Agent skill
thermal-analysis
Electronic system thermal modeling and analysis skill for junction temperature calculation, heat sink selection, thermal resistance networks, and safe operating area verification.
Install this agent skill to your Project
npx add-skill https://github.com/a5c-ai/babysitter/tree/main/library/specializations/domains/science/electrical-engineering/skills/thermal-analysis
Metadata
Additional technical details for this skill
- author
- babysitter-sdk
- version
- 1.0.0
SKILL.md
Thermal Analysis Skill
Electronic system thermal modeling and analysis for reliable component operation.
Purpose
This skill provides comprehensive capabilities for thermal analysis of electronic systems, from component-level junction temperature calculations to system-level thermal management design. It supports heat sink selection, thermal interface material evaluation, and safe operating area verification.
Capabilities
Junction-to-Ambient Thermal Resistance
- Thermal resistance network modeling
- Junction-to-case (theta_jc) calculations
- Case-to-sink (theta_cs) with TIM analysis
- Sink-to-ambient (theta_sa) characterization
- Total thermal path analysis
Heat Sink Selection and Optimization
- Natural convection heat sink sizing
- Forced convection performance estimation
- Fin optimization for given constraints
- Heat sink comparison and selection
- Custom heat sink specification
- Mounting and interface considerations
Forced Convection Analysis
- Fan airflow requirements calculation
- Pressure drop through enclosures
- Flow impedance matching
- Thermal resistance vs airflow curves
- Fan operating point determination
PCB Thermal Analysis
- Copper spreading resistance calculation
- Via thermal conductivity
- Multi-layer board thermal modeling
- Hot spot identification
- Thermal relief pad analysis
Thermal Interface Material Selection
- TIM thermal conductivity requirements
- Contact resistance estimation
- Phase change vs thermal grease vs gap pads
- Bond line thickness effects
- Long-term reliability considerations
Transient Thermal Analysis
- Thermal time constant determination
- Pulse power handling
- Foster and Cauer RC network models
- Transient thermal impedance curves
- Peak temperature prediction
Safe Operating Area Verification
- SOA curve interpretation
- DC and pulsed operation limits
- Secondary breakdown considerations
- Thermal runaway detection
- Derating for reliability
Derating Curve Application
- Temperature-based power derating
- Maximum junction temperature limits
- Reliability vs performance tradeoffs
- Component-specific derating guidelines
CFD Simulation Setup Guidance
- Boundary condition definition
- Mesh requirements for electronics
- Turbulence model selection
- Radiation modeling considerations
- Results validation approaches
Prerequisites
Installation
pip install numpy scipy matplotlib pandas
Optional Dependencies
# For advanced thermal modeling
pip install CoolProp # Fluid properties
# For optimization
pip install scipy
# For visualization
pip install plotly
Usage Patterns
Thermal Resistance Network Analysis
import numpy as np
from dataclasses import dataclass
from typing import List, Optional
@dataclass
class ThermalComponent:
"""Represents a thermal resistance element"""
name: str
theta: float # Thermal resistance (C/W)
power: float = 0.0 # Power dissipation (W)
class ThermalNetwork:
"""1D thermal resistance network for electronics"""
def __init__(self):
self.components: List[ThermalComponent] = []
self.ambient_temp = 25.0 # Celsius
def add_resistance(self, name: str, theta: float, power: float = 0.0):
self.components.append(ThermalComponent(name, theta, power))
def calculate_temperatures(self, total_power: float) -> dict:
"""Calculate temperature at each node"""
temperatures = {'ambient': self.ambient_temp}
current_temp = self.ambient_temp
# Work from ambient back to junction
for comp in reversed(self.components):
delta_t = total_power * comp.theta
current_temp += delta_t
temperatures[comp.name] = current_temp
return temperatures
def total_thermal_resistance(self) -> float:
return sum(c.theta for c in self.components)
def max_power_for_tj(self, tj_max: float) -> float:
"""Calculate max power for given junction temperature"""
theta_ja = self.total_thermal_resistance()
return (tj_max - self.ambient_temp) / theta_ja
# Example: MOSFET thermal analysis
network = ThermalNetwork()
network.ambient_temp = 40.0 # Elevated ambient
# Add thermal path components
network.add_resistance('theta_jc', 0.5) # Junction to case
network.add_resistance('theta_cs', 0.2) # Case to sink (TIM)
network.add_resistance('theta_sa', 2.0) # Sink to ambient
# Calculate temperatures
power = 50.0 # Watts
temps = network.calculate_temperatures(power)
print(f"Junction temperature: {temps['theta_jc']:.1f}C")
print(f"Case temperature: {temps['theta_cs']:.1f}C")
print(f"Sink temperature: {temps['theta_sa']:.1f}C")
# Maximum power calculation
tj_max = 150.0 # Maximum junction temp from datasheet
max_power = network.max_power_for_tj(tj_max)
print(f"Maximum power at Tambient={network.ambient_temp}C: {max_power:.1f}W")
Heat Sink Selection
import numpy as np
class HeatSinkCalculator:
"""Heat sink thermal calculations"""
@staticmethod
def natural_convection_theta(length_mm: float, width_mm: float,
height_mm: float, num_fins: int,
fin_thickness_mm: float = 1.5) -> float:
"""Estimate thermal resistance for extruded aluminum heat sink
using natural convection correlation"""
# Convert to meters
L = length_mm / 1000
W = width_mm / 1000
H = height_mm / 1000
t_fin = fin_thickness_mm / 1000
# Base area
A_base = L * W
# Fin spacing
s = (W - num_fins * t_fin) / (num_fins - 1) if num_fins > 1 else W
# Fin surface area (both sides)
A_fins = 2 * num_fins * L * H
# Total surface area
A_total = A_base + A_fins
# Natural convection coefficient estimate (typical for vertical fins)
h = 10 # W/(m^2*K) typical for natural convection
# Fin efficiency (simplified)
k_al = 200 # W/(m*K) for aluminum
m = np.sqrt(2 * h / (k_al * t_fin))
eta_fin = np.tanh(m * H) / (m * H)
# Effective area
A_eff = A_base + eta_fin * A_fins
# Thermal resistance
theta_sa = 1 / (h * A_eff)
return theta_sa
@staticmethod
def forced_convection_theta(theta_natural: float, velocity_m_s: float) -> float:
"""Estimate forced convection thermal resistance
based on natural convection value and air velocity"""
# Empirical correlation: forced convection much better than natural
# Typical improvement factor
velocity_factor = np.sqrt(velocity_m_s / 0.25) # Normalized to typical natural
improvement = min(velocity_factor * 3, 10) # Cap at 10x improvement
return theta_natural / improvement
# Example: Select heat sink for 75W dissipation
calculator = HeatSinkCalculator()
# Heat sink candidates
candidates = [
{'name': 'Small', 'L': 50, 'W': 50, 'H': 25, 'fins': 10},
{'name': 'Medium', 'L': 75, 'W': 75, 'H': 35, 'fins': 15},
{'name': 'Large', 'L': 100, 'W': 100, 'H': 50, 'fins': 20},
]
power = 75 # Watts
tj_max = 125
ta = 40
theta_jc = 0.3
theta_cs = 0.15
required_theta_sa = (tj_max - ta) / power - theta_jc - theta_cs
print(f"Required theta_sa: {required_theta_sa:.2f} C/W")
print("\nHeat sink comparison (natural convection):")
for hs in candidates:
theta = calculator.natural_convection_theta(
hs['L'], hs['W'], hs['H'], hs['fins']
)
tj = ta + power * (theta_jc + theta_cs + theta)
status = "OK" if tj <= tj_max else "FAIL"
print(f"{hs['name']}: theta_sa={theta:.2f} C/W, Tj={tj:.1f}C [{status}]")
Transient Thermal Analysis
import numpy as np
import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
class TransientThermal:
"""Transient thermal analysis using Foster RC network"""
def __init__(self, tau_values: List[float], r_values: List[float]):
"""
Initialize with Foster network parameters
tau_values: Time constants in seconds
r_values: Thermal resistance contributions in C/W
"""
self.tau = np.array(tau_values)
self.r = np.array(r_values)
def thermal_impedance(self, time: float) -> float:
"""Calculate Zth(t) at given time"""
zth = np.sum(self.r * (1 - np.exp(-time / self.tau)))
return zth
def temperature_rise(self, power: float, time: float) -> float:
"""Calculate temperature rise for constant power"""
return power * self.thermal_impedance(time)
def pulsed_power_analysis(self, power: float, t_on: float, t_off: float,
num_pulses: int) -> np.ndarray:
"""Analyze temperature for pulsed power"""
dt = min(t_on, t_off) / 100
total_time = num_pulses * (t_on + t_off)
time = np.arange(0, total_time, dt)
temp_rise = np.zeros_like(time)
for i, t in enumerate(time):
# Superposition of pulse responses
for pulse in range(num_pulses):
pulse_start = pulse * (t_on + t_off)
pulse_end = pulse_start + t_on
if t > pulse_start:
# Add heating from pulse start
temp_rise[i] += power * self.thermal_impedance(t - pulse_start)
if t > pulse_end:
# Subtract cooling from pulse end
temp_rise[i] -= power * self.thermal_impedance(t - pulse_end)
return time, temp_rise
# Example: MOSFET transient thermal analysis
# Foster network parameters from datasheet
tau = [0.001, 0.01, 0.1, 1.0] # seconds
r = [0.05, 0.1, 0.15, 0.2] # C/W
thermal = TransientThermal(tau, r)
# Single pulse analysis
pulse_power = 100 # Watts
pulse_duration = 0.05 # 50ms
temp_rise = thermal.temperature_rise(pulse_power, pulse_duration)
print(f"Temperature rise for {pulse_power}W, {pulse_duration*1000}ms pulse: {temp_rise:.1f}C")
# Steady state
temp_steady = thermal.temperature_rise(pulse_power, 10.0)
print(f"Steady state temperature rise: {temp_steady:.1f}C")
Safe Operating Area Check
class SOAChecker:
"""Safe Operating Area verification"""
def __init__(self, vds_max: float, id_max: float, pd_max: float,
tj_max: float, theta_jc: float):
self.vds_max = vds_max
self.id_max = id_max
self.pd_max = pd_max
self.tj_max = tj_max
self.theta_jc = theta_jc
def check_dc_operation(self, vds: float, id: float, tc: float) -> dict:
"""Check if operating point is within DC SOA"""
power = vds * id
tj = tc + power * self.theta_jc
checks = {
'vds_ok': vds <= self.vds_max,
'id_ok': id <= self.id_max,
'power_ok': power <= self.pd_max,
'tj_ok': tj <= self.tj_max,
}
checks['all_ok'] = all(checks.values())
checks['power'] = power
checks['tj'] = tj
return checks
def max_current_at_voltage(self, vds: float, tc: float) -> float:
"""Calculate maximum current at given voltage and case temp"""
# Power limit based on Tj
max_power_thermal = (self.tj_max - tc) / self.theta_jc
max_power = min(max_power_thermal, self.pd_max)
# Current limited by power
id_power = max_power / vds if vds > 0 else self.id_max
# Take most restrictive limit
return min(id_power, self.id_max)
# Example: MOSFET SOA check
soa = SOAChecker(
vds_max=100, # V
id_max=50, # A
pd_max=200, # W
tj_max=150, # C
theta_jc=0.5 # C/W
)
# Check operating point
result = soa.check_dc_operation(vds=40, id=4, tc=80)
print(f"Operating point check: {result}")
# Generate SOA curve
vds_points = np.logspace(0, 2, 50) # 1V to 100V
id_curve = [soa.max_current_at_voltage(v, 80) for v in vds_points]
print(f"Max current at Vds=40V, Tc=80C: {soa.max_current_at_voltage(40, 80):.1f}A")
Usage Guidelines
When to Use This Skill
- Component thermal verification during design
- Heat sink selection and specification
- Thermal interface material selection
- PCB thermal management design
- Failure analysis of overheated components
Best Practices
- Use manufacturer thermal data when available
- Add margin to thermal calculations (typically 10-20%)
- Consider worst-case ambient temperature
- Account for aging of TIMs and fans
- Verify calculations with thermal measurements
- Document thermal assumptions in design reviews
Process Integration
- ee-switching-power-supply-design (thermal management)
- ee-motor-drive-design (power stage thermal)
- ee-hardware-validation (thermal characterization)
- ee-dfm-review (thermal design review)
Dependencies
- numpy: Numerical calculations
- scipy: Optimization for heat sink selection
- matplotlib: Thermal visualization
References
- Ellison, G. "Thermal Computations for Electronics"
- Sergent & Krum, "Thermal Management Handbook"
- Application Notes from Infineon, ON Semi, TI
Recommended Agent Skills
Expand your agent's capabilities with these related and highly-rated skills.
gsd-tools
Central utility skill for GSD operations. Provides config parsing, slug generation, timestamps, path operations, and orchestrates calls to other specialized skills. Acts as the unified entry point that the original gsd-tools.cjs provided via its lib/ modules (commands, config, core, init).
model-profile-resolution
Resolve model profile (quality/balanced/budget) at orchestration start and map agents to specific models. Enables cost/quality tradeoffs by selecting appropriate AI models for each agent role.
verification-suite
Plan structure validation, phase completeness checks, reference integrity verification, and artifact existence confirmation. Provides the structured verification layer ensuring GSD artifacts are well-formed and complete.
state-management
STATE.md reading, writing, and field-level updates. Provides cross-session state persistence via .planning/STATE.md with structured fields for current task, completed phases, blockers, decisions, and quick tasks.
git-integration
Git commit patterns, formats, and conventions for GSD methodology. Provides atomic commits per task, structured commit messages, planning file commits, branch management, and milestone tag operations.
frontmatter-parsing
YAML frontmatter parsing and manipulation for .planning/ documents. Provides read, write, update, query, and validation operations on frontmatter blocks in GSD markdown artifacts.
Didn't find tool you were looking for?