Application notes and technical reports
Application notes are usually brief notes (often
equivalent in extent to a chapter of a book) supplied by manufacturers in order
to assist engineers and designers by providing typical examples of the use of
engineering components and devices. An application note can be very useful in
providing practical information that can help designers to avoid pitfalls that
might occur when using a component or device for the first time.
Technical reports are somewhat similar to
application notes but they focus more on the performance specification of
engineering components and devices (and the tests that have been carried out on
them) than the practical aspects of their use. Technical reports usually
include detailed specifications, graphs, charts and tabulated data.
Typical section headings used in application notes
and technical reports include:
Summary A brief overview
for busy readers who need to quickly find out what the application note or
technical report is about.
Introduction This sets
the context and background and provides a brief description of the process or
technology - why it is needed and what is does. It may also include a brief
review of alternative methods and solutions.
Evaluation A
detailed evaluation of the process or technology together with details of tests
applied and measured performance specifications. In appropriate cases
comparative performance specifications will be provided.
Recommendations This
section provides information on how the process or technology should be
implemented or deployed. It may include recommendations for storage or handling
together with information relating to health and safety.
Conclusions This
section consists of a few concluding remarks.
References This
section provides readers with a list of sources of further information relating
to the process or technology, including (where appropriate) relevant standards
and legislation.
Technical reports, on the other hand, provide
information that is more to do with whether a component or device meets a
particular specification or how it compares with other solutions. Technical
reports are thus more useful when it comes to analysing how a process or
technology performs than how it is applied.
Activity
Write an application note
that explains the use of AA-size NiMh batteries as replacements for the
conventional alkaline batteries used in a digital camera. You should carry out
some initial research before starting to write your application note but the
following are possible headings (these can be combined or expanded if you think
it necessary):
- Executive summary
- Introduction
- Basic requirements for batteries used in
digital cameras
- Comparison of three battery types (NiCcl,
NiMH and conventional alkaline types)
- Analysis of costs
- Suitability
- Recommendations
- Reference data (including a list of
manufacturers and suppliers).
Use a word processor to
present your work in printed form.
Data sheets and
data books
Data sheets usually consist of abridged information
on a particular engineering component or device. They usually provide maximum
and minimum ratings, typical specifications, as well as information on
dimensions, packaging and finish. Data sheets are usually supplied free on
request from manufacturers and suppliers. Collections of data sheets for
similar types of engineering components and devices are often supplied in book
form. Often supplementary information is included relating to a complete family
of products. An example of a data sheet is shown in Figure 2.3.
Test your
knowledge 2.2
Refer to the extract from the Howard Associates
data sheet shown in Figure 2.3 and
use it to answer the following questions:
(a) What is the date of issue of the data sheet?
(b) Who owns the copyright of the data sheet?
(c) How many independent logic gates are contained
in the device?
(d) What do the letters `NC' mean?
(e) How many pins are there on an 'FK' package?
(f) Which two devices are suitable for operation
over the `military temperature range'?
(g) What is the absolute maximum
supply voltage for these devices?
(h) What is the storage
temperature range specified for these devices?
(i)
What does the manufacturer specify as typical values of supply voltage and
operating free-air temperature for these devices?
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