Directorate Officer
Image Source: N/A
Intent: To make a larger series of computers based on the Duros Bio-computer for Lucerne Lab's later use
Development Thread: Combining the Digital with the Molecular
Manufacturer: Lucerne Labs
Model: Calor series Bio Computers
Affiliation: Lucerne Labs, Closed Market
Modularity: Software, peripheral input and output devices
Production: Mass-Produced
Material: Sturdiplast casing, proteins, Microbial fuel cell, distilled water, nutrient bath
Strengths:
Cluster Computing: Calor models are specifically designed to advantage of biocomputer's inherent parallel computing and with partial reconfigurational nature to supplement other networked computers via load balancing in a Computer cluster configuration. In practical terms, this means that unused sections of a Calor can gradually add part of its own processing power to speed up the tasks/programs of computers that it is networked to. For example, an idle Calor navigation computer could speed up another networked Calor engaged in the process of deciphering an encrypted message.
Self-Healing: Like the Duros Bio-comp 1000, the Calor can repair itself given enough time and nutrients.
Independent Power Source: Like the Duros Bio-comp 1000, the Calor series powers itself through internal reactions. Unlike that computer, Calors typically use Microbial fuel cells fueled by graywater and blackwater. Calors have enough fuel cells in reserve that they can operate normally even if cut off from graywater for several hours.
Weaknesses:
Growing Pains: A Calor malfunctions, glitches, or lags while its reconfigurable compartment transforms to aid the other computer. A transforming reconfigurable compartment barely improves the performance of the other computer, though both its performance and reliability increases as time elapses. Once this reconfiguration is complete (generally over a course of minutes), the base computer will operate normally.
Environmentally Fickle/Living: The Calor series cannot withstand the same environmental changes that many modern computers can, such as vacuum, and have a lower range of temperature variances in which they can work. . Because it is composed of living organisms, the Calor series is also particularly susceptible to local and concentrated radiation weapons, such as radiation grenades or T-33 Plasma Torpedoes.
Description: The Calor series of Bio-computers is best understood as a Duros Bio-computer technology adapted for use by ships and large facilities. Essentially, the processing and memory portions of the Calor series are strands of biochemical fibers whose protein structures can be changed and reconfigured by electrical pulses and the organisms that live within the fluid culture compartments. The lowest fluid compartments contain the bacteria that break down waste water from the host facility and ship turn it into microbial fuel cells which power the computer.
The largest compartment of this artificial microcosm acts as the base computer. Just next to it is a miniature version of the same, known as the augmentation processor. Usually this section is linked to and augments the processing capabilities of the main computer. However, it can reconfigured and directed to aid other computers within a network to help out with load balancing. When this happens, the exact structure of the augmentation processor begins to change in order to better adapt to programs used by the other computer. As it physically changes structure, it gradually becomes more and more capable of enhancing the speed of the other computers programs, eventually leading to a modest increase in the other computer's processing speed. But this comes at the cost of the base computer becoming very glitchy, lagging, and otherwise malfunctioning as it suddenly loses access to processing power. Over the course of minutes, the main processing compartment of the Calor will become more stable as activates and uses previously underutilized sections within its own compartment. This is perhaps best thought of as an example of reconfigurable computing.
This augmentation process only speeds up existing capabilities, and does not allow other computers within the network to suddenly use advanced programs it didn't have access to before. Some practical applications could include cutting through sensor jamming quicker by analyzing more sensor noise, plotting more complicated hyperspace jumps, or deciphering encrypted messages through brute force search. But this sort of augmentation isn't uncommon among conventional computer systems, which doesn't necessarily make the Calor stick out compared to other competitors.
The greatest appeal of the Calor series, like the Duros Bio-Comp, probably is its organic nature. Not only can a Calor maintain and regenerate itself over time, but it is also less suspectible to ion storms and naturally occuring electromagnetic phenomena. While this does not make the Calor series notably resistant to the effects of direct EMP or Ion weapons, its comforting to know that in the event of a shield failure, a distant solar storm won't permanently disable your navigation computer, leaving you to drift endlessly through the void. Lucerne Labs highlights these facets of the Calor's design to market it to deep space scouts and occupants of electromagnetically wracked worlds like Jabiim where reliability and long-term ease of repair is important.
Primary Source:
Duros Bio-computer
Protein-powered biocomputer.
Intent: To make a larger series of computers based on the Duros Bio-computer for Lucerne Lab's later use
Development Thread: Combining the Digital with the Molecular
Manufacturer: Lucerne Labs
Model: Calor series Bio Computers
Affiliation: Lucerne Labs, Closed Market
Modularity: Software, peripheral input and output devices
Production: Mass-Produced
Material: Sturdiplast casing, proteins, Microbial fuel cell, distilled water, nutrient bath
Strengths:
Cluster Computing: Calor models are specifically designed to advantage of biocomputer's inherent parallel computing and with partial reconfigurational nature to supplement other networked computers via load balancing in a Computer cluster configuration. In practical terms, this means that unused sections of a Calor can gradually add part of its own processing power to speed up the tasks/programs of computers that it is networked to. For example, an idle Calor navigation computer could speed up another networked Calor engaged in the process of deciphering an encrypted message.
Self-Healing: Like the Duros Bio-comp 1000, the Calor can repair itself given enough time and nutrients.
Independent Power Source: Like the Duros Bio-comp 1000, the Calor series powers itself through internal reactions. Unlike that computer, Calors typically use Microbial fuel cells fueled by graywater and blackwater. Calors have enough fuel cells in reserve that they can operate normally even if cut off from graywater for several hours.
Weaknesses:
Growing Pains: A Calor malfunctions, glitches, or lags while its reconfigurable compartment transforms to aid the other computer. A transforming reconfigurable compartment barely improves the performance of the other computer, though both its performance and reliability increases as time elapses. Once this reconfiguration is complete (generally over a course of minutes), the base computer will operate normally.
Environmentally Fickle/Living: The Calor series cannot withstand the same environmental changes that many modern computers can, such as vacuum, and have a lower range of temperature variances in which they can work. . Because it is composed of living organisms, the Calor series is also particularly susceptible to local and concentrated radiation weapons, such as radiation grenades or T-33 Plasma Torpedoes.
Description: The Calor series of Bio-computers is best understood as a Duros Bio-computer technology adapted for use by ships and large facilities. Essentially, the processing and memory portions of the Calor series are strands of biochemical fibers whose protein structures can be changed and reconfigured by electrical pulses and the organisms that live within the fluid culture compartments. The lowest fluid compartments contain the bacteria that break down waste water from the host facility and ship turn it into microbial fuel cells which power the computer.
The largest compartment of this artificial microcosm acts as the base computer. Just next to it is a miniature version of the same, known as the augmentation processor. Usually this section is linked to and augments the processing capabilities of the main computer. However, it can reconfigured and directed to aid other computers within a network to help out with load balancing. When this happens, the exact structure of the augmentation processor begins to change in order to better adapt to programs used by the other computer. As it physically changes structure, it gradually becomes more and more capable of enhancing the speed of the other computers programs, eventually leading to a modest increase in the other computer's processing speed. But this comes at the cost of the base computer becoming very glitchy, lagging, and otherwise malfunctioning as it suddenly loses access to processing power. Over the course of minutes, the main processing compartment of the Calor will become more stable as activates and uses previously underutilized sections within its own compartment. This is perhaps best thought of as an example of reconfigurable computing.
This augmentation process only speeds up existing capabilities, and does not allow other computers within the network to suddenly use advanced programs it didn't have access to before. Some practical applications could include cutting through sensor jamming quicker by analyzing more sensor noise, plotting more complicated hyperspace jumps, or deciphering encrypted messages through brute force search. But this sort of augmentation isn't uncommon among conventional computer systems, which doesn't necessarily make the Calor stick out compared to other competitors.
The greatest appeal of the Calor series, like the Duros Bio-Comp, probably is its organic nature. Not only can a Calor maintain and regenerate itself over time, but it is also less suspectible to ion storms and naturally occuring electromagnetic phenomena. While this does not make the Calor series notably resistant to the effects of direct EMP or Ion weapons, its comforting to know that in the event of a shield failure, a distant solar storm won't permanently disable your navigation computer, leaving you to drift endlessly through the void. Lucerne Labs highlights these facets of the Calor's design to market it to deep space scouts and occupants of electromagnetically wracked worlds like Jabiim where reliability and long-term ease of repair is important.
Primary Source:
Duros Bio-computer
Protein-powered biocomputer.
