Transtator

The transtator was a component of Starfleet technology, and in the 23rd century was the basis of every important piece of Starfleet equipment, including communicators, transporters, and phasers.

In 2152, while the was docked at an automated repair station, Commander Tucker witnessed an entire transtator assembly replaced in fifteen minutes, whereas it would have taken his team a week to do so. 

In 2268, upon departing from Sigma Iotia II, Doctor McCoy related that he had accidentally left his communicator behind on the planet. Captain Kirk and Spock realized that the highly-imitative Iotians would take the communicator apart, learn how the transtator worked, and possibly begin to emulate the technology of the Federation. 

Transtators also formed part of a starship's power system. Miles O'Brien accidentally disconnected a transtator from the power grid of the USS Enterprise (NCC-1701) while infiltrating that vessel in 2268, causing a localized power blackout. 

Despite advances in computer technology, such as isolinear chips and bio-neural gel packs, the transtator continued to be used into the 24th century. The USS Voyager carried transtator assemblies aboard, diagnostics of which were routinely performed by operations officer Harry Kim. 

A 23rd century ion-transtator was among the items discovered in an Andorian chest aboard a derelict freighter in 2373. The chest and its contents were later auctioned at Quark's. 

On AR-558 in 2375, Crewman Kellin asked Ezri Dax to use a microdyne coupler to recalibrate a transtator.