Crux Lexicon

The Crux Lexicon provides plain-language definitions and explains how each term is used within Crux projects and systems.

Term	Definition
Atlas	Crux’s governed operational intelligence system for interpreting system state, coordinating workflows, and presenting actions or decisions.
Atlas Bridge	The CRUX wall-mounted interface between MeshCore radio communications, local device indications and the Atlas host system.
Bootloader	Firmware supporting startup and, depending on design, a supported method for updating device application software.
Bridge Node	A node that transfers approved information between two communications domains, interfaces, or operational systems.
CMSIS-DAP	A standard protocol enabling host debugging software to communicate with supported ARM debug probes.
Controlled Publishing	A publishing process in which content is reviewed, verified, staged, and approved before it reaches a public system.
Crux Karoo Observatory	Crux’s long-term observatory, research, education, and field-systems programme in the Karoo.
Crux Sensor Net	Crux’s distributed network for environmental sensing, resilient communications, node health monitoring, and public status reporting.
Daymark	A Crux interaction point that turns a recognised event or tap into a clear acknowledgement and next action.
Delivery Evidence	The recorded observations used to distinguish a locally accepted message from actual reception or acknowledgement at its intended destination.
DFU	Device Firmware Update: a method for transferring firmware to a device through a compatible update mechanism.
Evidence Vault	The protected repository for original engineering evidence and approved derivatives that support traceability, verification, and audit.
Firmware baseline	A documented, reproducible combination of firmware artifacts, compatible versions and acceptance checks for a target board.
Gateway Node	A network node that connects a local radio network to another system, service, or data path.
GNSS	The collective term for satellite constellations and augmentation systems used to determine position, navigation, and precise time.
Guardian	An Atlas supervision layer that compares independent observations of a service, interface and publishing path before reporting their operational state.
Host a Node	A Crux participation pathway through which an approved person or site provides a suitable location for a maintained network node.
IDCODE	Identification value read from an ARM debug port during low-level target communication.
Menhir	A vertical sentinel structure that combines orientation, public interaction, environmental sensing, communications, and local systems.
MeshCore	An open-source, off-grid mesh communications system that uses LoRa-capable nodes to relay messages across a network.
MeshCore USB Companion	A MeshCore firmware role that exposes a USB host interface for participating in and observing a MeshCore network.
NFC	A short-range wireless technology that allows compatible devices or tags to exchange information when brought very close together.
nRF52840	Nordic Semiconductor ARM Cortex-M4F microcontroller and wireless system-on-chip.
Observer Node	A node that listens to network activity and records operational evidence without being the primary originator of that traffic.
Optical Blinders	Physical ribs or shielding around an indicator that limit stray or sideways visibility of its light.
PoE	A method of carrying electrical power and network data over the same Ethernet cabling.
pyOCD	Open-source host-side tools for debugging and programming supported ARM microcontrollers.
QR code	A two-dimensional machine-readable code that can open a link or carry a small amount of structured information.
Quiet Communications	A resilient communications approach favouring local autonomy, controlled network exposure and restrained human interruption.
RAK19007	RAKwireless WisBlock baseboard providing mechanical module connection, power/USB and access to core and expansion signals.
RAK4631	WisBlock Core module combining a Nordic nRF52840 microcontroller and an SX1262 LoRa radio.
RAKDAP1	USB-connected programmer/debugger providing CMSIS-DAP access to ARM SWD targets.
Repeater Node	A node positioned primarily to receive and retransmit radio traffic, extending coverage between other nodes.
RUI3	RAKwireless Unified Interface V3, a firmware/API environment for supported RAK modules.
Sanitised Status Export	A governed, privacy-conscious subset of operational observations prepared for publication outside the private Atlas system.
Single Serial Owner	The designated host process with exclusive access to a USB-connected MeshCore Companion serial interface.
SoftDevice	Nordic’s precompiled Bluetooth protocol stack used with compatible nRF52 applications and bootloader configurations.
Status Aperture	The narrow illuminated opening in the Atlas Bridge enclosure through which selected device conditions are made visible.
SWD	Serial Wire Debug, an ARM debugging and programming interface using SWDIO, SWCLK and a common electrical reference.
SX1262	Semtech LoRa transceiver IC for sub-GHz radio communications.
UF2	USB Flashing Format, a firmware package format commonly supported by USB mass-storage bootloaders.

Only approved public Lexicon entries are included in this build.