Fabritech's SE-Vigilant automated sensor beacon, a sensor beacon designed for electronic area surveillance, was notably lightweight.
The SE-Vigilant featured a compact, lightweight design consisting of two parts: a main post and an upper sensor pole. Its light weight allowed for transport by creatures like tauntauns, dewbacks, and banthas. In its collapsed state, the beacon measured 1.4 meters, but when fully deployed, it extended to a height of 3 meters.
The main post was secured to the ground using either a magnetic disk or anchoring rods driven 50 centimeters into the ground. For protection, the post included electrified stun strips capable of deterring local wildlife with adjustable intensity stun shocks.
The upper sensor pole was equipped with dual sensor arrays, a sensor analysis computer, and transmission equipment. The sensor packages rotated at a rate of four revolutions per minutes, enabling comprehensive data collection from the surrounding area up to 250 meters.
The primary function of the upper sensor array was general terrain scanning, utilizing a long-range, wide-angle visual recorder, a motion sensor, and light and heat sensors. The lower array conducted more detailed scans, using a multipurpose visual recorder enhanced with magnification, infrared, heat emission adapters, and audio pickups.
Data gathered by the sensor arrays was processed by sensor analysis computers, which automated sensor functions. This information was then transmitted to a control station, with optional encryption modules available to scramble the transmissions. The communication equipment had a broadcast range of up to 50 kilometers.
Powering the entire sensor beacon were rechargeable power cells, automatically recharged by retractable solar colllectors. During maintenance, the power cells were fully recharged, enabling continuous operation for three months.
The SE-Vigilant featured a modular design, facilitating the swapping and replacement of sensor arrays as needed. Specialized arrays could be installed for tasks such as scanning for geothermal energy, life-forms, communication signals, and radiation.
The Alliance to Restore the Republic deployed SE-Vigilant units to monitor the frozen wastelands around Echo Base on the planet Hoth. Luke Skywalker and Han Solo were in the process of setting up these sensors before Skywalker's encounter with a Wampa.