Abstract: An information processing apparatus performs a principal component analysis using a plurality of analysis results in an analysis area about thermo-fluid and computes an approximate solution approximate to a final solution by summing analysis patterns obtained by the principal component analysis under a new analysis condition. The information processing apparatus performs a thermo-fluid analysis using the computed approximate solution as an initial state under the new analysis condition.

Abstract: A system, and computer usable program product for discovering thermal relationships in a data processing environment are provided in the illustrative embodiments. An output temperature of a cooling unit operating in the data processing environment is changed from a previous output temperature to a new output temperature. The difference between the previous and the new output temperatures is a change in the output temperature. A change in an ambient temperature proximate to a data processing system is measured. The change in the ambient temperature is a difference between a previous ambient temperature and a new ambient temperature. An expression that represents a relationship between the change in the output temperature and corresponding change in the ambient temperature is determined. The expression is used to determine a cooling correspondence between the cooling unit and the data processing system.

Abstract: A system and method for performing at least one thermal response test for a medium. At least one request signal indicative of at least one request to perform the thermal response test is received. On the basis of the at least one request, at least one control signal is generated for causing at least one parameter of a fluid circulating through the medium to be acquired. The at least one measurement is indicative of a thermal property of the medium. The at least one control signal is then output to a hydraulic system.

Abstract: The present invention provides a water heater, including a combustor, a gas pipe, a combustion controller, a pressure gauge, and a controller. The gas pipe supplies the combustor gas. The combustion controller controls combustion of the combustor. The pressure gauge detects a gas pressure in the gas pipe and generates an electrical signal in association with the gas pressure. The controller is electrically connected to the gas gauge and the combustion controller to receive the electrical signal from the gas gauge and controls the combustion controller according to the electrical signal to adjust the combustion of the combustor. In addition, the present invention further provides a method of controlling the water heater.

Abstract: An assessment system and method are described that capture indoor temperature measurements and corresponding outdoor temperature measurements in order to determine a thermal efficiency of a structure. The assessment system identifies quiescent periods and trims these periods to eliminate undesirable influences such as auxiliary heating or solar gain. The quiescent periods are then compared to outdoor temperature differences to determine the thermal efficiency of the structure. The system can model the structure's performance metrics, through inferred qualitative and quantitative characterizations including, but not limited to, the building's rate of temperature change as a function of internal and external temperatures, the building's heating, cooling, and other energy needs as they relate to the building envelope, appliances, and other products used at the site and occupant behavior.

Abstract: A method and device for computing the heat transferred during the period of time the oven takes to reach a predetermined cooking temperature comprising: at least one processor for estimating a first cooking time; a memory; an input for inputting the first cooking time and the amount of time an oven takes to achieve a series of cooking temperatures; the at least one processor operating to estimate the heat transferred to the food during the time period that the oven takes to reach the predetermined cooking temperature; the at least one processor operating to compute the amount of heat transferred to the food per unit time at the predetermined cooking temperature, and the at least one processor operating to calculate a reduced cooking time needed to cook the food based upon insertion of food into the oven at a temperature other than the predetermined cooking temperature.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to analyze heat transfers with a high degree of precision at a computation cost within a realistic range for a large-scale object such as an entire power-electronic system. In order to solve the problems described above, the present invention provides a numerical analysis system based mainly on a configuration for dividing the analysis area into at least two division areas, for analyzing at least one of the division areas by adoption of a finite element method or a boundary element method and for carrying out an analysis by adoption of a technique based on equivalent circuit approximation for at least one of the other division areas.

Abstract: An inspection system is provided, which applies a forward or reverse voltage on a light-emitting device and measures a current thereof respectively before and after temperature rise, and determines whether the device fails according to the fact whether a current difference before and after the temperature rise is larger than a failure current determination value. Alternatively, the inspection system adopts a current applying device to apply a forward and reverse current on a light-emitting device and measures a voltage difference thereof respectively before and after temperature rise, and determines whether the device fails according to the fact whether a difference of the voltage differences before and after the temperature rise is larger than a failure voltage determination value. Alternatively, the inspection system adopts a predetermined inspecting step and a rapid inspecting step respectively to determine whether a light-emitting device fails.

Abstract: A method for measurement of a film cooling effect is disclosed. Film cooling is a technique developed to protect gas turbine engine components from the extremely high temperatures created during its operation. A controlled air pressure is ducted into the hollow interior of the component and the mass rate of air flowing through the plurality of film cooling features or openings is measured. A coolant is then injected into the hollow interior of the component and allowed to flow out of a film cooling feature onto the heated outer surface of the component. The resulting infrared signature is a measure of the relative cooling effect generated by the individual film cool feature. The film cooling effect for an individual feature is quantified as the proportion of mass rate of airflow contributed by its relative individual cooling effect. The area, location and shape of the cooling effect are further classified to determine the degree of conformance to its design intent.

Abstract: In one aspect, a data processing system includes a virtual temperature sensor to provide system temperature for different system configurations, and a controller coupled to the sensor to control operations of the data processing system according to the virtual temperature. The virtual temperature sensor typically derives the temperature of a particular configuration of the data processing system using mathematical models or one or more operating parameters of the data processing system. In one example, the mathematical models include a characterization table which provides the measured temperature data from various system configurations. These measurements are performed with temperature sensors positioned in ideal locations for different configuration, and are preprocessed to provide the virtual temperature computation. The characterization table also includes thermal characteristics, such as thermal time constant and thermal resistance, of the critical components at multiple thermal control states.

Abstract: An energy analysis system provides valuable input into building energy expenditures. The system assists with obtaining a detailed view of how energy consumption occurs in a building, what steps may be taken to lower the energy footprint, and executing detailed energy consumption analysis. The analysis may include, as examples, a balance point pair analysis to determine either or both of a heating balance point and a cooling balance point, an exception rank analysis to identify specific data (e.g., energy consumption data) in specific time intervals for further review, or other analysis. The system may display the analysis results on a user interface.

Abstract: A photoluminescent temperature sensing device and method utilizing a semi-conductor optical device adapted to operate as both a light-emitting device and a light detection device. The optical device emits a pulse of incident light, producing photoluminescent light that is received at the optical device. Signal information associated with a temperature-dependent characteristic of the photoluminescent light is created and temperature information if obtained from the signal information.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for quantitatively analyzing gases as a monitor for on-load tap changers. The general inventive concept lies in selecting particular characteristic gases allowing an indirect subsequent association and a dimension for aging effects, excessive discharge, and/or heating of the on-load tap changer; measuring said characteristic gases, formed during the operation of the tap changer in the insulating oil thereof, at particular time intervals; forming indicative quotients from the measured values of the defined gases, said quotients allowing direct conclusions about aging effects, excessive discharge, and/or heating; displaying trends from a comparison of the currently derived value of each quotient to the most recently derived value for the same quotient; and inferring warnings for aging effects, excessive discharge, and/or heating if the corresponding quotients tend to change significantly over time or in the course of the switch changes made.

Abstract: The system for measuring thermal conductance includes first and second thermally insulated housing portions. A cooler is in communication with an interior of the first housing portion for selectively cooling the interior to a desired cool temperature. Similarly, a heater is in communication with an interior of the second housing portion for selectively heating the interior to a desired heated temperature. A test sample is retained within the second housing such that the test sample releasably and removably covers an aperture in communication with the interior of the first housing. Upon reaching thermal steady state, the temperatures Tc , TH of cooled and heated surfaces of the test sample are both measured. A heat flux transducer, releasably mounted on the cooled surface of the test sample, measures heat flux q through the test sample. The thermal conductance U of the test sample may then be calculated as U = q T H - T C .

Abstract: A self validating flame detection system (10) for a turbine engine (12) configured to determine whether a flame exists in a turbine engine combustor is disclosed. The self validating flame detection system (10) may include two different types of flame detection sensors to reduce the risk of false positive signals. In at least one embodiment, the flame detection system (10) may include one or more infrared sensors (20) that sense infrared radiation within the combustor of the turbine engine (12) and one or more ultraviolet light sensors (22) that sense ultraviolet light within the combustor of the turbine engine (12). The flame detection system (10) may include a processor (24) configured to ignore the steady state infrared signal generated and instead analyze the dynamic infrared signal. The processor (24) may be configured to determine whether both types of sensors indicate a flame out condition so that a false alarm does not occur.

Abstract: A testing system for use in measuring thermal properties of material is described herein. The testing system includes a testing apparatus and monitoring system coupled to the testing apparatus. The testing apparatus includes a housing assembly that is configured to receive a material. A heating assembly is coupled to the housing assembly to supply a heat to at least a portion of the material to increase the temperature of the material. A sensing assembly is coupled to the housing assembly and is configured to sense a temperature of the material. The monitoring system comprises a controller having a processor comprising computer-readable instructions for operating the heating assembly to apply a heat to the material volume, receiving signals from the sensing assembly indicative of a temperature of the material, and estimating at least one thermal property of the material utilizing the sensed temperature of the material volume.

Abstract: A system includes a first computing component and a second computing component. A first measurement indicative of a temperature of a first computing component is received. A second measurement indicative of a temperature of a second computing component is received. A thermal value is calculated for the first computing component based on the first measurement and the second measurement. In response to determining that the calculated thermal value exceeds the threshold, an operational or physical parameter of the system is modified.

Abstract: A method and system for analyzing transient thermal response of a packed bed under Local Thermal Non-Equilibrium is disclosed. Heat transfer performances in terms of the fluid, solid, and total Nusselt number are obtained. Qualitative analyses of the effects of thermal conduction at the wall on the total heat exchange between the solid and fluid phases within the heat flux bifurcation region are also performed. Both the transient and diffusion aspects are considered in the solid and fluid phases along with the convection and the fluid-solid interaction. The analytical solution for transient response of a packed bed subject to a constant temperature boundary condition is derived. The heat flux bifurcation phenomenon in a porous media is investigated for temporal conditions, and the analytical two-dimensional thermal behavior and the LTE model is examined under transient conditions. Further, the response time towards steady state conditions is investigated.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for automatically determining a position of one or more calorimetric peaks in a set of calorimetric data is provided. The method comprises a) providing a non-linear fit for the calorimetric data, b) calculating a residual by subtracting the non-linear fit from the calorimetric data, c) calculating an error based on the residual, d) comparing the error with a predetermined error, and e) providing another non-linear fit if the error is greater than the predetermined error.

Abstract: Provided is a coke drum analysis apparatus and method, in which a thickness of coke adhering to an inner surface of a sidewall portion of a coke drum is calculated based on change in a temperature of an outer surface of the sidewall portion and a water level ascent velocity of quenching water, and change in a temperature of the inner surface of the sidewall portion is calculated based on the water level ascent velocity and the calculated thickness of the coke.

Abstract: One embodiment provides a method and apparatus for determining an unknown degree of crystallinity of a bulk-solidifying amorphous alloy specimen based on the heat capacity of the specimen. The method and apparatus make use of the different heat capacities of alloys having differing degrees of crystallinity.

Abstract: A MIMO optimizer is used to identify tunable process parameters for processing equipment.

Abstract: A control system for controlling a refrigeration system having an operating point, comprising: a memory configured to store a relationship of at least an evaporator efficiency, an evaporator heat load, a refrigerant amount in the evaporator, and a variable dependent on a non-volatile liquid mixed with refrigerant in the evaporator an input port configured to receive a signal corresponding to at least a measured evaporator heat load during operation; an output port configured to present an output to selectively alter an operating point of the evaporator, by altering the refrigerant amount in the evaporator and thereby changing the variable; and a processor, configured to receive the signal, access the memory; and generate the output to selectively move toward an optimum operating point. A corresponding method and refrigeration system are provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to the area of thermophysical studies of media and is intended for the determination of thermal properties of solid media by placing a measuring device on the surface of the medium. A heater, which is made in the form of a flexible membrane capable of taking the shape of the solid body surface under the action of the hold-down pressure and which additionally serves as a temperature sensor, is pressed to the solid body surface by using a hold-down element in such a way as to ensure that the heater shape fits the shape and irregularities of the solid body surface. The heater temperature is registered throughout the heater surface during and after the heating. The thermal conductivity and thermal diffusivity of the solid body are determined by processing the heater temperature measurement data both in the time range from the start of the solid body heating to the start of the thermal convention of the ambient medium and after the termination of the solid body heating process.

Abstract: In some embodiments a processor is adapted to store a relationship of power as a function of temperature and voltage, wherein the stored relationship data is to be used for managing power in a system including the processor. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A method determining heat loss coefficient K of a premises, includes: in unoccupied premises, performing a campaign of measurements of at least one temperature inside the premises Ttk at closely-spaced time intervals over at least two successive time periods Dk corresponding to distinct heating powers Ptotk of the premises; determining temperature of outside air Tek at the same closely-spaced times; for each time period Dk, on the basis of evolution Tik(t) of a quantity Tik as a function of time, selecting a time interval ?tk for which the evolution Tik(t) is substantially linear, then determining the slope ?k of the tangent to the evolution Tik(t) over this time interval ?tk, and deducing the value of the heat loss coefficient K of the premises on the basis of the slopes ?k.

Abstract: An integrated circuit chip is defined by a stack of several interconnected layers. The integrated circuit chip includes at least two layers of dissimilar metal patterned to define an array of integrated bimetallic thermocouples.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention can provide systems and methods for modifying the operation and/or performance of a gas turbine. According to one embodiment, a method for modifying the performance of a gas turbine comprising one or more combustors can be provided. The method can include measuring a gas exhaust temperature for the gas turbine and estimating a heat transfer rate for the gas turbine based at least in part on the gas exhaust temperature. After estimating the heat transfer rate, the method can continue by estimating a transiently accurate combustion reference temperature and using this parameter to control the one or more combustors of the gas turbine. In doing so, the performance of the gas turbine can be modified to ensure reliable and consistent operation.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for real-time temperature sensitive machine level code compilation and execution are provided. Embodiments include compiling and executing, by a just-in-time (JIT) compiler, machine level code; during execution of the machine level code, determining, by the JIT compiler, an execution temperature for the machine level code, including reading temperature measurements from one or more processor temperature sensors; based on the determined execution temperature, identifying, by the JIT compiler, a portion of the machine level code that, when executed, caused temperature measurements of one or more processor temperature sensors to exceed a predetermined threshold temperature; recompiling, by the JIT compiler, the machine level code including modifying the identified portion to generate a new execution temperature that is lower than the previously determined execution temperature; and executing, by the JIT compiler, the recompiled machine level code.

Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for analyzing heat flux bifurcation within a porous medium by analyzing a convective heat transfer process within a channel partially filled with a porous medium under local thermal non-equilibrium conditions. Either the thermal dispersion effect or the inertial effect can be considered in a physical model. Exact solutions can be derived for both fluid and solid temperature distributions for three interface thermal models at a porous-fluid interface. The required conditions for validity of each interface thermal model can be obtained, and equivalence correlations between different interface thermal models can be developed. The range of validity of local thermal equilibrium condition can be established, and heat flux bifurcation within a porous medium can be established and demonstrated. Furthermore, a Nusselt number can be obtained and investigated for pertinent parameters.

Abstract: This invention relates to an emissivity test instrument for measuring the emissivity of overhead electric transmission conductors. The emissivity test instrument includes a vacuum chamber, a data acquisition module connected to the vacuum chamber and adapted to receive data therefrom, and a computing device. The vacuum chamber is adapted to seat a test sample therein. The computing device is connected to the data acquisition module and is adapted to perform a test on a test sample and generate a test results report.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for thermal energy metering by measuring the average temperature of fluid in a tank, such as a hot water storage tank. Average temperature is measured with an elongated temperature sensor spanning the vertical height of the tank. A controller collects measurements from the temperature sensor and computes changes in thermal energy, from which the system can more accurately attribute gains of thermal energy to sources such as thermal, electric, or gas production, or losses of thermal energy to ambient losses and consumption.

Abstract: A method for processing thermographic data is disclosed including thermally disturbing a specimen of unknown quality, collecting thermal data from said specimen, converting the collected data into a measure of variance and comparing the variance from the sample of unknown quality against the variance of a sample of known quality in order to determine if the quality of the specimen of unknown quality is acceptable.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an information processing apparatus, includes a heat generator on the printed-circuit board in the housing, a heat radiator in the housing configured to radiate heat of the heat generator to the outside of the housing, a first thermometer configure to sense a first temperature at a first position on the board, a second thermometer on the board configured to sense a second temperature at a second position away from the heat generator than the first position, a cooling performance determination module configured to monitor whether a temperature difference between the first temperature and the second temperature is above a threshold, and to determine whether performance of the heat radiator is deteriorated based on a result of the monitoring.

Abstract: An electronic system for an electric drive mobile machine includes at least one transistor that emits heat, a pressure detector that generates a pressure signal, a temperature detector providing a first temperature signal indicative of the detected first temperature and a second temperature of or substantially adjacent to the transistor, and a controller configured to determine a temperature protection set point based upon the first temperature signal and the pressure signal and execute a control strategy for thermally protecting the transistor when the first temperature signal indicates that the first temperature reaches the temperature protection set point.

Abstract: A thermoelectrically cooled GMR sensor having a first thermoelectric layer with an array of nanowires, wherein the nanowires include a diameter of about 1 nanometer to about 1000 nanometers. A plurality of alternating layers of magnetic and nonmagnetic material are positioned over and extend the nanowires to form a GMR assembly. A second thermoelectric layer is positioned over the GMR assembly and extends the nanowires, such that the nanowires have a length of between about 100 nanometers and about 500 microns. Conductors are placed in contact with the first and second thermoelectric layers for connecting the thermoelectric layers to a voltage source.

Abstract: A mechanism is provided for minimizing system power in the data processing system with fast convergence. A current aggregate system power value is determined using a current thermal threshold value. For each potential thermal threshold value in a set of potential thermal threshold values, a determination is made as to whether there is a potential thermal threshold value that results in a potential aggregate system power value that is lower than the current aggregate system power value. Responsive to identifying an optimal potential thermal threshold value from the set of potential thermal threshold values that results in minimum aggregate system power value that is lower than the current aggregate system power value, the optimal potential thermal threshold value is set as a new thermal threshold value.

Abstract: A heat treatment is performed at different temperatures for a plurality of calibration-line forming optical glass samples that can be considered as having the same composition as optical glass to be measured, any one of the longitudinal wave velocity, the LSAW velocity and the shear wave velocity of the samples is measured as an acoustic property AP1, and a relationship between the fictive temperature Tf and the acoustic property AP1 is determined in the form of approximate straight line formula on the assumption that the heat treatment temperature is regarded as the fictive temperature Tf in a range where the heat treatment temperature and the acoustic property AP1 are in a linear relationship. The acoustic property AP1 of the optical glass to be measured is measured, and the fictive temperature is calculated from the measured acoustic property AP1 according to the approximate straight line formula.

Abstract: A device for determining ageing of a hydraulic fluid in a hydraulic system with a multitude of hydraulic components is provided. The device comprises at least one temperature determination device and at least one ageing determination device, wherein the temperature determination device determines the respective temperature of each discrete fluid volume of the hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic system, and from the aforesaid the ageing determination device determines an increase in ageing. Generally, the temperature determination device carries out a numerical thermal simulation of the hydraulic system, component by component, including determining at least one temperature of at least one hydraulic component of the hydraulic system, which simulation is supported by measuring the temperatures of individual hydraulic components by means of temperature sensors.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a household appliance for performing a housekeeping task. The household appliance comprises a data input device (16) adapted to remotely sense a property in a sensing area (18), and a controller (22) coupled to the data input device and adapted to control an operation of the household appliance in accordance with the sensed property.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide a system that analyzes telemetry data from a computer system. During operation, the system obtains the telemetry data as a set of telemetric signals using a set of sensors in the computer system. Next, the system uses a regularization technique to calculate a temperature derivative with respect to time for a component in the computer system from the telemetric signals. Finally, the system controls a subsequent value of the temperature derivative with respect to time by modulating a fan speed in the computer system based on the calculated temperature derivative with respect to time and the telemetric signals.

Abstract: An online diagnostic system for a geothermal generation facility is discloses that includes an automatic steam measurement device for measuring a characteristic of steam to be supplied to a steam turbine from a steam-water separator at the geothermal generation facility that outputs analysis data. A monitor-control device controls an operation of the geothermal generation facility while monitoring the geothermal generation facility. A diagnostic device performs at least one of an evaluation of a steam characteristic at the geothermal generation facility, an evaluation of the steam-water separator, and an evaluation of pulsation and confluence of a production well based on the analysis data from the automatic steam measurement device and performance data of the geothermal generation facility from the monitor-control device. An operating status of the geothermal generation facility is diagnosed.

Abstract: Real-time monitoring of an energy characteristic of a building such as an energy performance of the building or a carbon offset of the building is performed by first computing a heat transfer coefficient of the building from nighttime steady-state thermal load data of the building and from nighttime steady-state indoor and outdoor temperature data of the building. A thermal inertia of the building is then computed from nighttime transient indoor temperature data of the building and nighttime transient thermal load data of the building. During daytime, a solar radiation gain coefficient is computed from daytime thermal load data, daytime indoor and outdoor temperature data, incident solar radiation data, and the heat transfer coefficient. The energy characteristic of the building is then estimated in real time from the heat transfer coefficient, the thermal inertia, and the solar radiation gain coefficient.

Abstract: A computer executing a software algorithm may be used to detect a depression in a temperature profile. The temperature profile may be smoothed to eliminate noise. Next, the temperature profile's center may be extracted. A polynomial may be fitted to extracted data. An algorithm used to fit the polynomial may guarantee that the fitted curve's peak may be below the actual temperature data's peak. Next, residuals may be calculated by subtracting the fitted curve from the actual data. If there is a dip at the center, then the residuals in the center may be less than zero. The software algorithm executing on the computer may then make a decision based on a sign of the residuals. For example, residuals less than zero may indicate bar porosity. Residuals above zero may indicate no porosity. The magnitude of the residuals may then be used to classify a size of a detected defect.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided to acquire direct thermal measurements, for example, from a LiDAR collecting vehicle or air vessel, of an overhead electrical conductor substantially simultaneous with collection of 3-dimensional location data of the conductor, and utilize temperature information derived from the direct thermal measurements in line modeling, line rating, thermal line analysis, clearance analysis, and/or vegetation management.

Abstract: To avoid an influence on measurement accuracy in a case where an observation window for a measurement sample is provided to a thermal analysis apparatus, the influence being imposed by thermal conduction through the observation window, the observation window is formed of layers of transparent members, and a gap layer is provided between the layers, to thereby reduce the thermal conduction. Gas or solid having a high heat insulation property is employed for the gap layer to further enhance a heat insulation property of the observation window. Accordingly, a change due to heating of the measurement sample is visually observed in the thermal analysis apparatus, to thereby obtain a thermal change or a physical change with higher accuracy.

Abstract: A system and method for soft-field reconstruction are provided. One method includes obtaining applied input and measured output information for an excited object using a plurality of transducers and forming an admittance matrix based on the applied input and measured output information. The method also includes determining a plurality of moments using the admittance matrix and calculating a property distribution of the excited object using the plurality of moments.

Abstract: The present invention describes a method for determining a value for the temperature, radiation, emissivity, transmissivity and/or reflectivity of an object (2) such as a semiconductor wafer in a rapid heating system (1), wherein an output signal from a radiation detector (50) which records temperature radiation from the object is used as a measurement value, and wherein prediction values for the measurement values are calculated in a model system (100). The development over time of the measurement values is compared with the development over time of the prediction values and the measurement value is corrected if the difference exceeds predetermined threshold value.

Abstract: A system and method for improving energy usage and conservation of at least one air-management unit in a data center where a multiplicity of rack mounted power distribution units are used for power distribution to a multiplicity of electronic devices mounted on a plurality of racks in at least one computer room of the data center. A group of power load, temperature, humidity and differential pressure sensors are provided throughout the racks, and coupled to a computer through a network interface for automatically calculating multiple air-management effectiveness and energy efficiency indices (e.g., rack cooling index RCI, rack humidity index RHI, rack airflow index RAI, rack differential pressure index RPI and return temperature index RTI) based on the data from the sensors, such that the operation of the air-management unit can be adjusted accordingly to achieve an optimal efficiency of safe energy usage and conservation.

Abstract: A dummy junction which will break earlier than a target junction is arranged on a board. A history of load applied to the dummy junction until the dummy junction actually breaks is recorded, and an estimated lifetime of the target junction is calibrated when a lifetime of the dummy junction estimated by the history of the load is largely different from an actual lifetime of the dummy junction. The calibration is performed by subtracting a value of an unmeasurable load from the estimated lifetime of the target junction based on load ever applied to the target junction, and the unmeasurable load is calculated based on the difference of the actual lifetime and estimated lifetime of the dummy junction.