Thermal analysis for improved packaging of 4-channel 42 V/14 V DC/DC converter

Thermal analysis for a 42 V/14 V DC/DC converter with integrated inductors is performed. An interleaved DC/DC converter system with 4-channels was chosen for the automotive converter topology with 42 V/14 V dual output voltages. Coupled inductors were designed and used for the 4-channel DC/DC converter. A 3-dimensional thermal model based on finite-element modeling (FEM) using IDEAS is presented and the thermal behavior of the DC/DC converter system is simulated and analyzed. The thermal model includes a printed circuit board, integrated inductors, a heat sink and switching devices (MOSFET). The analyzed thermal result can help to design a converter system under severe ambient temperature conditions.