SBVS349C February 2020 – April 2024 TLV761
PRODMIX
The JEDEC standard now recommends the use of psi (Ψ) thermal metrics to estimate the junction temperatures of the linear regulator when in-circuit on a typical PCB board application. These metrics are not thermal resistance parameters and instead offer a practical and relative way to estimate junction temperature. These psi metrics are determined to be significantly independent of the copper area available for heat-spreading. The Thermal Information table lists the primary thermal metrics, which are the junction-to-top characterization parameter (ψJT) and junction-to-board characterization parameter (ψJB). These parameters provide two methods for calculating the junction temperature (TJ). As described in the following equations, use the junction-to-top characterization parameter (ψJT) with the temperature at the center-top of device package (TT) to calculate the junction temperature. Use the junction-to-board characterization parameter (ψJB) with the PCB surface temperature 1 mm from the device package (TB) to calculate the junction temperature.
where:
where:
For detailed information on the thermal metrics and how to use them, see the Semiconductor and IC Package Thermal Metrics application note.