Tachyon Data Network

The Tachyon Data Network (lovingly referred to as the TachNet, or more often The Grid) is a collection of data transmission stations and satellites. The network utilizes tachyon bursts to relay information over incredibly vast distances at superluminal speeds. The sent transmissions are read by receivers specially designed to pick up and decode the residue of passing tachyon emissions. From this point the signals may be sent to their intended recipients with the more standard transmission forms. Since it's inception in 2180 it has been an instrumental part of man's expansion into the heavens. However, it wasn't until the interstellar colonizations over 500 years later, that the Grid truly showed its worth.

History

The predecessor of the Grid, the Internet, saw wide ranging success throughout the late 20th and early 21st centuries. The near instantaneous transmission of information across the globe revolutionized how mankind interacted. It would have far reaching implications for society, some of which wouldn't surface for many years. By the time man first claimed a permanent home on the Moon the world wide web had grown to become an organism of its own, far beyond the control of any single organizations ability to control. As any organism it began to change and adapt. With the advent of new technologies and innovative ideas the Internet saw an explosive growth. The technology that was Tachyon Transmission, and the idea that would form the Tachyon Data Network, was arguably the greatest leap the web ever took.

The Solaris Data Company had at the time become a leading name in secure satellite information transmission. The field was a new one, but it was expanding as various nations and corporations looked to it as a more secure alternative to the open satellite networks of the time. Based off of the interconnectivity of the Internet, but designed with a more direct and monitorable system in mind, the Solaris Secure Satellite upLink was a huge success. With the conversion of previous experiments into Tachyon reception into a viable product, the network became a milestone in Human history.

Suddenly a transmission between the Earth and Mars, having previously suffered from a lag time of many minutes, could be done in real time. Such technology quickly found a home in communications between the various colonies. As for Solaris, it found a niche that would transform the face of the web. Data transmission was no longer bound by the speed of light and as the colonies of the Sol system grew and developed they became part of an expanding network, connecting the bulk of humanity together. It was only natural that the first explorers to set foot through Tal Narcis would bring a Tachyon Network Transceiver with them. It was quickly shown that tachyon signals could indeed travel through a slipstream network. Thanks to this, and with the Grid network finally in place, humanity no longer needed to worry about the vast expanse of space. Instant interstellar communication had arrived.

Design

The heart of the Grid is a network of Tachyon Transceiver Satellites spread throughout the star system. This space network is connected to the networks on nearby planets, stations, and starships, enabling quick communications between the scattered groups in local space. The actual planets still retain systems largely similar to the old internet, though more often then not these government backed networks are far more controlled than their ancient predecessor. Meanwhile ships and stations often operate onboard intranets for in-vessel communication. From these networks, satellite communications connect the planet or vessel to the nearest Grid satellites and from these to every other network in local space.

The key however, to interstellar communications is the system way stations. Each way station is equipped with a smaller version of the slipstream breacher that enables rapid interstellar travel. Unlike their larger counterparts these systems need only open a breach of microscopic size, allowing for near continuous operation. Through these portals, stations route all interstellar communications. Owing to the odd interactions that Tachyons have in a slipstream environment, the communications are accelerated far beyond the speeds capable with standard matter. Thanks to this fact, communications between planets and between stars show no difference in lag time.

The high bandwidth rate of these networks has enabled an increasingly advanced and simulationist online environment. Modern conversations are often held in three-dimensional digital "rooms", bringing together all the various parties regardless of the distances involved. From corporate meetings to interconnected game worlds the Grid has evolved into something never before seen. The day of the desktop computer has long since passed. Modern systems are fully holographic, projected from an item smaller than an open palm. Almost anywhere one goes, groups can be found engrossed by floating screens, fingers pressing ethereal buttons.

As this has come to pass other technologies have taken their own roots in the system. Advanced transfer algorithms and network failure detection has made the network vastly reliable. So reliable that many a sure thing has been compared to the networks stability. Meanwhile, more visible technologies have found their own niche. The field of neurological implants is no exception.

Brain Implants have begun in recent times a trend of expansion alongside the TDN. At their most basic these are direct brain interfaces which can access any network they can connect to. Yet, with the evolution of such technology the chip revolution has brought about new enhanced forms. Fast connection relays and mental shortcuts have enabled implantees to access the grid at a higher level. These mental macros, tied to the quick reflexes of a directly linked brain have led to a new class of user, and in some cases hacker. And for this reason network security has taken on a new level. Deviant users are ever constantly trying to overcome new defenses and it has become an ongoing battle for the massive Tachyon Data Network Corporation to maintain control.