InterGalactic Research Network (IRN)

InterGalactic Research Network (IRN)
Intergalactic Research Network (also known as IRN, IGRN)
Requires:
Research Lab(level 10)
Computer Technology(level 8 )
Hyperspace Technology(level 8 )

It costs at level 1:
Metal: 240.000 Crystal: 400.000 Deuterium: 160.000

It's ingame description says:
Researchers on different planets communicate via this network.
One research lab is networked per level of development. The linked laboratories are always those of the highest level.
The networked lab must be sufficiently developed to be able to conduct the upcoming research independently. The development levels of all participating labs are counted together in the intergalactic research network.

So what does this actually do?

Simply put, it reduces research times by combining research labs on different planets so long as they are the required level to research the technology. For every level it is researched, it combines that many of your highest level research labs together with the one at which you actually initiate the research.

Say your empire looks like this:

Planet A: Research Lab level 10
B: Level 8
C: Level 5
D: Level 2

And lets say you want to research Weapons Technology level 10 (req. Research Lab level 4).

Here is how long it would take you to research without any levels of IRN.

A: 1d 22h 32m 43s
B: 2d 8h 53m 20s
C: 3d 13h 20m
D: N/A (unable to research)

But, if we have IRN level 1, the times are reduced depending on where you start the research:

If on planet A, IRN links the next highest lab (planet B's) for an effective lab level of 10 + 8 = 18, and a research time of 1d 2h 56m 50s.

If on planet B, IRN links planet A's lab, for a level 8 + 10 = 18 lab, and a research time of 1d 2h 56m 50s.

If on planet C, IRN links planet A's lab, for a level 5 + 10 = 15 lab, and a research time of 1d 8h.

Do note that these connections are temporary and only last as long as you are researching. If you were to start at planet C, cancel it, then start the research over at planet A, it would still link planet A and B's labs for the research.

IF you have IRN level 2, it would be an effective 10 + 8 + 5 = 23 lab and take 21h 20m, no matter which of the three planets you start the research at. IRN level 3, at least for this example, would be useless until you build up another research lab to level 4 or higher.

Of course, this is only an example, any and all researches are affected by IRN, even IRN itself, with the sole exception of Graviton Technology, as that takes no time to research.