Engine Control Using Cylinder Pressure: Past, Present, and Future

Research into the use of cylinder pressure measurements from reciprocating internal combustion engines for real time automotive engine control has been investigated for the last 20 years. The measurement has been investigated for spark timing, fuel-air ratio control, charge temperature measurements, and misfire detection. The cost of the sensors has inhibited widespread use in production vehicles; however, it was introduced in domestic Japanese production for spark control five years ago. Its use for misfire detection is also being actively considered.