Little Big Probes

The Little Big Probes (originally called Little Big Sound Probes) were created out of necessity in a situation where signal interference was blocking sensors when searching for missing crew members. Based upon her more sensitive hearing, {{emp-char:1|Zola}} was inspired to suggest listening for the heartbeat rhythms of the missing crew, and to cut through the interference, the probes were designed to function on a mesh network in a large swarm. They've since been upgraded from this improvised solution into a highly customizable platform.

It was Zola's submission of the original design and subsequent refinements to Starfleet Research and Development that drew the attention of intelligence and caused them to recruit her.

Physical Design

The Little Big Probes are small devices that can fit in the palm of one's hand, with the intention of their being deployed in groups of three or more. They're made of materials that are intended to break down relatively quickly, with a six month decay estimate for the default configuration, and tamper prevention to ensure that if someone attempts to dissect one before decay they will be unable to recover any data from them. The design has been refined to reduce the materials and energy needed to replicate one to keep the cost of replicating swarms of them as low as possible.

Software and Firmware

The probes communicate using a mesh network that is capable of both flood and routing methods of data package transfer as the situation needs, with the option to adjust transmission power from high levels when fighting signal interference to low power low frequency data burst when in situations that require a minimal footprint. All communications are strongly encrypted, and optional frequency hopping can be implemented for further signal integrity and challenge of eavesdropping.

Preconfigured Variants

• Original Little Big Sound Probe – this version is little more than a highly sensitive microphone, a location sensor, and the data routing software. It is designed for situations where there is large amounts of interference that prevents traditional sensors from returning useful data. The probes are deployed in a large swarm, and spread out listening for a match for the audio pattern/s provided. When a match is found, the location sensor sends a ping to the mesh network with its location, which is then relayed through the network until it's clear of the interference and is transmitted to the controlling party.
• Default Little Big Probe – this version is designed to supplement the Starfleet Intelligence Combat Operations Stealth Suit and extend its effective range of communication and scanning. A LBP in this configuration can serve as a bridge between two or more suits for communication and data sharing purposes, it can be sent ahead to scout an area with a low risk of being detected, and it can be set to watch mode to monitor for things such as lifesigns, environmental conditions, surveillance, weapons fire, etc.
• Little Big Projectors – this version includes a holographic projector only capable of intangible projection. A single prob can project up to about a cubic meter on its own, or can coordinate with other probes to form a larger projection.
• Little Big Badda Boom – this probe is less a probe and more like a flying grenade. They can be programmed with either a route to execute before discharging their payload, or they can be given certain conditions before discharge such as a remote signal, sensors picking up a location or condition, etc. Payloads that have been tested so far: EMP, gas/smoke, sonic, chemical explosion.