Precision Temperature Control using a Thermoelectric Module (TEM)

Depending on the direction of the current flowing through a Thermoelectric Module (TEM), heat is absorbed or released at the interface between it and an electronic device mounted on it by virtue of the Peltier effect. Moreover, the rate of heat absorbed or released by the Peltier effect is directly proportional to the magnitude of the current. Hence, TEMs are well suited to precision temperature control of electronic devices. Here the equations governing the operation of a TEM are presented and used to calculate parameters relevant to precision temperature control of an optical router.