Transporters

One of the 24th century's most versatile and dynamic technologies - the matter transporter system, a.k.a. transporter - is a fixture on every Starfleet vessel.  Transporters allow individuals to travel thousands of kilometers in a matter of seconds, and mean that ships do not have to be capable of landing.  Transporter technology was originally developed to a usable level in the early years of the 23rd century, and the general look and layout of the transporter system has been an integral part of Federation starships for over 150 years.  Always a complicated technical system, the transporter is very reliable in modern times, with malfunctions far less common than in the pioneering days.

The transporter privides a speedier mode of travel than vessels making planetfall, and allows rescue, repair, and covert assignments into otherwise inaccessible locations.  The operation range of a transporter can reach 40,000km, and a standard transporter can handle up to six people at a time.  Most starships also carry emergency transporters in case of evacuation; these tend to have a more restricted range of about 15,000km, depending on the available power.  It is impossible to transport when deflector shields are raised, and transport between objects moving at warp speed is only advisable when both are traveling at the same velocity.  Failure to precisely maintain the same speed could be fatal for living subjects.

Transporter operations are extremely complex.  The slightest error can result in the deaths of those involved, so most of the process is automated.  Even so, transport is always supervised by a specially trained transporter chief, who verifies the transporter lock and system status.  This helps to make the procedure almost entirely risk-free.

There are four different stages of transport.

Stage 1 - All those preparing to be transported enter the standard six-person chamber and take up their position on each pad of the transporter platform, which is elevated to prevent the chance of occasional static discharge.  At this time, the transport operator uses the system's automated controller - a dedicated subprocessor located in the consoles off to one side - to run a self-diagnostic check in order to verify that all of the various system components are in fullworking order. All of the main components of the transporter system are checked automatically each time it is used, in order to eliminate any potential malfunctions.  The destination coordinates are input directly by the operator or relayed via computer from another ship's station.  Once the system and travelers signal 'ready,' the operator moves the three red, touch-sensative controls upward.  This action is usually performed when the traditional command to 'energize' is given.

Stage 2 - The annular confinement beam (ACB) creates a spatial matrix from the primary energizing coils overhead.  A secondary inner field is a backup safety feature, to prevent an energy discharge if the ACB is disrupted.  Four redundant molecular imaging scanners in the overhead pads make a 'memory file' of each transporting subject's quantum state.  The pattern is stored in the ship's computer as a retrievable transporter trace, and an entry in the transporter log records the beamout itself.  Using a widespread quard manipulation field, the phase transition coils in the lower pads begin the actual disassembly of each body by partially unbinding their energy on the subatomic level.  Once a person or object is converted into a subatomic matter stream it is sent into the pattern buffer.  This is because of the Doppler effect, which means that any relative motion between the transporter and the area to be beamed to must be taken into account.  The pattern buffer therefore adjusts the transmission frequency to compensate for the Dopplershift, ensuring a safe transport. The pattern buffer tank is normally located on the deck below the transporter room.

Stage 3 - Each pattern buffer tank is shared by a pair of transporters.  In an emergency, the pattern buffer is capable of holding the entire matter stream for up to 420 seconds before degradation of a pattern occurs.  Once beamout is secured, an ACB 'carrier' directs each pattern's matter stream through an emitter array on the external hull of the ship toward the target coordinates.  A booster set of the coils and scanners then works in reverse within the ACB to reassemble each pattern into its original form.  These emitter arrays work in such a way that they can provide 360-degree coverage in all directions, as well as being able to transport subjects within the ship itself.  Weapons or other accessories deemed undesirable for security reasons may be detected, deactivated, or even removed from persons arriving within the ACB. When beaming subjects onto the ship, the biofilter automatically scans the incoming matter and detects and removes any known harmful virus or disease.  Targeting scanners located in the ship's sensor arrays determine the coordinates to which subjects are beamed and also provide environmental information on the target site.

Stage 4 - Because no special arrival apparatus is required, a transporter destination may be another point within the same ship, another vessel, or on a planetary surface.  A destination site's transporter system may be used to aid reception, if so equipped.  Transport between two objects at warp speed is not possible unless the warp factor is matched and maintained precisely.  The procedure requires an experienced operator.  Within five seconds of the initial energizing signal, the transported boddy has fully reformed at the target destination.  Transporter operations are highly complex and leave little room for error, so much of the process is automated.  However, the transporter chief verifies the coordinates and regularly services the transporter systems.