Best Thermal Simulation Software for Electronics

Thermal simulation software is one of the most important product design capabilities, which many EDA tools lack. This evaluation functionality enables PCB designers to predict and analyze a board’s behavior and reliability under varying thermal conditions. Using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and finite element analysis (FEA), these tools simulate heat distribution within the PCB, identifying hotspots, thermal gradients, and areas of insufficient cooling.

Designers can ensure reliable operation and prevent premature failure by optimizing layout, placement, and thermal management strategies. Moreover, thermal simulation software allows for evaluating different cooling methods; such as fans, heatsinks, and thermal vias, facilitating a board design and development process optimization for quality, efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

This article assesses the best thermal simulation software for electronics and lists the top solutions based on their:

• Ease of use: Assessment of the software’s user interface, workflow, and intuitiveness.
• Accuracy: Evaluation of the software’s ability to provide accurate thermal simulations.
• CAD agnostic workflow: Whether the software supports working with various CAD software packages seamlessly.
• Integration with other software: Degree of compatibility and ease of integration with other design and analysis tools.

The results of the analysis are below:

Best Thermal Simulation Software for Electronics

Celsius Studio

Cadence’s Celsius Studio provides a comprehensive thermal analysis toolset built for electronics. Ease of use with quick actionable insights allows easy identification of electronics cooling issues early in the design process.

Ease of use: High

Accuracy: High

CAD Agnostic Workflow: Yes

Integration with Other Software: High

Altair PollEx

Altair PollEx brings Altair’s simulation-driven design philosophy to the electronics industry, ensuring projects meet timing, performance, reliability, lifetime, compliance, and manufacturing yield targets. 

Ease of use: Moderate

Accuracy: High

CAD Agnostic Workflow: Yes

Integration with Other Software: High

Ansys Icepak

Ansys Icepak is a CFD solver for electronics thermal management. It predicts airflow, temperature, and heat transfer in integrated circuit packages, PCBs, electronic assemblies/enclosures, and power electronics.

Ease of use: Moderate

Accuracy: High

CAD Agnostic Workflow: No

Integration with Other Software: Moderate

Siemens’ Simcenter Flotherm

Siemens’ Simcenter Flotherm is an electronic cooling simulation software solution for electronic thermal analysis. It shortens development at the integrated circuit package, PCB, and enclosure levels through to large systems such as data centers.

Ease of use: Moderate

Accuracy: High

CAD Agnostic Workflow: No

Integration with Other Software: High

Dassault Systèmes’ SOLIDWORKS

SOLIDWORKS Flow Simulation is an intuitive CFD tool within SOLIDWORKS 3D CAD that enables designers to simulate liquid and gas flows through and around designs to calculate product performance and capabilities.

Ease of Use: High

Accuracy: Moderate

CAD Agnostic Workflow: No

Integration with Other Software: High

Finding the Best Thermal Simulation Software

Selecting and incorporating the best thermal simulation software for electronics can be challenging. The best option is to partner with an industry leader experienced in helping engineers incorporate thermal simulation software to elevate their design process.