Which Semiconductor company writes the best IC datasheets? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: UnijunctionTransistor
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 09, 2025, 05:03:02 pm
content: I know this is a trick question. One cannot compare the datasheet for a 555 to one from an advanced 32 bit microcontroller.One would have to compare exactly identical ICs, sourced from a multitude of companies, including obscure and defunct ones, in all three continents. In other words, an ubiquitous, low cost, well known, easy to buy IC.Off my head, I could think of a few candidates, 555, 741, 358, 7805. I am sure there are a few more. From these I chose the 358 because.....reasons.I searched for the datasheets from 10 different companies, and took a screenshot of the front page, which I have attached. You will notice that I included two from Texas Instruments. TI has recently revamped its datasheet portfolio, and greatly expanded the datasheet information with all the myriad variants, but simultaneously becoming more verbose. I prefer their older style.To me the best looking datasheets are (were) those from National Semiconductor. The font, the way schematics are drawn, the amount and arrangement of the parametric information and relevant circuit examples. To me at least, those datasheets are the gold standard. Of course, other people will have different opinions.

author: UnijunctionTransistor
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 09, 2025, 05:04:23 pm
content: To prevent exceeding the file limit here are another group of files.Please note that I could have added many more, but then it would become too much information.EDIT; I am also posting this thread in other forums.

author: Grandchuck
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 09, 2025, 07:15:40 pm
content: Raytheonhttps://www.ck722museum.com/page7.html

author: Analog Kid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 09, 2025, 07:23:28 pm
content: Quote from: UnijunctionTransistor on August 09, 2025, 05:03:02 pmYep, I agree.

author: sideshow bob
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: August 09, 2025, 07:39:07 pm
content: As an aside the datasheets from the now defunct National Semiconductor was very good. National Semiconductor got swallowed up by TI in 2011. And TI made its best effort to remove every trace of National Semiconductor in their datasheet database. By not using any National Semiconductor datasheet in their database. A shame if you ask me

author: UnijunctionTransistor
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 09, 2025, 09:08:33 pm
content: And the App Notes.I still have the 1986 National Linear Applications Databook.Although a little dated, it is still worth its weight in gold.

author: UnijunctionTransistor
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 09, 2025, 09:11:50 pm
content: Quote from: sideshow bob on August 09, 2025, 07:39:07 pmOne thing that one must recognize from Analog Devices, is that they haven't attempted the stunt of erasing the Linear Technologies legacy. Updating yes, completely eliminating, no.

author: tom66
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 09, 2025, 09:18:59 pm
content: Linear Tech datasheets are pretty good - although the newer ones are about the same as everyone else's - the older ones are classic.I like some TI datasheets. MPS are very good too (see MP5016H as an example - I love the detailed explanation of the theory of operation, and how to calculate all the parameters, instead of graphs that you have to read off.)Probably the worst for general purpose parts are, in no particular order, ST, Infineon, Fairchild & Intersil. ST seem to write their datasheets in French or Italian, and then translate them badly into English, which creates many logical errors and inconsistencies. The other three just leave out important detail from their parts, and you are left guessing.

author: David Hess
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 09, 2025, 10:29:51 pm
content: I liked PMI and Linear Technology datasheets the most, and then National. Texas Instruments has always been last for me.Just going by my current bookshelf, Old Fairchild and RCA datasheets were better than Texas Instruments datasheets.

author: srb1954
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 09, 2025, 10:45:35 pm
content: I have always been a fan of Motorola datasheets and its spin-offs OnSemi and Freescale, who mostly continued the original Motorola datasheet style.The Motorola datasheets were always well laid out and often contained more complete information than many other manufacturers. Especially good were their Designer's Datasheet series available for some discrete devices. These contained a wealth of information so you you could be confident that you had all the information needed to complete a reliable design.

author: UnijunctionTransistor
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 09, 2025, 11:06:35 pm
content: Quote from: tom66 on August 09, 2025, 09:18:59 pmSpecifically the ones penned (or shall I say typed) by the linear_man himself, Jim Williams.

author: David Hess
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 10, 2025, 01:51:43 am
content: Quote from: UnijunctionTransistor on August 09, 2025, 11:06:35 pmI thought maybe the ones made after Analog Devices acquired them, but maybe it was just before.

author: John Coloccia
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 10, 2025, 01:59:42 am
content: I've found them hit or miss across the board, regardless of company.