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The scan prevention pulse is designed to prevent a detailed scan of an object. It functions by sending out a pulse of every frequency of every type of signal a standard scan can detect. By repeating the pulse indefinitely, an observer can be prevented from discovering anything about the object emitting the pulse.
Stardate 47988.9 -- Captain Picard's encounter with the futuristic USS Enterprise-D was enclosed in his report of his latest dealings with the omnipotent being called "Q". This has prompted several to consider violating the Federation-Romulan treaty and developing a cloaking device to outfit such a ship, while others turned to begin considering ways to achieve an effect similar to that of a cloaking device but still remaining inside legal bounds.
Stardate 47991.1 -- Starfleet Command, advised by Captain Picard, denied the petition to use an accelerated plan to bring about the production of a ship with the capabilities of the future Enterprise-D encountered by the Captain. They claimed that "history will run its own course".
Stardate 47999.4 -- The Scan Prevention Pulse was first suggested as a means of preventing a scan or a ship or starbase without violating the treaty, prompting immediate research.
Stardate 48019.3 -- Researchers determined the SPP to be a possible device, as every frequency normally scanned could be broadcast as well. However, using presently available technology, the device would take up more space than an entire deck on most starships, would require an impractical amount of energy, and would have an inadequate range of effectiveness. Undaunted, many researchers continue looking for a way to condense the technology to a more reasonable proportion.
~Jeremy Lennert, Simon Dark of the 7th Fleet