The Synchronized Worlds of Engine Control and Combustion Process

The vehicle development sector favors INCA as the software tool for data optimization and validating engine control unit (ECU) functions. All of the data and parameters can be visualized, analyzed and processed with this package. On the basis of carefully selected measurands and ECU control functions the application engineer can objectively evaluate and optimize engine response, for example.

However, neither the engine nor its control unit have sensors designed to obtain reliable information about the quality of combustion. This only comes from also measuring the pressures in the cylinders and analyzing the combustion process. The challenge in the past has been to also synchronize all of the measurements and ECU parameters recorded by INCA with the measured combustion parameters.

The KiBox/INCA interface therefore saves valuable vehicle development time.
On the basis of chronologically synchronized combustion analysis results, the application engineer can now immediately develop optimization strategies to rule out problems such as emission peaks (exhaust and noise), overloads or insufficient combustion stability (which prevents smooth running) in the engine.

The Diagram shows how INCA measures and clearly visualizes aspects such as the delays between the driver wanting to accelerate (pressing the gas pedal) and the engine speed actually picking up. These delays involve the time required to operate the throttle valve and to build up torque (IMEP).