Comm
A comm is a low-power piece of communication and computation hardware that serves the function of personal appointment book, watch, and video cellular telecommunication device. While the term "Comm" is sometimes used in the names of more sophisticated communication equipment, a "comm" should not be confused with an independent self-contained Communicator known more generally and properly as a "Transceiver".
Description[edit]
A comm is a ubiquitous piece of communication hardware that serves the function of personal appointment book, watch, and video cellular telecommunication device. Depending upon the capabilities of the model, comms are usually about the size of a man's wrist-watch, although they can be made into almost anything, including pendants, sunglass lenses, large screen folding versions or even audio-only rings. Comms broadcast on a licensed part of the High-Frequency (HF) Radio spectrum, with basic encryption appropriate to the TL of manufacture and spread-spectrum technology to prevent casual eavesdropping. A personal comm contains basic information about the owner and can be programmed by voice or computer. Typically, a comm will have its owner's name, address, next of kin, list of comm codes for friends and associates, and any other information the owner considers important enough to carry. Public comms have bigger screens and better bandwidth and can handle more simultaneous calls than the limited capabilities of a wrist-comm. A basic wrist-comm is capable of receiving and storing a small amount of voice, video, and computer data for later retrieval. This makes it capable of functioning as a low-quality video camera and recorder, though its storage space is limited. Often, people who use a comm in this way have it transmit the audiovisual signal back to a personal computer with more recording space. By the same token, many jurisdictions have a comm override command for law-enforcement use. In case of sufficient cause (fire, riot, etc.), all comms in an area can be commanded to broadcast to police HQ, giving officials hundreds of video feeds from different vantage points for later analysis and possible use in criminal prosecution. A comm has a very low power output and requires nearby antennas for retransmission of its weak signal. In populated areas and on major travel routes, this is not a problem. In rural or remote areas, however, a Comm-Booster is often carried. This is a wallet-sized amplifier and power supply that rebroadcasts the comm signal at sufficient strength to be picked up by satellite and routed to its destination. Dedicated use of a satellite channel is slightly more expensive than normal calling, however, enough so as to discourage casual use, but not so much as to prevent it altogether. Comms with specialized encryption chips cost up to ten times the normal price but have a level of encryption sufficient to block most real-time eavesdropping. High-security communications require dedicated equipment too large to fit in a comm.
References[edit]
- Marc Miller. Marc Miller's Traveller (Imperium Games, 1996), 65.