Thermal design and experimental validation for optical transmitters

This paper describes a thermal design methodology for a 2.5 Gbps optical transmitter that mainly comprises a laser array of 12 VCSELs and a laser driver module. An integrated heat sink design was performed and optimized through modeling and simulation. Temperature regulation of the laser array has been performed through design and optimization of the thermal path (cavity and heat spreader) and separations (wire bonding lengths). Detailed module simulation was performed after the heat sink design and the temperature regulations. To validate the simulation results, a test vehicle of 2.5 Gbps transmitter was built up and tested under various thermal conditions. The airflow rate and ambient temperature were controlled by a wind tunnel. It has shown that the experimental and detailed module simulation results are comparable. A cooling solution with natural convection has been achieved so that the case temperature can be kept under 70 °C without using a fan. The modeling and simulation were done by using a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) program.     

Design and Simulation of the CPU Fan and Heat Sinks

Traditional design methods to achieve improvement in heat sink performance are not suitable for meeting new thermal challenges. Revolutionary rather than evolutionary concepts are required for removing heat from the electronic components. We have recently developed an emerging novel approach, the integration design of the forced convection air cooling system. The aerodynamic design for the miniature axial-flow fan is conducted and a CPU fan is designed to be integrated with the radial fins in order to form a complete fan-heat sink assembly. The 3-D data of the fan generated by FORTRAN program are imported into Pro/E to create its 3-D model. The performance curve of the fan prototype fabricated by the computer numerically controlled machine is tested in a standard wind tunnel. To reduce the economic cost and prompt the design efficiency, the computational fluid dynamics is adopted to estimate the initial fan's performance. A series of radial heat sinks is designed in accordance with the outflow angle of airflow discharged from the fan. The inlet angle of the fin is arranged so that the incoming flow from the upstream impeller matches the fin's angle of heat sinks. Using the multi-block hexahedral grid technique, the numerical simulation of the system, including the fan and heat sinks, is performed by means of Multiple Reference Frame (MRF) and RNG k-$varepsilon$ Model. Our results indicate that the thermal resistance of the streamlined heat sink is decreased by 15.9% compared to the traditional heat sink and the entropy generation rate of the streamlined heat sink is lower. The experiments support our simulation results. The series of heat sinks is able to achieve the productive thermal performance when the integration design concept is utilized.      

高空飞行器供油驱动系统IGBT模块结温特性研究

对高空飞行器供油驱动系统在特定负载状态下的IGBT模块结温特性进行研究。高空飞行器对供油驱动系统的高功率密度要求高及环境散热条件差的状况,使得其关键部件IGBT模块在功率裕量与结温控制方面更为严格。根据负载特性精确计算结温,对于在特定散热条件下系统的可靠运行非常重要。运用非稳态导热的Foster集总参数法,分析IGBT模块点热源特性及其他热源对计算影响,建立一种含校正系数的热网络模型,并在短时脉冲过载及输出低频两种特有状态下,对IGBT模块的结温特性进行分析。通过对高空飞行器飞行过程中IGBT模块结温特性的计算,结合仿真软件Semisel的对比分析,验证了建模和分析本文所提方法的有效性。     

Thermal design of a broadband communication system with detailed modeling of TBGA packages

This paper presents a thermal modeling of a broadband network communication box partitioned into two stacked modules. A printed circuit board (PCB) is inside each module where an array of 16 tape ball grid array (TBGA) packages is surface mounted to the PCB. The TBGA package dissipates 6 W power each. In addition, 12 W of power is dissipated from four plastic ball grid array (PBGA) packages on the PCB. Pin-fin heat sinks are attached to the TBGA packages using silica-filled epoxy to enhance heat dissipation. Pin-fin heat sinks are also attached to the PBGA packages. Two exhaust fans are mounted at the flow exit to draw ambient air into the system at approximately 200 linear feet per minute (LFM) of velocity. The full Navier–Stokes equations for airflow are solved to simulate the forced convection cooling in the electronic module. Buoyancy effect was considered in the numerical model by incorporating Boussinesq-approximation. The TBGA packages are modeled in detail in order to obtain the package junction temperatures for system reliability evaluation and thermal design optimization. Detailed models of the attached pin-fin heat sinks and the epoxy interfaces are also utilized in this study. Compact heat sink model composed of a base plate and a resistance fluid volume is applied to model heat dissipation from the heat sinks attached to the four PBGA packages. System fan curve is used to simulate the fan operating conditions. The effect of changing system thermal design on the TBGA package junction temperatures as well as the hydraulic operating conditions of the system fans are examined and reported herein. The effect of radiation heat transfer is also examined. The importance of detailed modeling of the high power TBGA packages is demonstrated in this study. Simulation results were compared with JEDEC thermal test data under similar conditions of airflow.     

A numerical study of the thermal performance of an impingement heat sink-fin shape optimization

This paper presents the results of a numerical analysis of the performance of an impingement heat sink designed for use with a specific blower as a single unit. These self-contained heat sink/blower units, which cause impingement type flow on the heat sink fins, are now commonly used for desktop microprocessors. One of the objectives of this study is to examine the effect of the shape of the heat sink fins, particularly near the center of the heat sink, on the thermal performance of the package. The pressure gradient at the center of the heat sink, near the base, tends to be high. It significantly reduces the airflow, and hence, transport in that region. Different fin shapes and airflow rates have been studied with the objective of searching for an optimal heat sink design that would improve the thermal performance without increasing the pressure drop across the heat sink. Parallel plate fins have been studied by removing fin material from the region near the center of the heat sink along the length and height of the fins. Seventeen different designs have been compared, and an "optimum" heat sink shape is reported that results in a lower operating temperature and pressure drop. It is found that removal of fin material from the central region of the heat sink enhances the thermal as well as hydraulic performance of the heat sink.     

The effect of electro-thermal parameters on IGBT junction temperature with the aging of module

This paper presents the effect of the change of electro-thermal parameters on IGBT junction temperature with module aging. Five IGBT modules are subjected to advance power thermal cycling, and IGBT I–V characterization, switching loss, and transient thermal impedance curve are measured every 1000 power thermal cycles. Then, electro-thermal models of IGBT module under power thermal cycles were built by change electro-thermal parameters, and the influence of various parameters of the electro-thermal model on the junction temperature was researched respectively. Experimental results demonstrate that IGBT collector-emitter voltage, switching loss and thermal resistance increase more quickly with the aging process of module. Simulation results indicate that the variations of electro-thermal parameters have crucial influences on the IGBT junction temperature. After 6000 power thermal cycles, the IGBT steady state junction temperature mean and variation are increased 1.97 K and 0.1656 K over its initial value, respectively. The relative temperature rise is 38.10% and relative temperature variation is 15.08% after 6000 power thermal cycles. The rise in switching loss increases both the steady state junction temperature mean and variation. The change of thermal impedance has great influence on the steady state junction temperature mean, but has little effect on steady state junction temperature variation.     

发射组件强迫风冷系统的热设计

论述了发射组件强迫风冷系统的热设计方法,介绍了强迫风冷体积流量的理论估算。用ICEPAK CFD热分析软件进行热仿真,包括建模、加载边界条件、检查结果等。在仿真时根据最高温度、风扇的工作点、出风口和入风口的温度差,对翅片的厚度、齿间距进行优化,模块产生的热量通过流过散热器翅片间的强迫流动的空气散发出去,最终满足发射组件热设计的要求。元器件工作在允许的温度范围内,确保发射模块正常工作。测试数据与仿真数据基本符合表明热仿真的正确性。     

IGBT junction and coolant temperature estimation by thermal model

The capability of IGBT (Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor) to handle heat is one of its main limitations of high power application. This paper aims to study an IGBT thermal model under flow cooling condition and estimate the IGBT module junction and coolant temperature. Firstly, this paper studies the IGBT module internal sandwich structure and calculates the thermal resistance and thermal capacitor for each layer using a 1D physical model. Then a Cauer electric model is built for the IGBT module to evaluate the thermal constant time of the model. The liquid cooling method is applied in this project for fast cooling and the thermal parameters are studied and measured since this cooling method involves both solid and liquid. In order to estimate the junction temperature, the sensing temperature from NTC (Negative temperature coefficient) resistor inside the module is used as reference temperature. The equivalent thermal models, also named Foster model, from both junction to NTC and NTC to coolant are built, respectively. With these thermal models, the junction and coolant temperature estimation methods are derived. For the purpose of making the estimation accurate, the thermal coupling effect is carefully studied. Finally, the thermal model is verified by inverter application with current steps sweeping; the estimated temperature is compared with thermal camera measurement result which demonstrates good accuracy of the thermal model. The estimated coolant temperature is also well matched with thermocouple measurement result.     

Reliability enhancement by integrated liquid cooling in power IGBT modules for hybrid and electric vehicles

Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor (IGBT) modules in power train system of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles (HEV/EV) are working in harsh environment and high reliability and long lifetime are required. In this work, reliability enhancement by integrated liquid cooling structure in HEV/EV IGBT module is investigated. The thermal resistance of junction to heat sink can be reduced more than 50% by direct liquid cooling as eliminating thermal grease layer, so both active and passive temperature swings decrease significantly which will enhance module reliability and lifetime. The lifetime of modules with conventional and integrated liquid cooling structures are estimated under mission of standard driving cycles. We found that lifetime is prolonged obviously by direct cooling pin–fin base plate, and the compact module also makes the application power system simple and reliable.     

Design optimization of an integrated liquid-cooled IGBT powermodule using CFD technique

This paper presents a novel approach to optimize pin array design of an integrated, liquid-cooled, insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) power module. With the aid of a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) code, the fluid field and heat transfer inside the module were analyzed, and several design options on pin arrays were examined. For IGBT die circuitry, the uniformity of temperature distribution among dies is as critical as the magnitude of the die temperature. A noticeable variation in temperature among dies can accelerate the thermal runaway and reduce the reliability of the devices. With geometrically-optimized-pin designs located both upstream and downstream of the channel, a total power dissipation of 1200 W was achieved. The maximum junction temperature was maintained at 100°C and the maximum variation among dies was controlled within 1°C. The results from this study indicated that the device junction temperatures were not only reduced in magnitude but were equalized as well. In addition, the maximum power dissipation of the module was enhanced. Comparison with other direct- (pool boiling) and indirect- (cold plate) liquid cooling techniques was also discussed     

基于有限元仿真的IGBT混合模块的可靠性分析

集成化与微型化是当今电子信息产业发展的特点,其中电子元件的结温与热应力是影响其可靠性的重要因素。硅基IGBT和SiC基续流二极管组成的混合模块广泛应用于城市轨道交通等领域,其可靠性直接影响轨道交通车辆的运行性能。本文建立IGBT混合模块的仿真模型,随着各层材料厚度、焊料空洞大小和位置的变化,计算分析IGBT混合模块的温度与应变变化规律,对模块封装结构进行优化设计。将高热导率石墨烯应用在IGBT混合模块中,仿真分析应用位置不同对模块可靠性的影响,从而进一步优化混合模块的封装结构。通过仿真计算,优化后的IGBT混合模块可将最高结温降低近3℃,最大热应力下降超过30 MPa。     

TLM method for thermal investigation of IGBT modules in PWM mode

The insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) is popularly used in high power, high frequency power-electronic applications such as motor control and inverters. These applications require well designed thermal management system to ensure the protection of IGBTs. Choice simulation tools for accurate prediction of device power dissipation and junction temperature become important in achieving optimised designs.In this paper, thermal analysis of a 1200 A, 3.3 kV IGBT module was investigated and analysed using the three-dimensional transmission line matrix (3D-TLM) method. The results show a three-dimensional visualisation of self-heating phenomena in the device. Since the comparison TLM results with the analytical solutions do not exist for this IGBT module, we use the MSC.NASTRAN tool to find the similar range of the temperatures. Results are compared.Typically, IGBT is used in a three-phase inverter leg where the control signals are generated via PWM scheme so, the prediction of the temperature rise is important in the pulse operation conditions for the IGBT device. A view of the dynamic thermal temperature rise is obtained with 100 W-step pulse dissipation applied at IGBT chips. The temperature rises are calculated using TLM method during the PWM load cycles. Simulations give clear indications of the importance of the spreader material and are helpful in selecting the proper one.TLM has been successful in modelling heat diffusion problems and has proven to be efficient in terms of stability and complex geometry. The three-dimensional results show that method has a considerable potential in power devices thermal analysis and design.     

IGBT模块焊料老化状态监测方法及热网络模型优化

焊料老化是绝缘栅双极型晶体管(IGBT)模块内部传热能力退化和结温估计偏离的主要诱因。利用壳温与焊料老化程度间的对应规律构建了两者的量化关系,提出了焊料老化状态监测方法。采用与功率损耗无关的参数对恶化Cauer热网络(CTN)有效传热面积进行表征,提出了焊料裂纹诱导的结温低估补偿机制;考虑温度相关的异质材料导热系数及比热容参量,抑制了温升引起的材料传热特性退化影响。在此基础上,通过对传统CTN模型的优化,克服了传热路径无法自适应配置问题。仿真结果表明,所提方法可有效减小传热退化对模型计算结果的影响,实现对IGBT模块热行为动态变化的精确模拟,且结温估计结果相较传统CTN模型的更为精确。     

Geometrical Design of Plate-Fin Heat Sinks Using Hybridization of MOEA and RSM

The work in this paper is aimed at demonstrating the practical multiobjective optimization of plate-fin heat sinks and the superiority of using a combined response surface method and multiobjective evolutionary optimizer over solely using the evolutionary optimizer. The design problem assigned is to minimize a heat sink junction temperature and fan pumping power. Design variables determine a heat sink geometry and inlet air velocity. Design constraints are given in such a way that the maximum and minimum fin heights are properly limited. Function evaluation is carried out by using finite volume analysis software. Two multiobjective evolutionary optimization strategies, real-code strength Pareto evolutionary algorithm with and without the use of a response surface technique, are implemented to explore the Pareto optimal front. The optimum results obtained from both design approaches are compared and discussed. It is illustrated that the multiobjective evolutionary technique is a powerful tool for the multiobjective design of electronic air-cooled heat sinks. With the same design conditions and an equal number of function evaluations, the multiobjective optimizer in association with the response surface technique totally outperforms the other. The design parameters affecting the diversity of the Pareto front include fin thickness, fin height distribution, and inlet air velocity while the plate base thickness and the total number of fins of the non-dominated solutions tend to approach certain values.     

Thermal analysis of LED lighting system with different fin heat sinks

This paper designs a 3×3 light emitting diode(LED) array with a total power of 9 W,presents a thermal analysis of plate fin,in-line and staggered pin fin heat sinks for a high power LED lighting system,and develops a 3D one-fourth finite element(FE) model to predict the system temperature distribution.Three kinds of heat sinks are compared under the same conditions.It is found that LED chip junction temperature is 48.978℃when the fins of heat sink are aligned alternately.     

Optimization of convectively cooled heat sinks

Many factors of heat sink, such as its size and mass, component locations, number of fins, and fan power affect heat transfer. Owing to the opposite effects of these factors on heat sink maximum temperature, we have now a multi-objective optimization problem. A typical optimization case consists of hundreds of heat sink temperature field evaluations, which would be impractical to do with CFD. Instead, we propose to combine analytical results of convection and numerical solution of conduction to address these so-called conjugated heat transfer problems. We solve heat conduction in a solid numerically using the finite volume method and tackle convection with the analytical equation of forced convection in a parallel plate channel.This model is suitable for forced and natural convection heat sinks, and we have verified its validity by comparing its results to measured data and CFD calculations. We use the model to improve two industrial examples, using a multi-objective version of the particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm. The first example is a forced convection heat sink composed of nine heat generating components at the base plate, and the other is a natural convection case with two components. In both cases, mass is minimized; the other criterion is maximum temperature for the forced convection case and heat sink outer volume for the natural convection case. Our method is many orders of magnitude faster than CFD. Additionally, we provide some LES results of pin fins with natural convection for further use in similar optimizations.     

Development of a high performance heat Sink Based on screen-fin technology

In this paper, a novel high-performance heat sink based on screen-fin technology is described. The structural features of the heat sink are presented. The apparatus to measure both the pressure drop and heat transfer performance are described. Correlation equations of friction factor and Colburn-j factor as a function of screen-fin orientation, coolant properties and flow rate through the mesh are formulated. A semi-empirical model is used to predict the heat exchanger pressure drop, thermal performance and to design prototype heat sinks. Prototypes are built and tested. By screen-fin technology, the best performance of this kind of heat sink with external dimensions: 76.2-mm-wide, 63.5-mm-deep with 38.1-mm-high screen-laminate fins is 4.3W//spl deg/C at 62.3-Pa pressure drop of air flow through the heat sink.     

密闭式红外传感器的结构热设计研究

通过对密闭式红外传感器在高温环境下工作时的稳态热设计计算,进行产品的结构分析,并对该产品的结构热设计进行研究。利用Icepak热仿真软件对产品散热翅片的结构和风扇的选择与位置进行优化。最后根据仿真结果进行辅助结构热设计,进而达到节约设计成本,提高产品研发效率和产品可靠性的效果。     

大功率LED典型热沉结构散热性能分析

设计了三种大功率LED照明装置,并对其二次热沉散热进行了散热原理比较、实验性能分析,建立了热阻网络模型,对其进行了结温计算和寿命预测,发现微热管、薄肋片、风扇可以很好地实现散热.利用正交试验法对LED照明装置结温的影响因素进行了模拟分析,发现自然对流条件下,对流换热系数的影响可忽略不计,而需尽量提高导热环节的热导率并结合其散热能力进行功率的控制.为微热管散热技术提供了技术参考,为大功率LED器件的二次热沉散热提供了有效的实现途径.     

Optimal design methodology of plate-fin heat sinks for electronic cooling using entropy generation strategy

This paper presents a formal systematic optimization process to plate-fins heat sink design for dissipating the maximum heat generation from electronic component by applying the entropy generation rate to obtain the highest heat transfer efficiency. The design investigations demonstrate the thermal performance with horizontal inlet cooling stream is slightly superior to that with vertical inlet cooling stream. However, the design of vertical inlet stream model can yield to a less structural mass (volume) required than that of horizontal inlet stream model under the same amount of heat dissipation. In this paper, the constrained optimization of plate-fins heat sink design with vertical inlet stream model is developed to achieve enhanced thermal performance. The number of fins and the aspect ratio are the most responsive factors for influencing thermal performances. The heat sink used on AMD Thunderbird 1-GHz processor has been examined and redesigned by presenting optimization methodology. The optimal thermal analysis has a very good agreement to the both of vendors' announced information and using simulation of parabolic hyperbolic or elliptic numerical integration code series (PHOENICS). The optimum design that minimizes entropy generation rate in this paper primarily applied three criteria for plate-fins heat sink optimal design: formal constrained nonlinear programming to obtain the maximum heat dissipation; prescribed heat dissipation; prescribed surface temperature. As a result, the thermal performance can be notably improved; both the sink size and structural mass can apparently be reduced through the presented design method and process. This analysis and design methodology can be further applied to other finned type heat sink designs.