The Transtator is one of the key elements of 23rd century Federation technology, forming part of a wide variety of systems and devices. When McCoy left his communicator behind on Sigma Iotia II, Kirk was concerned that the native Iotians, already culturally contaminated, might discover how the transtator worked and thus emulate the technology of the Federation. (TOS "A Piece of the Action")  Transtators also formed part of a starship's power system. Chief O'Brien accidentally disconnected a transtator from the power grid of the old Enterprise while infiltrating that vessel in 2267, causing a localized power blackout. (DS9 "Trials and Tribble-ations)  A 23rd century ion-transtator was among the items discovered in an Andorian chest aboard a derelict freighter in 2373. (DS9 "In the Cards").

Despite advances in computer technology - such as isolinear chips and bio-neural gel packs - transtators continued to be used into the 24th century. USS Voyager carried transtator assemblies aboard, diagnostics of which were routinely performed. (VOY "Time and Again")  In 2375 Crewman Kellin asked Ezri Dax to use a microdyne coupler to recalibrate a transtator on AR-558. (DS9 "The Siege of AR-558")

SEE ALSO:

HoS                     energy, power (n)
HoS Hal                 power supply (n)
HoS lIngwI'     power generator (n)
HoSchem                 energy field (n)
HoSHal                  energy source (n)

cham            technology (n)