Computing Mechanic and Research System

[swagXDragonSlayer46YT]

Overall Idea

Later in the game the player would have to build data collection systems and computing systems to generate and process data in his ever-complicating world. It would be cool if the player would have to build massive server racks for data processing and research purposes. This would be handled by a new computing and data mechanic, which includes:

• Data production multiblocks
• Data storage items
• Computing power multiblocks
• Optical fibers to transfer computing power
• Research station and multiblock computing power hatches to "consume" computing power

Data storage items

More advanced research and computing processes will need higher tier data storages.

1. Disk drives (EV?)

• Made from glass disc and cobalt alloy coating

2. Data orbs (LuV?)

• Uses terfenol-D, which is used as a magnetic material in these drives

3. Something in ZPM

• Uses iron-platinum nanoparticles for data storage: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iron%E2%80%93platinum_nanoparticle

4. Something in UHV

• Uses photonic molecules for data storage: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photonic_molecule

Data production

Not to be confused with computing. These processes simply create data to be stored in data items, which may be used in computing purposes. Information collection will span several tiers.

Space data production

Using information-collecting multiblocks such as radars and observatories, data orbs can be filled with information about outer space, so that the player can traverse the solar system and know the whereabouts of asteroids to mine. Data about the solar system can be gathered by:

• Observatories/Radar Dishes
• Satellites with sensory equipment (satellites in different systems collect different data)
• Gravitational wave sensors (LIGO)
• Dark matter sensors (System used: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/XENON)

Material data production

Data about materials can be collected using several methods. This material data can be used to unlock new processes.

• Microscope
• Electron Microscope
• Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectoscopy (requires hyperpolarized gases)
• X-Ray Crystallography
• Scanning tunneling spectroscopy

Biological data production

Data about living organisms can also be collected using several methods. This biological data can be used to unlock new processes.

• Ultrasound Imaging
• Computed Tomography Scan
• Magnetic Resonance Imagers (requires hyperpolarized gases)
• Positron Emission Topography (requires special isotopes like oxygen-15 and others)

Computing power transfer

Computing units (measured with FLOPS) will be outputted from the computing output hatches, which convert electrical signals into optical signals to be sent by fiber cables. They are transferred to other multiblocks using optic fiber cables, which will be intercepted by computing input hatches, which convert the optical signals back into electrical signals. There will be different tiers of optic fiber cables and computing hatches, which will require more advanced materials for handling more information.

Sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiber-optic_communication#Technology
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Optical_fiber#Manufacturing

Materials for computing output hatches from least advanced to most advanced:

• LED Chips: Requires blue & yellow phosphors encapsulated on indium tin oxide wafers and epoxy. The blue phosphors are made from magnesium-doped gallium nitride, while yellow phosphors are made from cerium-doped YAG crystals.
• Lithium niobate optical modulators are used to improve the system
• Vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers, made from doped Gallium-arsenide substrates and Bragg mirrors:
  

Optic fiber cables from least advanced to most advanced:

• Normal fibers from germanium tetrachloride & silicon tetrachloride (Implemented in GCYS)
• Germanium-antimony-tellurium chalcogenide glass
• Erbium-doped ZBLAN glass

Materials for computing input hatches from least advanced to most advanced:

• Indium gallium arsenide & schottky diodes
• Mercury cadmium telluride & schottky diodes
• Advanced SMD transistors

Computer multiblock

Blocks in the computer multiblock:

• Research multiblock controller
• Maintenance hatch
• Power input hatches
• Cooling fan blocks
• Coolant ports
• Computer racks (stores one circuit each)
• Computer casings
• Computing output hatch

Higher tier circuits provide more computing power but also produce more heat and consume more power. Each computer multiblock will have a temperature statistic, which goes up if the total heating outbalances the cooling provided. At a certain point, the computer will explode. Cooling fans are the most basic way to get rid of heat, but coolant ports and coolants will eventually have to be used to cool the more advanced circuits. These coolants range from water to liquid helium.

Uses for computing power

Processes that use computing units may include:

• Assembly line
• Research station
• Particle colliders, fusion reactors, and other particle physics
• Any other data-intensive process

Research station

This multiblock is responsible for modifying information in data-containing items, such as data sticks and data orbs. Data sticks and data orbs may then be used in multiblocks such as the assembly line to unlock new recipes. Here are a few things it can do:

• Copy data from a full data orb into an empty data orb
• Delete data from a full data orb to make an empty data orb
• Research an inputted item and output data into an empty data orb
• Processes raw data in a data orb (can include space research, nuclear research, particle collider results, etc) to get new data in the data orb