[TEC] Noise factor in sensors.cfg
 

What exactly does this line do? It's listed under every section in the file, but I've no idea what tweaking it does.

After reading some older threads by Ducimus, higher Noise factor makes sound detection harder, lower makes it easier (Ducimus's words were "Noise factor of 1 means practically deaf, while 0.2 is on the uber end"). Works in conjunction with engine RPM (the higher, the more noisy). Silent Running has adverse effect on noise too, I think. From my tests, a Noise Factor of 1 which means that the AI doesn't even use this factor.

ETA: I found a couple of threads that might give you further insight: here, and here