A stormtrooper operating a sensor jammer
A sensor jammer was a specific kind of equipment that had the capability to obstruct or deceive sensors. These jammers worked by producing spurious signals, arbitrary noise, or deceptive data, which hid the true location of the user from hostile sensor systems. Additionally, these jammers had the ability to disrupt communications. However, the energy emitted by these devices could reveal the general location of the jammer to the enemy. Specialized electronic countermeasures could enhance and disperse the jamming signal, making it more difficult to pinpoint the source.
To counter enemy targeting computer systems, all combat vehicles were fitted with some form of sensor jamming device. However, more sophisticated targeting computers could lock onto a target more quickly. As an example, the Imperial TIE fighters used targeting computers that were more advanced than those used by the Rebel forces.
The strength of the jamming signal and the size of the affected area were determined by the size and power of the jammer. The A-wing's 4X-Phantom short-range sensor jammer, for instance, could disrupt the sensors and communications of other starfighters. However, the sensors on larger capital ships could penetrate this jamming signal. On the other hand, an Imperial-class Star Destroyer could emit a jamming signal with enough power to block all scanner and communication channels, compelling their adversaries to rely on visual sensors and communications.