Documentation or dashit: what is it, where to get and how to use it

In the speech of people connected with electronics, there is a phrase: "We need to look at the datashit". What was meant and where to get the notorious datasheet?

The word is borrowed from the English language and is originally written as datasheet. If you translate it into Russian, literally get a "sheet with information." The document is made up for various devices and electronic components. Therefore, it is correct to say that the datasheet is a technical documentation prepared by the manufacturer.

Search for electronic components

Perhaps it will become clear what the datasheet of a chip is after it is opened. But the question: "Where can I get it?"

In the Soviet Union, the documentation was standardized. If it was required to find information about a transistor or a microchip, it was necessary to take appropriate guidance. Today the need for directories has disappeared. They were replaced by search engines - enough to drive the word datasheet and specify the name of the desired device. The second option is to get the datasheet - to go to the site where the documentation is collected, and on it to conduct a search.

Specifications for components are provided as pdf files. You can open them directly in the browser.

First page of datasheet

After the document is downloaded to the computer, you need to open the datasheet. What does it contain, what to look for first?

You should start from the first page. It provides information that emphasizes the uniqueness of a particular device, such as a wide frequency range, reduced power consumption, low dark current.

The start page of the technical specification contains:

• Feature properties;
• Description (description / general description) ;
• Pin configuration.

It should be noted that the information given is not always enough, so you should not trust it completely. Answers to emerging issues should be sought in the relevant sections of the document. The purpose of the first page is to give an idea of it, that is, to tell what it is.

The datasheet of the transistor is small compared to a similar document for microcircuits, so the first page immediately indicates information about its parameters and connection.

Content of the document

Most often, users ask about the datasheet: "What is and how to read it?" If the first issue was considered, then the second one has yet to be studied.

Electronic engineers pay attention to the following sections of the document.

• The pinout.

Describes the purpose of each pin of a microchip or transistor. The designer underlines the conclusions under the Vcc and GND markings. The first of them is designed to supply the supply voltage (most often +5 V), the second - to connect the "ground". Microcontrollers can have several such conclusions. Their location depends on the type of housing (PDIP / TQFP / MLF).

• Device Diagram (Block Diagram).

Displays the internal content of the component. For example, the microcontroller displays its memory, clock generator, I / O ports.

• Circuit Schematic.

Specifies a typical device connection. In practice, the schemes differ from those given in the documentation, since in each specific case the chip or transistor is part of a complex electronic device in which all its components must be taken into account.

• Temperature and electrical parameters.

These values are given in the form of graphs reflecting the dependence of one parameter on the other.

Final Recommendations

A novice developer of electronic equipment does not always understand how to read a datasheet, what a device layout is and why a pin is needed. Nevertheless, it is recommended to read reference materials when developing a new device or repairing out-of-date equipment.