A review of the computer based simulation of electro-thermal design of power electronics devices

Temperature is one of the most important factors that affect the performance of power electronics systems. It is important that thermal management is considered initially at the design stage of the systems. Because of its advantages of being low cost, high accuracy, and adaptable, computer simulation based analysis and design techniques have become important tools for power electronics designers. This paper presents the state of the art design and analysis techniques that are used for power electronics components and systems design. The focus is on the review of the existing computer based simulation of electrothermal design solution techniques. Methodologies of electro-thermal modelling of power electronics systems such as converters are explored, their advantages and disadvantages of them are discussed and the benefits of computer based simulation over the existing methodologies are highlighted.