Mentor Graphics introduces FloTHERM XT for electronics cooling simulation, from concept to verification

WILSONVILLE, Ore., 20 March 2013. Mentor Graphics Corp.’s (NASDAQ:MENT) FloTHERM XT software delivers an integrated MDA-EDA electronics cooling simulation solution designed to dramatically shorten the process from conceptual through detailed design.

FloTHERM XT technology interconnects mechanical design automation (MDA) and electronic design automation (EDA) domains and addresses the needs of design engineers and thermal specialists.

The company’s latest solution addresses electronic challenges and geometric complexity. The electronic challenges are driven by increasing speed, density, and power consumption of ICs, PCBs, and electronic systems. The increasing geometric complexity is driven by decreasing size and the increased influence of industrial design, which requires handling complex shapes.

This electronics cooling simulation solution enables earlier virtual prototyping, fewer design iterations, and advanced “what-if” analysis for improved product quality and faster time-to-market benefits.

Key markets where the FloTHERM XT product can benefit design teams from components to systems of electronic applications include aerospace, telecommunications, computing, and consumer electronics.

“In support of our design consultancy business, FloTHERM XT empowers us to perform thermal analysis throughout our client’s design process. We are now able to start optimizing designs from the early concept stage and, using the same data model, can continue to support our clients with increasing levels of sophistication and shape complexity as they progress onto the verification/prototype phase and prepare a fully vetted design ready for manufacturing,” says Guy Wagner, director, Electronic Cooling Solutions.

Combining the electronics cooling DNA from Mentor Graphics’ FloTHERM thermal analysis software and Concurrent Computational Fluid Dynamic (Concurrent CFD) technology from FloEFD, FloTHERM XT offers the power and performance to solve complex electronics systems design problems. The product’s interface is configurable, providing a scalable user experience that can be adapted as the needs of the design project change.

“Our FloTHERM XT technology was developed to support today’s most innovative electronics components and systems,” explains Erich Buergel, general manager of Mentor Graphics Mechanical Analysis Division. “We have combined our best-in-class technologies from FloTHERM and FloEFD with an easy-to-use interface that will serve both the MDA and EDA worlds, and we believe FloTHERM XT will be a ‘game-changer’ in electronics cooling due to the ease with which MDA and EDA data can be used to create the single best design.”

Imported or CAD-generated geometries work seamlessly with the FloTHERM XT’s SmartPart library of models, and automatic meshing and data convergence provide significant reduction in execution times. It also provides a direct interface to enterprise platforms, such as the Mentor Expedition Enterprise solution.

The direct integration of the FloTHERM XT product with PCB design flows will reduce time-consuming data translation and costly errors. As a result, FloTHERM XT is the only solution on the market that allows engineers to work effortlessly with geometry created in the MDA or EDA world.

The FloTHERM XT product is available for immediate shipment.

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