Reference circuit
In telecommunication, a reference circuit is a hypothetical circuit of specified equivalent length and configuration, and having a defined transmission characteristic or characteristics, used primarily as a reference for measuring the performance of other, i.e., real, circuits or as a guide for planning and engineering of circuits and networks.
Note: Normally, several types of reference circuits are defined, with different configurations, because communications are required over a wide range of distances. A group of related reference circuits is also called a reference system.
Source: from Federal Standard 1037C and from MIL-STD-188