General Resources: Data Sheets

The worldwide web can be confusing and distracting to beginners. In fact, it can be a rather inefficient way to learn and obtain specific information. As with using a library, efficiency improves dramatically as students learn how to employ the tools and how the resources are organized.

The Basic Skills in Electricity and Electronics Student Web sites have data sheets for various semiconductor devices. These data sheets are available for download. They can be saved to disk and then viewed using Adobe®'s Acrobat® Reader. They can also be printed.

You might want to send your students to The General Resources section of the Student Web sites to download specific data sheets. The following data sheets are available:

Optional Assignments:

1. Download the 1N4001 and MR750 data sheets. Make comparisons between the two devices in terms of the typical and maximum forward voltage drops at a current of 1 ampere. List the reverse voltage ratings for the 1N4001 to 1N4007 series and MR750 to MR760 series.
   
2. Download the 2N2222 and 2N3904 data sheets and compare the lead arrangements.
   
3. Download the LM311 and LM741 data sheets and list at least 5 important differences between the two devices.
   
4. Download the LM318 and LM741 data sheets and compare the two devices in terms of bandwidth, slew rate, and supply current.
   
5. Download the LM7805C data sheet and describe the available package styles, the available output voltages for the LM78XX series, the quiescent current, the maximum input voltage, and the maximum load current for the TO-3 package.
   
6. Download the UJT data sheet and prepare a brief report on how a programmable unijunction transistor can be used to replace a unijunction transistor.
   
7. Download the PwrMOSFET data sheet and make a case for using a gate turn-on voltage of 10 volts rather than 5 volts when using this device in switching applications. (Hint: use Fig. 6)
   
8. Download the LM555 data sheet and prepare a brief report on the astable design equations and expected waveforms.
   
9. Download the LM555 data sheet and prepare a brief report on pulse width modulation versus pulse position modulation, including the expected waveforms.
   
10. Download the SCR data sheet and prepare a brief report on the effect of temperature on gate trigger current sensitivity.