Automatic design optimisation for power electronics modules based on rapid dynamic thermal analysis

A novel approach is presented that shows how mathematical optimisation algorithms can be applied to optimise multi-chip power electronic modules based on their dynamic thermal performance. By using Model Order Reduction techniques which allow rapid dynamic thermal simulation and evaluation of potential designs, even optimisation algorithms that require a large number of design evaluations can be used to determine theoretical optimum designs within realistic time-scales on a standard desktop PC. The optimisation approach has been integrated into prototype power electronics design software under development and an overview of this software is first given. The optimisation approach is then demonstrated by means of two simple multichip power module examples.