ABSTRACT
Electronic systems are occupying an increasingly large part of our lives. Over the past decade, one of the most noticeable changes in our day-to-day activities is the ubiquitous presence of these, from ever smaller and more powerful computers to hand-held communication devices to “smart” automobiles. New product models are being aggressively introduced by companies at dizzying frequencies to capture consumer attention and stay competitive. For some products, such as laptop computers and cellular telephones, these cycle times are on the order of a few months. In order to ensure the products’ success and companies’ survival, their design must be right the first time, leaving little room for trial and error. In many of these new system developments, thermal design supported by computational modeling is playing a key role.
