I suggest that we have wire-blocks which accept signals like \"0..maxInteger\". To set it up, there could be a hierarchical enumeration set up by players which convert names to numbers.
- Broadcast {0 +0 ..1}
- Bridge {0 +1 ..100}
Lights {Bridge +0 ..5}
White {Lights +0}
- Blue/Yellow/Red Alarm: {Lights +1/2/3}
- Emergency Lights: {Lights +4}
[*]Computers {Bridge +6 ..50}
Docking +0
- Main +1
- Bugshot +2 // 1 dmg, meant as a warning to strangers, used by patrols if others don\'t read the chat, et
- BigGun +3 // weapon computer
- Artillery +4 // weapon computer
- BothGuns +5 // this signal targets singnal-processors in adjacent to the two weapon computers
- Fighters +6 // multiple docking systems.
- Salvage/Repair/etc +7/8/9..
[*]DoorSystem {Bridge +51 ..70}
Entrance +0
- CaptainsQuarter +1
- EmergencyExit +2
- ...
[*]MachineRoom {0 +101 ..200}
[*]ShuttleHangar {0 +201 ..300}
With 4-byte integer, the upper 1-2 bytes can be used for signal type (activate/deactivate/toggle, etc) or for the current state.
Negative numbers exchange activate/deactivate.
MultiPlexLights could change the color based on signal type, thus reduce the number of blocks.
To avoid loops, each signal processor adds a LAG-number on the sender. The LAG-number is the LAG-number of subsequent receivers and signal processors + 2x itself. The number has to be below certain limit, or the sender will ignore the fat childs (subsequent receivers which may also be senders with a big LAG-number).
Firewall Blocks can separate all-but-denied or not-allowed receivers from senders on the other side, but add +5 (a big number) to the LAG-number of all senders pm nptj sides.
Some blocks like weapon computers and computers in general may have a receiver included (works similar to faction module, just with a number / name from an enumeration)
Such a system allows everything on 1 wire.
There might also be Blocks which forward a signal through empty space, space with no (or limited) metal inbetween in one direction to a receiver block (directional wireless communication via light modulation, etc)
The inbetween would be a nice spot for placeable hidden scanners placed by hackers. Advanced blocks however might use technologies to triangulate the sender\'s location and only allow some x/y/z coordinate (only relevant to hackers).
The biggest advantage is, that this allows you to send 1 signal wich could activate different objects and not need to be near this object - or make several different weirs from each door to your bridge

and don\'t forget to leave 1 hull block inbetween

.