Custom Thermal Test Vehicles TTV

Custom designed thermal test vehicle (TTV) unit prototype showing detailed assembly for heatsink thermal testing

Custom Thermal Test Vehicles TTV

Custom Thermal Test Vehicles help engineers evaluate cooling performance before final production hardware is available. By simulating the heat output, footprint, and thermal behavior of ASICs, GPUs, chip packages, or board-level components, TTVs allow teams to test heatsinks, cold plates, vapor chambers, and full thermal assemblies with greater accuracy. These tools are especially valuable for early-stage validation, prototype testing, and design optimization in high-power electronics. Heatscape’s engineering team can support custom TTV development through TTV design and manufacturing, advanced thermal testing, and quick turn prototyping for advanced computing, networking, data center, and semiconductor applications.

Custom TTV Test Rigs

Custom designed and built TTV test rigs with special flexible mounting scheme to accommodate several unique mounting patterns

Custom TTV Test Rigs

Small Form Factor TTV Unit

Custom designed and built TTV unit for enhanced and improved thermal testing, mimicking the thermal behavior of similar sized chip.

Small Form Factor TTV Unit

Standard TTV Test Assembly

Custom designed and built TTV unit for enhanced and improved thermal testing, mimicking the thermal behavior of similar sized chip.

Standard TTV Test Assembly

Board-Level TTV Assembly

Custom designed and built TTV unit for enhanced and improved thermal testing, mimicking the thermal behavior of similar sized chip, including multiple touch points for larger heatsink assemblies.

Board-Level TTV Assembly
Custom TTV Test Rigs Custom TTV Test Rigs
Small Form Factor TTV Unit Small Form Factor TTV Unit
Standard TTV Test Assembly Standard TTV Test Assembly
Board-Level TTV Assembly Board-Level TTV Assembly

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a thermal test vehicle (TTV)?

A thermal test vehicle (TTV) is a device that simulates the heat output of real electronic components for thermal testing. It allows engineers to evaluate cooling solutions without needing the actual chip. This enables accurate testing during early development stages and helps validate thermal performance before production hardware is available.

Why use a TTV instead of testing with a real chip?

A TTV is used to perform thermal testing before production hardware is ready, reducing development time and cost. It allows engineers to evaluate cooling solutions early and identify potential issues before final components are available. This improves design accuracy and minimizes the risk of costly redesigns later in the process.

What types of testing can be done with a TTV?

TTVs are used for heatsink validation, airflow testing, liquid cooling evaluation, and full system thermal analysis. They replicate real-world heat loads to measure cooling performance accurately. This helps engineers verify that thermal solutions meet performance requirements and function effectively under actual operating conditions.

Can a TTV simulate different power levels and heat profiles?

Yes, TTVs can simulate a wide range of power levels and heat distributions, including localized hotspots. This allows engineers to test cooling systems under realistic and varying operating conditions. It ensures that thermal designs perform reliably across different use cases and power scenarios.

Are TTVs used for full board-level or system-level testing?

Yes, TTVs can be designed to replicate full boards or multiple components on a PCB. This enables comprehensive system-level testing and analysis. Engineers can evaluate how heat is distributed across the entire system and ensure effective cooling for all components.

What information is needed to design a custom TTV

To design a custom TTV, engineers need details such as heat load, component layout, power density, and testing objectives. Additional inputs like form factor and environmental conditions may also be required. Providing accurate data ensures the TTV closely represents real-world operating conditions and delivers reliable results.

How do TTVs improve thermal design reliability?

TTVs improve reliability by enabling engineers to validate and optimize cooling solutions under controlled conditions. They help identify potential overheating issues early and allow for design adjustments before production. This reduces risk, improves product performance, and ensures consistent thermal management in real-world applications.

What is a heatsink calculator?

A heatsink calculator helps estimate thermal performance by analyzing heat dissipation, airflow, and material properties to determine optimal cooling solutions.