Numerical Analysis of Air Cooling for Transmit/Receive Modules of Active Electronically Scanned Array Radar

Active electronically scanned array radars require an effective cooling system to dissipate excessive heat for their successful operation. Unlike liquid-based cooling systems, air-based cooling systems are easy to use and require simple electrical insulation. In this study, air was used as the working fluid to dissipate heat from transmit/receive modules, and its thermal system was analyzed by modeling its thermal resistance network. The temperatures of the heat-generating elements based on air cooling were compared with those based on liquid cooling at various magnitudes of heat generated in heat-generating elements and coolant velocities. The computational results showed that an air-cooling system could sufficiently maintain the operating temperature of the elements within the limits of Re = 3,000 and 10,000 at lower and higher duty cycles with pressure drops of 50 and 1,000 Pa, respectively.