Technical Specification

Scenario: An electronics startup (fictional) has validated a smart sensor in pilot, and is now ready to manufacture at larger scale. To get the right product on the first prototype round with the manufacturer, clear technical documentation is needed that describes requirements, interfaces and expected performance.

Goal of the documentation: Give the manufacturer an unambiguous understanding of the product, reduce the number of back-and-forth rounds, and create a shared reference for QA, certification and production testing.

Our Work Process

  1. Kickoff: Clarify goals, volume, environmental requirements and certification needs
  2. Data collection: Gather prototype data (BOM, schematic, PCB, firmware, dimensions)
  3. Overview table: Create a one-page summary with key data for manufacturer
  4. Detailed sections: Electrical specifications, interfaces, mechanics
  5. Requirements and acceptance criteria: Requirements matrix with verification method
  6. Review & locking: Technical review with team + manufacturer

Technical Specification – Smart Sensor Node SSN-01

Deliverable Example
Smart Sensor Node SSN-01
Version: v1.0
Date: 15.11.2025
Client/project: Electronics startup (example)
Contact: tech@startup.no
Shareable with manufacturer (example)

Quick Overview

Parameter Specification
Dimensions (L×W×H) 42.0 × 42.0 × 12.0 mm (housing)
Weight ≤ 18 g (incl. battery)
Battery 1× CR2477, 3,0 V (typ. 1000 mAh) – replaceable
Communication Bluetooth Low Energy 5.2 (2,4 GHz) + NFC for provisioning
Enclosure IP67 (target: dust and water protected)
Measurement Accuracy Temperature ±0,2 °C (0–60 °C), Humidity ±2 %RH (20–80 %RH)
Operating Temperature -20 °C til +60 °C

This document is a work example of pedagogical technical documentation that can be shared with a manufacturer when scaling from prototype to production.

Contents

  1. 1. System Overview
  2. 2. Key Specifications
  3. 3. Functional Requirements
  4. 4. Technical Requirements
  5. 5. Performance Requirements
  6. 6. Electrical Specifications
  7. 7. Mechanics and Drawings
  8. 8. Standards and Certifications
  9. 9. Manufacturing and Test (EOL)
  10. 10. Appendices

1. System Overview

Smart Sensor Node SSN-01 is a battery-powered sensor node for monitoring environmental data (temperature/humidity) and simple event detection (motion/tilt – optional). Data is transmitted wirelessly via BLE to a mobile app or gateway.

System Components:

  • Sensor node (this specification)
  • Mobile app for provisioning (iOS/Android) – reference interface
  • Gateway / receiver (optional) – forwarding to cloud/backend

2. Key Specifications (overview table)

Parameter Specification
Dimensions (L×W×H) 42.0 × 42.0 × 12.0 mm (housing)
Weight ≤ 18 g (incl. battery)
Battery 1× CR2477, 3,0 V (typ. 1000 mAh) – replaceable
Communication Bluetooth Low Energy 5.2 (2,4 GHz) + NFC for provisioning
Enclosure IP67 (target: dust and water protected)
Measurement Accuracy Temperature ±0,2 °C (0–60 °C), Humidity ±2 %RH (20–80 %RH)
Operating Temperature -20 °C til +60 °C

3. Functional Requirements

The requirements below describe functionality from the user's perspective. For production and QA, these are translated into testable acceptance criteria.

ID Requirement Acceptance Criterion
FR-01 Measure temperature and relative humidity with configurable interval. Interval 1–60 min can be set via app. Measurement is logged and can be read out.
FR-02 Transmit latest measurement values wirelessly to mobile/gateway. BLE advertising or GATT-read updated within 5 sec after measurement.
FR-03 Secure provisioning/pairing. Device can be locked to user/gateway. All configuration requires authentication.
FR-04 Local buffer on lost connection. At least 24 hours of measurement data stored locally and sent when connection is restored.
FR-05 Over-the-air firmware update (OTA). OTA can be performed without physical access. Update verified with signature.
FR-06 Status indication for user/installer. LED provides clear indication for: on, provisioning, error, low battery.

4. Technical Requirements

Technical requirements ensure that the design can be manufactured reliably and tested on-line (EOL).

ID Parameter Requirement Verification
TR-01 Supply Voltage 2,0–3,6 V Measurement
TR-02 Sleep Current ≤ 5 µA @ 3,0 V (typisk) Measurement
TR-03 PCB 4-lags FR-4, Tg ≥ 150 °C, tykkelse 1,0 mm Inspection / documentation
TR-04 ESD-beskyttelse IEC 61000-4-2: ±8 kV kontakt, ±15 kV luft (mål) Test
TR-05 Antenna Integrated 2.4 GHz PCB antenna or chip antenna RF-test
TR-06 Programming / test SWD pads + test points accessible from bottom side Inspection

5. Performance Requirements

Performance requirements describe the expected level in operation. They serve as the basis for battery calculations, RF testing and field validation.

ID Area Requirement Verification
PR-01 Battery Life ≥ 18 måneder ved 10 min måleintervall, 25 °C Analysis + field measurement
PR-02 Radio Range ≥ 20 m indoors (typical), ≥ 50 m line of sight Test
PR-03 Startup Time < 3 s from battery insertion to advertising starts Test
PR-04 Data Loss Tolerance 0 critical data loss in normal operation; buffer on interruption Test

6. Electrical Specifications

This section describes electrical behaviour relevant to component selection, EMC, test setup and troubleshooting.

Parameter Specification
Battery Type CR2477 Li-MnO₂ (coin cell)
Nominal Voltage 3,0 V
Capacity (typ.) 1000 mAh (depends on supplier)
Max Peak Current ≤ 25 mA during radio TX (brief)
Charging Circuit Not applicable (replaceable battery)
Microcontroller ARM Cortex-M0+/M4F class (selectable per BOM)
Sensor Interface I²C, 400 kHz (temperature/humidity)
Test/programmering SWD + UART testpad (opsjon)

Recommended Test Setup (EOL):

  • Current measurement in sleep (µA) and during TX peak (mA) at 3.0 V.
  • BLE functional test (advertising + GATT) in shielded area or defined RF setup.
  • Plausibility check of sensor: temperature and humidity within defined range.

7. Mechanics and Drawings

For manufacturing, unambiguous dimensions, tolerances and mounting points are essential. Below is a simplified drawing showing the principle and key dimensions. In a real project, STEP/DXF and detailed 2D drawings are attached as appendices.

Mekanisk tegning - Smart Sensor Node SSN-01
Figure 1: Simplified mechanical drawing with key dimensions
Tolerances (recommended): Housing ±0.2 mm, hole position ±0.1 mm, total height ±0.2 mm. Finally defined in mechanical drawing from CAD.

8. Standards and Certifications

Mapping standards early reduces the risk of redesign and delays. The list below is typical for BLE sensors, but must be adapted to market (EU/US) and end product.

CE / EU:

  • RED 2014/53/EU (radio equipment)
  • RoHS 2011/65/EU + (EU) 2015/863
  • REACH (EC) No 1907/2006
  • WEEE 2012/19/EU (labelling/return scheme)

Harmonised Standards (BLE 2.4 GHz):

  • EN 300 328 (2,4 GHz radio)
  • EN 301 489-1 og EN 301 489-17 (EMC)
  • EN 62368-1 (safety – IT/AV equipment)
  • EN 62479 (RF exposure – low power)

USA:

  • FCC Part 15 (Subpart C)

Battery and Transport:

  • UN 38.3 for lithium batteries
  • Labelling and packaging in logistics

9. Manufacturing and Test (EOL)

EOL (End-of-Line) test plan describes which checks are run on each unit. A clear test flow gives higher yield and easier troubleshooting.

Proposed EOL Test Flow:

  1. Visual inspection (PCB, solder joints, component placement).
  2. Firmware programming + unique keys/ID (MAC/serial).
  3. RF check (BLE advertising, TX/RX, RSSI).
  4. Sensor check (plausibility/calibration control).
  5. Current consumption test (sleep + peak).
  6. Functional test (LED, button, NFC if mounted).
  7. Sealing test (if IP67) – sampling plan defined in agreement.
  8. Packing (ESD bag, label with QR/serial, batch number).

Traceability

Each unit shall have a unique serial/QR code linked to firmware version, batch and test result.

Packing

ESD-protected bag. For IP requirements: include gasket inspection and screw torque check (if applicable).

10. Appendices

  • BOM (with approved alternatives and lifecycle status)
  • PCB Gerber + pick-and-place + assembly drawing
  • CAD (STEP) + detailed 2D drawing with tolerances
  • Test specification with limits and measurement method
  • Label/marking (CE/FCC, WEEE, serial number, QR)
  • Certification plan and test reports (when available)
Result (expected): Clear communication with manufacturer and higher probability of correct prototype on first attempt.
Download example document

Need help with technical documentation?

Contact Us
Back to Technical Documentation