Compact thermal model for the analysis of power devices thermal interactions

Compact thermal models are required for many analyses where only part of the thermal time-constants are excited. Generally a RC-ladder model is used and analytical expressions enable to quantify the R and C values. Unfortunately the trade-off between complexity, convergence and accuracy is hard to settle. Diffusive approximation of the Heat Law equation offers an alternative representation. The compact thermal model comes as a statespace model. Model parameter identification procedures exist and have been validated. The present paper demonstrates the application of such thermal models to the representation of thermal couplings.