Performance Of Standard Design | Ouster Sensor Docs

Where does the heat come from?

There are two primary heat-dissipating assemblies in the sensor.

The Optical Turret - containing the lasers and receivers.
The Base Assembly - containing the computing, communication, and power.

The Optical Turret dissipates heat to both the TOP CAP and the SENSOR BASE. While, the BASE ASSEMBLY conducts most of its heat to the SENSOR BASE.

It is important in any sensor mounting integration design to accept heat from both the TOP CAP and SENSOR BASE.

Another important heat source factor to consider is the Sun. If the sensor will be operating in full sun you will need to account for the solar load (~1000 W/m2). In our testing, solar load reduces the maximum operating temperature by approximately 8ºC.

Please see the Sunshade Concept Design for inspiration on possible solutions.

Where does the heat go?

Standard Heatsinks

The sensor comes with two standard heatsinks attached to it.

The base heatsink and mounting plate. (referred to as HEATSINK-BASE)
The radial finned or halo heatsink modular caps. (referred to as HEATSINK-RADIAL, HEATSINK-HALO)

Both have the same thermal performance.

It is also possible to create your own custom heatsinks for your specific integration, given that it adequately dissipates the heat from the sensor. For more information contact our Support team.

In the reference test conducted in the thermal chamber under FORCED CONVECTION (0.5 m/s) with the standard heatsinks, 38% of the heat is conducted into the HEATSINK-BASE.

While the remaining 62% of the heat convects to the air through the HEATSINK-RADIAL, SENSOR BASE, and WINDOW.

Forced Convection With Standard Heatsink Heat Path

Similarly, for FREE CONVECTION (Stagnant Air) in the thermal chamber with the standard heatsinks, 45% of the heat is conducted into the HEATSINK-BASE.

While the remaining 55% of the heat convects to the air through the HEATSINK-RADIAL, SENSOR BASE, and WINDOW.

Stagnant Air with standard heatsink heat path

Clamshell heatsink

The clamshell design was created to give you a reference of an integrated installation where heat dissipation is accomplished primarily through conduction into a vehicle chassis.

In the reference test conducted in the thermal chamber under FREE CONVECTION (Stagnant Air) with the clamshell heatsink, 87% of the heat is conducted into the HEATSINK-CLAMSHELL. While the remaining 13% of the heat convects to the air through the HEATSINK-CLAMSHELL, SENSOR BASE and WINDOW.

Now that you have a good understanding of where the heat goes, we will discuss some best practices when designing your own heatsinks and integrations.