DIN SPEC 40912:2014-11

A core model is the simple, model-based description of basic concepts and relationships concerning a general aspect of systems. The term "core model" shall be understood that the common core of a large number of models is covered; the core model itself is no model of specific systems, however. If a core model is realized by a specific system, the description of the core model will fully comply with this system in any case. It is characteristic for core models that they can be realized exclusively in the manner described here. For example, there is no hierarchically structured system which does not correspond with the core model "hierarchy" with respect to hierarchy. In this respect, core models can be differentiated from "reference models" which describe widely recognized designs, but are not fundamentally different without an alternative. Reference models are typically limited to smaller application domains than core models. The responsible committee is DKE/K 931 "Systemaspekte" ("System aspects") of the DKE (German Commission for Electrical, Electronic and Information Technologies) at DIN and VDE.