DATASHEET

DATA SHEET
SPEC SHEET
Whatever. Theyre just the same.
 WTH IS A DATA SHEET?
A datasheet, data sheet, or spec sheet is a
document that summarizes the performance and
other technical characteristics of a product,
machine, component (e.g., an electronic
component), material, a subsystem (e.g., a
power supply) or software in sufficient
detail to be used by a design engineer to
integrate the component into a system
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IT IS? ME EITHER
Typically, a datasheet is created by the
component/subsystem/software manufacturer and
begins with an introductory page describing
the rest of the document, followed by
listings of specific characteristics, with
further information on the connectivity of
the devices.
DATA SHEET ON FLEEK
 I STILL HAVE NO IDEA
ABOUT IT
Depending on the specific purpose, a
datasheet may offer an average value, a
typical value, a typical range, engineering
tolerances, or a nominal value. The type and
source of data are usually stated on the
datasheet.
 ???
A datasheet is usually used for technical
communication to describe technical
characteristics of an item or product. It can
be published by the manufacturer to help
people choose products or to help use the
products. By contrast, a technical
specification is an explicit set of
requirements to be satisfied by a material,
product, or service.
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DONT GET IT
An electronic datasheet specifies
characteristics in a formal structure that
allows the information to be processed by a
machine. Such machine readable descriptions
can facilitate information retrieval,
display, design, testing, interfacing,
verification, and system discovery.
 WHY AM I DOING THIS
ANYWAY?

Examples include transducer electronic data

sheets for describing sensor characteristics,
and Electronic device descriptions in CANopen
or descriptions in markup languages, such as
SensorML.
 YEAH, I VOLUNTEERED

A typical datasheet for an electronic component

contains most of the following information:

Manufacturer's name

Product number and name

List of available package formats (with images)

and ordering codes
 *sighs*
Notable device properties
Short functional description
Pin connection diagram
Absolute minimum and maximum ratings (supply
voltage, power consumption, input currents,
temperatures for storage, operating,
soldering, etc.)
Recommended operating conditions (as absolute
minimum and maximum ratings)
DC specifications (various temperatures,
supply voltages, input currents, etc.)
Etc.
 CTRL+C THEN CTRL+V
Although a datasheet may include a "typical
use" circuit diagram, as well as programming
examples in the case of programmable devices,
this sort of information is often published
in a separate application note, with a high
level of detail.
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WORDS AT THE TITLE BOX
Historically, datasheets were typically
available in a databook that contained many
datasheets, usually grouped by manufacturer
or general type. Today, they are also
available through the Internet in table form
or via downloadable (usually PDF) documents.
 APPLICATION NOTES

An application note is a document that gives more

specific details on using a component in a specific
application, or relating to a particular process
(e.g., the physical assembly of a product containing
the component). Application notes are especially
useful for giving guidance on more unusual uses of a
particular component, which would be irrelevant to
many readers of the more widely read datasheet.
 I HOPE MY TEACHER
WOULDNT GET ANGRY

Application notes may either be appended to

a datasheet, or presented as a separate
document.
 HOW TO WRITE
DATASHEET?
The datasheet should be the perfect summary piece for

your product. It should provide enough information to

intrigue the reader enough to have them either want to

evaluate your product or obtain more detailed

information. The datasheet is designed to be a listing

of facts and figures. It should be presented with a

factual tone and contain hard data. You do not want the

datasheet to be a display of creative writing.

 YOUR DATA SHEET MUST
INCLUDE:
Description - Many people spend so much time
entrenched in their product that they forget that
other people don't automatically know their
product.

Visual Element - A picture, screen shot, or a

diagram that shows either the components of the
product or how the product fits in its environment
should be on the front page.
 ALSO INCLUDE THESE:
Key benefits A statement of the key benefits of
the product. Three bullet points are ideal.

Features and benefits and/or specifications - On

the back should be a listing of features and
benefits if it is a software package.

Requirements - List the software and hardware

that is required to support your product.
 AND THIS
Contact information - Have all your contact
information at the bottom of the datasheet.
Include all copyright and trademark
information.
 LAYOUT (WERE NOT
YET DONE)
Datasheets are one page with information on
both the front and the back. The front
contains the description, key benefits, and a
picture. The back has more detailed features
and benefits, specifications, requirements,
and contact information.
 LAYOUT
If you have multiple products in your
product line, make sure that the layout of
each datasheet is similar to give the
appearance of a family.
You will probably want turn your datasheet
over to an artist for final layout and design
work.
 PROCESS (LAST SLIDE)
Here is a basic process for writing
datasheets:

Identify the target audience of the

datasheet.
Gather features and benefits from your own
use of the product, beta customer use,
engineering, and other internal resources.
Boil down the benefits to the most important
three for your product.
 JKJK
Decide on the picture.

Assemble and write datasheet.

Review with internal resources.

Provide raw materials to an artist for

layout.
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Review every draft that comes back,
especially blue lines. Have a second person
review the blue line. It is easy to miss the
same error several times. A fresh set of eyes
is always helpful.
 A PRO USES THESE
TECHNIQUES
Use bullets whenever possible to list
features or benefits

Create bullets with consistent structure --

if your first bullet starts with a verb, then
all bullets should start with a verb
 LAST SLIDE
Keep text to a minimum -- remember that this
is a summary. Create technical white papers
for backup if necessary

Use a serif font (a font with those little

lines at the top and bottom) for the body of
the datasheet. It is easier for the eye to
read blocks of text with a serif font
ITS OVER, GO HOME NOW