Smart PCB Meshing

Nikica · September 19, 2021, 14:00

Hello,

my Name is Niki. I am an EFD user for 5 Years now.

Just a couple days ago i started testing the smart PCB feature in combination with EDA Import.

The PCB i use has some vias with 0,15mm in diameter underneath the components.
I use the settings --> material map --> 2000 number of tiles long side (maximum amount before EFD crashin) --> Resolution fine --> drill filling with 120W/mK (via).

For testing the mesh of the pcb (1,6mm thickness) is about 5-6 Zells in Z in about 0,4mm in X and Y.

Now my Question(s).
Iam not quite sure about the meshing of smart pcb's. My understanding is that the smart pcb is a network modell. To take in account the 0,15mm vias, do i need to mesh very fine in the area of the vias? Which would be immpossible obviously.

I did a test, same settings --> only change: via conductivity from 120W/mK to 2000W/mk. Result: very little change in Junctiontemperatures.

The function would help me a lot, iam quite unsure about it however!

Thanks already!

Niki

Boris_M · October 6, 2021, 04:21

Hi Niki,

The SmartPCB is mesh indipendent. As you said, it is a network assembly made of many thousand thermal resistances and capacitances without resolving the PCB explicitly with the CAD geometry as well as with the mesh. So there is no need to have 5-6 cells over the thickness of the PCB, it will not make any difference really. The only difference is with the resolution of the chips and other components on top of the SmartPCB or the fluid around it. These should have normal resolution to resolve them accordingly.

You shouldn't even need to resolve the SmartPCB this fine with 2000 tiles. This is like having a 500 giga pixel picture of you. If you don't want to inspect every single pore of your skinn in that detail, then there is no need for such a resolution if you only want to have a nice portrait.
This is basically how the SmartPCB works, it uses the layout image of the PCB layers and pixelates them according to the tile settings and if you zoom in you can see these pixels. So if the vias are well resolved with the number of tiles, then you won't benefit much from more tiles or a fine since it is independent of the mesh.

For a more detailed help and maybe specifically on your model, please contact the support team who can look into your case with you in more detail.

Regards,
Boris

September 19, 2021, 14:00	Smart PCB Meshing	#1
Nikica New Member Nkkica Jurcevic Join Date: Sep 2021 Posts: 1 Rep Power: 0	Hello, my Name is Niki. I am an EFD user for 5 Years now. Just a couple days ago i started testing the smart PCB feature in combination with EDA Import. The PCB i use has some vias with 0,15mm in diameter underneath the components. I use the settings --> material map --> 2000 number of tiles long side (maximum amount before EFD crashin) --> Resolution fine --> drill filling with 120W/mK (via). For testing the mesh of the pcb (1,6mm thickness) is about 5-6 Zells in Z in about 0,4mm in X and Y. Now my Question(s). Iam not quite sure about the meshing of smart pcb's. My understanding is that the smart pcb is a network modell. To take in account the 0,15mm vias, do i need to mesh very fine in the area of the vias? Which would be immpossible obviously. I did a test, same settings --> only change: via conductivity from 120W/mK to 2000W/mk. Result: very little change in Junctiontemperatures. The function would help me a lot, iam quite unsure about it however! Thanks already! Niki

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October 6, 2021, 04:21		#2
Boris_M Disabled Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 616 Rep Power: 24	Hi Niki, The SmartPCB is mesh indipendent. As you said, it is a network assembly made of many thousand thermal resistances and capacitances without resolving the PCB explicitly with the CAD geometry as well as with the mesh. So there is no need to have 5-6 cells over the thickness of the PCB, it will not make any difference really. The only difference is with the resolution of the chips and other components on top of the SmartPCB or the fluid around it. These should have normal resolution to resolve them accordingly. You shouldn't even need to resolve the SmartPCB this fine with 2000 tiles. This is like having a 500 giga pixel picture of you. If you don't want to inspect every single pore of your skinn in that detail, then there is no need for such a resolution if you only want to have a nice portrait. This is basically how the SmartPCB works, it uses the layout image of the PCB layers and pixelates them according to the tile settings and if you zoom in you can see these pixels. So if the vias are well resolved with the number of tiles, then you won't benefit much from more tiles or a fine since it is independent of the mesh. For a more detailed help and maybe specifically on your model, please contact the support team who can look into your case with you in more detail. Regards, Boris