This standard establishes the generic requirements for a document set describing electronic products, and the methodology used for revision control and configuration management of the information. The generic descriptions defined in this standard apply to the entire document set. They are used to define and maintain the electronic product. The requirements pertain to both hard copy and electronic data descriptions.

Purpose

The purpose of the standard is to establish a methodology that permits different grades or completeness of documentation, as well as identifying the various products, packaging and interconnection techniques for which unambiguous documentation is required.

The electronic product documentation package usually consists of multiple pieces of information (data) that describe the characteristics and functional performance requirements of the unit to which the documentation pertains. The documentation package may include electronic diagrams, electronic assembly descriptions, printed board fabrication data (master drawing), conductive/nonconductive pattern details, wire cable harness requirements, specification performance control documents, and material identification descriptions (BOMs).

The documentation package may consist of a variety of completeness and a variation of hard copy and electronic data. Hard copy may be fully formatted in accordance with ANSI Y14.1, ANSI Y14.1M, or freeform various size paper or film; electronic data may be static information (bitmap type) or intelligent descriptions that are computer processable in order to communicate directly to manufacturing equipment with minimal human intervention.