Data crystal chip

From Halopedia, the Halo wiki

File:Data Crystal chip.jpg
a data crystal chip
Captain Keyes hands a data crystal chip containing Cortana to John-117.
Captain Jacob Keyes holding a data crystal chip

Data Crystal Chips are a form of file storage device used by the UNSC. These data crystal chips are used for transferring "hard" data, meaning data that cannot be transferred over Slipspace or through a transmission because of the data's sensitive or complex nature. Examples of such data include AI data, navigation data, weapon technological charts, ect.


Uses

The Data Crystal Chip can be utilized for many things. Here are a few of its uses:

Appearances

The Data Crystal Chip was seen extensively throughout Halo: Combat Evolved, as the Master Chief uses it to ferry Cortana between his armor and other computer systems. However, it is not seen or mentioned at any point during Halo 2. The Master Chief is instead seen directly downloading Cortana via physical contact.

Cortana moving to the Data Crystal Chip in Halo 3.

In Halo 3, the Data Crystal Chip is seen once again. However, unlike the transfer in Halo: Combat Evolved, which required physical contact with a system, an AI can now "jump" from chip to system and back, in addition to the physical transfer. This can most noticeably been see on Halo, the final level of the Halo 3 campaign.

Trivia

  • A Crystal Chip is seen on some of the Cafeteria tables on the Pillar of Autumn
  • When a chip contains no data, there is no crystal
  • In Halo 3, the color of the Crystal has changed to a blueish-purple hue as opposed to the aqua color of the Halo 1 Crystal.
  • The Data Crystal Chip made its appearances in Halo: Combat Evolved and Halo 3. For some unknown reason, it does not make an appearance in Halo 2.