Ford Motor Company Limited

Visteon Global Technolgoies, Inc.

Motorola Corporation

Robert L Anderson

Samuel James Guido

Rollie Morris Fisher

Martin G Gravenstein

Raymond Allen Stevens

Gary Thomas Bastian

Kevin Michael Rishavy

William R McDonald

Gary L Miller

Marcella Evelyn Meyer

A data queue control submodule supporting a host processor and at least one peripheral device. The submodule includes a memory unit with a first memory portion for storing queue commands associated with each peripheral device and a second memory portion for storing peripheral device data. A queue control unit is also included in the submodule for controlling the flow of data between the peripheral devices and the host processor in accordance with the queue control commands. A port interface connects the queue control unit and the peripheral devices in response to a trigger event. The submodule further includes an event controller in communication with the host processor and the port interface for generating event triggers in response to data demands of either the host processor or the other peripheral devices. The present invention is advantageous in that it simplifies the design of each port interface and provides improved flexibility in the queue structure of the overall control system.

Queued port data controller for microprocessor-based engine control applications

An engine control system comprising a host processor in operative communication with a data bus and a plurality of peripheral devices for communicating engine operating parameters. Each of the peripheral devices include a first and second transaction register for storing communication parameters for each of the corresponding plurality of peripheral devices. The control system also includes a queued port rate register (QRR) including a memory unit in operative communication with the plurality of peripheral devices for storing data for transmission to the plurality of peripheral devices in accordance with the first and second transaction registers. The system further includes a peripheral counter in operative communication with each of the plurality of peripheral devices. The peripheral counter is adapted to interrogate each of the plurality of peripheral devices and, when data has been written to one of the peripheral devices, update the peripheral device according to the memory unit data.

An electronic circuit having control data registers (24-28) for receiving the output of a digital counter (20) that records clock pulses within a measured time that is determined by a rotary speed sensor (14) which produces a square wave pulse train signal and separate registers (30,32) for recording the time of each signal developed by the speed sensor and the time to produce a pulse train signal of predetermined length whereby the data in the data registers may be used to determine velocity and derivatives of that velocity for use in solving dynamic equations stored in memory thus effecting control system output functions.

Delta time measurement circuit for determining parameter derivatives of

System and method for digitally generating a pulse width modulated (PWM) signal with dither based on a command signal, the signal having a pulse width proportional to the command signal. In the preferred embodiment, the PWM signal with proportional dither energizes a load, such as a variable force solenoid, with a desired electrical current. The system includes a base signal generator for generating a base signal having a pulse width which is based on a command signal representing the desired electrical current. The system also includes a dither signal generator for digitally generating a dither signal having a pulse width proportional to the command signal, and a summer for combining the base signal and the dither signal to obtain the pulse width modulated signal with proportional dither.

Digital pulse width modulator circuit with proportional dither

An ignition diagnostic monitor detects ignition malfunction. A first monostable multivibrator is coupled to an ignition module to receive the ignition signal and maintain a first logic state for a predetermined first time constant after detecting an ignition signal. The monostable multivibrator maintains a second logic level state after passage of the predetermined time constant until detection of another ignition signal occurs. The second logic level indicates a missed ignition signal and an ignition fault. A control module is coupled to the ignition module and the monostable multivibrator and receives a fault detection signal from the monostable multivibrator.

Ignition diagnostic monitor

The capacitive effect of a coaxial cable coupled to an ionization probe is reduced by an operational amplifier which applies a constant bias voltage to the coaxial cable.

Ionization probe output interface circuit

An apparatus for diagnosing the operation of a plurality of output transistor drivers includes a plurality of detection transistors, a reference resistor and a voltage detector. Each detection resistor is coupled from a collector of one output transistor driver to a common node. The reference resistor is coupled between the common node and a ground potential. The voltage detector measures voltage across the reference resistor to determine the existence of an improperly functioning transistor. The test method includes turning off all the transistor drivers, detecting the voltage, and comparing the voltage to a reference voltage to determine if any transistors are shorted. If there are no shorts, the transistors are sequentially turned on to determine if any transistors are open.

Output transistor driver diagnostic system

The primary winding of an engine ignition coil is coupled to an ionization probe detecting cylinder combustion in order to apply a bias voltage.

Ionization probe interface circuit with high bias voltage source

An improved electrical system particularly suitable for use in a motor vehicle. The improvement provides compensation of a signal used in association with an electronic circuit. Such compensation is made necessary because of variation in the potential that occurs at a source of electrical energy in the system relative to the sensor reference potential. The variation in potential results from currents flowing through a conductor interconnecting the sensor and the energy source, which current many be of varying character due to the operation of other devices associated with the system. Compensation is achieved with a differential amplifier coupled both to the energy source and to the sensor.

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Saline, MI, United States of America

Robert L Anderson