Audible Active Radar

[LordFerret]

I thought it would be interesting (and possibily helpful?) to have an audible active radar ping in KSP, perhaps even with a radar display (though not essential), like in the EVA Pod Bowman flew trying to fetch/save Poole in 2001 A Space Odyssey.

Many a time I've done docking maneuvers on the unlit side of a body where my ship's lights have not yet illuminated the target, and all I have to go by is the distance to target readout... and if I wish to play with ship labels off (F4 key) that readout goes away too, except for what's shown in the docking camera (Romfarer's Lazor System addon) provided I have the target actually 'painted' with crosshairs on.

Of course I would leave it up to the developer, but I would think perhaps a radar cone of 45 degrees would suffice, with a range of perhaps 50km? A ping sent out would echo, naturally, with a 1/4 to 1/2 second pause before the next ping was emitted after the echo was received? Being radar waves propagate at 10^8 m/s, a bit quick for the purposes I'm imagining here, perhaps a reduced propagation rate could be utilized, like, say, the speed of sound (340.29 m/s, at sea level)? For docking purposes, and just for cool effect, I would think that would work nicely.

Again, left up to the developer, it could be linked/tied to the docking camera addon, or as a new part to be incorporated into the Tech Tree ... a nifty little dish or array panel.

Feedback/opinions?

[Azimech]

Sounds like a job for the Proximity Sensor.

[PlonioFludrasco]

You don't need to calculate echo ping assuming a propagation rate, or make the echoes directly audible (the last part, even IRL).

Best to code the distance value into the pulse rate of the beeps. That way is much more easier to implement, and you can choose the scale as you like, without strange justification like reduced propagation rate.

PS but that should be based on other than "warp1x game time", it often go slower than IRL time, expecially when docking to a huge station with all the lights on.

[hab136]

Have you seen Docking Port Alignment Indicator?

[Brotoro]

It wouldn't make sense to have the actual radar signals be audible... but having the a radar system that can produce audible output for the pilot would be cool. I'd want it not just for docking, but also for landing radar. Just have the audio pulse rate indicate the distance (speeding up as you get closer).

[LordFerret]

Sounds like a job for the Proximity Sensor.

I didn't see that post, but yes, same idea and I like it. I also liked Stone Blue's comment for a potential use, excellent point -

When docking, (especially manually), I always have to close solar panels, heat radiators, antennas, etc, before getting too close to another ship...My manual docking is sometimes laughable, and MechJeb sometimes likes to freak out and screw up docking...Too many times I have broken off antennas and solar panels with close calls...Also, having lights and docking bays/ports turn on and open would be handy as well...

You don't need to calculate echo ping assuming a propagation rate, or make the echoes directly audible (the last part, even IRL).

Best to code the distance value into the pulse rate of the beeps. That way is much more easier to implement, and you can choose the scale as you like, without strange justification like reduced propagation rate.

PS but that should be based on other than "warp1x game time", it often go slower than IRL time, expecially when docking to a huge station with all the lights on.

I was just thinking in terms of 'radar', but I agree - that would work better, simpler. I don't expect myself (or anyone for that matter) to expect this to be of any use in timewarp. If anything, I would think it would just turn off/go silent during timewarp. My primary thought regarded docking purposes.

Have you seen Docking Port Alignment Indicator?

Yes, I have, I tried it. I prefer Romfarer's docking camera though, it has alignment indicators incorporated as well.

It wouldn't make sense to have the actual radar signals be audible... but having the a radar system that can produce audible output for the pilot would be cool. I'd want it not just for docking, but also for landing radar. Just have the audio pulse rate indicate the distance (speeding up as you get closer).

An audible ping is what I was referring to, not the actual radar signals. A big YES! to the idea of a downward looking landing radar!... night-side Mun landings here I come!

[Nothalogh]

Seems that this would be a good addition to the SCANsat project.

Good for collision avoidance from orbital debris as well