MARLBOROUGH, MA - Flomerics' Flotherm software has helped Redback Networks with the cooling problems involved in Redback's first broadband, phone and TV subscriber platform.

"The power dissipation of the line cards in the new platform had to be increased by 2X …to obtain the planned improvement in performance and functionality," said Wendy Lu, engineer for Redback. "By focusing on reducing the chassis static pressure via geometry changes and using a higher performing fan, we were able to double the airflow in the chassis."

Lu utilized Flotherm's software to evaluate plenum geometry to obtain the required level of airflow. Then, using the software's generated board model, she ran simulations on the model to ensure that critical components could be cooled to within specifications.

Lu then commissioned a foamcore model of the newly designed plenum so that physical tests could be performed, and lab measurements closely matched the simulation results, with no design changes required for the prototype. The new platform will go into production and has already been selected by one of the top 20 telephone carriers in the world, ChungHwa Telecom of Taiwan.