Modern diesel engines, FlexRay, and engine combustion process

In automotive electronics and ECU (electronic control unit) is a device that is usually connected via a bus to a number of sensors that provide it with information, and to actuators. ECUs have software whose logic enables them to make decisions (to operate the actuators) according to the information on the surrounding environment provided by the sensors. Sophisticated, latest-generation vehicles may have as many as 100 ECUs, including the engine control unit. This unit manages various aspects of internal combustion in the engine. The simplest engine control units merely control how much fuel is injected into each cylinder in each engine cycle. The most advanced control the ignition point, the valve opening/closing time and the level of thrust maintained by the turbo-compressor, and also control other peripheral devices. Engine control units determine the amount of fuel injected, the ignition point and other parameters, monitoring the engine via sensors.

For Ikersens initiative, the proposed project entails the following: on modern diesel engines an NH₃/NO_x gas sensor connected to an ECU via a FlexRay but could provide information on the engine combustion process with a view to assuring proper combustion.