masking our bases from the Aliens' prying minds had to be found.[/quote]Um, since this text could use a bit more bulk, I think I'm just going to write some of my ideas out:
"Alien forces have used long-range psionic detection of human brain-waves to locate areas of high population, but we are only now realizing the sophistication of their techniques: to a degree, the Aliens also seem to be able to detect the content of such thought patterns. X-Corps bases, even with relatively few people, also appear to be detectable, perhaps through some typical brain-wave patterns involuntarily induced by X-Corps training, or by the fact that X-Corps personnel exude defiance towards the Alien incursion instead of the usual terror exhibited by civilian populations. As we became aware of this gaping hole in X-Corps base security, we turned to advances in psionic technologies to discover a method by which we could mask our bases from the prying minds of our foes."

[quote]This newly developed installation uses the special enzymes from the Psionic Amplifier in a large array powered by the base's energy systems and set up in a cancellation grid. This special arrangement, instead of trying to actually block the brain waves as the name implies, picks up the brain waves emitted from within its sensory area and sends out similar but phase-shifted waves, greatly reducing the original wave's strength through negative interference. By masking the psionic signatures of our bases this way, the probability of detection is greatly reduced, according to calculations.[/quote]"Powered directly from the base's central energy system, the newly developed Neural Shielding Facility harnesses a large array of subunits containing the same special enzymes found in the Psionic Amplifier to constitute a cancellation grid. This particular arrangement forms a superstructure that, instead of blocking brain-waves as the name implies, actually phase-shifts brain waves emitted from within its sensory area, greatly reducing the original wave's strength through negative interference. By masking the psionic signature of our bases in this manner, the probablility of detection by enemy forces should be greatly reduced, according to our calculations."

[quote]The power consumption of the Neural Shielding Facility is rather high. Also, the delicate technology involved requires constant technical service, resulting in high maintenance costs. [color="blue"]However, considering the possibility of remaining unnoticed by the Aliens, and consequently lower risk of an attack, it is highly advisable to build at least one Neural Shielding Facility in every existing or future X-Corps base.[/color][/quote]This part might be a bit wordy... maybe: "However, the tactical advantage of secrecy cannot be taken lightly. Considering that remaining unnoticed by Alien forces prevents potentially costly base attacks, building at least one Neural Shielding Facility in each X-Corps base is highly recommended."

On that note, I think it would be UBER COOL to have base attacks incur damage expenses. So, if the Aliens attacked a base and destroyed a lot of the interior, there would be a large cost assessed to cover repairs to the base. Edited by Astyanax
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[quote name='Moriarty' date='Sep 25 2005, 05:05 PM']some already-mentioned ideas implemented, streamlined, put into correct format; all we need now is a fluff. and perhaps some more ideas - the text is still rather short  B)

oh, by the way, writing this I came across an interesting idea that is so probable and easy-to implement that perhaps it should be discussed: if the aliens detect bases through the brain-waves of its inhabitants, shouldn't the probability of detection actually be proportional to the number of people there?[/quote]
That's a V1+ feature idea, not for V1.
[quote]On that note, I think it would be UBER COOL to have base attacks incur damage expenses. So, if the Aliens attacked a base and destroyed a lot of the interior, there would be a large cost assessed to cover repairs to the base.[/quote]
Same here, sorry to be the evil man here, but I believe our programmers have more than enough on their hands for us to even consider these at the moment, we can start considering and throwing some more once we get V1 ready, but not before.
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good suggestions, except for one: I don't think you got the "negative interference" part right. ^_^ I re-structured that part anyway, and included most other changes:

we still need a fluff...

[quote]Neural Shielding Facility
X-Net://Pegasus.net/Base Facilities/Neural Shielding Facility

With our recently gained advances in psionic technology, a vast array of new applications is becoming available. The latest of these is the Neural Shielding Facility, designed in response to the frightening realization that Aliens may be able to pinpoint the location of our bases by our thought patterns alone.

Alien forces have used long-range psionic detection of human brain-waves to locate areas of high population, but only now we are realizing the sophistication of their techniques: to a degree, the Aliens also seem to be able to detect the content of such thought patterns. X-Corps bases, even with relatively few people, also appear to be detectable, perhaps through some typical brain-wave patterns involuntarily induced by X-Corps training, or by the fact that X-Corps personnel exude defiance towards the Alien incursion instead of the usual terror exhibited by civilian populations.  As we became aware of this gaping hole in X-Corps base security, we turned to advances in psionic technologies to discover a method by which we could mask our bases from the prying minds of our foes.

Powered directly from the base's central energy system, the newly developed Neural Shielding Facility harnesses a large array of subunits containing the same special enzymes found in the Psionic Amplifier to constitute a cancellation grid.  This particular arrangement forms a superstructure that, instead of entirely blocking brain-waves as the name implies, actually dampens them through negative interference. The system measures the waves emitted from within its sensory area and then emits similar but phase-shifted waves greatly reducing the original wave's strength.  By masking the psionic signature of our bases in this manner, the probablility of detection by enemy forces should be greatly reduced, according to our calculations.

The power consumption of the Neural Shielding Facility is rather high. Also, the delicate technology involved requires constant technical service, resulting in high maintenance costs. However, the tactical advantage of secrecy cannot be taken lightly. Considering that remaining unnoticed by Alien forces prevents potentially costly base attacks, building at least one Neural Shielding Facility in each X-Corps base is highly recommended.[/quote]
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[quote name='Azrael' date='Sep 26 2005, 10:28 AM'][quote]On that note, I think it would be UBER COOL to have base attacks incur damage expenses. So, if the Aliens attacked a base and destroyed a lot of the interior, there would be a large cost assessed to cover repairs to the base.[/quote]
Same here, sorry to be the evil man here, but I believe our programmers have more than enough on their hands for us to even consider these at the moment, we can start considering and throwing some more once we get V1 ready, but not before.[/quote]I kinda assumed this would be a V1+ feature; I just forgot to make the disclaimer. ^_^

Thanks for fixing up the part about negative interference, Moriarty. I thought it sounded pretty weird. :P I was looking at the new sentence, and I was trying to find another way to get around the double "emits" and maybe expand a little on the explanation:[quote name='original']The system measures the waves emitted from within its sensory area and then emits similar but phase-shifted waves greatly reducing the original wave's strength.[/quote][quote name='suggestion?']The system gauges brain-waves emitted from within its sensory area in order to manufacture similar but reciprocal phase-shifted waves that greatly attenuate the original wave's strength.[/quote]This might be to technical?
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[quote name=' Asty's suggestion']The system gauges brain-waves emitted from within its sensory area in order to manufacture similar but reciprocal phase-shifted waves that greatly attenuate the original wave's strength.[/quote]


[quote name='Azrael' date='Sep 26 2005, 08:25 PM']Too technical  :)
[right][post="136038"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post][/right][/quote]

exactly. sounds cool, I admit, but nobody would understand it. the whole matter is a bit too technical already, but I think still acceptable.
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[quote name='Moriarty' date='Sep 26 2005, 09:46 PM'][quote name=' Asty's suggestion']The system gauges brain-waves emitted from within its sensory area in order to manufacture similar but reciprocal phase-shifted waves that greatly attenuate the original wave's strength.[/quote]


[quote name='Azrael' date='Sep 26 2005, 08:25 PM']Too technical  :)
[right][post="136038"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post][/right][/quote]
exactly. sounds cool, I admit, but nobody would understand it. the whole matter is a bit too technical already, but I think still acceptable.
[right][post="136041"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post][/right]
[/quote]
As everyone might have expected, I love it! :D So what? Nobody understands? I don't care! One gets the point and it sounds fancy, that what it is all about! (and some consistency... :P )
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[quote name='Moriarty' date='Sep 27 2005, 12:27 AM'][quote name='Mad' date='Sep 26 2005, 11:23 PM']One gets the point and it sounds fancy, that what it is all about![/quote]

just to supply a small heretical remark... [color="red"]one [/color]gets the point, but [color="red"]everyone else[/color] doesn't. :devillaugh: :hammer: :laugh:
[right][post="136064"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post][/right]
[/quote]
:cussing: :P
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[quote name='Moriarty' date='Sep 26 2005, 03:27 PM']just to supply a small heretical remark... [color="red"][s]one[/s][/color] [color="blue"]two[/color] get[color="red"][s]s[/s][/color] the point, but [color="blue"]almost[/color] [color="red"]everyone else[/color] doesn't.  :devillaugh:  :hammer:  :laugh:[/quote]
Astyanaxized! ^_^ ([color="blue"]blue text[/color] denotes additions) Edited by Astyanax
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  • 4 weeks later...
I think what this still lacks is a bit of explanation on the facility's layout, we do have a final model on it so you can safely describe the facility at your leisure :)
[url="http://www.xcomufo.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=1721&st=70#"]http://www.xcomufo.com/forums/index.php?sh...pic=1721&st=70#[/url]
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included some changes to make references to the awd's model.

found a way to avoid the double "emit" (finally! :P )

we still need a fluff, though...

[quote]Neural Shielding Facility
X-Net://Pegasus.net/Base Facilities/Neural Shielding Facility

With our recently gained advances in psionic technology, a vast array of new applications is becoming available. The latest of these is the Neural Shielding Facility, designed in response to the frightening realization that Aliens may be able to pinpoint the location of our bases by our thought patterns alone.

Alien forces have used long-range psionic detection of human brain-waves to locate areas of high population, but only now we are realizing the sophistication of their techniques: to a degree, the Aliens also seem to be able to detect the content of such thought patterns. X-Corps bases, even with relatively few people, also appear to be detectable, perhaps through some typical brain-wave patterns involuntarily induced by X-Corps training, or by the fact that X-Corps personnel exude defiance towards the Alien incursion instead of the usual terror exhibited by civilian populations.  As we became aware of this gaping hole in X-Corps base security, we turned to advances in psionic technologies to discover a method by which we could mask our bases from the prying minds of our foes.

Powered [color="purple"][b]by an[/b][/color] energy system [color="purple"][b]located in the lower floor of the module[/b][/color], the newly developed Neural Shielding Facility harnesses a large array of subunits containing the same special enzymes found in the Psionic Amplifier to constitute a cancellation grid.  This particular arrangement forms a superstructure that, instead of entirely blocking brain-waves as the name implies, actually dampens them through negative interference. [color="purple"][b]Built into two large circular structures, the structure takes up two levels.[/b][/color] The system measures the waves [color="purple"][b]originating [/b][/color]from within its sensory area and then emits similar but phase-shifted waves, greatly reducing the original wave's strength.  By masking the psionic signature of our bases in this manner, the probablility of detection by enemy forces should be greatly reduced, according to our calculations.

The power consumption of the Neural Shielding Facility is rather high, [color="purple"][b]necessitating the expensive additional reactor unit.[/b][/color] Also, the delicate technology involved requires constant technical service, resulting in high maintenance costs. However, the tactical advantage of secrecy cannot be taken lightly. Considering that remaining unnoticed by Alien forces prevents potentially costly base attacks, building at least one Neural Shielding Facility in each X-Corps base is highly recommended.[/quote]
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  • 4 weeks later...
[quote name='Moriarty' date='Oct 24 2005, 11:24 AM']the name implies, actually dampens them through negative interference.[/quote]
the term is "destructive interference", negative interference is a biological term.

As regards fluff:

"They want WHAT?!" Quatermaster, on recieving requision for 250 fresh human brains for raw materials for initial construction.

Or:

"When we first proposed building a shield, there were concerns that when it was turned on, it would turn everyone in its range into drooling idiots. So the early experiments were done in Washington D.C. Because, if it did happen, no one would notice." Senior researcher
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[quote name='dteviot' date='Nov 17 2005, 12:59 AM'][quote name='Moriarty' date='Oct 24 2005, 11:24 AM']the name implies, actually dampens them through negative interference.[/quote]
the term is "destructive interference", negative interference is a biological term.
[/quote]

you know what, you're right :) I didn't know that.



[quote]As regards fluff:

"They want WHAT?!"  Quatermaster, on recieving requision for 250 fresh human brains for raw materials for initial construction.

Or:

"When we first proposed building a shield, there were concerns that when it was turned on, it would turn everyone in its range into drooling idiots.  So the early experiments were done in Washington D.C. Because, if it did happen, no one would notice."  Senior researcher
[right][post="139488"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post][/right][/quote]


LOL @ the second one... although I think we might want to leave out political remarks :)
the first one, hmmm... I guess they wouldn't order the brains for construction, since the final thing doesn't use human brains. perhaps "for prototype construction"?
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[quote name='Moriarty' date='Nov 17 2005, 07:13 PM'][quote name='dteviot' date='Nov 17 2005, 12:59 AM']

"They want WHAT?!"  Quatermaster, on recieving requision for 250 fresh human brains for raw materials for initial construction.

[right][post="139488"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post][/right][/quote]


the first one, hmmm... I guess they wouldn't order the brains for construction, since the final thing doesn't use human brains. perhaps "for prototype construction"?
[right][post="139505"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post][/right]
[/quote]

The brains are the source of the special enzymes mentioned in the text.
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[quote name='dteviot' date='Nov 17 2005, 11:00 AM']The brains are the source of the special enzymes mentioned in the text.
[right][post="139508"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post][/right][/quote]
Uhm.. maybe we should stick to syntesitng it, no? It seems a little inhumane to extract an enzyme out of a human brain for non scientific reasons.
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Hey, nice to see you two dropping by :)

The enzymes mentioned are the ones mentioned in the Psionic Amplifier text, these are from Cloaks and Sectoid Leaders/Commanders, not Humans :)
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[quote name='Azrael' date='Nov 18 2005, 01:25 AM'][quote]
"They want WHAT?!" Quatermaster, on recieving requision for 250 fresh human brains for raw materials for initial construction.[/quote]
Hey, nice to see you two dropping by :)

The enzymes mentioned are the ones mentioned in the Psionic Amplifier text, these are from Cloaks and Sectoid Leaders/Commanders, not Humans :)
[right][post="139515"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post][/right]
[/quote]

OK, forget that fluff, I never really liked it anyway. Even if it was based on an incident that really happened. (When NASA first designed space helmets they put in a requisition for something like 20 freshly killed males, aged 25 to 35, with intact skulls.)

As for my second offering, have to partially agree with Moriarty, it's a bit blunt. It implies all american politicians are drooling idiots, which plainly isn't true. So let's try this one.

"When this baby is operating, the entire base shows less inteligence than Geroge W. Bush."
For those that still object, the following substitutions could be made:
1. A severly retarded goldfish.
2. The cast (or at least Steveo) of Jackass.
3. A 4 year old watching Barney

Personally, I dislike 2 and 3, because they're cultural references, and a lot of people won't get them.
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hmmm... seeing as the thing would have to be active all the time, to prevent detection by alien scoutships that your neudars have not yet discovered, it would be kind of a bad idea to have it turn your base personnel into potatobrains. now if we say this about a prototype version, that's fine.


on another note, the neural shielding facility can't have any kind of effect on the base itself - unless we want to make the neural shielding and psionic training facilities mutually exclusive. :)
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[quote name='Moriarty' date='Nov 18 2005, 07:30 PM']hmmm... seeing as the thing would have to be active all the time, to prevent detection by alien scoutships that your neudars have not yet discovered, it would be kind of a bad idea to have it turn your base personnel into potatobrains. now if we say this about a prototype version, that's fine.


on another note, the neural shielding facility can't have any kind of effect on the base itself - unless we want to make the neural shielding and psionic training facilities mutually exclusive. :)
[right][post="139551"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post][/right][/quote]

The quote's ambiguious (a pun) the intended meaning is that when the unit is running, to the aliens the base radiates no more mental energy than 1 below average human. It can also be interpreted as turning the base personnel into potatobrains. There's also a subtext calling Shrub stupid.
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is psionics directly proportional to intelligence, then? I think the two are independent. that's probably why the fluff doesn't work for me. perhaps if it read something like "[...] the whole base radiates as much psionic energy as a sleeping dog." but then, of course, the [i]gee dubya[/i] reference is gone.
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[quote name='Azrael' date='Nov 20 2005, 02:51 AM']Hmm, the Neural Shielding Facility doesn't supress psionic emissions, it hides brainwaves. Unless we consider brainwaves to be psionic emissions, do we?
[right][post="139635"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post][/right][/quote]
I used the term intelligence. The assumption being, the more intelligent, the more brain activity for the aliens to detect. However, based on the fact that I'm needing to explain so much suggests it's no that good either. So try this one.

"Long term effects of exposure? Let me put it this way, if your base is detected by aliens, they will kill you long before brain cancer will."

I'm also contemplating somehing along getting Occupational Health and Safty permission, which includes threats to the officer's life (from staff in base) if OSH refuses.
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  • 4 months later...
[quote]Neural Shielding Facility
X-Net://Pegasus.net/Base Facilities/Neural Shielding Facility

With our recently gained advances in psionic technology, a vast array of new applications is becoming available. The latest of these is the Neural Shielding Facility, designed in response to the frightening realization that Aliens may be able to pinpoint the location of our bases by our thought patterns alone.

Alien forces have used long-range psionic detection of human brain-waves to locate areas of high population, but only now we are realizing the sophistication of their techniques: to a degree, the Aliens also seem to be able to detect the content of such thought patterns. X-Corps bases, even with relatively few people, also appear to be detectable, perhaps through some typical brain-wave patterns involuntarily induced by X-Corps training, or by the fact that X-Corps personnel exude defiance towards the Alien incursion instead of the usual terror exhibited by civilian populations.  As we became aware of this gaping hole in X-Corps base security, we turned to advances in psionic technologies to discover a method by which we could mask our bases from the prying minds of our foes.

Powered by an energy system located in the lower floor of the module, the newly developed Neural Shielding Facility harnesses a large array of subunits containing the same special enzymes found in the Psionic Amplifier to constitute a cancellation grid.  This particular arrangement forms a superstructure that, instead of entirely blocking brain-waves as the name implies, actually dampens them through destructive interference. Built into two large circular structures, the structure takes up two levels. The system measures the waves originating from within its sensory area and then emits similar but phase-shifted waves, greatly reducing the original wave's strength.  By masking the psionic signature of our bases in this manner, the probablility of detection by enemy forces should be greatly reduced, according to our calculations.

The power consumption of the Neural Shielding Facility is rather high, necessitating the expensive additional reactor unit. Also, the delicate technology involved requires constant technical service, resulting in high maintenance costs. However, the tactical advantage of secrecy cannot be taken lightly. Considering that remaining unnoticed by Alien forces prevents potentially costly base attacks, building at least one Neural Shielding Facility in each X-Corps base is highly recommended.

"This device, when activated, reduces the apparent brain-wave output of a fully staffed XCorps base to that of a typical politician."
-from "Neural Shielding Facility Operating Manual"[/quote]
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good draft
a few anotations

[quote name='Moriarty' date='Mar 24 2006, 01:27 PM']Neural Shielding Facility

As we became aware of this gaping hole in X-Corps base security, we turned to advances in psionic technologies to discover a method by which we could mask our bases from the prying minds of our foes.

[color="blue"]needs rephrasing. It's too bloomy. Maybe: "Realizing this gaping hole in X-Corps base security, we analyzed our former results in Psionic theory for a possibility to mask these waves."
[/color]

the probablility of detection by enemy forces should be greatly reduced, according to our calculations.

[color="blue"]Can you try to move the "according to our calculations" to the start? Like "according to our calculation, the probability of detection by enemy forces..."[/color]

[right][post="151832"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post][/right][/quote] Edited by Mad
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  • 3 weeks later...
[quote]Neural Shielding Facility
X-Net://Pegasus.net/Base Facilities/Neural Shielding Facility

With our recently gained advances in psionic technology, a vast array of new applications is becoming available. The latest of these is the Neural Shielding Facility, designed in response to the frightening realization that Aliens may be able to pinpoint the location of our bases by our thought patterns alone.

Alien forces have used long-range psionic detection of human brain-waves to locate areas of high population, but only now we are realizing the sophistication of their techniques: to a degree, the Aliens also seem to be able to detect the content of such thought patterns. X-Corps bases, even with relatively few people, also appear to be detectable, perhaps through some typical brain-wave patterns involuntarily induced by X-Corps training, or by the fact that X-Corps personnel exude defiance towards the Alien incursion instead of the usual terror exhibited by civilian populations. After we identified this gaping hole in X-Corps base security, we analyzed our former results in Psionic theory for a possibility to mask these waves.

Powered by an energy system located in the lower floor of the module, the newly developed Neural Shielding Facility harnesses a large array of subunits containing the same special enzymes found in the Psionic Amplifier to constitute a cancellation grid.  This particular arrangement forms a superstructure that, instead of entirely blocking brain-waves as the name implies, actually dampens them through destructive interference. Built into two large circular structures, the structure takes up two levels. The system measures the waves originating from within its sensory area and then emits similar but phase-shifted waves, greatly reducing the original wave's strength.  According to our calculations, the probablility of detection by enemy forces should be greatly reduced by masking the psionic signature of our bases in this manner.

The power consumption of the Neural Shielding Facility is rather high, necessitating the expensive additional reactor unit. Also, the delicate technology involved requires constant technical service, resulting in high maintenance costs. However, the tactical advantage of secrecy cannot be taken lightly. Considering that remaining unnoticed by Alien forces prevents potentially costly base attacks, building at least one Neural Shielding Facility in each X-Corps base is highly recommended.

"This device, when activated, reduces the apparent brain-wave output of a fully staffed XCorps base to that of a typical politician."
-from "Neural Shielding Facility Operating Manual"[/quote]
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Very good =b
Only one minor thing:
[quote name='Moriarty' date='Apr 9 2006, 07:46 PM']The power consumption of the Neural Shielding Facility is rather high, necessitating [color="red"]the [/color] [color="blue"]an [/color]expensive additional reactor unit. Also, the delicate technology involved requires constant technical service, resulting in high maintenance costs. However, the tactical advantage of secrecy cannot be taken lightly. Considering that remaining unnoticed by Alien forces prevents potentially costly base attacks, building at least one Neural Shielding Facility in each X-Corps base is highly recommended.
[right][post="152619"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post][/right][/quote]

Otherwise I would consider this one done! :) Any objections?
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[quote name='Moriarty' date='Apr 9 2006, 01:46 PM'][quote]
With our recently gained advances in psionic technology, a vast array of new applications is becoming available. The latest of these is the Neural Shielding Facility, designed in response to the frightening realization that Aliens may be able to pinpoint the location [color="red"]of our bases by our thought patterns alone.[/color][/quote]
[/quote]
I think the word "detect" is missing between "by" and "our".
How about:
[quote]With our recently gained advances in psionic technology, a vast array of new applications is becoming available. The latest of these is the Neural Shielding Facility, designed in response to the frightening realization that Aliens may be able to pinpoint the location [color="red"]of our bases by detecting our thought patterns.[/color][/quote]
:writersblock:
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Guest Azrael
[quote name='dan2' date='Apr 14 2006, 02:04 AM'][quote name='Moriarty' date='Apr 9 2006, 01:46 PM'][quote]
With our recently gained advances in psionic technology, a vast array of new applications is becoming available. The latest of these is the Neural Shielding Facility, designed in response to the frightening realization that Aliens may be able to pinpoint the location [color="red"]of our bases by our thought patterns alone.[/color][/quote]
[/quote]
I think the word "detect" is missing between "by" and "our".
How about:
[quote]With our recently gained advances in psionic technology, a vast array of new applications is becoming available. The latest of these is the Neural Shielding Facility, designed in response to the frightening realization that Aliens may be able to pinpoint the location [color="red"]of our bases by detecting our thought patterns.[/color][/quote]
:writersblock:
[right][post="152807"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post][/right]
[/quote]
I think it reads better without it, the "detect" is implied.
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[quote name='Mad' date='Apr 13 2006, 05:46 PM']Otherwise I would consider this one done! :) Any objections?[right][post="152799"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post][/right][/quote]
*Zombie meekly raises his hand* Here is what I came up with:

[quote]Neural Shielding Facility
X-Net://Pegasus.net/Base Facilities/Neural Shielding Facility

With our recently gained advances in psionic technology, a vast array of new applications is becoming available. The latest of these is the Neural Shielding Facility, designed in response to the frightening realization that [color="blue"]a[/color]liens may be able to pinpoint the location of our bases by our thought patterns alone.

Alien forces have used long-range psionic detection of human brain-waves to locate areas of high population, but only now we are realizing the sophistication of their techniques: to a degree, the [color="blue"]a[/color]liens also seem to be able to [s]detect[/s] [color="blue"]ascertain[/color] the content of such thought patterns. X-Corps bases, even with relatively few people, also appear to be detectable, perhaps through some typical brain-wave[color="blue"]s[/color] [s]patterns[/s] involuntarily induced by [s]X-Corps[/s] [color="blue"]psychic[/color] training, or by the fact that [s]X-Corps[/s] [color="blue"]all[/color] personnel exude defiance towards the [color="blue"]a[/color]lien incursion instead of the usual terror exhibited by civilian populations. After we identified this gaping hole in X-Corps base security, we analyzed our former results in [color="blue"]p[/color]sionic theory for a [s]possibility[/s] [color="blue"]technique[/color] to mask these waves.

Powered by an energy system located in the lower floor of the module, the newly developed Neural Shielding Facility harnesses a large array of subunits containing the same special enzymes found in the Psionic Amplifier to [s]constitute[/s] [color="blue"]produce[/color] a cancellation grid.  This particular arrangement forms a [s]superstructure[/s] [color="blue"]pattern[/color] that, instead of entirely blocking brain-waves as the name implies, actually dampens them through destructive interference. Built into two large circular [s]structures[/s] [color="blue"]elements[/color], the [s]structure[/s] [color="blue"]device[/color] takes up two levels. The system measures the waves [s]originating[/s] [color="blue"]propagating[/color] from within its sensory area and then emits [s]similar but phase-shifted waves[/s] [color="blue"]a signal which is reversed and out of phase[/color], greatly reducing the original wave's [s]strength[/s] [color="blue"]amplitude[/color]. According to our calculations, the probability of detection by enemy forces should be [s]greatly reduced[/s] [color="blue"]significantly decreased[/color] by masking the psionic [s]signature[/s] [color="blue"]footprint[/color] of our bases [s]in this manner[/s].

The power consumption of the Neural Shielding Facility is rather high, necessitating an expensive additional reactor unit. Also, the delicate technology involved requires constant technical service, resulting in high maintenance costs. However, the tactical advantage of secrecy cannot be taken lightly. Considering that remaining [s]unnoticed by[/s] [color="blue"]concealed from[/color] [color="blue"]a[/color]lien forces [s]prevents potentially[/s] [color="blue"]reduces the likelihood of[/color] costly base attacks, building [s]at least one[/s] [color="blue"]a[/color] Neural Shielding Facility in each X-Corps base is highly recommended.

"This device, when activated, reduces the apparent brain-wave output of a fully staffed XCorps base to that of a typical politician."
-from "Neural Shielding Facility Operating Manual"[/quote]
I guess I might have went a bit overboard in the technical aspect since loudspeaker design is one of my many hobbies. :wink1:

For the second paragraph I tried to reduce the usage of "detect", "X-Corps", "patterns" and "greatly reduced" to a manageable level. The third paragraph required some changes to describe the technical parts better and to nail down the degree of probability. Same thing goes for the fourth paragraph. Not sure about capatalizing the words "Alien" and "Psionic" in some areas so I made those lower case.

- Zombie Edited by Zombie
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three details


[quote]X-Corps bases, even with relatively few people, also appear to be detectable, perhaps through some typical brain-wave[color="blue"]s[/color] [s]patterns[/s] involuntarily induced by [s]X-Corps[/s] [color="red"]psychic[/color] training, or by the fact that [s]X-Corps[/s] [color="blue"]all[/color] personnel exude defiance towards the [color="blue"]a[/color]lien incursion instead of the usual terror exhibited by civilian populations.[/quote]

I avoided using "psychic training" because they use this method to detect xcorps bases [i]long before we even know about psionics[/i]. I assume that it must be some kind of thought patterns induced by basic xcorps training (perhaps the special tactics training in combination with the fact that xcorps soldiers are the only soldiers on earth that know for sure that aliens exist.


[quote]Powered by an energy system located in the lower floor of the module, the newly developed Neural Shielding Facility harnesses a large array of subunits containing the same special enzymes found in the Psionic Amplifier to [s]constitute[/s] [color="blue"]produce[/color] a cancellation grid.[/quote]

hmmm... as far as I know, the array of detectors and emittors [i]IS[/i] (=constitutes) a cancellation grid. it [i]produces[/i] destructive interference. or am I wrong in this?

[quote]a signal which is reversed and out of phase[/quote]

again, I'm not 100% sure, but if you want to cancel the signal, shouldn't it be reversed and [i]in[/i] phase? so perhaps something like "a signal with an inverted waveform" or something like this would be more precise?
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[quote name='Moriarty' date='Apr 25 2006, 08:57 AM'][quote]a signal which is reversed and out of phase[/quote]

again, I'm not 100% sure, but if you want to cancel the signal, shouldn't it be reversed and [i]in[/i] phase? so perhaps something like "a signal with an inverted waveform" or something like this would be more precise?
[right][post="153166"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post][/right]
[/quote]
yes, that would be the most precise expression.
edit: the pase shifting only works for sinus waves. There it would be a 180° phase shift, wich is more or less the same as an invertion of the signal. But only for sinus waves. Edited by Mad
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[quote name='Mad' date='Apr 25 2006, 03:22 PM']edit: the pase shifting only works for sinus waves. There it would be a 180° phase shift, wich is more or less the same as an invertion of the signal. But only for sinus waves.[/quote]

or for any symmetrical waveform, right? including square waves and the like.
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[quote name='Moriarty' date='Apr 25 2006, 08:48 PM'][quote name='Mad' date='Apr 25 2006, 03:22 PM']edit: the pase shifting only works for sinus waves. There it would be a 180° phase shift, wich is more or less the same as an invertion of the signal. But only for sinus waves.[/quote]

or for any symmetrical waveform, right? including square waves and the like.
[right][post="153182"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post][/right]
[/quote]
right. Just didn't want to overcomplicate it. :)
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Yeah, I'm on it. Is now too soon for a draft? Granted, it's not perfect yet but I cleaned it up a bit according to everyones suggestions. I probably forgot some stuff though, so feel free to revise.

[quote]Neural Shielding Facility
X-Net://Pegasus.net/Base Facilities/Neural Shielding Facility

With our recently gained advances in Psionic technology, a vast array of new applications is becoming available. The latest of these is the Neural Shielding Facility, designed in response to the frightening realization that Aliens may be able to pinpoint the location of our bases by our thought patterns alone.

Alien forces have used long-range Psionic detection of human brain-waves to locate areas of high population, but only now we are realizing the sophistication of their techniques: to a degree, the Aliens also seem to be able to ascertain the content of such thought patterns. X-Corps bases, even with relatively few people, also appear to be detectable, perhaps through some typical brain-waves involuntarily induced by X-Corps psychic training, or by the fact that all personnel exude defiance towards the Alien incursion instead of the usual terror exhibited by civilian populations. After we identified this gaping hole in X-Corps base security, we analyzed our former results in Psionic theory for a technique to mask these waves.

Powered by an energy system located in the lower floor of the module, the newly developed Neural Shielding Facility harnesses a large array of subunits containing the same special enzymes found in the Psionic Amplifier to [color="blue"]establish[/color] a cancellation grid.  This particular arrangement [color="blue"]emits a type of oscillation[/color] that, instead of entirely blocking brain-waves as the name implies, actually dampens them through destructive interference. Built into two large circular elements the device takes up two levels. The system measures the waves propagating from within its sensory area and then [color="blue"]through Fourier transform, transmits an inverted waveform[/color], greatly reducing the original signal's amplitude. According to our calculations, the probability of detection by enemy forces should be significantly decreased by masking the Psionic footprint of our bases.

The power consumption of the Neural Shielding Facility is rather high, necessitating an expensive additional reactor unit. Also, the delicate technology involved requires constant technical service, resulting in high maintenance costs. However, the tactical advantage of secrecy cannot be taken lightly. [s]Considering that[/s] Remaining concealed from Alien forces reduces the likelihood of costly base attacks, so building a Neural Shielding Facility in each X-Corps base is highly recommended.

"This device, when activated, reduces the apparent brain-wave output of a fully staffed XCorps base to that of a typical politician."
-from "Neural Shielding Facility Operating Manual"[/quote]
Minor changes really. I added something about Fourier transform as that type of analysis best explains what is going on. FT breaks apart a complex wave (has to be symmetrical of course) into its constituant "base" harmonics, and then after some number crunching is able to recombine those signals to be opposite in phase. (BTW, the word "harmonics" can probably be used in place of "waves" in some areas to clean it up - I figure I'd run it past you guys before I change a whole bunch of stuff).

Also, Mad and myself didn't like the way the final sentence in paragraph 4 read. I think it sounds better now. Anyhow, that's all I have at the moment. :wink1:

- Zombie
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I don't really know if the fourier transform part is necessary... I think it adds another level of complication to it that makes it harder to understand for those who don't know what fourier transformations are. also, I don't think the facility actually needs to [i]analyze[/i] the waves in order to emit the inverted waves. I would figure that there's just two "layers" of the structure, an "inner" one which receives and an "outer" one which emits, with the inversion taking place between them. no need to analyze a wave when you can just use the information from the original one to create a "negative image" of sorts. :)
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[quote name='Moriarty' date='Apr 29 2006, 02:43 AM']I don't really know if the fourier transform part is necessary... I think it adds another level of complication to it that makes it harder to understand for those who don't know what fourier transformations are. [right][post="153367"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post][/right][/quote]
I feel sad for people who haven't heard of FT by now. It's been around for a long time. Basically, look at some of the [url="http://www.xcomufo.com/forums/index.php?showforum=250"]complete CT's[/url]. Most (if not all) have some level of complexity. I'm not saying it should be included, it was a suggestion as FT best explains what is going on. ^_^

[quote name='Moriarty' date='Apr 29 2006, 02:43 AM']Also, I don't think the facility actually needs to [i]analyze[/i] the waves in order to emit the inverted waves. I would figure that there's just two "layers" of the structure, an "inner" one which receives and an "outer" one which emits, with the inversion taking place between them. no need to analyze a wave when you can just use the information from the original one to create a "negative image" of sorts.[right][post="153367"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post][/right][/quote]
You can't simply invert a wave on-the-fly without analyzing it first. This is especially true with complex signals or those with background "noise" present. It's not the same as a "microphone --> amplify --> speaker" set-up because all you are doing with those signals is changing the amplitude. Inverting needs to be done digitally in this case because the signal is complex - all those minds couldn't possibly be putting out the exact same signal all the time. Even twins can't do this. LOL

- Zombie
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well, of course you are right about the complexity of the existing texts - I am responsible for some of it... but from time to time I think about the "ordinary" player, who just wants to have fun, and doesn't know left from right. then again, he probably won't even read the texts anyway. so I'll withdraw my interjection and let you go ahead :)
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