Understanding thermal performance of DC/DC power modules

This paper explores the significance of thermal deratings and explains how the industry has no standard thermal derating characterization process for isolated and non-isolated DC/DC power modules. The reasons why manufacturers measure thermal deratings and two commonly used measurement methods are presented. Moreover, the paper supports the assertion that the in-system performance of many DC/DC power modules falls far short of the output current rating on the front of the data sheet.