What term refers to a Cyber-Physical System node that integrates hardware and software?

The term that refers to a Cyber-Physical System node that integrates hardware and software is known as a CPS Node. In the context of Cyber-Physical Systems, these nodes are critical as they function at the intersection of physical processes and computational algorithms, enabling interaction with the physical world through sensors and actuators, while also processing data through embedded software.

CPS Nodes collect data from their environment, analyze it, and then make decisions or take actions based on that analysis. This integration is essential for the functionality of smart systems, such as those used in smart grids, autonomous vehicles, and various automation technologies.

The other terms, while relevant in different contexts, do not fully capture the concept of a CPS node. Data Processor refers primarily to components involved in computation and data handling, but lacks the specific integration of hardware with physical processes. System Integrator generally describes a role or entity that combines various subsystems into a whole, not the node itself. Service Interface pertains to the means of communication between systems or components but does not encompass the physical and computational integration that defines a CPS Node.