From: lunatic@netcom.com (Lunatic Johnathan Bruce E'Sex)
Subject: Re: C3 Network Questions......
Organization: Netcom; Renegade User
Date: Mon, 14 Dec 1992 22:13:27 GMT

In article <1992Dec14.142452.6963@gw.wmich.edu> 997vanderkol@gw.wmich.edu writes:
>In article <1992Dec14.085250.27278@netcom.com>, lunatic@netcom.com (Lunatic Johnathan Bruce E'Sex) writes:
>> In article <1992Dec13.030435.6938@gw.wmich.edu> 997vanderkol@gw.wmich.edu writes:
>>>	Here is a question for anybody to answer (Steph & Lunatic if you
>>>can...). Will ECM affect the TAG function of the C3 network? 
>> 
>>     |\|ow, according to the rules, ECM does not affect TAG.  So TAG
>>  must be some kind of laser painting designation system, or an
>>  equivalent.  When C^3 is being used as TAG, then, it must be using
>>  that same kind of system, otherwise the Arrow IV missiles wouldn't
>>  be able to home in on it.
>
>	So you get TAG & C3 in one package, saving a ton to boot. Our idea
>was, if you had the laser to designate (since it's low powered) why can't you
>use it to talk to other slaves and circumvent jamming.

     _
    /-\ laser used to designate ("paint") targets for artillery is
 significantly different from a laser used for communications.  Also,
 the other C^3 units would need to have receivers capable of receiving
 those laser communications.

    |\|either C^3 nor TAG have been defined well enough by FASA, though,
 to make any firm conclusions as to what technology they use (EM or
 laser or maybe something else) to do their jobs.


>>>Also how do
>>>the slaves communicate with the command computer? Is it slave to master by
>>>straightest line or does the network shift it's path when blocked. (i.e. If
>>>the slaves are positioned right will the computer trace a path around the ECM
>>>that's blocking the signal). This is one of many technicalities that my group
>>>& I have come across, more to follow. 
>>  
>>      _
>>     (_,ood question.  The Compendium states (on p. 120): "...For
>>  example, if the LOS to a Narc or the LOS between two C^3-linked
>>  units passes within 6 hexes of an enemy Guardian [ECM], the line
>>  of communication is broken until the Guardian [ECM] no longer
>>  interferes."  This implies that all slaves only talk directly to
>>  each other, without going through the master computer first.  So
>>  C^3 equipped units would not be able to trace an alternate route
>>  via other C^3 units in a network to get around an intervening ECM.
>>  I suppose the technology "isn't advanced enough" to do this kind
>>  of distributed data sharing.  Feel free to make house rules
>>  regarding this, though.
> 
>	Nother one picture the four mechs of a C3 equiped lance placed in a
>triangle similar to this:
>				Mech
>				/  \
>			       /    \
>			      /      \
>			     /        \
>		       	Mech---Mech---Mech
>Say the ECM blocks the left (^) side of the triangle at the bottom at the
>arrow. Would any of the network be affected? My group has gone round and
>round on this since C3 equates to major adavantage in our games, and no one
>like to see his shut down. =)
 
    \_/
     |ou need to label you diagram better to make sense of it.  Here's
 what I think you're asking:
 
          A
         /|\
       /  |  \
     /     \   \
   /        \    \
  B---ECM---C-----D
 
 (I added another line of communication because A and C should be able
 to talk to each other.)
     _
    /-\ccording to the rules in the Compendium, the link between B and C
 is broken, as well as the link between B and D.  Logically, though, B
 should be able to go through A to talk to C and D.  Otherwise, why would
 you need a master to coordinate everything?  All you should really
 need are a bunch of slaves talking directly to each other.  The slaves
 themselves would have to be a bit larger and more complicated, though.
 Say, 2 tons and 2 critical spaces instead of 1 each.  That's an
 equivalent sized network (5+1+1+1 = 2+2+2+2 = 8 total).  I think I'll
 add that to Conbattler....  (:  ( ==> Standard C^3 can route around
 ECM.  C^3 Direct [2 tons/crits] cannot, but doesn't require a master
 command computer which can break the whole network if destroyed.)


-- 
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  /         -= Lunatic Johnathan Bruce E'Sex     (:      /
 /  lunatic@netcom.com  GEnie: LUNATIC  CI$: 76170,672  /
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