[Silynn]

I will be the first to admit that I'm not exactly knowledgeable in regards to how some technology works in Star Trek. But that isn't to say I'm not interested either.

Anyhow, during our UFP SIMM (shameless plug, ), some of the other members write fantastically brilliant technobabble stuff. I can follow some of it but probably miss some of the more minute details.

So... shields. I noticed that in watching the various Star Trek movies/shows as well as even playing STO, one does not go about with their shields "UP" all the time. Only when a threat is present.

Is this do to the power requirements (like Power Levels in STO)? Which would affect, reduce the effectiveness of other systems. Or is it that the shield 'bubble' somehow reduces the effectiveness of the ship's scanners/sensors?

Either seems plausible to me, but curious as to a more accurate theory or reason.

[Christopher Halsey]

Energy shielding takes a large amount of power to generate so using shields when they aren't needed only serves to drain power and use up a ship's fuel supply (Deuterium and Anti-Deuterium). A ship's deflector field is sufficient to deal with common space debris so there is no need to use the ship's main shields during normal operations.

The use of energy shielding can limit sensor scans but this is usually done by design rather than as a side effect of using the shields themselves, this only really tends to cause problems for incoming scans as opposed to out-going scans since you are aware of your own shield frequency and can effectively compensate for that by matching to a similar frequency in the same way that a starship's weapons (both energy and projectile) and support craft are able to pass through the shields without incident.

[PsychoW]

Both your reasons are at least partially correct.
I think there are several reasons for that, but I'm not certain about all of them:
1. If I remember correctly it's said in the series that in combat all non-essential systems are disabled(Holodeck, some replicators). So it could be possible that the energy of these systems is used to power the shields.
2. It could be perceived as a lack of trust; Especially on diplomatic missions, this could have bad consequences. It's like wearing body armor to diplomatic talks. And apart from that, it just doesn't fit the image Starfleet tries to maintain.
3. On older ships transporters aren't capable of passing shields and as you suggested they might also hinder sensors. Shields might also have an impact on daily starship operations
4. I think another reason could be that the constant use of shields might wear out the shield generators a lot faster and that they won't be so resilient in actual combat.

Like you I'm no expert in Star Trek technoloy, so I might be completely wrong.

[Silynn]

Quite interesting. Haven't thought of the diplomatic reasons, but they surely do make sense.

And a wonderful explanation, Chris.

So a "Deflector shield" is different from the "Array Shield"? Meaning the deflector doesn't fully envelop the ship in a bubble, but instead acts as a frontal shield that moves/deflects matter/objects out of the way?

I have heard of the term 'navigational deflectors' used, which would be very logical when traveling in space to avoid those micro-rocks that can punch a hole in your ship's hull.

Is it just a scaled down version of the main shield? Or even a completely different system? As I would surmise you would always keep up the deflectors when underway.

FYI, understanding some of this techno-babble is quite helpful with SIMMing.

[Burtonshaw]

You are both correct in your statements

Shields draw an insane amount of power from the warp core (the primary means of generating power).
The warp core alone is not able to meet the requirements of warp, impulse holodecks, weapons, shields, replicators etc thus only specific systems can be used (much like trying to plug 18 kettles into one hard-wired plug at home), thus the power used for shields is drawn from these non-essential systems.

It is also worth note that many ship designs use shared power distribution systems, which in battle are subject to fast and powerful energy surges. These act like fuses in a modern house, and when burnt out explode with some velocity, and is the cause for explosions on the bridge and other areas. limiting the amount of systems drawing power helps to limit the frequency that these cells/nodes blow out.

The unused daily power is fed into vast reserve banks for use in battle to supplement vital systems and prevent them from shutting down at inopportune moments.

i only delve into the power methods, as these are much similar to what we use today. as for how shields actually work? i bow to others more knowledgeable than myself

[Burtonshaw]

Is it just a scaled down version of the main shield? Or even a completely different system? As I would surmise you would always keep up the deflectors when underway.
)

ST:Voy describes the deflector shield as an extended frontal shield acting rather like the snow plow, simply shoving debris to one side.

http://en.memory-alpha.org/wiki/Navigational_deflector

[Farron]

ST:Voy describes the deflector shield as an extended frontal shield acting rather like the snow plow, simply shoving debris to one side.

http://en.memory-alpha.org/wiki/Navigational_deflector

Exactly (as I understand it). Even at sublight speeds starships move incredibly fast, even small debris can cause micro-fractures compromising hull integrity.

Deflector arrays can also emitt a variety of particles*, beams, signals etc (sometimes requiring some modification) that can be used for several purposes, for example introducing particles to an anomoly that can aid in scanning by monitoring the reaction or they can be modified into a weapon. A deflector array can channel more power than a phaser bank but this often has consequences, usually severe damage to the deflector or another highly undesireable effect which is why they arent typically used as weapons.

*Bussard Collectors can also emitt gathered particles but a deflector can do this in a more controlled, focused way, like Tachyon Beams, or Inverse tachyon Beams if you collaborating with yourself throughout time to unwittingly destroy the universe... o.o