Glossary & Reference

A Smart Node is a Node equipped to collect, receive, process, store, communicate, or act upon engineering information through an approved and replaceable intelligence architecture.

A Swappable Intelligence Module is an independently replaceable unit containing the principal sensing, processing, communication, security, or diagnostic capabilities assigned to a Smart Node.

The module should be insertable, removable, inspected, repaired, replaced, or upgraded without disturbing the primary structural connection or requiring replacement of the Node.

Sensing locations need not be physically adjacent to the Intelligence Module. A Node may route information from locks, interfaces, contact surfaces, fasteners, strain-transfer features, moisture pathways, or other locations through simple conductive, optical, pneumatic, mechanical, or future signal paths to the centralized module.

The architecture shall:

separate structural safety from digital intelligence;

minimize permanently embedded electronics;

preserve module identity, version, calibration, and security;

support fault isolation and controlled replacement;

maintain declared telemetry-path integrity;

prevent an intelligence-module failure from creating an unrecognized structural state.

Removal or failure of the module shall not erase the Node’s identity or invalidate verified physical evidence. A Smart Node shall not be assumed to be structurally safer than a non-smart Node unless the applicable performance has been independently demonstrated.