thermal test vehicle

Introducing TTV

In modern server design, thermal performance is critical. To meet the demands of high-performance computing, internal server components often operate under heavy workloads, placing stringent requirements on thermal management systems. Our Thermal Test Vehicle (TTV) product line is specifically engineered to address this challenge.

TTV is a professional thermal testing tool that consists of one or more heaters. By precisely controlling the power output of each heater, engineers can simulate the real operating conditions of server components and obtain accurate voltage, current, and thermal data.

Our TTV solutions are designed primarily for OEM/ODM manufacturers and heatsink designers, helping them effectively evaluate thermal solutions during the design and testing phases—ensuring the final products operate efficiently and reliably.

Key Advantages

Accurate Simulation
Customizable dummy heaters can be designed to match the exact size and shape of real system components, allowing realistic simulation of heat flow and thermal conditions under various operating scenarios. This helps identify and resolve potential thermal issues early in the design phase, improving both reliability and performance.

Simplified Wiring
Traditional thermal testing setups often involve complex wiring and multiple instruments. Our TTV system uses a simple UART daisy-chain interface (one in, one out), significantly reducing the number of cables required and minimizing setup complexity and the risk of wiring errors.

Real-Time Data
Each TTV integrates built-in temperature sensors and a microcontroller to measure voltage, current, and temperature in real time. Data is transmitted via UART to a central gateway for aggregation, making system configuration and operation straightforward and efficient.

Flexible Customization
Beyond physical dimensions, we offer heaters with customizable power ratings based on your specific requirements—ensuring each TTV is tailored to your testing needs. Whether you’re testing memory modules, PCIe expansion cards, or processors, we provide suitable design solutions.

Efficient Management
With our TriggerFlow software, you can easily plan and execute test procedures while monitoring and logging real-time data. Voltage, current, and temperature readings are displayed and recorded instantly, enabling quick and informed decision-making.

Aluminum-Based Heater Plate

Advantages of Using Aluminum Substrate for TTV Heaters:

Easily mimics the size and shape of real semiconductor chips.
A single heater can be divided into multiple heating zones, with either fixed power ratios or independently controlled power levels.
High thermal durability: withstands temperatures above 200 °C and offers excellent reliability.
Temperature sensors can be embedded beneath the heater to simulate internal chip temperatures. Placement and quantity of sensors are fully customizable.
Supports a wide power range—suitable for both low- and high-power designs.
Capable of handling power flux up to 100 W/cm².

Ceramic Substrate Heater Plate

Ceramic substrate heaters offer the same functionality as aluminum-based heaters but support significantly higher power levels, with power flux exceeding 500 W/cm².

TTV Power Control

TTV Supports Multiple Power Control Modes

Software Control
Dynamically adjust heater power during testing via TriggerFlow or SCPI commands, allowing flexible configuration of test sequences.
Firmware Control
Predefine and store power settings in the TTV using TriggerFlow or SCPI. The heater automatically powers on with the preset value after boot.
Hardware Control (for specific TTV models)
Use DIP switches on the TTV to select a predefined power level. The heater starts automatically with the DIP-specified power once powered on.

TTV Protection Mechanisms

Overtemperature Protection

Automatically shuts down the TTV if any temperature sensor detects a value exceeding the preset heater temperature limit. Thresholds are user-configurable.

Overcurrent Protection

Automatically shuts down the TTV when measured current exceeds the allowable limit. The threshold can be adjusted based on user requirements.

Soft-Start Protection

After power-on, the TTV gradually ramps up to the target power following a smooth curve. This prevents sudden high-power surges that could damage the TTV or pose safety risks.

Server Mock-up Thermal Test Solution

Software Interface

- TriggerFlow provides an intuitive user interface for monitoring and controlling all connected TTV devices.
- It also supports TTV SCPI commands, allowing command-line control and easy integration with existing software systems.

TSGW Serial Gateway

- A UART-to-network gateway device for connecting and managing all TTV modules.
- Connects to the host PC via Ethernet or USB.
  - Ethernet model (8-port)
  - USB model (single-port)

TTVFB Fan Controller

- A dedicated controller for managing system fan speed.
- Communicates over a single UART port to control multiple fans (e.g., 6 fans in one setup).

TTV Daisy-Chaining

- - CPU & GPU PCIe TTV
    Multiple types of TTVs (e.g., CPU and GPU) can be daisy-chained on the same UART line.
  - DDR5 DIMM TTV
    Can be powered and connected via a power board, or directly inserted into a real motherboard to operate independently.
  - M.2 SSD TTV
    When a large number of TTVs are used, they can be distributed across multiple UART lines to reduce data traffic.

ddr5 dimm TTV

TTV-DDR5-A148

This is a versatile DDR5 DIMM TTV module.

It can be managed via TriggerSource’s TSGW Serial Gateway, or used directly on the system motherboard.

When mounted on the motherboard, the onboard PMIC is used to configure power and read voltage, current, and temperature data from the TTV.

Specifications

Maximum Power: 40 W
Input Voltage: 12 V
Maximum Current: 3.4 A
Power Input Port: 1-Port
Heater Type: Aluminum Base Plate
PCB Dimensions: 133.35 × 31.25 × 1.27 mm
Voltage Measurement Channels: 1-CH
Current Measurement Channels: 1-CH
Voltage Measurement Range: 0 ~ 15 V
Current Measurement Range: 0 ~ 5 A
Voltage Measurement Resolution: 12-bit
Current Measurement Resolution: 12-bit
Voltage Measurement Accuracy: ±1% + ±50 mV
Current Measurement Accuracy: ±1% + ±50 mA
Temperature Measurement Channels: 8-CH
Temperature Measurement Accuracy: ±0.5°C (40°C ~ 90°C), ±1°C (–40°C ~ 125°C)

PCIE TTV

Max. Total power: 75W (25W/Heater)
Input voltage: 12V
Max. Total current: 6.3A (2.1A/Heater)
Input power ports: 1-Port
Number of Heaters: 3 Heaters
Heater Type: Aluminum base plate
PCB dimension:
167.65 × 111.15 × 1.6 mm (FHHL)
167.65 × 68.9 × 1.6 mm (Low profile)
Voltage measurement channels: 1-CH
Current measurement channels: 1-CH
Voltage measurement range: 0~15V
Current measurement range: 0~8A
Voltage measurement resolution: 12-bit
Current measurement resolution: 12-bit
Voltage measurement accuracy: ±1% + ±100mV
Current measurement accuracy: ±1% + ±25mA
Temperature sensor: 7-CH
Temperature accuracy: ±0.5°C (25°C ~ 75°C), ±1°C (-40°C ~ 110°C)