Analog Signal Processing IC Increases Engine Performance 960615
Knock or preignition is an artifact of engine ignition timing and lower grade octane petroleum fuels common place in our society. These fuels are especially prevalent in countries that sophisticated refining techniques or practices have not come to age. Octanes in the mid to high eighties encompass 80-90 percent of the fuel used by the major portion of the United States. In other countries, the octane number plummets giving rise for better means to adapt or set the engine for “real-time” optimum performance. Adapting to this world is essential in the existing global economies that automotive manufacturers call their home.
A close examination and then detection of the knock event that is flexible in both gain and frequency would improve the control of the engine to adjust to both a spontaneous event and predicable event. Studies have proven this subject more “a prediction” than an understood science. Now, with some sophisticated techniques, the event is quantified more analytically. The systematic solution is also possible via two different approaches. Solutions to this end will be discussed highlighting current IC devices. Harris Semiconductor offers the HIP9010 and HIP9011 as integrated solutions for monitoring this trace event (before audible) and supplies three degrees of variability to carefully optimize this process.
This paper will offer measurement problems and concerns, describe the system approaches, and offer solution techniques using this microprocessor controlled analog signal processing.
