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Radiation Detection (pseudo radar) UPDATED

This mod adds four functions to Programmable Blocks which give you a passive pseudo-radar by detecting other grids at a distance based on their radiation emissions or broadcast (radio antenna/beacon) signals.

Emissions are calculated based on how much power your radiators are outputting, with a floor limit of 10% capacity so even idle/damaged/switched off reactors do put out some emissions. Empty reactors (no Uranium ingots) do not create any emissions at all.

Turning off your reactors, taking out all their uranium, and turning off other systems so the reactor output reduces, will all allow the the emissions level to drop, but they take time to reduce. You can't flick off your reactors and have the signature snap to zero.

Batteries and solar panels do not emit radiation so you can use these systems for stealthy ships.

Your Programmable Blocks' four new functions hold the key to this system. Examples are as follows:


THE FUNCTIONS:

double distance = Me.GetValue<double>("EmissionRange");

This will give you a number telling you how far away your grid can be detected, in metres. Set it to display on a cockpit LCD and you'll be able to see how firing and stopping thrusters varies your detectable range.


List<Vector3D> targetList = Me.GetValue<List<Vector3D>>"GetEmitters");

This will give you a list of Vector3D locations where emissions have been detected. This function does not discriminate between friends and enemies, it just sees emissions at a certain point, so be cautious firing missiles indiscriminately at detected locations!!!


List<Vector3D> targetList = Me.GetValue<List<Vector3D>>("GetTransmitters");

This will give you a list of Vector3D locations where grids are broadcasting. This basically just gives you the coordinates of any beacons or radio antennas that are visible from where you are.


NEW FUNCTION (two lines needed, the first tells the PB where to look)

Me.CustomData = position.ToString();
string info = Me.GetValue<string>("ScanPos");

This will check the Vector3D "position" to see if there is a grid parked there, and provide some info about what it sees. Use a Vector3D location from the GetEmitters or GetTransmitters function, for example. Note you can only check one position per game tick, so don't bother setting up a loop to randomly scan all of space, you'll just get one return and then crash the server.


CONFIG:

There are four options for calculating range; you can find the config file by going to your save folder, and looking inside Storage/2051825134_IndustrialAutomaton. The options are a "first takes precedence" so if you change all four to true, only the first one will be active.

Logarithmic: the original and best. Radiation dissipates quickly in the void, only seriously high-power ships will be visible beyond 10km.
InverseCubic: Falloff is a little slower so you can detect grids further away. SE space is three-dimensional so this formula makes sense, the radiation spreads into three dimensions.
InverseSquare: Falloff is slower again so detection range is significantly further. It's like space is 2D.
Linear: Double the power output, double the range. Fun but not very balanced.
All types are very roughly normalised to a large reactor, turned off, being visible at 4-5km.

Oh, there's a fifth independent option in the config: damaged reactors (green smoking type ones) will leak radiation and be detectable at the same range as the reactor running full tilt. It adds some insult to injury; you can't get away 'cos your reactors are busted, and you can't hide 'cos radiation is leaking everywhere. Guess that's why they call him Can't Man :)