What is Thermoelectric Cooler and Which Transceiver Needs TEC?

The thermoelectric cooler, often known as a TEC, is a type of cooling device that makes use of the phenomenon of materials developing temperature variations across their surfaces in response to a potential field being applied to them. This phenomenon has been used to address many different applications, one of which is a thermoelectric cooler. Other applications have also made use of this phenomenon. Many electronic devices, including optical transceivers, semiconductor wafer probes, laser diodes, and others, use thermoelectric coolers to regulate the temperature of the device’s internal components.

Table of Contents:

• What is a Thermoelectric cooler?
• How do Thermoelectric Coolers Function?
• Why is TEC important for Optical transceivers?
• Which optical transceivers need built-in TEC?
• Final Words

What is a Thermoelectric cooler?

A thermoelectric cooler is a piece of equipment that achieves its cooling effect by using the phenomenon of cooling and heating that occurs on opposing sides of an object when a potential difference is applied to the thing. A Peltier module is yet another name for a thermoelectric cooler that is commonly used. To make use of the cold side of this Peltier module, a heat sink has been attached to the hot side to draw heat away from that side and maintain the temperature of the other side.

This type of cooling effect is favorable because of the following advantages it possesses:

• The weight per cooling unit is far more than that of conventional refrigeration and cooling systems.
• Increasing input power can allow a TEC to take over-load easily.
• It is a simple system compared to conventional refrigeration and cooling systems.
• Compact in size and also has no moving parts.
• There is no need to worry about the leakage of cooling gasses.
• It has a long product life.
• It can be used in small spaces easily.
• It has better control capability.

Although over larger areas, it is not efficient to utilize TEC instead of refrigeration cycle cooling, thermoelectric coolers have many specification applications with better recommendations. Some of these appliances are explained below:

• Optical transceiver circuit cooling devices
• Aviation cooling components
• Laser diode and processor chip cooling
• In semiconductor wafers

How do Thermoelectric Coolers Function?

The thermoelectric cooler device utilizes a unique semiconductor component in its construction. The two sides of the device are made of different metals. When a potential difference is supplied to the device, a p-n junction is formed throughout the material’s surfaces on both sides. This occurs whether the device is given a positive or negative electrical potential difference. This p-n junction is in charge of dissipating and moving heat from one side to the other. In this manner, one side becomes hot because heat is added from the other side, and the other becomes cold because heat is removed.

Therefore, if the heat is continually taken from the hotter side, the side that is not hotter will constantly get cooler. Depending on the application, the removal of heat can be accomplished with either DC fans or heat sinks. Heat sinks and DC fans are frequently used in conjunction with one another to get superior outcomes.

Why is TEC important for Optical transceivers?

Optical transceivers are the devices that are responsible for the transfer of data across incredibly vast distances and at rates that are exceptionally fast. Laser diodes are critical in the process that enables these data transfer devices to transform information into light signals. Because of this, they can carry data at extremely high speeds, even across vast distances. Because light is a source of energy that also brings heat energy, the temperatures of optical transceivers can quickly rise above the optimal conditions quite readily.

However, optical transceivers must operate in a temperature-controlled environment to perform efficiently. To find a solution to this issue, the technology is known as TEC or thermoelectric cooling has to be implemented into optical transceivers so that they can function correctly and the temperature of optical transceivers can be maintained at or below 70 degrees Celsius.

TEC is the best choice because it takes up very little space and does not require any maintenance. Thermoelectric coolers are the best option because they are electronic devices, and unlike other electronic equipment, they do not need high voltage DC. They have an advantage over their competitors in terms of safety as a result of this.

Which categories of optical transceivers need built-in TEC?

Although it is essential to use cooling devices like thermoelectric coolers with almost all of the long reach and high-speed optical transceivers, it is pretty crucial to use TEC with the following optical transceiver categories; alternatively, it is even better to have a built-in thermoelectric cooler with these optical transceivers for better performance:

• Industrial Transceiver
• DWDM Transceiver
• 10G Long Reach Transceiver
• 100GBASE-ER4/ZR4 Transceiver

Final Words

TECs are good at cooling systems with limited area. This is better than typical refrigeration, which requires heavy equipment and power. Optical transceivers are a great application of TEC. Optical transceivers deliver data quickly and over great distances. Thermoelectric coolers use a unique semiconductor component in their manufacture. Therefore they’re suitable for optical transceivers because they’re compact and efficient.

TEC will affect the optical transceiver’s performance. A built-in TEC improves the performance of the optical transceiver by keeping the laser diode temperature constant.

Read more:

• Do you know the transceiver laser types?
• What is Fiber Optic Transceiver?
• Introduction to DWDM