Advanced Thermal Solutions for Telecom Systems Synopsis

This project is a collaboration between NORSAT International Inc. and Laboratory for Alternative Energy Conversion (LAEC) at SFU to commercialize novel and efficient cooling solutions for NORSAT ATOM series BUCs and SSPAs. NORSAT amplifiers are typically 15-20% efficient meaning up to 85% of the applied electrical power is dissipated as heat. The heat is removed by means of several ways in the current design e.g. heat sinks, heat pipes, and fans which is about 50% of the amplifier size. Efficient passive cooling of ATOM series BUCs and SSPAs components is necessary to reduce product size, weight and minimize parasitic powers. A key innovation in this research is the use of graphite-based TIMs. Graphite has superior thermo-mechanical properties, including heat removal capacity, lightweight, and corrosion resistance. These graphite products aim at the strategic $17 billion/year industrial heat exchangers and a $12 billion/year thermal management products markets and have a great potential to revolutionize this industry.

Faculty Supervisor:

Majid Bahrami

Student:

Khashayar Ebrahimi

Partner:

Norsat International Inc

Discipline:

Engineering - mechanical

Sector:

Alternative energy

University:

Program: