AM4100
Thermal Considerations
ID 36126, Rev. 2.0
Page 7 - 5
P R E L I M I N A R Y
7.3.1
Forced Airflow
When developing applications using the AM4100, the system integrator must be aware of the
overall system thermal requirements. System chassis must be provided which satisfy these re-
quirements. As an aid to the system integrator, characteristics graphs are provided for the
AM4100.
7.3.2
Thermal Characteristic Graphs
The thermal characteristic graphs shown on the following pages illustrate the maximum ambi-
ent air temperature as a function of the volumetric airflow rate for the power consumption indi-
cated. The diagrams are intended to serve as guidance for reconciling board and system with
the required computing power considering the thermal aspect. One diagram per CPU version
is provided. When operating below the indicated curve, the CPU runs steadily without any in-
tervention of thermal supervision. When operated above the indicated curve, various thermal
protection mechanisms may take effect resulting in temporarily reduced CPU performance, if
implemented, or finally in an emergency stop in order to protect the CPU from thermal destruc-
tion. In real applications this means that the board can be operated temporarily at a higher am-
bient temperature or at a reduced flow rate and still provide some margin for temporarily
requested peak performance before thermal protection will be activated.
How to read the diagram
Select a specific CPU and choose a specific working point. For a given flow rate there is a max-
imum airflow input temperature (= ambient temperature) provided. Below this operating point,
a safe operation is guaranteed. Above this operating point, the chassis thermal management
must become active and take the necessary steps to protect the CPU from thermal destruction.
Volumetric flow rate
The volumetric flow rate refers to an airflow through a fixed cross-sectional area (i.e. slot width
x depth). The volumetric flow rate is specified in m³/h (cubic-meter-per-hour) or cfm (cubic-feet-
per-minute) respectively.
Conversion: 1 cfm = 1.7 m³/h; 1 m³/h = 0.59 cfm
Airflow
At a given cross-sectional area and a required flow rate, an average, homogeneous airflow
speed can be calculated using the following formula:
Airflow = Volumetric flow rate / area.
The airflow is specified in m/s = meter-per-second or in fps = feet-per-second, respectively.
Conversion: 1 fps = 0.3048 m/s; 1 m/s = 3.28 fps
Warning!
As Kontron assumes no responsibility for any damage to the AM4100 or other
equipment resulting from overheating of the CPU, it is highly recommended
that system integrators as well as end users confirm that the operational envi-
ronment of the AM4100 complies with the thermal considerations set forth in
this document.
Summary of Contents for AM4100
Page 19: ...AM4100 Introduction ID 36126 Rev 2 0 Page 1 1 Introduction Chapter 1 1 P R E L I M I N A R Y...
Page 57: ...AM4100 Installation ID 36126 Rev 2 0 Page 3 1 Installation Chapter 1 3 P R E L I M I N A R Y...
Page 65: ...AM4100 Configuration ID 36126 Rev 2 0 Page 4 1 Configuration Chapter 1 4 P R E L I M I N A R Y...
Page 89: ...AM4100 NetBootLoader ID 36126 Rev 2 0 Page 5 1 NetBootLoader Chapter 1 5 P R E L I M I N A R Y...
