<Add to GRIDS, p. 26>
SATELLITE CONSTELLATIONS
The various satellite constellation networks differ from conventional
RTG grids in that they are only given ratings in Access. This
represents the security measures in place on that particular network.
Most Ground Stations for a satellite constellation are either
Orange-5 or Red-5 systems depending on the service provider and
location.
Angel SatComm
Access: 9
Base Bandwidth: 10
Renraku GlobalLink
Access: 10
Base Bandwidth: 10
Iridium Global
Access: 10
Base Bandwidth: 20
Nova Teledyne
Access: 10
Base Bandwidth: 30
Iridium Prime
Access: 11
Base Bandwidth: 50
Ares SkyFire
Access: 12
Base Bandwidth: 60
<Replace Satellite Uplink section, p. 29 with the
following>
Satellite Uplink
Trace Factor: See Satellite Links, p. 30.
Access: +0
Base Bandwidth: See constellation descriptions, p. 26
The satellite-uplink jackpoint is described in detail under Satellite
Links, p. 30.
<Replace SATELLITE LINKS, p.30 with the following>
SATELLITE LINKS
With the proper hardware and access a decker may use a communications
satellite to access the Matrix. There is no appreciable signal
lag for using a satellite network though the base bandwidth for
a satlink connection is very limited.
While Trace IC can trace the deckers signal back to the satellites
ground station, it cannot pinpoint the deckers physical location
or even what satellite he is using. The other effects of a successful
trace still apply (see Trace IC, p. 45).
To access the Matrix via a satellite, a decker must have a deck equipped with a satlink interface (see Cyberdecks, p. 81). The decker must then attempt to contact an orbiting commsat and lock onto a clear signal. The decker makes a Computer Test against a target number based on the conditions of the attempt and the constellation he is trying to use. This takes a Base Time of 3 minutes, reduced by 1 minute for every additional success past the first.
Failure to achieve any successes means that the decker has failed to contact the satellite or maintain a successful connection. As a rule of thumb, the gamemaster can allow the character to make another attempt after D6 minutes.
|
|
|
| Constellation |
|
| Angel SatComm |
|
| Renraku GlobalLink |
|
| Iridium Prime |
|
| Iridium Global |
|
| Nova Teledyne |
|
| Ares SkyFire |
|
|
|
|
| Open country, clear view |
|
| Open country, some obstructions |
|
| Open Country, mountains or heavy obstructions |
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| Suburban |
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| Downtown Urban |
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| Moving slow (>20kph) |
|
| Moving fast (<20kph) |
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| Weather |
|
Black Box
Black Boxes are hacked decoder units that allow the end user to
access and decode signals from a satellite constellation network.
They are the primary security device of the networks and are discussed
more fully on p. 88.
Accessing the Satellite
For game purposes once the decker has successfully contacted a
comsat he can attempt an Logon to RTG operation to access it if
he has a valid Black Box. If successful then the decker may make
a standard Logon to RTG operation to any other RTG in the world.
Note that the decker may ONLY perform a Logon to RTG operation
from a satcomm. He may not perform a Search RTF or Trace/Tap Call
operation.
Legal Access
The above assumes that decker must spoof and sleaze his way past
the account verification and signal scrambling systems used by
the various satcomm providers. If the decker has a legitimate
account with a satcomm constellation then he can ignore the Access
test for contacting any satellite that is part of his service.
Once he connects to the commsat he is immediately logged on. Note
however that even if the decker is using a Black Box to access
the constellation, even if he has a valid account, he must still
perform the Logon to RTG operation.
A legal subscription to a constellation typically requires a valid SIN and a monthly service charge of between 10-80¥ per month (varies by service). Connection charges are usually 3¥/minute. Legal subscription gives you an access key that is embedded in either your access card or one they provide for you. An access card can hold keys to any number of constellation providers.
Acessing other Constellations
The various satellite constellations do not communicate with each
other, this makes it impossible for a decker to directly contact
any other constellation from a satellite. Gamesmasters should
also note that this prevents players from directly contacting
other space assets such as Zurich-Orbital.
Losing Connection
The decker will not lose a satellite connection unless his signal
is interfered with in some way (he starts moving, objects get
in way of receiver). As the decker moves out of the footprint
of one satellite he will be automatically handed off to another
satellite in the same constellation without interruption.
<Replace SATLINK INTERFACE, p. 88 with the following>
SATLINK INTERFACE
A satlink interface consists of a small satellite antenna and
receiver, usually mounted externally to the cyberdeck. All receivers
will have a slot for Black Boxes or legitimate access cards. Standard
fiber-optic cable connects the deck to the receiver and another
fiber optic cable connects the receiver to an external dish (if
one is used).
A standard satellite receiver is about the size of a large cellular phone, and in most cases is a standard satphone with an I/O port that the decker can hook his deck up to. A standard unit has a Concealability of 3 and a Weight of 1 though different units vary in actual dimensions and style. The units standard antenna gives no bonuses or penalties to contacting a satellite constellation.
Portable dish antennas are one-half meter across when unfolded and weigh five kilograms, they have a Concealability of 3 when folded and N/A when deployed. Portable dishes reduce the target number to contact a constellation by 1.
Larger units are available but they are not portable and of little use to the average decker. Fixed-base dish arrays reduce target numbers to contact a constellation network by 2.
|
|
|
| Item |
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| Receiver |
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| Portable Antenna |
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| Access Card (no subscriber key, blank) |
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| Fiber-optic cable |
|
Black Boxes
Black Boxes are hacked decryption cards for a particular constellation.
They allow the receiver to decode data that the commsat sends,
as well as encrypt data in a format that the commsat will accept.
Physically a Black Box consists of a hacked access card and software
running on the cyberdeck that performs the necessary data processing.
Each satellite constellation requires a separate Black Box program.
It is also important to note that SOTA advances often make older
Black Boxes obsolete as new access cards and algorithms come into
use.
The deckers Black Box Rating is used in lieu of Sleaze when
attempting an Logon to RTG operation with the constellation.
Characters with valid access cards do not have to run Black Box
software on their machine.
BLACK BOX CONSTRUCTION
Software Task
Black Box Decoder
Multiplier: 5
Cook Task
Time: Ratingx1 day
Test: Computer B/R (Rating) Test
Parts: OCC @ Memory Size/100, round up
PLC @ Rating
DTC @ Rating
Blank decoder card
Tools: Personal Computer (Memory:Program Size), Microtronics Shop
Installation Task: None