Thermal simulation of electronics Thermal management (electronics)

1 thermal simulation of electronics

1.1 design
1.2 optimise
1.3 verify
1.4 software

thermal simulation of electronics

thermal simulations give engineers visual representation of temperature , airflow inside equipment. thermal simulations enable engineers design cooling system; optimise design reduce power consumption, weight , cost; , verify thermal design ensure there no issues when equipment built. thermal simulation software uses computational fluid dynamics techniques predict temperature , airflow of electronics system.

design

thermal simulation required determine how cool components within design constraints. simulation enables design , verification of thermal design of equipment @ stage , throughout design of electronic , mechanical parts. designing thermal properties in mind start reduces risk of last minute design changes fix thermal issues.

using thermal simulation part of design process enables creation of optimal , innovative product design performs specification , meets customers reliability requirements.

optimise

it easy design cooling system equipment if there unlimited space, power , budget. however, majority of equipment have rigid specification leaves limited margin error. there constant pressure reduce power requirements, system weight , cost parts, without compromising performance or reliability. thermal simulation allows experimentation optimisation, such modifying heatsink geometry or reducing fan speeds in virtual environment, faster, cheaper , safer physical experiment , measurement.

verify

traditionally, first time thermal design of equipment verified after prototype has been built. device powered up, perhaps inside environmental chamber, , temperatures of critical parts of system measured using sensors such thermocouples. if problems discovered, project delayed while solution sought. change design of pcb or enclosure part may required fix issue, take time , cost significant amount of money. if thermal simulation used part of design process of equipment, thermal design issue identified before prototype built. fixing issue @ design stage both quicker , cheaper modifying design after prototype created.

software

there wide range of software tools designed thermal simulation of electronics include 6sigmaet, ansys icepak , mentor graphics flotherm.