How do personal shields work?

Do they provide a cover bonus?

Do they just raise your defense rating?

Do they provide soak?

Would a combat skill be needed to shield bash?

The closest analog I can find is in WFRP, but the futuristic qualities of a Gungan energy shield , or riot shield don't translate. How can this be adapted?

Personally, I'd just use the "Personal Deflector Shield" from the rulebook and flavor it as a gungan energy shield. As for bashing, just use the improvised weapon rules minus the part where it breaks if you roll too much threat. That'd be a simple solution that keeps you from having to invent new equipment.