EBX-38 Hardware Reference Manual
60
Thermal Considerations
This chapter discusses the following topics related to thermal issues:
Selecting the correct thermal solution for your application (begins below)
EBX-38 thermal characterization (begins on page 64)
Installing the passive (HDW-406 heat sink) and active (HDW-407 fan) thermal solutions
available from VersaLogic (begins on page 60)
Selecting the Correct Thermal Solution for Your Application
This section provides guidelines for the overall system thermal engineering effort.
H
EAT
P
LATE
The heat plate supplied with the Viper is the basis of the thermal solution. The heat plate draws
heat away from the CPU chip as well as other critical components such as the power supply /
management unit (PMIC), the 3.3V Regulator for the board I/O, and the PCIe Switch interfaces.
Other components rely on the ambient air temperature being maintained at or below the
maximum specified 85 ºC.
The heat plate is designed with the assumption that the user’s thermal solution will maintain the
top surface of the heat plate at 90 ºC or less. If that temperature threshold is maintained, the CPU
(and the other noted components) will remain safely within their operating temperature limits.
CAUTION:
By itself, the heat plate is not a complete thermal solution. Integrators should either implement a
thermal solution using the accessories available from VersaLogic or develop their own thermal
solution that attaches to the heat plate, suitable for environments in which the EBX-38 will be
used. As stated above, any thermal solution must be capable of keeping the top surface of the
heat place at or below 90 ºC and the air surrounding the components in the assembly at or below
85 ºC.
The heat plate is permanently affixed to the Viper and must not be removed. Removal of the heat
plate voids the product warranty. Attempting to operate the Viper without the heat plate voids the
product warranty and can damage the CPU.
13
