Passive Visual Sensors

These systems work like normal
vision, but extend the limits of human
sight. They are available in all four cat-
egories described above.
Telescopic
Optics:
Telescopes,
binoculars, electro-optical scopes, etc.
give Telescopic Vision (p. 92):
Magnification
Level
2-3¥
1
4-7¥
2
8-15¥
3
16-31¥
4
Further levels follow the same
progression.
Image Intensifiers (TL7): Most
often called “night vision” devices,
these electronically amplify ambient
light to generate a monochrome (usu-
ally green) picture. They do not work
in total darkness, fog, etc. They grant
Night Vision (p. 71); the level varies
from 7 at early TL7 to 9 at TL8+.
Better systems include electro-optical
magnification,
giving
Telescopic
Vision 1-4 on portable systems, more
on vehicular systems.
Thermal Imaging Sensors (TL8):
These detect the infrared spectra emit-
ted by objects at different tempera-
tures, and use this information to
build up a false-color television image
of the environment. They do work in
total darkness, smoke, etc. The user
sees as if he had Infravision (p. 60),
often with Telescopic Vision 1-3. Most
are two to three times as heavy and
four to six times as costly as image
intensifiers.
Hyperspectral Imaging Sensors
(TL9): These sensors process infrared,
visible, and ultraviolet light to create a
single image. This makes them
extremely effective at picking out cam-
ouflaged
objects.
They
give
Hyperspectral Vision (p. 60) and
Telescopic Vision. These devices are
rare and expensive at TL8, but become
standard vehicular sensors at TL9+,
replacing thermal imaging sensors.