Radar - Revision history

Bilka: removed unrelated pollution note

2026-03-09T16:58:44Z

removed unrelated pollution note

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:58, 9 March 2026
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	The radar reveals the map for the force it belongs to.		The radar reveals the map for the force it belongs to.

	It can be used to provide a small area of remote vision on the map; it also allows periodic scanning of distant chunks around it~~. The radar has a high [[Electric system\|power]] demand (300kW) so a radar indirectly contributes to [[pollution]] when powered by [[boiler]]s and [[Steam engine\|steam engines]]~~. A radar can be continuously powered by eight [[solar panel]]s and six [[accumulator]]s. Seven solar panels and five accumulators is the most efficient; it gives the radar full power all but a short time in the morning, but never dips below the 20% power threshold for nearby scanning.		It can be used to provide a small area of remote vision on the map; it also allows periodic scanning of distant chunks around it. A radar can be continuously powered by eight [[solar panel]]s and six [[accumulator]]s. Seven solar panels and five accumulators is the most efficient; it gives the radar full power all but a short time in the morning, but never dips below the 20% power threshold for nearby scanning.

	Despite being categorized as a military building, the radar will not be attacked by [[enemies]] unless it blocks their path to another target, which means that radars can be safely placed in biter-infested areas without needing to be defended. The radar will show enemy lifeforms and structures, as well as [[Railway#Trains\|trains]], [[Car\|cars]], and other [[player]]s in the scanned area.		Despite being categorized as a military building, the radar will not be attacked by [[enemies]] unless it blocks their path to another target, which means that radars can be safely placed in biter-infested areas without needing to be defended. The radar will show enemy lifeforms and structures, as well as [[Railway#Trains\|trains]], [[Car\|cars]], and other [[player]]s in the scanned area.

Bilka: moved circuit network above charting

2026-02-06T11:58:07Z

moved circuit network above charting

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:58, 6 February 2026
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	The [[roboport]] also charts a 5×5 area.		The [[roboport]] also charts a 5×5 area.

			=== Remote control ===

			[[Tank]]s and [[spidertron]]s cannot be entered when out of radar range, but can still be controlled and exited.

	== Long range survey scanning ==		== Long range survey scanning ==
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	[[File:Radar_coverage.png\|thumb\|500px\|none\|The coverage area of a radar and the player.]]		[[File:Radar_coverage.png\|thumb\|500px\|none\|The coverage area of a radar and the player.]]

			== Circuit network ==

			Every radar has a [[circuit network]] connection to every other radar on that surface. Any circuit signal sent into a radar is output from every other radar on the surface. When the radar loses power, it loses its circuit connection. The output signal can only be seen in connected objects like electric poles, because the radar does not have a GUI.

	== Charting ==		== Charting ==
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	Vehicles are shown as a circle, with an arrow pointing in the direction that they're facing.		Vehicles are shown as a circle, with an arrow pointing in the direction that they're facing.

	~~=== Remote control ===~~

	~~[[Tank]]s and [[spidertron]]s cannot be entered when out of radar range, but can still be controlled and exited.~~

	=== Invisible (black) parts of the map ===		=== Invisible (black) parts of the map ===

	The [[Map_generator#Invisible_chunks_.28fog_of_war.29\|map generator]] creates a "border" of invisible chunks around each chunk, that becomes active at some time. Active chunks are those that become charted or those that are active because the pollution spreads onto them.		The [[Map_generator#Invisible_chunks_.28fog_of_war.29\|map generator]] creates a "border" of invisible chunks around each chunk, that becomes active at some time. Active chunks are those that become charted or those that are active because the pollution spreads onto them.

	~~== Circuit network ==~~

	Every radar has a [[circuit network]] connection to every other radar on that surface. Any circuit signal sent into a radar is output from every other radar on the surface. When the radar loses power, it loses its circuit connection. The output signal can only be seen in connected objects like electric poles, because the radar does not have a GUI.

	== History ==		== History ==

Bilka: typo

2025-07-08T19:20:46Z

typo

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:20, 8 July 2025
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	At 20% power the radar will pulse about every 4 seconds which will still keep the nearby area continuously lit on the map, but will provide reduced detail. 20% power can be achieved by a single [[solar panel]], or by using one isolating accumulator for every 5 radars.		At 20% power the radar will pulse about every 4 seconds which will still keep the nearby area continuously lit on the map, but will provide reduced detail. 20% power can be achieved by a single [[solar panel]], or by using one isolating accumulator for every 5 radars.

	The [[~~Roboport~~]] also charts a ~~5x5~~ area.		The [[roboport]] also charts a 5×5 area.

	== Long range survey scanning ==		== Long range survey scanning ==

Uuugggg: /* Nearby pulse scanning */

2025-05-27T21:49:29Z

Nearby pulse scanning

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:49, 27 May 2025
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	At 20% power the radar will pulse about every 4 seconds which will still keep the nearby area continuously lit on the map, but will provide reduced detail. 20% power can be achieved by a single [[solar panel]], or by using one isolating accumulator for every 5 radars.		At 20% power the radar will pulse about every 4 seconds which will still keep the nearby area continuously lit on the map, but will provide reduced detail. 20% power can be achieved by a single [[solar panel]], or by using one isolating accumulator for every 5 radars.

			The [[Roboport]] also charts a 5x5 area.

	== Long range survey scanning ==		== Long range survey scanning ==

Bilka: words

2025-02-05T12:03:35Z

words

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:03, 5 February 2025
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	=== Remote control ===		=== Remote control ===

	[[Tank~~\|Tanks~~]] and [[~~Spidertron\|Spidertrons~~]] cannot be entered when out of radar range, but can still be controlled and exited.		[[Tank]]s and [[spidertron]]s cannot be entered when out of radar range, but can still be controlled and exited.

	=== Invisible (black) parts of the map ===		=== Invisible (black) parts of the map ===
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	== Circuit network ==		== Circuit network ==

	Every radar has a [[circuit network]] connection to every other radar on that surface. Any circuit signal sent into a radar is output from every other radar on the surface. When the radar loses power, it loses its circuit connection. The output signal can only be seen in connected objects like electric poles~~. There is no GUI~~ because ~~it's always on, and~~ not ~~configurable~~.		Every radar has a [[circuit network]] connection to every other radar on that surface. Any circuit signal sent into a radar is output from every other radar on the surface. When the radar loses power, it loses its circuit connection. The output signal can only be seen in connected objects like electric poles, because the radar does not have a GUI.

	== History ==		== History ==

Octo: /* Circuit network */ Add link to Circuit network

2025-01-21T13:53:44Z

Circuit network: Add link to Circuit network

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:53, 21 January 2025
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	== Circuit network ==		== Circuit network ==

	Every radar has a circuit network connection to every other radar on that surface. Any circuit signal sent into a radar is output from every other radar on the surface. When the radar loses power, it loses its circuit connection. The output signal can only be seen in connected objects like electric poles. There is no GUI because it's always on, and not configurable.		Every radar has a [[circuit network]] connection to every other radar on that surface. Any circuit signal sent into a radar is output from every other radar on the surface. When the radar loses power, it loses its circuit connection. The output signal can only be seen in connected objects like electric poles. There is no GUI because it's always on, and not configurable.

	== History ==		== History ==

Bilka: capitalisation

2025-01-17T19:25:34Z

capitalisation

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:25, 17 January 2025
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	Despite being categorized as a military building, the radar will not be attacked by [[enemies]] unless it blocks their path to another target, which means that radars can be safely placed in biter-infested areas without needing to be defended. The radar will show enemy lifeforms and structures, as well as [[Railway#Trains\|trains]], [[Car\|cars]], and other [[player]]s in the scanned area.		Despite being categorized as a military building, the radar will not be attacked by [[enemies]] unless it blocks their path to another target, which means that radars can be safely placed in biter-infested areas without needing to be defended. The radar will show enemy lifeforms and structures, as well as [[Railway#Trains\|trains]], [[Car\|cars]], and other [[player]]s in the scanned area.

	== Nearby ~~Pulse Scanning~~ ==		== Nearby pulse scanning ==

	The radar continuously charts an area of 7×7 [[Map_structure#Chunk\|chunks]] (224×224 [[Map_structure#Tile\|tiles]]), centered on the chunk the radar occupies. This nearby area is updated as a single pulse approximately every second. At reduced power levels, this nearby pulse scan will take longer, which can lead to 'blinking' on the player's map similar to the long range scan. This is particularly noticeable at dawn and dusk on solar powered radar stations.		The radar continuously charts an area of 7×7 [[Map_structure#Chunk\|chunks]] (224×224 [[Map_structure#Tile\|tiles]]), centered on the chunk the radar occupies. This nearby area is updated as a single pulse approximately every second. At reduced power levels, this nearby pulse scan will take longer, which can lead to 'blinking' on the player's map similar to the long range scan. This is particularly noticeable at dawn and dusk on solar powered radar stations.
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	At 20% power the radar will pulse about every 4 seconds which will still keep the nearby area continuously lit on the map, but will provide reduced detail. 20% power can be achieved by a single [[solar panel]], or by using one isolating accumulator for every 5 radars.		At 20% power the radar will pulse about every 4 seconds which will still keep the nearby area continuously lit on the map, but will provide reduced detail. 20% power can be achieved by a single [[solar panel]], or by using one isolating accumulator for every 5 radars.

	== Long ~~Range Survey Scanning~~ ==		== Long range survey scanning ==

	The radar charts one distant [[Map_structure#Chunk\|chunk]] every time the sector scanning progress bar fills. This will take 33.333 seconds, if the radar is receiving full power. Mouse-over or click-open the radar details to see this progress bar. Long range scanning is visible on the map as a single chunk lighting up for several seconds, then slowly darkening.		The radar charts one distant [[Map_structure#Chunk\|chunk]] every time the sector scanning progress bar fills. This will take 33.333 seconds, if the radar is receiving full power. Mouse-over or click-open the radar details to see this progress bar. Long range scanning is visible on the map as a single chunk lighting up for several seconds, then slowly darkening.
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	[[File:radar_revealing_sectors.gif\|thumb\|220px\|Animation of chunks in the upper-right area being revealed by radars.]]		[[File:radar_revealing_sectors.gif\|thumb\|220px\|Animation of chunks in the upper-right area being revealed by radars.]]

	=== Charting ~~Process~~ ===		=== Charting process ===

	If the contents of a chunk changes between two ticks, the content of that chunk is "charted" into the map. The map is just a bitmap, a picture. You can see the entities moving, you can see enemies walking. Every entity is represented by one or more pixels. Not every entity is drawn. Users can recognize what is drawn because of the color.		If the contents of a chunk changes between two ticks, the content of that chunk is "charted" into the map. The map is just a bitmap, a picture. You can see the entities moving, you can see enemies walking. Every entity is represented by one or more pixels. Not every entity is drawn. Users can recognize what is drawn because of the color.
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	Charting of several chunks that change each tick might have an impact on game performance, manifesting in the form of lowered <abbr title="Updates Per Second">UPS</abbr> or <abbr title="Frames Per Second">FPS</abbr>.		Charting of several chunks that change each tick might have an impact on game performance, manifesting in the form of lowered <abbr title="Updates Per Second">UPS</abbr> or <abbr title="Frames Per Second">FPS</abbr>.

	=== Charting ~~Decay Time~~ / ~~Fog~~ of ~~War~~ ===		=== Charting decay time / fog of war ===

	Once a scan for a chunk is triggered, it keeps actively charted for '''10 seconds'''. This effect can also be seen in the map of the chunk highlighted and dims within 10 seconds to a greyed out version of the chunk.		Once a scan for a chunk is triggered, it keeps actively charted for '''10 seconds'''. This effect can also be seen in the map of the chunk highlighted and dims within 10 seconds to a greyed out version of the chunk.
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	If charting is not repeated within the 10 seconds, the charting process stops for this chunk after 10 seconds and is no longer updated. What you see after that time is the last charted picture for that chunk (also called "fog of war").		If charting is not repeated within the 10 seconds, the charting process stops for this chunk after 10 seconds and is no longer updated. What you see after that time is the last charted picture for that chunk (also called "fog of war").

	=== Charting of ~~Vehicles~~ ===		=== Charting of vehicles ===

	Even in the fog of war you can see the last charted position of vehicles. Trains last positions are not charted, because they normally move after the charting stops.		Even in the fog of war you can see the last charted position of vehicles. Trains last positions are not charted, because they normally move after the charting stops.
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	Vehicles are shown as a circle, with an arrow pointing in the direction that they're facing.		Vehicles are shown as a circle, with an arrow pointing in the direction that they're facing.

	=== Remote ~~Control~~ ===		=== Remote control ===

	[[Tank\|Tanks]] and [[Spidertron\|Spidertrons]] cannot be entered when out of radar range, but can still be controlled and exited.		[[Tank\|Tanks]] and [[Spidertron\|Spidertrons]] cannot be entered when out of radar range, but can still be controlled and exited.

	=== Invisible (black) parts of the ~~Map~~ ===		=== Invisible (black) parts of the map ===

	The [[Map_generator#Invisible_chunks_.28fog_of_war.29\|map generator]] creates a "border" of invisible chunks around each chunk, that becomes active at some time. Active chunks are those that become charted or those that are active because the pollution spreads onto them.		The [[Map_generator#Invisible_chunks_.28fog_of_war.29\|map generator]] creates a "border" of invisible chunks around each chunk, that becomes active at some time. Active chunks are those that become charted or those that are active because the pollution spreads onto them.

	== Circuit ~~Network~~ ==		== Circuit network ==

	Every radar has a circuit network connection to every other radar on that surface. Any circuit signal sent into a radar is output from every other radar on the surface. When the radar loses power, it loses its circuit connection. The output signal can only be seen in connected objects like electric poles. There is no GUI because it's always on, and not configurable.		Every radar has a circuit network connection to every other radar on that surface. Any circuit signal sent into a radar is output from every other radar on the surface. When the radar loses power, it loses its circuit connection. The output signal can only be seen in connected objects like electric poles. There is no GUI because it's always on, and not configurable.

Iridium235: Added info about remote control: Vehicles cannot be entered when out of radar range, but can still be controlled and exited.

2024-12-11T05:30:26Z

Added info about remote control: Vehicles cannot be entered when out of radar range, but can still be controlled and exited.

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:30, 11 December 2024
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	=== Remote Control ===		=== Remote Control ===

			[[Tank\|Tanks]] and [[Spidertron\|Spidertrons]] cannot be entered when out of radar range, but can still be controlled and exited.

	=== Invisible (black) parts of the Map ===		=== Invisible (black) parts of the Map ===

Iridium235 at 05:27, 11 December 2024

2024-12-11T05:27:12Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:27, 11 December 2024
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	Vehicles are shown as a circle, with an arrow pointing in the direction that they're facing.		Vehicles are shown as a circle, with an arrow pointing in the direction that they're facing.

			=== Remote Control ===
	=== Invisible (black) parts of the Map ===		=== Invisible (black) parts of the Map ===

Orthotoma at 18:37, 24 November 2024

2024-11-24T18:37:12Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:37, 24 November 2024
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	The radar reveals the map for the force it belongs to.		The radar reveals the map for the force it belongs to.

	It can be used to provide a small area of remote vision on the map; it also allows periodic scanning of distant chunks around it. The ~~Radar~~ has a high [[Electric system\|power]] demand (300kW) so a radar indirectly contributes to [[pollution]] when powered by [[boiler]]s and [[Steam engine\|steam engines]]. A radar can be continuously powered by eight solar ~~panels~~ and six ~~accumulators~~. Seven solar panels and five accumulators is the most efficient; it gives the radar full power all but a short time in the morning, but never dips below the 20% power threshold for nearby scanning.		It can be used to provide a small area of remote vision on the map; it also allows periodic scanning of distant chunks around it. The radar has a high [[Electric system\|power]] demand (300kW) so a radar indirectly contributes to [[pollution]] when powered by [[boiler]]s and [[Steam engine\|steam engines]]. A radar can be continuously powered by eight [[solar panel]]s and six [[accumulator]]s. Seven solar panels and five accumulators is the most efficient; it gives the radar full power all but a short time in the morning, but never dips below the 20% power threshold for nearby scanning.

	~~The~~ radar will be attacked by enemies that ~~come within very close range, like turrets, due~~ to ~~its status as a military building, but will not attract biters from long range like polluting structures do~~. The radar will show enemy lifeforms and structures, as well as [[Railway#Trains\|trains]], [[Car\|cars]], and other [[player]]s in the scanned area.		Despite being categorized as a military building, the radar will not be attacked by [[enemies]] unless it blocks their path to another target, which means that radars can be safely placed in biter-infested areas without needing to be defended. The radar will show enemy lifeforms and structures, as well as [[Railway#Trains\|trains]], [[Car\|cars]], and other [[player]]s in the scanned area.

	== Nearby Pulse Scanning ==		== Nearby Pulse Scanning ==

	The ~~Radar~~ continuously charts an area of 7×7 [[Map_structure#Chunk\|chunks]] (224×224 [[Map_structure#Tile\|tiles]]), centered on the chunk the radar occupies. This nearby area is updated as a single pulse approximately every second. At reduced power levels, this nearby pulse scan will take longer, which can lead to 'blinking' on the player's map similar to the long range scan. This is particularly noticeable at dawn and dusk on solar powered radar stations.		The radar continuously charts an area of 7×7 [[Map_structure#Chunk\|chunks]] (224×224 [[Map_structure#Tile\|tiles]]), centered on the chunk the radar occupies. This nearby area is updated as a single pulse approximately every second. At reduced power levels, this nearby pulse scan will take longer, which can lead to 'blinking' on the player's map similar to the long range scan. This is particularly noticeable at dawn and dusk on solar powered radar stations.

	At 20% power the radar will pulse about every 4 seconds which will still keep the nearby area continuously lit on the map, but will provide reduced detail. 20% power can be achieved by a single [[solar panel]], or by using one isolating accumulator for every 5 radars.		At 20% power the radar will pulse about every 4 seconds which will still keep the nearby area continuously lit on the map, but will provide reduced detail. 20% power can be achieved by a single [[solar panel]], or by using one isolating accumulator for every 5 radars.
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	== Long Range Survey Scanning ==		== Long Range Survey Scanning ==

	The ~~Radar~~ charts one distant [[Map_structure#Chunk\|chunk]] every time the sector scanning progress bar fills. This will take 33.333 seconds, if the ~~Radar~~ is receiving full power. Mouse-over or click-open the radar details to see this progress bar. Long range scanning is visible on the map as a single chunk lighting up for several seconds, then slowly darkening.		The radar charts one distant [[Map_structure#Chunk\|chunk]] every time the sector scanning progress bar fills. This will take 33.333 seconds, if the radar is receiving full power. Mouse-over or click-open the radar details to see this progress bar. Long range scanning is visible on the map as a single chunk lighting up for several seconds, then slowly darkening.

	* It scans the unexplored chunks first, represented by the black areas on the map. Note that it also generates the chunks if they weren't generated at the time of the scan.		* It scans the unexplored chunks first, represented by the black areas on the map. Note that it also generates the chunks if they weren't generated at the time of the scan.
	* One chunk scan takes 10 MJ of energy to complete. Since the ~~Radar~~ draws 300 kW of power, it takes 10 MJ ÷ 300 kW = 33.333 seconds to scan one chunk.		* One chunk scan takes 10 MJ of energy to complete. Since the radar draws 300 kW of power, it takes 10 MJ ÷ 300 kW = 33.333 seconds to scan one chunk.
	* This is done in an 29×29 chunks around the ~~Radar~~, excluding the nearby 7×7 chunks.		* This is done in an area of 29×29 chunks around the radar, excluding the nearby 7×7 chunks.
	** With a total number of 792 chunks (29×29 − 7×7), it takes one radar '''7 hours 20 minutes''' to complete one full scan cycle.		** With a total number of 792 chunks (29×29 − 7×7), it takes one radar '''7 hours 20 minutes''' to complete one full scan cycle.
	* If everything is already explored it continues to scan by re-scanning the longest-ago scanned chunk within range.		* If everything is already explored it continues to scan by re-scanning the longest-ago scanned chunk within range.
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	Once a scan for a chunk is triggered, it keeps actively charted for '''10 seconds'''. This effect can also be seen in the map of the chunk highlighted and dims within 10 seconds to a greyed out version of the chunk.		Once a scan for a chunk is triggered, it keeps actively charted for '''10 seconds'''. This effect can also be seen in the map of the chunk highlighted and dims within 10 seconds to a greyed out version of the chunk.

	If charting is not repeated within the 10 seconds, the charting process stops for this chunk after 10 seconds and is ~~not~~ longer updated. What you see after that time is the last charted picture for that chunk (also called "fog of war").		If charting is not repeated within the 10 seconds, the charting process stops for this chunk after 10 seconds and is no longer updated. What you see after that time is the last charted picture for that chunk (also called "fog of war").

	=== Charting of Vehicles ===		=== Charting of Vehicles ===
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	== History ==		== History ==
	{{history\|2.0.0\|		{{history\|2.0.7\|
	* All radars on a surface are now connected to a single circuit network.}}		* All radars on a surface are now connected to a single circuit network.
			* Enemies no longer actively target radars.}}

	{{history\|0.17.0\|		{{history\|0.17.0\|
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	== See also ==		== See also ==
	* [[Enemies]]		* [[Enemies]]
	* [http://www.factorioforums.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=3362 ~~long~~ term radar behavior].		* [http://www.factorioforums.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=3362 Long-term radar behavior]

	{{CombatNav}}		{{CombatNav}}
	{{C\|Defense}}		{{C\|Defense}}