DC-DC｜Evaluation

Definitions and Heat Generation

2018.07.26

Points of this article

・Losses are the difference between the input power and the output power, or the reciprocal of the efficiency.

・The junction temperature is the ambient temperature plus heat generation, where heat generation is losses × thermal resistance (θj-a).

・Losses are converted into heat, and therefore are an important subject for study.

table of contents

・Losses and Efficiency
・Losses and Junction Temperature
・Symbol
・Definition

Upon undertaking to study losses, we first present definitions relating to losses, and review heat generation and junction temperatures.

Losses and Efficiency

We begin by reviewing the definition of efficiency and its relation to losses. Efficiency is the fraction of output power relative to input power. This definition arises because, when an input power is converted into a desired output, losses always occur. Hence when losses are expressed as a fraction or ratio, they become the reciprocal of the efficiency, or as a power value, losses are the result of subtracting the output power from the input power. Thus losses can be represented by a number of equations.

Efficiency＝Output power÷Input power [%]
Losses＝1－Efficiency [%]
Losses＝Input power－Output power [W]
Losses＝Output power×(1－Efficiency)÷Efficiency [W]

Losses and Junction Temperature

Losses are studied and evaluated because losses are converted into heat. That is, when confirming that the junction (chip) temperature, which is the important maximum rating, is within the specified value range, and that the device may be used under the applicable conditions, heat generation is an important quantity to be studied. The junction temperature Tj is expressed as follows.

Tj [℃]＝Ta [℃]＋（θj-a [℃/W]×Losses [W]）

In this equation, the quantity θj-a[°C/W]×Losses [W] has been placed in parentheses; this quantity is the heat generation. In other words, Tj is just the ambient temperature Ta plus the heat generation. Below, the thermal resistance of the package and its definition are given.

The thermal resistance θj-a differs depending on the package and the mounted board conditions. Ordinarily, a standard value is given on the IC data sheet.

20170607_graf_05

Symbol	Definition
θja	Thermal resistance between junction temperature （Tj） and ambient temperature（Ta）
θjc	Thermal resistance between junction temperature （Tj） and case surface temperature（Tc）
θca	Thermal resistance between case surface temperature（Tc） and ambient temperature (Ta)
Tj	Junction temperature
Ta	Ambient temperature
Tc	Case surface temperature

【Download Documents】 Step-Down DC-DC Converter Examination of Losses

A hand book to study losses of synchronous rectifying step-down converters showing definitions of losses, relations to heat generation, loss equations for places at which losses occur in a circuit, examples of thermal calculation, relations to applications and Losses, and so on.

Download

DC-DC

Basic

Design

Evaluation

Application

Product Information

FAQ

DC-DC FAQ