A datasheet, data sheet, or spec sheet is a document that summarizes the
performance and other technical characteristics of a product, machine,
component, material, a subsystem or software in sufficient detail to be used
by a design engineer to integrate the component into a system. Typically, a
datasheet is created by the componentsoftware 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. In cases where there is
relevant source code to include, it is usually attached near the end of the
document or separated into another file. 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. 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. Examples include transducer electronic data sheets for
describing sensor characteristics, and Electronic device descriptions in
CANopen or descriptions in markup languages, such as SensorML.
Typical electronics datasheet information
Examples include: = Electronics component=
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 and
ordering codes Notable device properties
Short functional description Pin connection diagram
Absolute minimum and maximum ratings Recommended operating conditions
DC specifications AC specifications
Input/output wave shape diagram timing diagram
Physical details showing minimummaximum dimensions, contact locations and sizes
Test circuit Ordering codes for differing packages
and performance criteria Liability disclaimer regarding device
use in certain environments such as nuclear power plants and life support
systems Application recommendations, such as
required filter capacitors, circuit board layout, etc.
Errata, often published prior to subsequent correction and relevant
datasheet revision = Personal computer=
Number of ports USB, Ethernet, FireWire, S/PDIF, PS/2,
Serial, Parallel Expansion bays
5.25 inch bays 3.5 inch bays
Motherboard CPU socket
Front-side bus Back-side bus
Chipset North bridge
South bridge Random-access memory slots
Peripheral Component Interconnect and PCI Express buses and slots
Floppy, ATA and SATA interfaces Fans and temperature monitoring
Integrated graphics controllers Integrated LAN interfaces
Firmware Form factor
Graphics card AGP type
Memory Audio card
Hardware compatibility requirements and basic setup details for computer device
drivers Operating system and other installed
software 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.
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 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.
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. Application notes may either be appended
to a datasheet, or presented as a separate document.
Chemical data sheets = Material Safety Data Sheets=
A Material Safety Data Sheet, Safety Data Sheet, or Product Safety Data Sheet
is an important component of product stewardship and occupational safety and
health. These are required by agencies such as OSHA in its Hazard Communication
Standard, 29 C.F.R. 1910.1200. It provides workers with ways to allow them
to work in a safe manner and gives them physical data, toxicity, health effects,
first aid, reactivity, storage, disposal, protective equipment, and
spill-handling procedures. The MSDSs differ from country to country, as
different countries have different regulations. In some jurisdictions, it
is compulsory for the SDS to state the chemical's risks, safety, and effect on
the environment. The SDSs are a commonly used
classification for logging information on chemicals, chemical compounds, and
chemical mixtures. The SDSs often include the safe use of the chemical and
the hazardous nature of the chemical. Anytime chemicals are used these data
sheets will be found. There is a need to have an
internationally recognized symbol when describing hazardous substances. Labels
can include hazard symbols such as the European Union standard black diagonal
cross on an orange background, used to denote a harmful substance.
The purpose of an SDS is not so that the general public will have a knowledge of
how to read and understand it, but more so that it can be used in an
occupational setting to allow workers to be able to work with it.
= Chemical data= Data sheets and pages are available for
specific properties of chemicals in Chemical elements data references:
example, Melting points of the elements. Specific materials have technical data
in individual sheets such as Ethanol: this includes subjects such as structure
and properties, thermodynamic properties, spectral data, vapor
pressure, etc. Other chemical data sheets are available from individual
producers of chemicals, often on their web pages.
Data sheets for automobiles Data sheets for automobiles may be
described under several names such as features, specs, engineering data,
technical summary, etc. They help communicate the technical information
about a car to potential buyers and are useful for comparisons with similar
cars. They might include: critical inside and outside dimensions, weight,
fuel efficiency, engine and drive train, towing capability, safety features and
options, warranty, etc. See also
Personal computer Specification
Transducer electronic data sheet Open ICEcat, open catalog project with
free datasheets Datasheets.com, world's largest free
resources for electronic component datasheets and purchasing information
External links Application Notes and Data Sheets at
DMOZ