Thermal Analysis in PCB Design
Thermal analysis is a crucial aspect of PCB design, helping designers assess the electrical properties of components and prevent overheating issues caused by high temperatures.
Key Points:
- Basic thermal analysis determines the average temperature of a PCB.
- Advanced transient models are used for complex electronic systems with multiple PCBs and numerous components.
- The accuracy of thermal analysis heavily depends on precise power consumption data provided by the PCB designer.
- Considerations of weight and physical size are essential in design to avoid safety coefficient issues.
- Installing cooling devices or fans can address overheating problems but may increase costs and introduce reliability uncertainties.
Modern PCB designs often opt for active cooling methods over passive ones like natural convection, conduction, and radiative cooling to maintain component temperatures within safe ranges.
