Reference design

Reference design refers to a technical blueprint of a system that is intended for others to copy. It contains the essential elements of the system; however, third parties may enhance or modify the design as required.[1] When discussing computer designs, the concept is generally known as a reference platform.

The main purpose of reference design is to support companies in development of next generation products using latest technologies. The reference product is proof of the platform concept and is usually targeted for specific applications. Reference design packages enable a fast track to market thereby cutting costs and reducing risk in the customer's integration project.

As the predominant customer for reference designs are OEM's, many reference designs are created by technology component vendors, whether hardware or software, as a means to increase the likelihood that their product will be designed into the OEM's product, giving them a competitive advantage.

Examples
  • NanoBook, a reference design of a miniature laptop
  • Open source hardware (also Category:Open source hardware)
    • RONJA, a free and open telecommunication technology ("free Internet")
    • VIA OpenBook, a free and open reference design of a laptop
gollark: Not climate change and whatever, it isn't *that* bad compared to the fact that the vast, vast majority of volume in the universe is basically useless empty space in which you will very rapidly die.
gollark: Aha, I was right, they ARE just reading far too much into random noise.
gollark: Anyway, I am watching it at 1.5x speed. This may take some time.
gollark: So that you can just sunk-cost-fallacy yourself into believing it?
gollark: The universe certainly isn't very optimized for human life in general.

References
  1. "Definition: reference design". PC Magazine Encyclopedia. Retrieved 20 December 2011.


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