通過管理芯片和周圍空氣之間的熱傳遞，維持光耦特性，避免失效。

　　任何半導(dǎo)體設(shè)備的動作依靠其模型溫度，這就是為什么電子參數(shù)要按照特定溫度給出。為維持光耦特性，避免失效，通過管理芯片和周圍空氣之間的熱傳遞限制溫度。不應(yīng)該超過設(shè)計規(guī)定的連接溫度，即使光耦也許沒有被歸入“功率器件”的種類。這么做有以下兩個原因：

　　首先，全面增加光耦長期可靠性，因為任何固態(tài)設(shè)備的工作溫度都與其長期可靠性成反比。因此應(yīng)該是器件工作在最低的實際工作溫度下。其次，某些參數(shù)與設(shè)備的問題緊密相連，這些隨溫度而變得參數(shù)包括漏電流、觸發(fā)電流、CTR、驟回電壓和電阻。

　　進(jìn)行熱計算的三個主要方法是通過使用器件降額值、隨溫度變化功率圖或溫度模型。最簡單的方法是使用熱降額值（假定用功率/度）。然而，制造商非常保守的得到這個數(shù)字，所以這個方法不能提供最精確的結(jié)果。

　　隨溫度變化功率圖與第一種方法非常相似，但是用簡單的數(shù)字代替，依照隨溫度變化功率圖（圖1）。并且，這是一個非常保守的方法，應(yīng)該非常顧及可靠的設(shè)計，但是它也不能提供最精確的結(jié)果。

　　進(jìn)行熱計算更全面的方法是使用熱模型。一些光耦的熱模型已經(jīng)建立，用于大多數(shù)簡單精確的計算。

　　英文原文：

　　Thermal characteristics of optocouplers

　　Sustain an optocoupler's performance and avoid failure by managing the heat transfer between the chip and the ambient atmosphere.

　　By Roshanak Aflatouni and Bob Gee, Vishay Intertechnology -- EDN, 10/18/2007

　　The behavior of any semiconductor device is dependent on the temperature of its die, which is why electrical parameters are given at a specified temperature. To sustain an optocoupler's performance and to avoid failure, the temperature is limited by managing the heat transfer between the chip and the ambient atmosphere. You should not exceed the device's rated junction temperature, even if an optocoupler may not fall into what you consider the "power device" category. This is true for two main reasons.

　　The first is to increase the overall long-term reliability of the optocouplers, as the operating temperature of any solid-state device is inversely proportional to its long-term viability. Consequently, you should operate a device at the lowest practical operating junction temperature. Secondly, certain parameters are closely tied to the operating temperature of the device; these temperature-dependent parameters include leakage current, trigger current, CTR, snapback voltage, and on-resistance.

　　The three main ways of performing thermal calculations are by using a component derating number, or a graph of allowable power versus temperature, or a thermal model. The simplest approach is to use a thermal derating number (given in power/degrees). However, manufacturers are very conservative when deriving this number, so this approach does not provide you with the most accurate results.

　　A graph of allowable power versus temperature is very similar to the first approach, but instead of a simple number, you follow a graph of allowable power versus temperature (Figure 1). Again, this is a very conservative approach and should allow for a very reliable design, but it does not provide you with the most accurate results.

　　A more comprehensive method for performing thermal calculation is to use a thermal model. Thermal models have been created for some optocouplers containing multiple dice —including phototriacs — for the most simple and accurate calculations.

　　Multiple Dice Optocoupler Thermal Model

　　This article demonstrates a simplified resistive model. When used correctly, this model produces results that provide "engineering accuracy" for practical thermal calculations. Figure 2 provides the simplified electrical analogous model for any optocoupler.

　　θCA = Thermal resistance, case to ambient, external to the package.

　　θDC = Thermal resistance, detector to case

　　θEC = Thermal resistance, emitter to case

　　θDB = Thermal resistance, detector junction to board

　　θDE = Thermal resistance, detector to emitter die

　　θEB = Thermal resistance, emitter junction to board

　　θBA = Thermal resistance, board to ambient, external to the package

　　TJE = Emitter junction temperature

　　TJD = Detector junction temperature

　　TC = Case temperature (top center)

　　TA = Ambient temperature

　　TB = Board temperature

　　Thermal resistances and specified junction temperatures for a particular device are provided in select datasheets.

　　Thermal Energy Transfer

　　There are three mechanisms by which thermal energy (heat) is transported: conduction, radiation, and convection. Heat conduction is the transfer of heat from warm areas to cooler ones, and effectively occurs by diffusion. Heat radiation (as opposed to particle radiation) is the transfer of internal energy in the form of electromagnetic waves. Heat convection is the transfer of heat from a solid surface to a moving liquid or gas.

　　All three methods occur in optocouplers. However, for most products in most environments, the majority (~ 75 %)

of heat leaving the package exits through the lead frame and into the board. This occurs because θBA is a conductive phenomenon with a much lower thermal resistance than the convective and radiative phenomena associated with θCA (θCA is typically an order of magnitude larger than other thermal resistances). Because very little heat leaves through the top of the package (heat convection), junction-to-case temperatures (θDC and θEC) are negligible in most environments.[!--empirenews.page--]

　　This phenomenon is shown graphically in Figures 3a-c by the package temperature profile and strong heat flux contours evident in the die, lead frame, and board via. Because very little heat leaves through the top of the package, the top case temperature is a poor indicator of junction temperature. This means that the majority of the heat is transferred to the board, and very little heat is transferred to the air via the case, which can be verified in the thermal network.

　　Therefore, θDC and θEC can be removed from the thermal model (Figure 2). In this situation, the critical package thermal resistances become θDE, θDB, and θEB. θBA is the thermal resistance from the board to the ambient, and is primarily driven by the geometry and composition of the board. The type of board design used defines this characteristic. Junction-to-case thermal resistances are removed based on the fact that very little heat is leaving through the top of the package (Figure 4).

　　Thermal to Electrical Analogy

　　The thermal-resistance characteristic defines the steady-state temperature difference between two points at a given rate of heat-energy transfer (dissipation) between the points. The temperature difference in a thermal-resistance system in an analog to an electrical circuit, where thermal resistance is equivalent to electrical resistance, is equivalent to the voltage difference, and the rate of heat-energy transfer (dissipation) is equivalent to the current (Table 1).

　　In a thermal circuit, a constant current source represents power dissipation. This is because generated heat must flow (steady-state) from higher temperatures to lower temperatures, regardless of the resistance in its path.

　　Assuming that you know or can estimate the power dissipated from the detector and the emitter (LED) and the temperature of the board and ambient, you can calculate the node temperatures by solving the network equations. If you desire to use the complete thermal resistance model, a more complex set of network equations will need to be solved.

　　The network equations will provide you with an estimate of what the operating temperature(s) would be before the specific environment is known. As an example, Figure 5 illustrates the analogous electrical model for calculating the temperature at both detector and emitter junctions, given a set of thermal resistances at room temperature with 50 mW on the emitter (PE) and 500 mW on the detector (PD). In order to write an equation to calculate the node temperatures, we will need to assume some heat flow directions (Figure 5). Based on Figure 5, the following equations will calculate the node temperatures:

　　PDE + PDB + PEC = PE (1)

　　- PDE + PDB + PDC = PD (2)

　　TB - TJD + θDB x PDB = 0 (3)

　　TB - TJE + θEB x PEB = 0 (4)

　　TJE - TJD + θDE x PDE = 0 (5)

　　TB - θBA x (PEB + PDB) = TA (6)

　　TC - θCA x (PEC + PDC) = TA (7)

　　TC - TJD + θDC x PDC = 0 (8)

　　TC - TJE + θEC x PEC = 0 (9)

　　Where:

　　PDB = Power dissipation, detector junction to board

　　PDE = Power dissipation, detector to emitter

　　PEB = Power dissipation, emitter junction to board

　　PDC = Power dissipation, detector junction to Case

　　PEC = Power dissipation, emitter junction to Case

　　When the simplified thermal model is used, equations 7-9 do not play any role in the node temperature calculation, and equations 1 and 2 are simplified to equations 1' and 2'. Figure 6a shows a simplified thermal circuit model. Since θCA, θEC, and θDC are not included in the simplified thermal model, all equations that include these resistances (equations 7-9) can be excluded for node temperature calculation. When TA is known, the following equations will calculate the node temperatures:

　　PDE + PDB = PE (1')

　　- PDE + PDB = PD (2')

　　TB - TJD + θDB x PDB = 0 (3)

　　TB - TJE + θEB x PEB = 0 (4)

　　TJE - TJD + θDE x PDE = 0 (5)

　　TB - θBA x (PEB + PDB) = TA (6)

　　For a desired TB and/or when only TB is known, Figure 6a is further simplified (Figure 6b). When TB is given, θBA does not play any role in calculating the node temperature, and any equation(s) that includes θBA can be eliminated. Based on Figure 6, the following equations will calculate the node temperatures when only TB is known:

　　PDE + PDB = PE (1')

　　- PDE + PDB = PD (2')

　　TB - TJD + θDB x PDB = 0 (3)

　　TB - TJE + θEB x PEB = 0 (4)

　　TJE - TJD + θDE x PDE = 0 (5)

　　Example 1:

　　Based on our characterization, Table 2 shows the thermal resistances for a simplified 6-pin dip package optocoupler. As the θBA is dependent upon the material, number of layers, and thickness of the board used, the optocouplers in our analysis were mounted on 2- and 4-layer boards with a thickness of 4 mm. Obviously, the θBA for the two different boards are different (Table 2).

　　Using equations 1'-2' and 3-6, Table 2's thermal resistances, and assuming Figure 6a's emitter and detector power dissipations, Table 3 shows the node temperatures when TA is known.

　　Example 2:

　　You can use the complete thermal model to calculated node temperatures. However, the results would not vary drastically from thermal calculation based on the simplified model for most products and i n most environments. Hence, it is entirely up you to decide how accurate the results are needed for each individual deign. Table 4 provides all thermal resistances for 6-in dip package phototriac.

　　Using equations 1-9, Table 4's thermal resistances, and assuming Figure 5's emitter and detector power dissipations, Table 5 shows the node temperatures when TA is known.

　　Regardless of the package size and type, the thermal analysis will need to be performed to ensure a solid design. To aid this process, Vishay provides detailed thermal characteristics for newly released optocouplers and solid-state relays (SSRs) that have total power dissipation of 200 mW and higher. This thermal data supplied allows you to more accurately simulate heat distribution and thermal impedance for optocoupler and SSR devices and thus avoid the problems that can arise when thermal parameters are exceeded.