θ_JA (Junction-to-Ambient Thermal Resistance) is defined as the difference in junction temperature to ambient temperature divided by the operating power.

θ_JA is not a constant and is a strong function of:

• the PCB design (50% variation)
• altitude (20% variation)
• device power (5% variation)

θ_JA can be used to compare the thermal performance of packages when the specific test conditions are defined and used. Standardized testing includes specification of PCB construction, test chamber volume, sensor locations, and the thermal characteristics of holding fixtures. θ_JA is often misused when it is used to calculate junction temperatures for other installations.

TI uses two test PCBs as defined by JEDEC specifications. The low-k board gives average in-use condition thermal performance and consists of a single trace layer 25-mm long and 2-oz thick copper. The high-k board gives best case in-use condition and consists of two 1-oz buried power planes with a single trace layer 25-mm long with 2-oz thick copper. A 4% to 50% difference in θ_JA can be measured between these two test cards.

θ_JC (Junction-to-Case Thermal Resistance) is defined as the difference in junction temperature to case divided by the operating power. It is measured by putting the mounted package up against a copper block cold plate, to force heat to flow from the die through the mold compound and into the copper block.

θ_JC is a useful thermal characteristic when a heat sink is applied to package. It is NOT a useful characteristic to predict junction temperature, as it provides pessimistic numbers if the case temperature is measured in a non-standard system and junction temperatures are backed out. It can be used with θ_JB in 1-dimensional thermal simulation of a package system.

θ_JB (Junction-to-Board Thermal Resistance) is defined to be the difference in the junction temperature and the PCB temperature at the center of the package (closest to the die) when the PCB is clamped in a cold-plate structure. θ_JB is only defined for the high-k test card.

θ_JB provides an overall thermal resistance between the die and the PCB. It includes a bit of the PCB thermal resistance (especially for BGAs with thermal balls) and can be used for simple 1-dimensional network analysis of package system (see Figure 11-2).

Figure 11-2 Thermal Resistance