Communications

Transmission

• Basic EM transmission still viable for short-range communication, though in addition to speed-of-light delays, bandwidth is limited
  • Usually transmitted on the radio spectrum when used even in the modern era; thus commonly still referred to as RF (radio frequency) communication as well
• Subspace radio provides for both faster transmission time and wider bandwidth
  • Basic functioning involves focused high-energy subspace fields to oscillate the underlying structure of subspace in the form of a directed packet holding the desired encoded information
  • Packet propagates linearly towards destination, not omnidirectionally; if not intercepted, eventually degrades back into normal space as a brief burst of EM radiation
    • Some (but not all) of the original information can be recovered from the degradation
    • Current physical limitations have degradation at 22.65 light years from point of transmission (Reference: TNG Technical Manual)
      • Theoretically distance could be increased through encoding message in deeper layers of subspace, but this would require much greater energy
  • Unmanned subspace relay stations established approximately every 20 light years in most territories to allow for greater communication range
  • Varying time delay seemingly independent of distance; possibly network stability or density a factor? Most likely subspace conditions a factor as well
    • Within Federation territory, seems to range from real-time to days
      • Real-time communication to distant locations seems always possible, just a question of some sort of resource: bandwidth? energy?
        • Possible that more informationally-dense packets legitimately take longer to arrive?
• Lesser-known methods
  • Short-range ship-to-ship communication via tight-beam tachyon pulses developed by Romulan Star Empire c.2355, shared with Federation during Dominion War (SCE Short Story: "Cold Fusion")
    • Doesn't function on subspace substrate, allowing functioning during severe subspace disruption (SCE Short Story: "Cold Fusion")

Implementation

Civilian

• Comm bracelets commonly used by civilians for communication by the 24th century (DS9 Novel: Gamma: Original Sin)

Starfleet

• Real-time holographic communication common in mid-23rd century, but eventually fell out of favor due to bandwidth requirements (DIS; DIS Novel: Desperate Hours)