Installers V2.000

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TM

Adaptronic ECU Installer’s Manual


for ECU model e420c version 1.0

FIRMWARE VERSION: 2.000


SOFTWARE VERSION: 2.000

Web: www.adaptronic.com.au
Technical Enquiries: [email protected]

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Table of Contents
Table of Contents ...................................................................................................... 2
List of Figures ........................................................................................................... 4
0. Introduction ....................................................................................................... 6
1. Wiring the Adaptronic ....................................................................................... 7
1.0. Introduction ............................................................................................... 7
1.1. Temperature Sensors (20-pin connector, yellow/black, blue and violet) ..... 9
1.2. Throttle Position (20-pin connector, black, red and green).......................... 9
1.3. Manifold Absolute Pressure (20-pin connector, brown, orange and yellow)
10
1.4. Crank Angle Sensors (16-pin connector, black shielded cable)................. 10
1.5. Vehicle Speed Sensors (16-pin cable, brown and orange)......................... 12
1.6. Auxiliary Digital Inputs (20-pin cable, various colours) ........................... 12
1.7. Power (8-pin and 6-pin connector, red and black) .................................... 12
1.8. Injectors (8-pin connector, purple, white, grey and pink).......................... 13
1.9. Auxiliary Outputs (6-pin various, 16-pin various) .................................... 14
1.10. Knock Sensor (20-pin, grey shielded cable or yellow/green) ................ 14
1.11. EGO Sensor (20-pin, black shielded cable or yellow/red)..................... 15
1.12. Connecting a Wideband Oxygen Sensor............................................... 16
1.13. Other Options for Secondary Serial Port – ‘ELM 327 @ 38400 baud’.. 17
1.14. Innovate TC-4 Thermocouple interface device on Second Serial Port... 17
2. Initial configuration of the ECU....................................................................... 18
2.0. Basic Setup .............................................................................................. 18
2.0.0. Ignition Outputs ............................................................................... 18
2.0.1. Crank/Cam Angle Sensor - General.................................................. 20
2.0.2. Cam angle sensor - Nissan style ....................................................... 23
2.0.3. Nissan VQ30 example...................................................................... 25
2.0.4. Cam angle sensor example - 24 + 1 + 1 ............................................ 26
2.0.5. Crank angle sensor example - Honda CBR600 ................................. 28
2.0.6. Cam angle sensor example - Suzuki G13B ....................................... 28
2.0.7. Injector Outputs ............................................................................... 29
2.1. Configuring the Analogue Sensors ........................................................... 30
2.1.0. Manifold Absolute Pressure (MAP).................................................. 30
2.1.1. Temperature Sensors ........................................................................ 31
2.1.2. Load Sensing (Tuning mode) ........................................................... 32
2.1.3. Throttle Position Sensor (TPS) ......................................................... 34
2.1.4. EGO (Exhaust Gas Oxygen) Sensor ................................................. 34
2.1.5. Knock Sensor ................................................................................... 35
2.2. Corrections .............................................................................................. 35
2.3. Auxiliary Outputs .................................................................................... 35
2.3.0. ‘Logic Only’ Outputs ....................................................................... 38
2.4. Special Functions..................................................................................... 39
2.5. Road Speed.............................................................................................. 39
2.5.0. Launch Control ................................................................................ 39
2.5.1. Traction Control............................................................................... 40
2.6. Auxiliary / Digital Inputs ......................................................................... 41
2.6.0. ‘Logic Only’ Inputs.......................................................................... 41
2.7. Power Cut, Idle, Waste gate ..................................................................... 41
2.8. Target AFR.............................................................................................. 41
2.9. Fuel and Ignition Maps (Tuning).............................................................. 41
3. Starting the Engine .......................................................................................... 44

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3.0. Getting Started......................................................................................... 44
3.1. Initial Tuning ........................................................................................... 45
3.2. Adaptive Fuel Tuning Explained.............................................................. 46
3.3. Further Tuning......................................................................................... 48
3.4. Ignition Tuning ........................................................................................ 50
4. Software .......................................................................................................... 52
4.0. WARIVI .................................................................................................. 52
4.0.0. General ............................................................................................ 52
4.0.1. WARI Menus ................................................................................... 52
4.0.2. WARI Settings Management ............................................................ 54
4.0.3. ECU Data Window, and ‘Calculation Trace’ .................................... 54
4.1. Firmware Flashing Utility ........................................................................ 58
4.2. Specifications .......................................................................................... 59
Physical ........................................................................................................... 59
Sensor Interfaces ............................................................................................. 59
Actuator Interfaces .......................................................................................... 60
Control Characteristics .................................................................................... 60
5. ECU Operation ................................................................................................ 62
5.0. Introduction ............................................................................................. 62
5.1. Reading Inputs......................................................................................... 62
5.1.0. Analogue Inputs ............................................................................... 62
5.1.1. Temperature Inputs .......................................................................... 62
5.1.2. 0-5V Inputs (TPS, MAP and Ext)..................................................... 63
5.1.3. Oxygen sensor input and Air-Fuel Ratio........................................... 64
5.1.4. Knock Sensor Input.......................................................................... 67
5.1.5. Digital Inputs ................................................................................... 67
5.1.6. RPM and Triggering......................................................................... 69
5.1.7. Vehicle Speed Sensing ..................................................................... 70
5.1.8. Supply voltage ................................................................................. 70
5.2. Calculations, Control Policies and Special Behaviour .............................. 70
5.2.0. Introduction...................................................................................... 70
5.2.1. Fuel Calculation, including Volumetric Efficiency (VE) .................. 70
5.2.2. Ignition Calculation.......................................................................... 72
5.2.3. Rotary Spark Split ............................................................................ 72
5.2.4. Tuning Modes .................................................................................. 72
5.2.5. Fuel Trim Calculation, and Transient Throttle .................................. 75
5.2.6. Ignition Trim Calculation ................................................................. 77
5.2.7. Asynchronous Accelerator Pump...................................................... 78
5.2.8. Closed Loop Fuel Control ................................................................ 78
5.2.9. Adaptive Fuel Control ...................................................................... 79
5.2.10. Closed Loop Ignition........................................................................ 80
5.2.11. Adaptive Ignition ............................................................................. 80
5.3. Power Cut ................................................................................................ 81
5.4. Special Functions..................................................................................... 82
5.4.0. Fuel Pump Control ........................................................................... 82
5.4.1. Air Conditioner ................................................................................ 82
5.4.2. Purge Valve ..................................................................................... 83
5.4.3. PRCV Control.................................................................................. 83
5.4.4. Second Serial Port ............................................................................ 83
5.4.5. Blow-off Valve ................................................................................ 83
5.4.6. Turbo Timer Control ........................................................................ 84
5.4.7. Variable Valve Timing..................................................................... 85

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5.5. Generic Auxiliary Outputs ....................................................................... 89
5.6. Idle Control.............................................................................................. 90
5.7. Wastegate Control.................................................................................... 93
5.8. Driving Outputs ....................................................................................... 94
5.8.0. Ignition Outputs ............................................................................... 94
5.8.1. Injection Outputs.............................................................................. 95
5.8.2. Auxiliary Outputs............................................................................. 96

List of Figures
Figure 1: Wiring Diagram ..................................................................................... 8
Figure 2: Connectors on the Adaptronic ECU........................................................ 9
Figure 3: Reluctor Waveform (correct)................................................................ 11
Figure 4: Reluctor Waveform (inverted, incorrect) .............................................. 12
Figure 5: Stripped back sheath and cut braid ....................................................... 15
Figure 6: Stripped back sheath and insulated braid .............................................. 15
Figure 7: Stripped back sheath and twisted braid ................................................. 16
Figure 8: Heatshrink over braid........................................................................... 16
Figure 9: Heatshrink over join............................................................................. 16
Figure 10: Ignition Configuration Dialogue Box ............................................... 18
Figure 11: Configuration for checking the timing during cranking..................... 21
Figure 12: Timing Lock option box................................................................... 23
Figure 13: Stylised Nissan cam angle sensor waveform..................................... 24
Figure 14: Trigger Example for Nissan SR20DET engine ................................. 25
Figure 15: Nissan VQ30 Trigger Waveforms .................................................... 25
Figure 16: Triggering Settings for Nissan VQ30................................................ 26
Figure 17: Trigger Example for Mazda B5 DOHC engine ................................. 27
Figure 18: Trigger Example for Honda CBR600 Crank angle Sensor ................ 28
Figure 19: Trigger Example for Suzuki Swift GTi Sensor ................................. 29
Figure 20: MAP sensor calibration value in kPa ................................................ 30
Figure 21: Load Sensing Options ...................................................................... 33
Figure 22: Location TPS calibration.................................................................. 34
Figure 23: Water Injection Auxiliary Output Example....................................... 36
Figure 24: Shift Light Auxiliary Output Example.............................................. 37
Figure 25: Stall Saver Auxiliary Output Example.............................................. 38
Figure 26: Road Speed calibration panel ........................................................... 39
Figure 27: Rapid Learn Settings and Closed Loop Fuel Settings........................ 46
Figure 28: ECU Data Window .......................................................................... 55
Figure 29: Response of Knock Filter ................................................................. 67
Figure 30: Series Mode turbo timer configuration ............................................. 85
Figure 31: Ignition Waveforms in Different Modes ........................................... 95
Figure 32: Injector Firing Pattern Example........................................................ 95

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COPYRIGHT NOTICE

This document, and any and all associated publications and designs are copyright
Adaptronic, 2003-2005. No reproduction or distribution whatsoever is permitted,
whether for profit or not for profit, except where prior written permission has been
granted by an Adaptronic representative with authority to do so.

WARNING

Modifying engines is dangerous. With incorrect tuning, it is possible to destroy


engines. Incorrect triggering can also cause this. Care must be taken; tuning is not
something that should be attempted by anyone not knowledgeable and experienced in
the field.

Furthermore, if the product is to be put on a controlled vehicle (eg, a road going car),
you should check with local authorities about the legal implications of this. For
example you may need to get an emissions test done after tuning the engine, and/or an
engineering certificate/report.

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0. Introduction
This manual is for installers and people setting up an Adaptronic e420c ECU. This
document pertains to hardware version 1.0 of the Adaptronic ECU.

This document assumes that the reader has a basic understanding of:

• General automotive systems;


• General automotive wiring; and
• General ECU and EFI operation.

The following describes the basic procedure of installing an Adaptronic ECU:

1. Source a wiring diagram of the vehicle, if the ECU is being fitted to an


existing vehicle.
2. Plan how the ECU is to be wired and installed - for example how all the
outputs, inputs and triggering will be handled.
3. Wire up the ECU.
4. Set the settings in the ECU in accordance with the input, output and triggering
configuration.
5. Verify the operation of the sensors.
6. Verify the operation of the actuators.
7. Verify triggering.
8. Get the engine to run.
9. Tune the no-load conditions.
10. Set up idle control (if applicable).
11. Tune the loaded conditions.
12. Set up other ancillary devices.

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1. Wiring the Adaptronic
1.0. Introduction
The Adaptronic ECU is wired similarly to other aftermarket ECUs, in terms of sensor
and actuator connection. A sample wiring diagram is shown in Figure 1.

There are six plugs on the Adaptronic, the first four of which must be wired in to the
vehicle harness. These are shown in Figure 2, and are as follows:

• An 8-way single-in-line connector, which connects to power, ground and


injectors;
• A 6-way single-in-line connector, which connects to auxiliary outputs 1-4 and
ground;
• A 20-way dual-in line OEM style connector, which connects to sensor inputs;
• A 16-way dual-in line OEM style connector, which connects to low current
outputs and real-time inputs;
• A 9-way D connector (DE9), female, which connects through a DE9 extension
cable to a PC or hand controller; and
• A 9-way D connector (DE9) male, used for ancillary devices (eg wideband
oxygen sensor).

Each vehicle will be different, but what follows is a set of general guidelines that will
help with most vehicles and installations.

• Work out which loom you need to order in advance. There are two versions of
the loom available; a 0.5m long version and a 2m long version. The 0.5m
version is intended for installers connecting to the existing vehicle harness;
whereas the 2m version is intended for installers running a new harness. If in
doubt, it would be advisable to order the 2m version. The difference in price is
not four times because most of the cost is in the termination of the wires in the
plugs rather than the cable itself.
• If you are wiring into an existing harness, do your best to obtain a wiring
diagram of the existing wiring. This may include obtaining the wiring diagram
of the vehicle if it's a factory loom, or in the worst case, disconnecting the
wires and following them to find out which ones connect to which sensors and
actuators.
• Whether you intend running a new loom or adding to the existing loom, it will
help to draw a diagram of what you intend to do. For example, if you are
connecting to an existing harness, it may be sufficient to take the example
wiring diagram in Figure 1 and mark on it the factory loom colours. If you are
running your own loom, you may want to write down functions for the
auxiliary outputs.

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Figure 1: Wiring Diagram

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Figure 2: Connectors on the Adaptronic ECU

What follows are some notes on individual sensor inputs.

1.1. Temperature Sensors (20-pin connector,


yellow/black, blue and violet)
These are to be connected as a thermistor (a resistor whose resistance varies with
temperature) between ground (brown wire) and the sensor input (yellow/black for
water temp, blue for air temp, violet for aux temp).

• Do NOT connect one side of the thermistor to ground at the engine block - the
only connection to ground must be through the ECU. If poor grounding
conventions are followed, large amounts of noise will result, leading to
fluctuating temperature readings.
• It is most important to connect the water temperature sensor. Without it, there
will be no temperature-based enrichment, and the engine will be very difficult
to start when cold, or run very rich when hot.
• The air temperature sensor can be left disconnected if there is no sensor
available. It will however improve general drivability (idle quality, fuel
mixture consistency etc) if installed.
• The aux temperature sensor is not used by the ECU, except to send data to the
PC, and operate any auxiliary outputs configured to operate based on that
input.

1.2. Throttle Position (20-pin connector, black, red and


green)
The Throttle Position Sensor (TPS) should be configured as a variable resistor. There
should be three wires connecting the TPS to the ECU; a ground, a supply and a signal
wire. The ground, although a separate wire from the temperature sensor ground in the
loom, is connected to the temperature sensor ground internally to the ECU, and if the
original wiring harness had these two sensors running from the same ground wire,
then this is acceptable.

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The ECU supplies 5V to the TPS via the red wire. The TPS is traditionally wired so
that full throttle gives the highest voltage on the signal wire, and closed throttle gives
the lowest voltage.

1.3. Manifold Absolute Pressure (20-pin connector,


brown, orange and yellow)
Some ECUs use an internal MAP sensor. The Adaptronic uses an external MAP
sensor, allowing different maximum pressures (1-4 Bar) to be used. The MAP sensor
is configured similarly to the TPS; that is, as a variable resistor, with a 5V supply, a
ground and a signal wire. Again, a dedicated ground wire is run from the loom to the
MAP sensor; however if the wiring harness already has a ground wire which is used
for TPS or temperature sensing, this can be used instead. Please ensure that this
ground wire is isolated from the engine block (when the ECU is disconnected),
otherwise the sensor readings will be inaccurate.

When using a standard Delco MAP sensor, the two outside terminals are the ground
and +5V connections and the centre is the signal output. Again, it is convention to
wire the unit so that the maximum pressure (atmospheric on a naturally aspirated car)
gives the highest voltage, and that vacuum delivers the lowest voltage.

If you have a MAP sensor of unknown pin configuration, remember that there are
only 6 possible permutations of the pins. To simplify the task, it may help to measure
the resistance between all the pairs of pins. The lowest reading (normally around
1.5k ) will likely be the +5V and ground connections. If the resistance reads the
same with either polarity of the multimeter, you can probably pick a polarity at
random and wire it up using alligator leads, and verify the voltage at the remaining
pin, under atmospheric and vacuum. On the Delco/GM sensors, the A pin is the
ground, B is the signal and C is the supply (as shown on the wiring diagram).

1.4. Crank Angle Sensors (16-pin connector, black


shielded cable)
There are two main types of CAS; those that give a digital output (usually Hall Effect
or optical) and those that give an analogue output (reluctor, or "variable reluctance"
sensors).

Hall Effect and optical sensors give a digital pulse to ground. The following tips may
be useful:

• For optical and Hall Effect sensors, the sensor will usually require a supply
voltage. This may be anywhere between 5V and 12V, depending on the
particular sensor. There is no hard and fast rule for determining what it should
be for any given sensor; except by consulting the documentation for the donor
vehicle.
• The output will usually be an open collector (that is, an output that shorts to
ground), which is suitable for the Adaptronic. The ECU has an internal pull-up
resistor. Simply connect each output from the sensor to one of the three inputs
(red, black, yellow) on the digital crank angle sensor input cable (the one with
four cores, and a shield). If the sensor is isolated from the engine block, it may

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help to ground the sensor through the white wire inside the shielded cable. If it
is grounded at the engine block, do not ground this back at the ECU as well.
• For digital inputs, option 1 should be followed (ie, pins 13, 5 and 12 on the
connector).
• Before committing to a wiring method; it may help to read section 3.1.4,
regarding CAS setup of the ECU. For example, on the B3 SOHC engine, the
ECU will be required to trigger from both sides of the single output, and
therefore the output should be wired to two ECU inputs.

Reluctor sensors generate a voltage spike. The voltage across the reluctor coil
normally sits a zero Volts. As the tooth approaches the pickup, the voltage increases.
The peak voltage will be somewhere between 0.5V and 50V, depending on engine
speed and the type of reluctor. When the tooth passes the middle of the pickup, the
voltage suddenly swings negative. As the tooth recedes from the pickup, the voltage
increases back to zero. See Figure 3.

Figure 3: Reluctor Waveform (correct)

• For reluctor sensors, the same cable (black shielded) is used. The white wire in
this cable must connect to the common ground of the reluctor, and the other
three internal wires (red, black and yellow) should connect to the positive side
of the reluctor coils.
• For reluctor type systems, option 2 should be used. That is, pins 11, 3 and 10
in the ECU connector.
• In many cases (eg B5 DOHC, 4AGE, 4EFTE), the reluctor will have three
pickups, whose grounds are already connected together. Therefore, the sensor
has a 4-wire connector. To determine which wire is which, one can use a
multimeter set to the resistance range (2k ). The resistance between any two
coil positive pins will be double that between a coil positive and the common
ground. For example if the following measurements are made:
o pin 1 to pin 2 is 170
o pin 1 to pin 3 is 170
o pin 1 to pin 4 is 170
o pin 2 to pin 3 is 340
o pin 2 to pin 4 is 340
o pin 3 to pin 4 is 340
then it would appear that pin 1 is the common ground, and pins 2, 3 and 4 are
the outputs.
• Make sure that the polarity is as shown in Figure 3. If the waveform is
inverted, the ECU will not trigger reliably from the pulse. If the reluctor has
all the wires coming out of it (eg 3 coils would require 6 wires), then it should
be possible to reconnect the common to the other side of the coils. Most
reluctors are not of this type, however Honda use inverted outputs (as shown
in Figure 4).

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Figure 4: Reluctor Waveform (inverted, incorrect)

1.5. Vehicle Speed Sensors (16-pin cable, brown and


orange)
This is used for idle speed control on vehicles which have no neutral switch, however
they can also be logged by the PC.

• These inputs have a passive pull-up, and therefore a sensor that shorts to
ground (for example, Hall Effect, optical or reed switch) will be suitable.

1.6. Auxiliary Digital Inputs (20-pin cable, various


colours)
These are intended to add "heuristic" behaviours to the ECU. Most factory ECUs have
connections to other devices on the vehicle, such as headlights, neutral switch and so
on, to allow certain behaviour in certain conditions (for example, allowing the purge
valve to open only when in-gear).

• These inputs have an internal pull-up, so are "high" if left not connected. In
the settings, you can select whether the inputs are "active low" (default - used
when an input is shorted to ground) or "active high" (used for an input that is
normally shorted to ground, and is raised when it is active).
• For example, to connect a clutch switch that shorts to ground, merely connect
the switch contact to the digital input.
• To connect a headlight (to increase the idle speed), find the side of the switch
that goes to +12V when the headlights are on, and wire this into the ECU
input. NOTE: you must also configure the settings for this input to be
"active high".

1.7. Power (8-pin and 6-pin connector, red and black)


There is one +12V input, and it is found on the 8-way plug. This should be connected
so that it comes on only with the ignition. Only a small amount of current flows
through this wire (< 0.5A), as it is only required to power up the electronics in the
ECU.

There are five ground wires; three on the 8-way plug and two on the 6-way plug.

• Depending on your application, they may all need to be connected to a solid


earth near the ECU.
• The reason for so many wires is the large amount of current that they may be
required to carry.
• Each high current auxiliary output is rated at a maximum of 7A resistive (or
3A inductive) - so there is a maximum total current of 28A. Each low current

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auxiliary output is rated at a maximum of 200mA, and the ECU itself may
require another 200mA, leading to a further 1A. Each injector output may
deliver up to 1.9A continuous, which is 7.6A. The total ground current may
therefore be around 36A in the absolute worst case steady-state condition.
• Each ground wire is rated at 7.5A.
• You should calculate the maximum current draw and determine the number of
ground wires required.

For example:

Aux outputs: 1 idle solenoid (1A max) 1


3 relays (air con, thermofan, fuel pump) - 3×150mA 0.45
3 LED shift lights (20mA each) - 3×20mA 0.06
1 canister purge valve (0.5A) 0.5
ECU circuitry 0.2
4 injectors, running at 1A 4

Total 6.2A

• In this case, one ground wire would carry the current adequately. However, it
is good practice to run a few, as this will reduce the voltage drop, and will
allow for future expansion (eg, if one of the outputs changed to a 3A water
injection pump).

1.8. Injectors (8-pin connector, purple, white, grey and


pink)
These outputs are current-controlled open collector outputs from the ECU. They pull
low when the ECU activates an injector. They can be used with or without external
resistors (standard on many vehicles with low resistance injectors), or with high or
low impedance injectors. The difference to the ECU is that increased heating will take
place with lower impedance injectors, and therefore if you are using very low value
injectors at very high duty cycles, it would be a good idea to monitor the heatsink
temperature to make sure the ECU doesn't get too hot.

The outputs are current regulated, and the current is controlled by a setting. If you
intend connecting two injectors to a single output, you have two options:

• Connecting them in series. This is only recommended for low impedance


injectors. It guarantees the same current is applied to both injectors (by
Kirchoff's current law). It will also lead to less heat dissipation in the ECU. It
does however mean that if an injector becomes open-circuit or a plug falls off,
then you will lose both injectors rather than just one. In this case, the current
setting in the configuration should be sufficient to drive a single injector (0.9A
is typical).
• Connecting them in parallel. This must be done with high impedance (>12 )
injectors to enable enough current to flow. Because the current is now shared
between the two injectors, the current setting in the configuration must be
doubled (1.9A). Although this is commonly done with low impedance
injectors, it does not guarantee that each injector will receive the same current.

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The injector outputs have been designed so that they can be left "live" when the
ignition is switched off. However, there will be a small amount of current drain. This
is around 0.4mA in total. This current drain exists because of the voltage sensing
circuitry, for detection of injector failure.

The four wires, labelled Inj 1, Inj 2, Inj 3 and Inj 4, refer to the firing sequence, not
the cylinder numbers. Therefore, if your engine's firing order is 1-3-4-2, you will need
to connect the injectors as follows:

Name Colour Cylinder


Inj 1 Purple 1
Inj 2 White 3
Inj 3 Pink 4
Inj 4 Grey 2

1.9. Auxiliary Outputs (6-pin various, 16-pin various)


There are two types of auxiliary output: high current (numbers 1-4) and low current
(numbers 5-8).

• The high current outputs have a maximum load of 7A resistive (simple loads
like globes) or 3A inductive (anything with coils in it, eg motors, solenoids).
• They may be connected to outputs that are switched with ignition or always
powered up.
• The first 3 auxiliary outputs have a PWM capability, and so should be left for
functions that may require variable control (eg idle solenoids, water injection
pumps etc).
• These are open-drain outputs, so they pull to ground when they are enabled.
The conventional method of connection would be to connect the negative side
of the solenoid to the ECU, and the positive side of the solenoid to ignition
positive (+12V when ignition is on).

The low current outputs have the following characteristics.

• The low current outputs have a maximum current of 200mA, and so are
suitable for driving light loads such as relay coils and LED indicators. None
has PWM capability.
• They may be connected to outputs that are switched with ignition or always
powered up.
• These are open-collector outputs, so they also pull to ground when the output
is enabled. They are back-EMF suppressed, so are suitable for driving
inductive loads such as relays.
• The conventional method of wiring a relay output is to connect one side of the
coil to the ignition positive line, and the other side to the auxiliary output of
the ECU.

1.10. Knock Sensor (20-pin, grey shielded cable or


yellow/green)
If you are using a knock sensor, the knock sensor should be connected via shielded
cable because of the low signal levels. Usually, a knock sensor will have two wires

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coming from it. In this case, either wire can usually connect to the shield of the cable
or to the signal conductor in the centre of the cable.

1.11. EGO Sensor (20-pin, black shielded cable or


yellow/red)
There are three main types of passive exhaust gas oxygen sensor, characterised by the
number of wires.

A single wire sensor should be installed in the following manner:

• Strip back the sheath on the EGO sensor cable from the ECU, and cut off the
braid, leaving just the centre conductor (see Figure 5).
• Insulate any loose strands of the braid, by shrinking a piece of heat-shrink over
the end of the sheath (see Figure 6)
• Connect the central conductor to the EGO sensor, either by crimping a spade
connector on the end or whatever is suitable for your particular sensor.

Figure 5: Stripped back sheath and Figure 6: Stripped back sheath and
cut braid insulated braid

A three wire sensor should be installed in the following manner:

• Perform the same steps as above to prepare the end of the EGO sensor cable.
• Find out which wires are the heater wires on the sensor. This can be performed
by measuring the resistance between the pins on the plug. Usually, the heater
resistance will be around 6 , and the sensor will read open circuit when cold.
• Connect the EGO sensor wire from the ECU to the pin that measures open
circuit on the sensor.
• Confirm that both the other two pins are isolated from the body of the sensor
(using the resistance range of a multimeter). If so, connect a 12V ignition line
and Ground to the other two pins. If not, find which of the two pins is
connected to the sensor body (0 ), and connect this pin to Ground and the
other pin to ignition switched 12V.

A four wire sensor should be installed in the following manner:

• This assumes the standard colour codes - two white wires, one grey wire and
one black wire.
• First determine whether or not the sensor output is isolated from ground.
Measure the resistance between the grey wire and the sensor body. If it is open
circuit, you have a proper 4-wire sensor. If it is short circuit, your sensor is a

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3-wire sensor with an extra wire. In this case, the black wire is the signal wire
and the two white wires are the heater wires. Do not connect the grey wire.
Connect the sensor as the 3-wire description above.
• Assuming you have a sensor with an isolated output, you should connect the
two white wires to switched +12V and ground.
• Strip back the sheath of the EGO sensor cable from the ECU, but do not cut
the braid. Instead, twist the braid so that it forms another conductor (see
Figure 7).
• Shrink a length of heatshrink around the braid, to insulate it from other
conductors (see Figure 8).
• Shrink a length of heatshrink over the join, to insulate any exposed braid (see
Figure 9)
• Connect these to the sensor, either by using crimp terminals or whatever is
used on your sensor. The signal wire (central conductor of the EGO cable
from the ECU) should connect to the black wire on the sensor; the ground
(braid) should connect to the grey wire on the sensor, and the two white wires
connect to ignition positive and ground.

Figure 7: Stripped back sheath and Figure 8: Heatshrink over braid


twisted braid

Figure 9: Heatshrink over join

1.12. Connecting a Wideband Oxygen Sensor


There are three methods to connect a wideband oxygen sensor:

• Into the normal oxygen sensor input. The voltage at this input must not exceed
3V, so is unsuitable for most types of linearised oxygen sensors.
• Into the "External" analogue input (grey wire). This input is 5V tolerant and is
suitable for most linearised oxygen sensors.

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• Into the secondary serial port of the ECU. This is the most preferable option.

The secondary serial port is the DE9 male connector, next to the serial port that
connects to the PC. The following serial protocols are supported through this serial
port:

• M&W UEGO LSU4


• Innovative Motorsports LC1 / LM1 (and/or TC-4 EGT unit)
• Techedge WBO2 serial frame format 2
• Techedge 2J1
• FJO Gen II
• AEM UEGO

Once the correct mode is selected, the ECU will use the serial input from the
wideband sensor to override any value interpreted from the analogue input. This
allows a tuner to install an ECU with a normal narrowband oxygen sensor, but
connect a wideband sensor for tuning purposes.

The serial connection is preferable to an analogue connection because the ECU can
determine if the sensor output is valid by other information in the serial packet (for
example, sensor temperature), and default to the analogue input (or indicate an invalid
reading) if no information is available. With an analogue input, there is not usually a
way for the ECU to determine if the sensor is giving valid information or not.

1.13. Other Options for Secondary Serial Port – ‘ELM 327


@ 38400 baud’

There are off-the-shelf devices available which contain an ELM327 chip, which is
basically an ‘OBD to RS232 Interpreter’. This device is designed to allow
communications between an OBD connector and an RS232 connection.
If one of these devices is connected to the secondary serial port of the ECU, and set to
‘ELM327 @ 38400 baud’, the ECU will periodically send a command every 11
seconds to clear any fault codes stored in the factory ECU before they can cause the
fault light to illuminate on the dashboard. This is useful for ‘piggyback’ installations
whereby the factory ECU needs to be retained to control certain things on the vehicle,
such as an automatic transmission.

1.14. Innovate TC-4 Thermocouple interface device on


Second Serial Port
The secondary serial port can also be used to receive data from an Innovate TC-4
thermocouple interface device. Currently, this simply allows the four EGT values
from the TC-4 device to be displayed on the gauge window, and they can also be
logged.
An Innovate LC-1 wideband oxygen sensor can be chained in series with a TC-4
device. If you wish to do so, the TC-4 must be placed at the ECU end of the
chain.

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2. Initial configuration of the ECU
Before setting up the ECU it would be advisable to have a walk through some of the
helpful extras in the software. At any point where there is power to the ECU and a
sensor connected you can see the present value of that sensor by selecting the menu
option Windows -> ‘Gauges’, or by pressing F2, an invaluable tool in setting up your
ECU. By pressing F11 or selecting the menu item Windows -> ‘ECU Data’, you can
view all the current outputs and flags, another invaluable tool in diagnosing any
problems with your current settings.

2.0. Basic Setup


Once the wiring is done, connect the white 8 pin plug to the ECU (and ONLY the
white 8 pin plug). This should power up the ECU which should then be connected to a
PC using a straight through RS232 DE9 extension (male-female) cable. WARI, the
Windows Adaptronic Remote Interrogator, should be run on the PC, and the COM
port should be selected.

• Verify that WARI can see the ECU (a message such as "ECU connected
Adaptronic V1" should appear, rather than "No ECU connected")
• Make sure the settings are all ready from the ECU (when first connected, a
message such as "Reading Settings 0%" should appear, and when this reaches
100% and the message changes to "ECU connected", the settings have all been
read).

Once the ECU is online, you should then begin by configuring the basic setup.

2.0.0. Ignition Outputs


Refer to the ignition control section on the basic setup tab. Click the "Configure"
button under the Ignition Control pane to setup the ignition outputs. It will bring up
the following window:

Figure 10: Ignition Configuration Dialogue Box

Set the ignition output sense one of two ways:


• Falling edge sensitive. Most igniters will be falling edge sensitive; that is, the
ECU ignition output goes high to begin charging the coil, and low again
(falling edge) to generate the spark.
• The rising edge option is only for certain igniters that were intended to work
with Kettering ignition (points), and are triggered by the rising edge. Some

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Honda igniters seem to use this logical sense. If a rising edge ignition output
sense is selected, a warning message will be brought up.

There are three ignition outputs on the e420c. These should be set to be fired in one of
five different ways:
• Simultaneously, as on an engine with a distributor. The third ignition output
can then be configured as a tachometer function.
• Alternately, as on a 4 cylinder, wasted spark engine or a dual-distributor
engine (eg Toyota 1UZFE). The third ignition output can then be configured
as a tachometer function.
• In a cycle of three, as in a direct fire ignition on a three cylinder engine, or
wasted spark on a six cylinder engine. In this mode, the tachometer output, if
required, must be sourced from an auxiliary output, and the ign 3 output
function set to ign 3.
• Leading/Trailing, as in on a two rotor Wankel engine with an addressing mode
igniter. Currently in this mode the ECU can fire the leading/trailing spark
plugs (ign 1/ign 2) via addressing (ign 3 set to coil address) with the factory
addressing igniters or with a distributor.
• In a cycle of four, as in direct fire ignition on a four cylinder, or wasted spark
on an eight cylinder engine, (ign 3 set to ign 3) and aux 1 set to ign 4.
• Wasted Leading 2 rotor, which allows Ign 1 to fire the leading plugs of a two-
rotor Wankel engine in wasted spark mode, while Ign 2 and Ign 3 fire the
trailing plugs in direct fire mode.
• Direct Fire 2 rotor, where Ign 1 and Ign 4 are the front and rear leading plugs,
and Ign 2 and Ign 3 are the front and rear trailing plugs.

Ignition Output 1 will fire first after the reset pulse from the crank/cam trigger.
Each output will turn on a fixed amount of time (the "dwell time", configurable in the
Trigger/Output window) before the spark is to fire. The output will then turn off at the
angle at which the output is supposed to fire, discharging the coil and generating the
spark.

CAUTION: Many igniters are not very intelligent. If you apply a constant "on"
signal to them, the output transistor will often stay on, which can cause damage
to the igniter or the ignition coil. A warning message will be brought up if the
ECU’s current state would cause the ECU to apply a constant “on”.

The dwell time is the time for which the coil is charged before firing. Typically values
between 3000µs (3ms) and 3500µs (3.5ms) are used successfully. If the dwell time is
set to be longer than the minimum period (eg 5ms is one period at 6000 RPM), the
dwell will be shortened to the next available trigger pulse once the RPM becomes too
high. Some igniters (including all capacitor discharge ignition (CDI) systems)
generate their own dwell time, and so the dwell time asserted by the ECU is
unimportant.

In the case of alternating ignition outputs, the dwell time allowable is up to double the
period, as each output fires only once every two periods. This is one reason why a
wasted spark system (or coil-on-plug) is used on high revving engines rather than a
conventional single coil/distributor system. If you have not already set the dwell time
you should do so now.

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The Timing Lock feature allows the ignition timing to be fixed (or offset based on the
° BTDC) when the engine is running to verify the ignition timing.

The remaining plugs should now be connected to the ECU.

2.0.1. Crank/Cam Angle Sensor - General


This is traditionally the most difficult of sensors to configure because of the multitude
of different sensors available. Because of the flexibility of the Adaptronic, it can be
configured to a myriad of different sensors. This flexibility also makes the
configuration process longer than that on a simpler system. These settings are all
controlled in the Basic Setup tabsheet, in the "Advanced" options.

There are three input channels on the ECU. Each of these can be configured as a
reluctor or a digital input. For digital inputs, each channel can be configured to fire on
the rising or falling edge. For reluctor inputs, they must be set to falling edge. The
Adaptronic can be programmed to detect missing teeth, and can also be configured as
a crankshaft or camshaft sensor (360° period or 720° period). Furthermore, the timing
mark angles from the sensor can be selected.

In most cases, you will have the following:

1. One sensor channel that gives a timing mark, for example, a multitooth wheel;
2. Another channel (or two) that give synchronisation information, for example,
a single pulse every 720°;
3. If the timing mark is too inaccurate, sometimes you may have another pulse
that occurs at the correct ignition timing during cranking.

In any case, the procedure is:

1. Verify that the ECU is detecting the pulses from the sensor;
2. Find out at what angles the pulses occur;
3. Configure the ECU to suit.

Because the ECU can accept a channel specifically to fire the ignition during cranking
(by ticking ‘Ign Crank’), one can connect a timing light to the ignition output from the
coil, and select each input (which has been connected, see Figure 13) in turn, crank
the engine and determine the angle at which the pulse occurs. For each connected
channel in turn:

1. Deselect all the boxes in all other channels.


2. If this channel is a reluctor input, select "Falling Edge". Otherwise, this must
be performed twice; once using "Falling Edge" and once using "Rising Edge".
3. Deselect all the boxes in this channel, and select "Ign Crank" (see Figure 13).
4. Make sure that the ignition output is set to "Both at once", that the dwell time
is appropriate (eg 3ms), and that the correct ignition sense for the igniter is
selected (rising or falling edge, falling edge being the most common).
5. Crank the engine, and use the timing light to determine at what angles the
pulses occur.
6. Record it before you forget it.

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Figure 11: Configuration for checking the timing during cranking

Some hints:

• Usually the crank pulley is marked with timing marks only from 20° BTDC to
TDC. However, often pulses occurring outside this range are subdivisions of
one revolution. For example, if there are 12 pulses during cranking, they
appear to be evenly spaced, and one of the pulses is at 10° BTDC, you can be
pretty sure that the others are at 160°, 130°, 100°, 70° and 40° (and these plus
180°).
• When you crank an engine with the spark plugs installed, the ring-gear makes
a sound like "nyeh-nyeh-nyeh-nyeh-nyeh-nyeh". Each "nyeh" is a single
cylinder, which corresponds to 180° on a 4-cylinder 4-stroke engine. The
significance of this is that if you have a sensor that only triggers once every 4
"nyeh"s, this occurs every 2 revolutions, or 720°. This will likely be a cylinder
reset marker.

NOTE: this requires that the ignition output has been set up and tested already.
Also recommended is that in a distributor system, the coil be connected directly
to a spark plug to avoid the angles where the distributor does not make a
connection. If you do not get regular pulses, you should check your wiring. If you
are using a reluctor input, you can look at the conditioned signals on the digital
CAS input wires using an oscilloscope; they should be high except for the
duration of the negative slope in the reluctor waveform, at which time the
appropriate channel should become low.

Once you have documented what the sensor outputs do, you can configure the ECU to
suit this sensor.

Each "nyeh" (the sound made during cranking) is called a "period". This period refers
to 180° on a 4-cylinder 4-stroke engine, 120° on a 6-cylinder and 90° on an 8-
cylinder. All the timing for the Adaptronic is calculated on a "per period" basis.
This is a throwback to the days of distributors, where a new ignition pattern would
occur every period. Each period, a new ignition pulse is generated, and a new
injection pulse is generated. The RPM is also measured between periods.

• The most highly accurate sensor (that is, the one with the most pulses per
revolution) should be used to measure the ignition timing and to fire the
injector. (Tick Inj and Ign) e.g. a multi tooth wheel (If it is has no missing

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teeth, then "No missing tooth" should be selected, and whether Cam or Crank
is selected makes no difference.)
• Using a multi-tooth wheel, the ECU can also reset its position within the
period by detection of missing teeth or an additional reset pulse. In the case of
a missing tooth system, a certain number of missing teeth should be selected
for the ECU to detect. The "reset type" should also be selected. This will be
"Cam" if there is a single missing tooth per camshaft revolution, "Crank" if
there is a single tooth per crankshaft revolution, and "Period" if there is a
missing tooth for each ignition event.
• Any other input triggers should be used to stabilise the timing by resetting the
count. (tick reset)

This is required because the timing sensor may generate several pulses per period, and
therefore the ECU needs a means of determining which pulse corresponds to which
angle measurement.

Unless a Nissan style optical sensor is used, the Trail and Divide check-boxes should
be deselected on all inputs. (refer to 2.0.2 if you have a Nissan sensor)

Any unused inputs should have all boxes deselected.

The ‘minimum pulses before generating any outputs’ should be set such that ECU
will know exactly where the engine is up to before any outputs occur.

Batch fire during cranking is recommended for easier starting. Some applications may
require this to be disabled, for example if it's necessary for precise fuel metering e.g.
when very large injectors are used.

The input divisor must be used if the trigger sensor generates more than 30 pulses per
period (there are a maximum of 30 entries in the timing mark table). The "Input
Divisor" field determines the division ratio. This is explained in greater detail in
section 2.0.2, Nissan Sensor.

The cylinder 1 pulses and cylinder n/2 pulses allow the ECU to detect cylinder 1 and
the opposing cylinder using the "Trail" option. The number of ignition trigger pulses
between the period reset and the trail event are counted for the purposes of generating
a "cam" or "crank" reset condition. Again, see 2.0.2 for more information.

The next step is to work out the angles of the trigger pulses, in the order that they are
received by the ECU, starting with the first one after the reset pulse (or the gap in the
teeth). These should then be calculated in terms of the angle BTDC of that period.
These should then be entered in the table, in order, with the value after the last pulse
being -1. The -1 is to indicate the end of the table, so any entry after the first -1
will be ignored.

If there are inputs that provide only synchronisation information, they should have all
boxes deselected, except for "Reset". If the setting is "Cam (720°)", then the ECU will
be reset to cylinder 1, and also reset to the start of the timing table, when the pulse
occurs. If the setting is "Crank (360°)", then the ECU will be reset to cylinder 1 or the
third cylinder in the cycle on a 4-cylinder (usually cylinder 4), or cylinder 1 or the
fourth cylinder in the cycle on a 6-cylinder (usually cylinder 6), or cylinder 1 or the
fifth cylinder in the cycle on an 8-cylinder. This is because a sensor on a crankshaft

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can only give 360° worth of information, but can still be of use. If the setting is the
"Period" option, the current position will reset to the start of the angle table, however
the current cylinder number will be unaffected. This is useful on sensors which do not
provide any cylinder phasing information, such as the Suzuki G13B engine, or a
sensor on a throttle-body injected engine, or a sensor inside a distributor where the
number of teeth is equal to the number of cylinders.

Once you have set up the triggering, you should make sure all outputs are
disconnected, crank the engine, and verify that the RPM indicator in the gauge
window reads a steady value (usually around 200 - 300 RPM during cranking). If you
have set up the ignition outputs (see the appropriate section), you should set the
"Crank timing" (under ‘corrections’ tab) to a reasonable value (eg 10°), crank the
engine and with a timing light, verify that the ignition pulses occur at the appropriate
angle.

A diagnosis mode allows the ECU to fix the ignition timing at times other than
cranking. By selecting the "Timing lock on" box, and setting an angle (such as 15
degrees), the ECU will assert that ignition timing to the engine (except during
cranking). This will allow you to verify triggering at idle, or over a small engine
speed range. It has been suggested that engine damage can occur if you rev an engine
with no advance.
If you alter the Trigger offset, the angles in the timing mark table will all be adjusted
accordingly.

Figure 12: Timing Lock option box

If you wish to use VVT, set the cam trigger/s as VVT1 and VVT2. For further
information, see the VVT section in the ECU Reference section.

2.0.2. Cam angle sensor - Nissan style


The "Divide" check-box causes the ECU to ignore some pulses from the sensor. This
is intended for Nissan style optical inputs which deliver a pulse every two crankshaft
degrees. The "Input Divisor" field tells the ECU how many input pulses should
correspond to a single pulse in the timing table. For example, if the "Input Divisor"
field is set to 15, then only one in 15 of the pulses from the cam angle sensor will
generate a trigger in the ECU. This corresponds to 30 degrees of crankshaft
revolution, which is tractable to enter into the angle table. The first pulse is always
counted.

In addition to the very high pulse rate from the Nissan sensor output, a separate output
gives cylinder phasing and reset information. The rising edge of the reset pulse occurs
at a constant angle before top dead centre (for example 70 degrees BTDC). The

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falling edge occurs a certain number of 2 degree pulses later, depending on which
cylinder is about to fire.

The following is a stylised view of the waveforms from the 4-cylinder Nissan sensor,
as found on E15ET and SR20DET engines:

Cylinder reset/phasing signal (triggers 2 & 3)

Timing information (trigger 1)

180° 180° 180° 180°

16 12 8 4
pulses pulses pulses pulses

Figure 13: Stylised Nissan cam angle sensor waveform

The way to connect this to an Adpatronic ECU is as follows:

Connect the 2 degree output from the sensor into a digital trigger input (eg Trigger 1)
Connect the variable width (cylinder phasing) signal into the two remaining digital
inputs (eg, Triggers 2 and 3)
On Trigger 1, select "Divide", "Ign", "Inj" and "Rising Edge" only. This allows the
ECU to use the main timer output from the sensor (ie, every 2 degrees) to do the
ignition timing and injection.
Set the "Input Divisor" to 15.
On Trigger 2, select "Rising Edge", "Reset", "Period (Cylinder)" only. This will cause
the ECU to go to the start of the angle table when the rising edge of the input,
which happens at a consistent angle.
On Trigger 3, select "Falling Edge", "Cam (720°)" and "Trail" only. This will cause
the ECU to monitor the width of the pulse between rising and falling edges and set
the cylinder count accordingly.
Set "Cylinder 1 pulses" to 16 and "Cylinder n/2 pulses" to 8.

The figure below shows the triggering setup as tested on an SR20DET sensor:

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Figure 14: Trigger Example for Nissan SR20DET engine

2.0.3. Nissan VQ30 example


The picture below shows the crank and cam sensor waveforms for the Nissan VQ30
engine. Note: on the crank there are 4 teeth, where 3 are evenly spaced. The 4th ‘odd’
tooth on the crank must be removed to allow the e420c to correctly do the triggering
for that engine.

Figure 15: Nissan VQ30 Trigger Waveforms

The 3 evenly spaced teeth on the crank are at 15 degrees BTDC on each stroke.
On the cam, there is a reluctor sensor with 6 'groups' of teeth. The first tooth in each
group is at TDC for a particular cylinder. In each group of teeth there are 1, 4, 5, 2, 3
and 6 teeth. The crank pulses occur in the gaps between each group of teeth on the
cam.

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The Crank trigger (eg. Trigger 1) should have the following options selected:
-Falling edge
-Ign and Inj (so this trigger will be used for timing)
-Period Reset

The Cam trigger (eg. Trigger 2) should have the following options selected:
-Falling edge
-Trail (to allow the cam pulses to be counted)

The ‘special mode’ should be set to ‘Nissan VQ30’, so that the cam sensor can be
used to determine cylinder phasing info by counting the number of cam pulses
between each crank pulse.

There should be a single entry at 15 degrees BTDC in the timing table, which
corresponds to the angle of the crank pulse that occurs each period.

For the Nissan VQ30 engine in particular, the injectors and ignition outputs should be
wired as follows:

Ignition output 1 - Cylinders 1 & 4


Ignition output 2 - Cylinders 2 & 5
Ignition output 3 - Cylinders 3 & 6
Injector output 1 - Cylinders 4 & 5
Injector output 2 - Cylinders 6 & 1
Injector output 3 - Cylinders 2 & 3

Figure 16: Triggering Settings for Nissan VQ30

2.0.4. Cam angle sensor example - 24 + 1 + 1


Consider the following sensor:

• Mazda B5 DOHC (4-cylinder) sensor mounted on camshaft (same as 4AGE


sensor and many other Toyota sensors)
• 3 reluctor coils
• One triggers every 30° of crankshaft rotation (24 teeth on camshaft), one of
the pulses is at 10° BTDC (connected to channel 1).

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• Another triggers every 720° of crankshaft rotation (1 tooth), at about 20°
BTDC (connected to channel 2). This one triggers when cylinder 1 is firing.
• Another triggers every 720° of crankshaft rotation as above, but 360° of
crankshaft rotation out of phase (connected to channel 3). This one triggers
when cylinder 4 is firing.

Because the sync triggers occur at 20° BTDC, the first timing pulse after this occurs
at 10° BTDC. The next one occurs 30° later, which is at 20° ATDC. 20° ATDC is
160° BTDC of the next period (on a 4-cylinder, the period is 180°). The next is 130°,
and so on.
This means that the angles seen by the ECU, in order, starting with the first one after
the reset pulse, are 10, 160, 130, 100, 70, 40.

The third channel, which triggers when cylinder 4 is firing, will trigger when cylinder
1 is about to perform its induction stroke. Therefore, it will reset the cylinder count
back to 1, so that the next injector fired is 1, during its induction stroke. This will be
done by setting this channel to "Reset", "Cam (720°)".

The second channel, which generates a pulse when cylinder 1 is firing, will be used to
reset the cylinder count to 3. That is, it will jump to the third cylinder in the sequence
(which is cylinder number four on the engine, but will correspond to output number
three on the ECU). This will be done by setting the second channel to "Reset", "Crank
(360°)". If the third channel is not available (eg, during cranking, the engine has not
reached that position yet), it may reset the cylinder count to 1, however this will only
affect injection timing during cranking if "batch on crank" is not enabled, and leave
ignition timing unaffected.

The advantage of using this channel to reset to cylinder 1 or 3 is that during cranking,
the ECU needs only two periods to be guaranteed a synchronisation pulse. Only after
a synchronisation pulse has been received can the ECU generate accurate timing
pulses. Therefore, only 3 period pulses are required before generating outputs (5
would be required without this channel). Because the timing information is relatively
accurate and there is no separate output for timing during cranking, no channels
should have the "Ign crank" selected.

The final trigger settings are as shown in Figure 17:

Figure 17: Trigger Example for Mazda B5 DOHC engine

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2.0.5. Crank angle sensor example - Honda CBR600
• Honda CBR600 4-cylinder motorcycle engine, sensor mounted on crankshaft.
• Single reluctor output.
• 9 teeth, spaced at 30° (3 missing teeth).
• The first tooth after the gap occurs at 60° BTDC, the next at 30°, and so on.
• Because it is a sensor on the crankshaft, the reset pulse will occur every
revolution instead of every 2 revolutions.

The angles as seen by the ECU, starting with the first tooth after the gap, are 60, 30, 0,
150, 120, 90. Selecting a gap size of two teeth provides a good compromise between
false detection of the gap and detecting a gap when it's not there, in the face of
changing engine speeds. Only a single channel is needed. Two periods are required
before generating any pulses, because the gap will occur within the first 360° of
cranking. The configuration is shown below:

Figure 18: Trigger Example for Honda CBR600 Crank angle Sensor

2.0.6. Cam angle sensor example - Suzuki G13B


The G13B engine (ex Suzuki Swift GTi and Suzuki Cultus) has 3 teeth per 180°
period. These occur at 91°, 61° and 6° BTDC (reference: workshop manual). There is
no cylinder information given by the distributor, and hence the "Period reset" method
will be used. The trick is then to get the ECU to recognise which tooth the sensor is
up to.

The gap between the 6° pulse and the following 91° pulse will be 186-91 = 95°. This
is larger than the other two gaps (30° and 55°), and hence the ECU will detect that as
a missing tooth. The first entry in the angle table should be the first tooth after the
tooth gap, which in this case is 91°.

The following shows the triggering configuration for the G13B engine:

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Figure 19: Trigger Example for Suzuki Swift GTi Sensor

NOTE: on the ‘Basic Setup’ tab, you can click ‘Change Engine’ and select a
particular engine, which will automatically fill in the correct triggering settings.

2.0.7. Injector Outputs


The Adaptronic has four independent injector drivers. The settings in the ECU allow
several different configurations, which will now be described.

The injector output pattern can be changed. The pattern is flexible enough to cover a
myriad of different configurations. The table below shows which injectors are fired on
the different periods of the engine cycle (2 revolutions). The table will be truncated
depending on the number of cylinders selected.

Period All at Alternate Full Alternate Half Third Quarter Batch


once 12-34-12- seq 12-__-34- speed speed speed on cyl
34 1-2- __ seq seq seq 1
3-4 1-_-2- 1-_-_- 1-_-_-_- 1234-
_-3-_- 2-_-_- 2-_-_-_- _-_-_-
4-_ 3-_-_- 3-_-_-_- .....
4-_-_ 4-_-_-_-
1 1234 12 1 12 1 1 1 1234
2 1234 34 2
3 1234 12 3 34 2
4 1234 34 4 2
5 1234 12 1 12 3 2
6 1234 34 2
7 1234 12 3 34 4 3
8 1234 34 4
9 1234 12 1 12 1 3
10 1234 34 2 4
11 1234 12 3 34 2
12 1234 34 4
13 1234 12 1 12 3 1 4
14 1234 34 2
15 1234 12 3 34 4
16 1234 34 4 2

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In general, one should seek to have each injector firing only once throughout the
cycle. This minimises the impact of injector dead time (the time between the current
being applied to the injector and the injector delivering fuel) on fuel delivery,
allowing better control of the engine. It would be preferable to have the injectors
firing out of synchronisation with the cylinders, and one at a time, than to deliberately
make each injector fire more than once throughout a cycle to ensure consistent timing
between cylinders.

The current for the injectors can be set. This would typically be set at 0.9A, although
higher currents can be used if more injectors are installed (for example, 1.9A if 2
injectors are wired to a single output). The outputs can be set to peak-hold type or
constant current. Peak-hold is preferred, as it decreases the injector dead time. Some
injectors (the standard Suzuki Swift GTi come to mind) require a higher current
(1.5A) to open properly.

Lastly, the ECU only "knows" when it is cranking by the engine speed. Once the
engine has reached a certain speed, the ECU should switch over to normal operation.
However when it goes below a certain speed, the ECU should switch back into
cranking mode to ensure that it recovers. These two RPM points should be set in the
Cranking RPM section on the basic setup tab.

2.1. Configuring the Analogue Sensors


2.1.0. Manifold Absolute Pressure (MAP)
If you are using a MAP sensor, the sensor must be calibrated.

• Open the Analogue tabsheet.


• Enter the minimum readable pressure to the "Lower Value" box. You must
then apply this pressure to the MAP sensor. A value such as 16 kPa would be
typical (see below):

Figure 20: MAP sensor calibration value in kPa

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• Apply this vacuum to the MAP sensor, and click the "Learn" button.
• Enter the maximum pressure of the MAP sensor into the "Upper value" field.
This will be 100 for a 1 Bar MAP sensor, 200 for a 2 Bar MAP sensor and 300
for a 3 Bar MAP sensor.
• Release the vacuum from the sensor so that it reads atmospheric pressure
(100kPa).
• Adjust the "Upper value ADC reading" value until the "Current MAP" reads
100 kPa.
• Note: If you can apply the maximum pressure to the sensor (either it is a 1 Bar
sensor, or you have access to a regulated pressure source), you can just do this
and then click the "Learn" button.
• Apply different pressures to the sensor and verify that the correct pressures are
shown at "Current MAP".

Some typical values for standard MAP sensors are given below:

Pressure Low pressure Low ADC High pressure High ADC


(kPa) value (kPa) value
1 bar 16 237 101 3347
2 bar 16 116 200 3384
3 bar 16 154 300 3384

2.1.1. Temperature Sensors


The default table in the ECU suits a common type of sensor. In practice, it is easiest to
do a "sanity check" when the engine is stopped (and verify that it reads approximately
ambient temperature), and then verify the readings with a thermometer as the engine
warms up. This is most easily done with the water temperature sensor.

To calibrate the sensors properly, you must perform a temperature sweep.

• It can be easiest to start at the hottest temperature by heating the sensor up to


just above the maximum temperature (125°C). Stop heating the sensor.
• With a thermometer installed, monitor the temperature of the sensor.
• As the temperature falls through its operating range, click the "Learn" button
for each appropriate temperature as that temperature is reached.
• Ensure that the sensor cools slowly so that the thermometer is reading the
sensor temperature accurately. This may be facilitated by heating it gently, or
immersing the sensor and thermometer in oil or water (not water at 125°).
• Once the sensor gets down to ambient temperature, repeat the process by
freezing the sensor to its lowest reading, and allowing it to heat up to ambient,
clicking the "Learn" button as it reaches the appropriate temperatures.
• During this process, verify the temperature reading at "Current Temp".

If you have a table or graph that gives the resistance values of the sensor at different
temperatures, the ADC value can be calculated from this resistance. The formula is
given below (for Resistance in Ohms):

ADC Value = 4095 x (Resistance)


(Resistance + 4700)

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Note that this must be performed for all temperature sensors in use (water temperature
sensor, air temperature and auxiliary temperature). There is no need to enter values
for a sensor which will not be connected.

2.1.2. Load Sensing (Tuning mode)


The ECU must be instructed as to how it will determine load of the engine. In version
1.0, there are 14 modes: based on TPS and MAP (and in some cases a digital input to
select which one at the time).

As a rough guide, the following modes should be used:

Mode Application
1 = MAP Single throttle, plenum engines (ie, most street engines) - tuned by
2 = unused MAP sensor. Appropriate for 98% of street engines.
1 = MAP As above, but when two maps are required for alternate tunes
2 = MAP (digital input can select the alternate map)
Digital input
to select #2
1 = unused Tuning by TPS only. Used by some tuners on large cam engines.
2 = TPS Must only be used on NA engines. Generally gives poor idle
mixture control so really only suited to race engines.
1 = TPS As above, but when two maps are required for alternate tunes
2 = TPS (digital input can select the alternate map)
Digital input
to select #2
1 = MAP Tune by combination MAP and TPS. Use on multi-throttle body
2 = TPS engines (with a manifold to collect the port pressures for the MAP
MAP x TPS sensor) or engines with no plenum. When tuned correctly gives
excellent mixture consistency on individual throttle body engines.

For more information on the specific functions of each of the settings refer to the
section “Tuning modes”.

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Figure 21: Load Sensing Options

The maximum MAP and map RPM step size should also be set here to determine the
ranges for tuning, keeping in mind that the maximum RPM is the map RPM step size
multiplied by 31. The table below shows the mapping of RPM step to maximum
RPM:
RPM Step Max RPM
500 15500
300 9300
250 7750
200 6200

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2.1.3. Throttle Position Sensor (TPS)
If you are using a throttle position sensor, you will need to calibrate it.

• Go to the Analogue tabsheet.


• Make sure the throttle is fully closed.
• Click the "Learn" button next to the TPS 0% reading (see below)

Figure 22: Location TPS calibration


• Verify that the number to the left of the button changes. It should be
somewhere between 100 and 1000.
• Open the throttle completely (on a car, push accelerator all the way to the
floor), and click the "Learn" button next to the 100% reading.
• Verify that the reading changes. It should be somewhere between 1900 and
4000.
• If the 100% reading is lower than the 0% reading, this indicates that the TPS
has been wired back to front.
• If the two readings are very close, it indicates that one or more of the wires to
the TPS is not connected or the sensor is faulty. Check the wiring.
• The 0% calibration may have to be repeated once the engine has warmed up,
because on some engines the throttle is moved by a thermosensitive device to
increase the idle air when the engine is cold.
• Verify that the "Current TPS" reading reflects the position of the throttle
actuator (push the throttle a few times to check its operation).
• If you are using a TPS switch this will need to be set under the Aux in tab.

2.1.4. EGO (Exhaust Gas Oxygen) Sensor


If you intend running the engine in closed loop fuel control mode, you will need to
install and configure an oxygen sensor.

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• From the drop-down menu, select the type of oxygen sensor.
• If you are using a serial-connected wideband oxygen sensor, you will need to
select your analogue oxygen sensor in the analogue tab, and the serial-
connected wideband sensor under the special functions tab. This means that if
you have the serial device only and no analogue input, the analogue sensor
type should be set to "none".
• If a serial-connected wideband oxygen sensor is selected and connected, the
AFR from it overrides the AFR calculated from the analogue input. However
if there is no data from the serial device for a given period of time, the value
calculated from the analogue input is used instead.
• When the engine is running, the AFR readings can be verified. There will
usually be no sensible output from an oxygen sensor when the engine is not
running, and usually no reading will be displayed on the software.

2.1.5. Knock Sensor


The knock sensor picks up detonation but also picks up a lot of engine noise. This
mechanical noise depends mainly on the engine speed, therefore to avoid the knock
sensor interfering with normal engine operation set the background knock level to a
level slightly above normal engine noise.

2.2. Corrections
The Corrections tabsheet controls all of the fuel and ignition control functions of the
ECU. These are all described in the behavioural section.

2.3. Auxiliary Outputs


The easiest outputs to configure are general-purpose digital outputs. The first four (1-
4) are high current types, intended for driving solenoid valves directly (3A inductive
max, 7A resistive max). The first three of these (1-3) are PWM capable. The next four
(5-8) are simple on/off, low current outputs, intended to drive LED lights or relay
coils. The last three are the lights on the ECU.

A general-purpose output can be configured in a number of different ways. There are


two main methods:

• Based on a measured quantity; and


• Based on some specific behaviour programmed into the ECU.

Any output can be set to either of these. If the output is set to a specific behaviour,
some specific behaviour, as configured in the Special Functions window (F11) will be
effected.

For a measured quantity, there are two types of control:

• PWM; and
• Digital.

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For the PWM modes, the operator can select the high and low points of the measured
quantity over which the output will change its duty cycle. For example, if you wanted
a water injection pump to vary its injection rate based on MAP, from off completely
at 100 kPa to on completely at 150kPa, you would set it up as shown in Figure 21:

Figure 23: Water Injection Auxiliary Output Example

Below 100kPa, the output will be off all the time, and above 150kPa, the output will
be on all the time. The PWM frequency will be 50Hz, and this can be changed as
well.

In digital modes, the two numbers represent hysteresis limits. Because all signals have
noise, the threshold at which the output should come on should differ from the turn-
off threshold. If you want a shift light, for example, you may want it to come on
above 5000 RPM, but if you turn it off below 5000 RPM, this means that the light
will flicker when the engine is around 5000 RPM due to the noise. Therefore, you
would configure it to turn off at a lower value, say 4900 RPM, as shown in Figure 22:

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Figure 24: Shift Light Auxiliary Output Example

There is another flexibility, which is the logical inversion of the output. When the
"Invert" option is selected, the output will be on when it would otherwise be off, and
vice versa. If you wanted some kind of "stall saver", which comes on below 600
RPM, and turns off above 800 RPM, you would configure it as in Figure 23 (note that
in practice you would simply set up the idle speed control correctly, however this
serves as an example):

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Figure 25: Stall Saver Auxiliary Output Example

After wiring the outputs, the first stage is to go to the Aux Out tabsheet and set all the
outputs to "None", and deselect the "Invert" and "PWM". This ensures that all the
outputs are disabled.

The next step is to turn each output on in turn, and verify that it does what it is
supposed to do (start the fuel pump, activate the thermofan, open a purge valve etc).
This can be done by selecting the "Invert" option with the type still set to "None" (this
will activate the output).

Once this is done, the outputs should be configured as desired for the particular
installation. Some tips:

• One output should be configured as a fuel pump. This will normally be one of
the last four, and fed via a relay. The timing of the fuel pump (duration at start
and duration after receiving the last crank angle pulse) can be controlled in
Special Functions.
• One output would normally be configured as a purge valve for road going
cars. The behaviour of this can be controlled in Special Functions.
• If you are attempting adaptive fuel control, it may be beneficial to connect up
two or three LEDs to some of the outputs; the learning states (RPM OK, Load
OK and Wait) can be easily seen, which can help greatly in tuning quickly.

2.3.0. ‘Logic Only’ Outputs


The Aux Outputs can also be set to perform an ‘AND’ or an ‘OR’ function. When you
set an output to one of these behaviours, you then need to specify two of the Logic-
only ‘Output Channels’ which will be ANDed or ORed together to determine the

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on/off state of the output in question. For example, you might set Aux Output 2 to
‘AND’ type, and set the ‘Output Channels’ to 9 and 10, then set (Logic Only) outputs
9 and 10 to their own particular behaviour like any other aux output, and the end
result will be that Aux Output 2 will turn on when Output 9 AND Output 10 are
BOTH ‘true’.
See Auxiliary Inputs section 2.6 for other related information.

2.4. Special Functions


The Special functions tabsheet contains settings for various specific behaviours that
the ECU can perform. These are all described in the behavioural section.

2.5. Road Speed


There are two vehicle speed inputs, for master (driven) and slave (un-driven) vehicle
speed sensors (MVSS and SVSS). These are both input to the ECU as digital signals.
The ECU measures the period between pulses and divides this into a number to arrive
at a number proportional to road speed. If the ECU receives no pulses in a one second
period, the speed for that input is set to zero.

To calibrate the proportionality and achieve the VSS reading in km/h, either drive at
50km/hr and press the learn button, or enter an arbitrary number and adjust it until the
vehicle speed indicated at the ECU corresponds to the actual vehicle speed. Note that
the input must be enabled using the tickbox for the ECU to calculate the speed:

Figure 26: Road Speed calibration panel

2.5.0. Launch Control

The “Rev limit” defines the RPM that the launch control rev-limiter aims for.
When the RPM is within 200 RPM of the rev-limit, half of the cylinders will be
killed. When the RPM exceeds the rev-limit, all of the cylinders will be killed. You
can choose to cut fuel and/or ignition to kill the cylinders.
You can specify a road speed above which the launch control rev-limit will be de-
activated.
If there is no slave-speed sensor installed, you can use a master-speed sensor to
determine an approximate road speed. It is also possible to use launch control with no
vehicle speed sensors fitted, but it would only work when the car is stationary (with
the disable speed set to zero).
NOTE: To avoid conflict between the launch control and flat shift rev-limits, it is
necessary to exceed a vehicle speed of 5 before any flat shifting can occur.

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There is an optional digital input called “launch control enable” which gets logically
OR-ed with the “enabled” tick box. If you wanted to use the input, you would
normally disable the tick box so only the input will have an effect.
There is also a “launch control status” output, intended for an LED indicator, which
will be activated whenever the launch rev-limit is in effect.

2.5.1. Traction Control

The purpose of traction control is to prevent excessive wheel slip during hard
acceleration, and when exiting corners. This requires master speed and slave speed
sensors to be installed. The wheel slip is controlled via ignition retardation and/or
killing of half the cylinders, with a PID controller algorithm (refer to the idle control
section for more information on PID control).

The traction control parameters will now be explained:

-“Change-over road speed” - when the vehicle speed is below or above this value,
different values can be applied for the “maximum retard”, “target slip”, “effort to cut
timing by max retard” and “effort to kill half cylinders”. This allows the harshness of
the system to be increased/decreased at higher speeds.
-“Effort to cut timing by max retard” - as the PID controller effort approaches this
value, the amount of ignition retard will be linearly increased up to the “maximum
retard” value, and then it will be clipped. If, for example, the “maximum retard” was
set to 20 degrees and the “effort to cut timing by max retard” was set to 100, a PID
control effort of 50 would generate 10 degrees of ignition retard.
-“Effort to kill half cylinders” - Once the PID controller effort reaches or exceeds this
value, fuel or ignition will be cut in half of the cylinders. NOTE: if you only wanted
to use ignition retard to control the slip, you would set the “effort to kill half
cylinders” to zero. Alternatively, if you only wanted to use cylinder-killing to control
the slip, you would set the “effort to cut timing by max retard” or the “maximum
retard” to zero.
-Typically, one would specify moderate settings when below the “change-over road
speed” (to control launching wheel-slip), and then have a higher “maximum retard”
and/or lower values for “Effort to cut timing by max retard” and “Effort to kill half
cylinders” when above the change-over speed (to control wheel-slip upon exiting
corners etc). You may want to set the “Effort to kill half cylinders” to zero when
below the change-over speed, so cylinders will only be cut when slip occurs at higher
speeds.
-If the “Slip adjustment via POT on external input” tick box is enabled, the target slip
will be taken from the External input (this only applies when above the “min road
speed”), otherwise the value in “target slip” will be used. Typical target slip values
would be between 10% and 20% in normal dry conditions, or between 5% and 10% in
wet conditions, or around 5% in icy conditions.
-“Slip tolerance” - if, for example, this was set to 2%, the slip would be considered to
be on target if it was anywhere between the target and the target + 2.
-“Min engine speed” -> this RPM must be exceeded before traction control starts to
do anything.

There is an optional digital input called “traction control enable” which gets logically
OR-ed with the “enabled” tick box. If you wanted to use the input, you would
normally disable the tick box so only the input will have an effect.

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There is also a “traction control status” output, intended for an LED indicator, which
will pulse on and off whenever the system is actively reducing slip, or it will remain
on when below the slip target. If traction control is disabled, the traction control status
output will be off.

2.6. Auxiliary / Digital Inputs


These should be configured as required. Each input can be selected in terms of its
function, and can be set to ‘active high’ or ‘active low’.

If multiple inputs are configured to the same function, either input will activate the
same function. By this logic, if no inputs are configured to a particular function, the
function will not be enabled. This allows a neutral switch and a clutch switch to be
connected to separate inputs, and both can be selected as "Clutch", effecting the same
behaviour. Similarly, many electrical loads can be connected to various inputs and
configured as electrical loads.
These are configured in the "Aux In" tabsheet.

2.6.0. ‘Logic Only’ Inputs


Each of the logic-only inputs corresponds to a logic-only output. For example, if
auxiliary input 11 was set to 'enrich/retard', you could specify logic conditions on
auxiliary output 11 that would cause an enrich/retard to occur. The relevant logic-
only input should be set to 'active high'.
Refer to the auxiliary outputs section (2.3) for more details.

2.7. Power Cut, Idle, Waste gate


Refer the equivalent sections in the ECU operation section.

2.8. Target AFR


The desired AFR can be configured in this tabsheet. The values in the boxes are
actually the AFR multiplied by 10. If the oxygen sensor installed is a narrowband one,
only values of 147 (stoichiometry) have real meaning.

The software will give a warning if the target AFR is set beyond the range of reading
of the selected oxygen sensor. In these conditions, the ECU will automatically go to
open loop mode.

2.9. Fuel and Ignition Maps (Tuning)


The e420c ECU has two fuel and two ignition maps. The fuel and ignition maps can
be activated and swapped between by pressing F5. Each of these is a two-dimensional
array, with RPM as one independent variable and load (either MAP or TPS) as the
other. The entry in the array (represented by the height of the graph) is the injector
pulse width, in milliseconds, or the ignition angle, in degrees BTDC.

The keys used to navigate the fuel and ignition maps are shown below:

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Key Function
F5 Swap between the four maps
Cursor keys Move currently selected cell (cursor)
Space Move cursor to closest cell to current engine
operation condition (load and speed)
Page Up/Down Increase/decrease fuel duration by 0.1 ms.
Increase/decrease ignition timing by 1 degree.
Ctrl PgUp / Increase/decrease fuel duration by 0.01 ms.
Ctrl PgDn Increase/decrease ignition timing by 0.2 degree.
Shift + cursor Select a region of the map (as in Excel)
keys
Number keys Direct entry of new value
and decimal
point
Escape Abort entry of new value
Enter Confirm entry of new value (will confirm
automatically if all digits are entered)

Additionally, the graphic maps have a green line that represents the current load, and
a red line that represents the current engine speed. The intersection is the current point
in the map being used by the ECU.

Clicking on cell within the text map with the mouse will also move the cursor.
Dragging out an area with the mouse will select the bounding rectangle. Right-
clicking brings a submenu, which allows the following functions:

Interpolate: For a single column or single row selection, the values


are linearly interpolated between the two endpoints
For a rectangular selection, the four corners are used
and the values interpolated between these
Select All: Select entire map (for making overall changes)
Add/Subtract percentage: Add or subtract a percentage value to the selected
region. An offset can be added or subtracted using the
PgUp/PgDn keys.
Mark as tuned: Any cell can be marked as tuned or as untuned. This
allows the tuner to record which cells have been tuned
and which have not. Whether a cell is tuned or untuned
also has significance for the adaptive tuning modes.

If you are unsure of the fuel map of your engine (this will generally be the case), the
fuel map should be set up initially in a planar fashion, with the pulsewidth dependent
only on the load. That is, all RPM points at the same load point should have the same
value. As a first approximation, it is best to start off the map between 0 and 2500
RPM as a linear relation with about 75% to 100% of the maximum pulsewidth at the
maximum load (15-20ms on a fully sequential engine that revs to 6000 RPM), and
tapering down to 2-4ms at idle condition (around 30 kPa, or 0% TPS).

Once you have the engine idling, you can get a feel for the other load points within
that rev range of up to 2500 RPM, and extrapolate these to higher RPMs. This will be
explained in greater detail in Section 4.

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The ignition timing is harder to test than fuel mixture strength, except for presence of
knock at high loads. A flat map of 15° across the board gives fairly conservative
ignition timing, however this will reduce power production compared to the optimal,
and will increase heat produced inside the engine. In practice, adding an extra 10° or
so at full load (arriving at 25°) between 1000 and 3000 RPM, and leaving it at 25°
from there upwards, seems to be a good first approximation. Adding some vacuum
advance (up to 35° total at 66kPa and below) seems to work well also, although to do
it properly one would need to dyno tune the engine to determine the ignition timing
that produced maximum torque. This is all highly dependent on the engine. Boosted
engines need the ignition retarded substantially when on boost; especially
turbocharged high compression engines.

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3. Starting the Engine
3.0. Getting Started
After the ECU has been configured, you can perform some "sanity checks". On
turning on the ignition, the sensors should all be verified for reading sensible values.
Once this is done, you should try disconnecting fuel from the system (eg unplugging
the injectors, disabling the fuel pump, deselecting "Inj" from the trigger setup or
similar) and crank the engine. During this time, you should observe a stable and
believable RPM while cranking (normally 250 - 350 RPM). Set up a timing light to
verify the ignition timing during cranking; it should be as specified in the
trigger/output window. If it is not, or the spark does not occur at a consistent angle,
you have a triggering problem.

Assuming that is OK, you can try to start the engine. Switch both fuel and ignition
into open loop mode. Crank the engine with the throttle closed. Don't be disappointed
if it doesn't start first time; they rarely do.

Some things to check when trying to start the engine are:

• Stable and credible RPM reading during cranking


• Stable ignition timing during cranking (check with timing light)
• Fuel pump activated during cranking
• Injectors are all clicking (check with screwdriver or stethoscope)
• All the sensors are reading sensible values (check gauge window)
• All the outputs are giving sensible values (gauge window)

If the timing is a normal amount (around 10°), and the engine never fires, chances are
you have far too much fuel, far too little fuel, or something trivial wrong (such as no
fuel pressure or stuck injectors).

If the engine fires occasionally but does not start, chances are that it's a fuel mixture
problem. Check that the ECU is still in cranking mode during cranking (check the
cranking heuristic RPM limits in the Trigger / Output window), and adjust the fuel
pulse width in the cranking table in the Control window. Try adjusting it upwards at
first. With too much fuel, the engine should start if the throttle is opened.

If the engine fires properly under cranking but stalls very soon (within a second or
two) after starting, chances are it's a fuel mixture problem in the map. Given that an
engine will still run with about double the "proper" amount of fuel, but will misfire if
it's only given 70% or so of its required amount of fuel, it's often safer to increase the
mixture in the fuel map. If you have trouble reading all the gauges at once during the
time it takes to start and subsequently stall, you can hold down the space bar in the
fuel map to see which points it visits, or alternatively log the event to a file and open
the log in a spreadsheet. The most expedient method to experiment with fuel amounts
is to adjust the master trim value until you have a setting that works, and then to apply
this trim to the fuel map.

If you have trouble getting the engine to idle, it may be beneficial to adjust the throttle
bypass (or throttle stop, though this may require you to recalibrate your TPS later) so

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that it idles higher that it would normally. This condition is usually more forgiving to
mistuned fuel maps.

Make sure that you either set the deceleration fuel cut to a fairly high RPM so that it
doesn't cut in, or set the minimum coolant temperature for the overrun fuel cut to a
very high value (eg 120 degrees).

After a certain amount of experimentation, it should be possible to get the engine to


idle, even if it is hunting (idle speed oscillating).

3.1. Initial Tuning


The engine hunting at idle is usually due to poor tuning of the fuel map. As it cycles
through different parts of the map, it reaches rich parts and lean parts. Inspecting the
AFR reading in the gauge window should show the mixture oscillating wildly. If this
is not the case, we would expect to see the mixture either too rich all over the range
(expect to see 14.2 or less using a factory sensor, or 11.0 using a 4-wire "wideband"
sensor) or too lean all over the range (expect 15.3 or more using a factory sensor, or
17.0 using a 4-wire "wideband" sensor). If the mixture is too lean over the entire
range, try adjusting the cells the ECU is visiting upwards (page up or type in a new
value) to see if it makes a difference. If the AFR reading stays on the lean side, there
may be a problem with the EGO sensor (eg: not connected, not heated type running
too cold, etc).

The idle is often best tuned by hand to minimise the hunting at idle. Unless it is tuned
properly at idle, the engine will hunt. This is due to mixture strength changing in
different parts of the map. Some experimentation with the four points closest the idle
condition will be necessary.

Remember that you can artificially load up the engine at idle by applying electrical
loads to bring the engine directly to a map point. This will enable you to set that value
precisely, and then adjust the load value on the other side of the idle condition.

After tuning the idle condition, the next logical step is to tune the no-load condition.
Gradually open the throttle to hold the engine at 1500 RPM, and tune this point. Then
do the same for 2000 RPM and so on up the rev range.

The next step is to tune the rest of the fuel map. With the engine still running, perform
the following steps:

1. Change the temperature range for the rapid learning mode so that the current
water temperature falls within the range
2. Set the minimum RPM required for learning to 1500 RPM
3. Set an AFR proportional constant of 0 and an integral constant of 4
4. Set the maximum integral correction to 8% (if you are using a tailpipe probe, a
maximum value of 4% may reduce wild hunting at idle)
5. Set the Rapid Learning RPM tolerance to 150 and the load tolerance to about
one third of your load step difference (for example, if your map has points
every 6 kPa, set the load tolerance to 2)
6. Set the Rapid Learning initial delay to 150ms, and the interval to 150ms.
7. Set the mode to Rapid Learning.

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This is shown below:

Figure 27: Rapid Learn Settings and Closed Loop Fuel Settings

Once you have enabled Rapid Learn mode, go back to the fuel map (press F5). You
can now attempt to drive the vehicle and see how much of the map has to be changed.

NOTE: During this time, you would be advised to install a thermometer on a


radiator coolant hose or some such place and monitor the engine temperature as
it warms up. This should be periodically compared to the water temperature as
indicated in the gauge window. If it differs by more than a few degrees, the
sensor may need to be calibrated (unless it has already been calibrated
rigorously). If the reading is unstable when the engine is running, chances are
that you have a ground loop somewhere which should be addressed before you
go any further. Ground loops can affect all kinds of sensor readings and can
therefore interfere with the tuning process.

3.2. Adaptive Fuel Tuning Explained


There are several conditions that must be met before adaptive fuel tuning will take
place. These are all explained in the behavioural section, but are repeated here:

1. The water temperature must be within specified limits;


2. There must be a valid AFR reading (EGO sensor must be installed and
configured);

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3. One of the adaptive tuning modes must be selected (Rapid Learn or Slow
Converge);
4. The minimum engine speed must be exceeded;
5. The ECU must not be in fuel or ignition cut mode.

These constraints are fairly intuitive to the tuner as to whether they are met or not. In
addition, there are three other constraints which are not so obvious:

1. The current RPM must be "close enough" to the RPM point in the map;
2. The load value must be "close enough" to the load point in the map;
3. If the ECU has recently moved into a new cell in the map, a certain delay must
have expired.

The RPM and load tolerances are configurable in the Control Window. Rapid Learn
and Slow Converge have separate RPM and load tolerances. The tolerances range
from 0 to half the step size (250 for RPM, and the load step depends on the maximum
MAP value).

• Larger tolerances allow the ECU to learn more quickly, simply because the
engine spends a larger proportion of the time within the tolerance regions.
• Smaller tolerances allow the ECU to learn more accurately, because the
contribution from the adjacent cells is lower when the engine is closer to the
load point.

Thus, it is best to start off rough tuning with wide tolerances (say 150 - 200 RPM, and
1
/3 of the load step), but for normal driving, a lower values are recommended.

Once the engine reaches a new map point, the ECU delays a small amount of time to
wait for initial transients to settle before applying the adaptive fuel behaviour. This
delay is configurable. Similarly, you can set the interval between fuel map
corrections.

• Shorter time delays and intervals allow for more rapid tuning, because the
ECU can learn on transient conditions such as hunting at idle.
• Longer time delays allow the Adaptronic to learn more accurately, as any
contributions from transient conditions will be minimised.

It is best to start with very small time delays such as 150ms/150ms when initially
tuning. During normal driving, once tuned, a delay of 500ms and an interval of 200ms
are recommended.

Because it is very difficult to read the gauges on the window and tell at a glance
whether or not these tolerances are met, the Adaptronic has special outputs intended
to help with tuning. If you configure an auxiliary output as a "Learning - RPM OK"
type output, it will be activated when the RPM tolerance is met. Similarly, the
"Learning - Load OK" feature can be used to tell when the load tolerance is met. Any
output configured as a "Learning - Wait" output will be on during the initial delay
period after the ECU changes map cells. Connecting some high speed lights such as
LEDs (with series resistors) to these outputs can make tuning much easier.

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The adaptive fuel control mechanism is a form of a closed loop controller. The
parameters for the closed loop controller can also be configured in the Control
window. These are the "proportional constant" and "integral constant" terms:

• High proportional constants lead to fast reactions of the ECU to AFR error.
• High proportional constants lead to large fluctuations in mixture strength.
• High integral constants lead to faster convergence of the mixture strength,
both in adaptive modes and normal closed-loop modes.
• Low integral constants lead to less overshoot in mixture strength.
• The maximum integral value, along with the integral constant and proportional
constant, controls the maximum amount of trim that can be added by the fuel
feedback mechanism.

For initial tuning, the recommended values are:

• Proportional constant: 2
• Integral constant: 4
• Maximum integral: 4% - 8%

For normal driving, with a tuned map, the recommended values are:

• Proportional constant: 2
• Integral constant: 1
• Maximum integral: 4% - 8%

These of course may require some experimentation. For example, you may want to
reduce the constants if your EGO sensor is mounted a large distance from the exhaust
ports (as on a system with extractors, rather than a normal exhaust manifold).

3.3. Further Tuning


If you have opened the idle bypass to increase the idle speed, you should now close it
again until the desired idle speed is obtained, and a smooth idle is obtained at this
speed. You should now open the throttle further and tune the no-load conditions up to
about 2500 RPM.

NOTE: It may be beneficial to connect up LEDs to show the learning state, as


described above.

NOTE: If you are having trouble getting the fuel map to converge, here are a few
tips that may help:

• Try using different gain values; if the map is changing too fast and oscillating
back and forward, try smaller gain values and/or smaller maximum integral. If
the map is not changing at all, try using higher gain values.
• Try using different tolerances. If the map is oscillating (that is, the ECU
changes the values one way, then revisits the site and changes them back
again), it may help to reduce the tolerances. First try reducing the load
tolerance, then the RPM tolerance. If the map is not changing at all, try
increasing the tolerances. Try to avoid going above 96 for load or RPM; if the
Load OK or RPM OK LEDs are not coming on, you will need to artificially

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place the engine under that condition (by adjusting the throttle, turning on
electrical loads etc).
• Try using different timings. If the map is changing too quickly and oscillating,
try using longer delays and intervals.
• You can help the ECU by adjusting the map values by hand to speed up the
process. Humans are particularly good at spotting anomalies in the fuel map
(especially a graphic map).

Now that the no-load conditions are relatively tuned, once the engine is warmed up, it
should be running properly in closed loop mode. That is, the AFR should be
oscillating about 14.7, but the engine should be running steadily. Save this map on
your laptop/PC!

Now that you know better what the no-load values of the fuel map are, you may want
to readjust some adjacent values by hand before putting the engine on a load.

Assuming you have done this, and that you can blip the throttle to raise the revs (at
least up to 2500 RPM), the next stage is to do some tuning with a load on the engine.
This is best done by leaving the engine at a constant speed, for example 1500 or 2000
RPM, and methodically stepping through the load table, tuning each site at a time.

Here is one approach to do this:

• Set the vehicle up on a dynamometer in speed-hold mode so that the engine


speed is very close to the desired point (1500 or 2000 RPM).
• If possible, reduce the RPM and load tolerances to 64 and 2.
• Verify that when the throttle is open and the dynamometer is holding the
speed, that the RPM OK light is on solidly and that the RPM shown on the
gauge window is very close to the target RPM (vehicle tachometers are not
usually accurate).
• Open the throttle just wide enough to allow the RPM OK light to come on
solidly.
• Open the throttle slowly until the Load OK light comes on solidly.
• Observe the AFR on the gauge window and the fuel map window. When the
AFR starts oscillating about 14.7, and the fuel map stops changing
dramatically, that point is finished.
• Open the throttle slowly until the Load OK light goes out, and then comes on
again solidly.
• Observe AFR and fuel map again until it stabilises.
• Repeat this procedure until full throttle is reached.

Once this is done, you have a better estimate of the fuel map values for the given load
points. Unless you have a good reason not to, it would be advised to copy these values
across to the other RPM points for the same load points.

NOTE: If you find it difficult to get the Load OK light to come on solidly, it is
possible that there is a wiring problem with the MAP sensor (such as a ground
loop), or that the MAP sensor pick-off point is in a bad location (such as right at
the throttle, instead of in the body of the plenum). There is a filter built into the
ECU to filter out the effects of pressure fluctuations caused by individual
cylinders'induction strokes.

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If you do not have access to a dyno, there is another means of achieving a similar
result:

• On a private road, start the vehicle and accelerate up to 2nd gear at 1500 or
2000 RPM.
• Perform the same steps as above, except that you have to perform the speed
regulation using some other means (eg finding hills in your private road, left
foot braking (NOTE: this will wear out the brakes) etc).

Another means, although not as methodical, is as follows:

• On a private road, start the vehicle and accelerate up to the desired engine
speed in whichever gear is suitable for the terrain.
• Hold the speed steady by controlling the throttle, over a wide range of load
conditions (hills).

This last method is not as methodical as the previous ones because the load sites are
not visited in turn and there is no guarantee that any load site has actually been
finished, or even visited. If you log the procedure using WARI, you will be able to see
the AFR that was achieved, and the load and RPM (and injector pulse width) at the
same time.

Once you have a basis for the pulse width as a function of load only, you can copy
this to the other RPM points in the fuel map. Then you can continue tuning the other
points.

Alternatively, once the values have been copied, you can try driving the vehicle (on a
private road) normally and have it tune itself. To speed up the process, you can
monitor the three tuning LEDs during driving and try to keep both the OK LEDs on
solidly for as high a proportion of the time as possible.

During normal driving, closed loop mode only is recommended:

3.4. Ignition Tuning


Ignition timing is a compromise between emissions, torque production and engine
safety. The following are some basic guidelines:

• For any given load and speed combination, there is an ignition timing that will
provide the optimum torque.
• Firing the ignition after or before this angle will cause a torque reduction.
• Around this peak, the timing is often not very sensitive. For example, at 2000
RPM on one engine a change of 5 degrees around the optimum torque point
only corresponded to a torque reduction of 2%
• At higher loads, there will often be an angle at which any greater ignition
advance will cause knocking. This may be less advanced or more advanced
than the maximum torque point.
• Tuning to the optimum torque peak will often lead to very high NOx
emissions.

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Based on all these requirements, manufacturers generally tune to a point several
degrees retarded from the optimum torque point to control NOx emissions.
Sometimes the tuning will be retarded from this point to control knocking.

Often the best means of tuning the ignition timing is the old-fashioned way; adjusting
it by hand and observing which gives greatest torque. This is best performed on a
dynamometer so that the torque can be measured.

The closed loop and adaptive ignition timing controls are described in the ECU
reference section.

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4. Software
This section contains information on some of the features of the software both (WARI
and FlashIt).

4.0. WARIVI
4.0.0. General
WARIVI is the software link between the ECU and your computer, to be able to setup
anything in the ECU you will need a straight through DE9 serial cable. If you do not
have a serial port on your computer, you can use a USB port with a USB to serial
adapter and the associated drivers.

Once WARI is installed it can be started, if the WARI window reads no ECU
connected then one of the following is happening:
- There is no ECU connected
- There is no power to the ECU
- The serial port selected is incorrect (select at first window)

If the ‘No port open’ warning is shown, it means that you may have selected a non-
existent port, or a port that is already being used by another application.
If everything is connected correctly WARI will begin reading the settings from the
ECU. The alternative is to load the settings from a file on the PC. NOTE: If you open
a settings file while an ECU is connected, those settings will be written to the ECU
straight away!

4.0.1. WARI Menus


The WARI menus offer a number of useful features. Under "File" you can:
- Open a saved ECU file. Take care when using this option, as loading a file
will automatically update any connected ECU with the new settings. (shortcut
ctrl + O)
- Save the current settings. This should be done periodically during setup of a
new ECU, and should also be done if you are about to make any major
changes in the settings (shortcut ctrl + S)
- Save as, which will allow you to save the current settings under a different
name (shortcut ctrl + A)
- Log data from ECU (shortcut ctrl + L). Click stop data logging when you are
done (shortcut ctrl + K), this file can then be opened using Microsoft Excel.
- Exit (shortcut ctrl + Q)

Under the "Port" menu, you can select the COM port to communicate with the ECU.
This should only be needed if you entered the program by loading a file. You will
know when if the correct COM port was selected as the main screen will show
"Status: ECU connected". Under this menu you can also designate the
communications protocol, unless you are having problems with communicating with
the ECU this should be left as MODbus mode (100ms).

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Under the "Maps" menu you can choose to copy from fuel map 1 to fuel map 2 or
vice versa, and the same for the ignition maps. This can be useful as a starting point
when using two maps.

Under the "Windows" menu you can view the current gauge information which is
important for engine tuning and general diagnosis (shortcut F2). This data can also be
displayed in the gauges if you have purchased a Vidigauge (refer to
www.vidigauge.com or contact us for more info).

Many of the values in the Gauges window are self explanatory. Those that aren't are
given below:

AFR: xx.x (yy.y, zz.z)

The actual value used by the ECU for the closed loop calculations is given by xx.x.
This is taken from the wideband serial input, if connected and operating. Otherwise,
the input from the analogue input is used by default. The first figure (characterised by
xx.x in the above format) is the value used by the ECU. The second figure (yy.y in the
above format) is the value from the analogue input, irrespective of any wideband
serial devices connected. The third figure (zz.z) is the target AFR, and it will be red if
the ECU is currently in open-loop mode, or black if the ECU is in closed loop mode.

Ign: xx.x (yy.y)

In normal operation, the two values (xx.x and yy.y) will read the same value, which is
the ignition timing in degrees before top dead centre. In rotary mode, the first value
(xx.x) represents the timing of the leading plug and the second (yy.y) is the timing of
the trailing plug.

Inj: xx.x (yy.y)

In normal operation, the two values (xx.x and yy.y) will read the same value, which is
the injection duration in milliseconds. In staged injection modes, the first value (xx.x)
is the primay injection duration and the second value (yy.y) is the secondary injection
duration.

VVT1 / VVT2: xx.x (yy.y° zz%)

The first value (xx.x) indicates the angle sensed from the engine offset from the
reference value. The second value (yy.y) indicates the angle setpoint interpolated
from the VVT target position table. The third value (zz) indicates the duty cycle
applied to the VVT solenoid.

To jump to the fuel/ignition maps you can use the fuel/ign option under this menu, or
simply press F5. It is also possible to view some of the current technical information
by selecting ECU data, (shortcut F11) this can be very useful in diagnosing
installation problems.

As a more rigorous method of using the adaptive tuning function of the ECU, open
the fast tuner under this menu (shortcut F12), make sure adaptive tuning mode is on
(check your settings), and follow the steps on the left. At the bottom left of the screen
you will be able to see the points you have already tuned as they turn bright yellow.

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Finally the "Help -> About" menu item shows the software version.

4.0.2. WARI Settings Management


WARI stores an image of the ECU settings in the PC's memory. This is required to
display the ECU settings on the PC screen. To prevent operator confusion, these
should be synchronised with the settings in the ECU.

WARI uses the following rules to synchronise the settings:

• Upon loading a file, all settings are marked as needing to be written to the
ECU
• At startup of the WARI software, the settings are marked as needing to be read
from the ECU (unless the first action is to load a file)
• When a setting is modified, that setting is marked as needing to be written to
the ECU

If any settings are marked as needing to be read from or written to the ECU, the status
line will indicate "Reading settings (xx%)" or "Updating settings (xx%)", where "xx"
is 100% minus the percentage that remains to be written or read (for example, if 99%
of the settings have been read and 1% remains, the status indicator will read "Reading
settings (99%)".

Any settings on the main form will change and be written automatically as they are
changed. Any settings in a dialogue box (a new window which is brought up in front
of the main form) will need to have "Apply" selected before the changes are sent to
the ECU.

If the ECU is disconnected when the settings are changed, the ECU settings will not
be updated until the ECU is reconnected and a connection is re-established.

Also there are a number of shortcuts incorporated into WARI to aid in tuning, refer to
section 2.9 fuel and ignition maps for details on these shortcuts.

4.0.3. ECU Data Window, and ‘Calculation Trace’


The ECU Data Window can be reached using the menu “Windows -> ECU Data”. It
gives much useful diagnostic information to aid in setup, including all analogue
voltages, numerous flags to show the state of the ECU, and more. Below is a screen
shot.

The Calculation Trace Window can be reached using the menu “Help -> Calculation
Trace”. This is also a very useful diagnostic tool, which incorporates a flow diagram
to allow you to see where many different calculated values originate from. For
example, if you see an unexpected fuel trim value, you can use the calculation trace to
determine where it is coming from and what is contributing to it.

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Figure 28: ECU Data Window
Label Meaning
Serial Number Serial number of the ECU hardware itself.
Firmware Version ECU Firmware version loaded into the ECU.
dTPS/dt Rate of change of throttle position (how quickly throttle is being
opened)
dMAP/dt Rate of change of MAP
Target idle (RPM) The target idle RPM (see idle function)
Target MAP (kPa) The target MAP (see boost control function)
Target AFR The target AFR. If the ECU is currently in open loop mode (due to a
setting or a condition), this will not give a reading.
Gear / BOV State The number before the slash is the detected gear number from
correlation of RPM and vehicle speed. The number after is the blow-
off valve control state.
Raw Fuel Map Val Injector millisecond value interpolated from the fuel map (s), before
(ms) application of any trims.
Raw Ignition Map Ignition degree value interpolated from the ignition map (s), before
Val (degrees) application of any trims.
Main Loop Speed Speed of main loop calculation (varies with functions selected)
(Hz)
Second Serial Port
State of second serial port (values and their meanings not
documented)
Raw WG Duty (%) Raw wastegate control duty cycle interpolated from RPM dependent
table
Final WG Duty Final wastegate control duty cycle after closed loop control changes.

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(%) This is the same as on the Gauge window.
VVT Angle BTDC VVT angle sensed. This is the same as on the Gauge Window.
Filtered Advance This is the same as on the Gauge Window (Adv).
Metric
3V Rail The measured value of the internal 3V rail within the ECU. Note
that the maximum this can read is 3.00V.
Supply V The supply voltage. This is the same as in the Gauge Window
(Batt).
Injector 1-4 V The voltage sensed at the injector pin on the ECU. This would
normally read around 12V when the engine is not running. If this
reads 0V, that indicates lack of 12V supply to the injectors.
Injector 1-4 I The current sensed at the injector output.
MAP V - Ext V The voltage measured at the analogue inputs of the ECU.
Cutting : Fuel Cut These show the status of the fuel cuts within the ECU. If one of
1/2 these is active (green background), every second cylinder has fuel
disabled. If both are active, the engine is in a complete fuel cut state.
Cutting : Ign Cut 1 These behave the same as the Fuel Cut flags except that they
/2 correspond to the ignition cut status.
Flags : Idle When this flag is enabled, the ECU is in closed loop idle state.
Flags : Stepper This flag is enabled once the ECU has fully opened the idle stepper
End motor at startup.
Flags : Closed This flag indicates that the throttle is closed, either due to an active
Throttle digital input set as closed throttle or the TPS falling below the
closed throttle threshold.
Flags : WOT This flag behaves the same as Closed Throttle except for the Wide
Open Throttle condition.
Flags : Cranking This flag indicates that the ECU is in cranking mode.
Flags : Closed This flag indicates that the ECU is in closed loop fuel control mode.
Loop Fuel
Dig Inputs: These flags indicate when various digital inputs are activated:
AMAP (Alternate Map)
IGON (Ignition On)
ENRET (Enrich / Retard)
CLTH (Closed Throttle)
WOT (Wide Open Throttle)
A/CON (Air conditioner request)
ELEC (Electrical load on engine)
CLUT (Clutch / Neutral)
LAUNCH (Launch Control)
IGNSW (Ignition switch sensed by input battery voltage)
Dig Outputs These flags indicate when special function digital outputs would be
activated if an output were set to that function:
IDN (Idle Down, DC motor)
IUP (Idle Up, DC motor)
TT (Turbo Timer)
A/C (Air Conditioner)
FP (Fuel Pump)
Learning State These flags indicate when given conditions are met required for
learning:
IWAIT (Ignition learning, waiting after changing cell)
ILOAD (Ignition learning, load is close enough to map point to

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learn)
IRPM (Ignition learning, RPM is close enough to map point to
learn)
FWAIT (Fuel learning, waiting after changing cell)
FLOAD (Fuel learning, load is close enough to map point to learn)
FRPM (Fuel learning, RPM is close enough to map point to learn)
Digital inputs Each of these 8 values correspond to the 8 digital inputs. An active
(green background) input indicates one pulled low.
Realtime inputs Each of these inputs correspond to the realtime inputs:
MVSS (Master vehicle speed sensor)
SVSS (Slave vehicle speed sensor)
TRIGGER 1 (Digital or reluctor input 1)
TRIGGER 2 (Digital or reluctor input 2)
TRIGGER 3 (Digital or reluctor input 3)

A background colour of green indicates that the input is high. A


colour of red indicates that the input is low. A colour of yellow
indicates that the input is changing (that is, it has been both high and
low since the last time the screen was updated). If an input stays
green the whole time, that indicates that the input is not being
triggered.
Aux Output If this tickbox is selected, the normal ECU output driving the
Override : outputs (including auxiliary outputs, ignition and injector outputs)
Override will be bypassed, allowing manual control of the outputs.
Aux Output If this tickbox is selected, the outputs of the ECU are enabled. If not,
Override : Enable the outputs are disabled, as though the ECU were being reflashed.
Aux Output These tickboxes allow the operator to have manual control over the
Override : LED 1- LEDs at the end of the ECU.
3
Aux Output These tickboxes allow the operator to have manual control over the
Override : Ign 1-3 ignition outputs of the ECU. An output being selected allows the
output to be pulled high by the internal resistor (ie, deselected means
the output is low).
Aux Output These tickboxes allow the operator to have manual control over the
Override : Inj 1-4 injector outputs of the ECU.
Aux Output This combobox allows the operator to control the current set for the
Override : Current injector outputs in override mode.
Aux Output This tickbox allows the operator to have manual control over the
Override : Peak peak-hold or constant current state of the injector outputs in override
mode.
Aux Output These tickboxes allow the operator to have manual control over the
Override : Aux 1-8 auxiliary outputs of the ECU.
Injector Test Pressing this button will perform an injector test by exercising each
injector output in turn and monitoring the injector voltage and
current. The current is set to that specified in the aux output override
pane. The resulting waveforms are graphed in the black area. Each
injector trace can be enabled or disabled by the tickboxes underneath
the Injector Test button.

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4.1. Firmware Flashing Utility
Note: Firmware upgrades can only be performed when the engine is not running.
Reprogramming firmware should not be done lightly.

During the firmware upgrade process, the auxiliary outputs will be in the "off" state.
The ignition outputs will be "high impedance": under normal operation they are
electrically the same as an open collector output pulled to 12V via a 560 Ohm resistor,
and during flashing this open collector transistor is switched off and the 12V supply to
the resistor is disabled.

To upgrade the firmware of an Adaptronic ECU, you will need to run the Flashing
Utility (from the ‘Firmware’ menu). The utility will say "Reset ECU". The ECU
should then be powered up (or powered down then up again) while the Flashing
Utility is still running. The software should then display "ECU connected" and a
boot/hardware version string and ECU serial number. The Flashing Utility will not
be able to successfully flash any new firmware until you see the message saying
that the ECU is connected, followed by the serial number.

Next the firmware file should be loaded. The latest version can be downloaded from
the website. It will be in the form of an encrypted “adf” file. The “Load” button
should be clicked, and the firmware file should be loaded. Once the file has been
loaded, the ECU can be programmed by clicking the “Program” button. After this
completes, the programming should be verified by clicking the “Verify” button. If
there were no errors, the programming operation was successful. Click “Done” so the
ECU can resume normal operation. If the Flashing Utility window disappears before
you click “Done”, simply open the utility again from the main menu and then you will
be able to click the “Done” button.

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4.2. Specifications

Physical

Two RS232 connectors (PC and


auxiliary), one 16-way and one 20-way
connector for low current sensors and
Connectors outputs, one high current 8-way SIP
connector for power and injectors, one
6-way SIP high current connector for
high current outputs
Physical Dimensions (mm) 147 x 93 x 48
Mass 0.4 kg

Sensor Interfaces

3 programmable inputs, configurable


as triggering ignition timing, injector
drive, ignition timing during cranking,
Crank angle sensor type or cylinder 1 marker, configurable as
crank or cam trigger (360° or 720° or
the period), optional input divisor and
missing tooth detection
Sync / trigger / multitooth / missing
Crank angle trigger waveforms tooth, programmable angles up to 30
teeth per period (120 tooth cam wheel).
0 - 5V, 2-point linear calibration, range
Manifold absolute pressure input 0 to 400 kPa (requires external sensor,
5V supplied by ECU)
4k7 pull-up (requires separate
thermistor connected to ground), 32-
Air, water and aux temp inputs
point linearly interpolated calibration,
range -30°C to 125°C
0 - 1V factory narrowband, or Bosch
"wideband" - input impedance 10M ,
EGO input UEGO style analogue, M&W LSU4,
TechEdge and Innovative LC-1 serial
interface
High impedance input, bandpass
Knock input
filtered
20k input impedance, 0-5V (5V
Throttle position input
supplied by ECU), 2-point calibration
8 inputs, each configurable as active-
Auxiliary digital inputs
high or active-low, internal pull-up

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Actuator Interfaces

Number of injector drivers 4


Full sequential, batch, semi-sequential
every period, or semi-sequential every
Injector driver waveforms
second period, optional batch fire
during cranking
Optional constant current or peak-hold
Injector driver current drive, selectable steady-state current of
0.5A, 0.9A, 1.5A or 1.9A
Number ignition outputs 3
Selectable as firing on rising edge or
Ignition output waveforms falling edge, both ignition outputs at
once, alternating outputs or sequential.
Open-collector with 560 pull-up
Ignition output type (allows direct connection to OEM
transistor or separate ignitor)
Number of auxiliary outputs 8 (4 high-current, 4 low-current)
Max current 7A (or 3A inductive), 3 of
High current outputs these PWM capable, PWM frequency
selectable (25Hz - 2kHz)
Max current 200mA - suitable to drive
Low current outputs
relay coils

Control Characteristics

512 - every 200, 250, 300 or 500 RPM


(0 - 6200 / 7750 / 9300 / 15500 RPM)
Map points
and 1/15th of maximum load (TPS or
MAP)
TPS, MAP or several combinations
thereof. Two maps to allow selection
Load determination
of alternate map if only single load
source is load.
Injector pulse width resolution 0.7µs (0 - 44ms)
Ignition resolution 0.2° (0 - 51°)
Dwell time resolution 0.1ms (0.1ms - 5ms)
TPS or MAP based (configurable
Accelerator pump proportionality), and asynchronous
RPM based pump
Open loop, closed loop, and two
Fuel control strategies
adaptive modes (requires EGO sensor)
Open loop and closed loop (requires
Ignition control strategies
knock sensor)

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200Hz approx (depends on number of
Main loop speed sensors, fuel and ignition tuning mode
and control policies in use)

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5. ECU Operation
5.0. Introduction
This section describes the behaviour of the ECU. This can be skipped over and used
merely as a reference, however it is important information so has been presented here
rather than as an appendix.

The basis of the ECU operation can be summarised into three parts:

1. Reading inputs
2. Performing calculations, control policies and special behaviour
3. Driving outputs

5.1. Reading Inputs


5.1.0. Analogue Inputs
The analogue inputs are read as voltages from the connector pin using a 12-bit ADC.
These are then converted to the actual gauge measurements used in the ECU
calculations.

5.1.1. Temperature Inputs


The temperature sensor inputs are pulled up to an internal 3V rail through a 4.7 k
resistor. The input is also filtered using a 100nF capacitor to 0V, to reduce high
frequency noise.

The temperature is calculated by linearly interpolating the measured ADC value (from
0 to 4095, corresponding to 0V to 3V) between the temperature points specified in the
analogue sensor calibration table.

Temperature (°C) ADC Value Temperature (°C) ADC Value


-30 3200 50 605
-25 3200 55 514
-20 3200 60 422
-15 2975 65 384
-10 2750 70 347
-5 2525 75 330
0 2300 80 320
5 2054 85 210
10 1809 90 200
15 1564 95 143
20 1318 100 100
25 1148 105 100
30 978 110 100
35 883 115 100
40 788 120 100
45 696 125 100
Table 1: Example temperature table

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As an example, suppose the input voltage on the water temperature sensor input is
1.5V. The ADC reading will be 4095 * (1.5 / 3.0) = 2047. The calculated temperature
will therefore be 10°C - (2047-1809)/(2054-1809)*(5°C) = 6.1°C.

If the ADC value is less than 40 or greater than 4055, that temperature sensor input is
declared as invalid, and that input will have no reading.

If the measured voltage is outside the range in the table, but still within the acceptable
range of 40 - 4055, the reading is clipped rather than extrapolated. In the above
example, a reading between 40 and 100 will always read a temperature of 125°, and
between 3200 and 4055 will always read a temperature of -30°.

5.1.2. 0-5V Inputs (TPS, MAP and Ext)


To scale the 0-5V range into the 0-3V range, the input circuitry multiplies the voltage
by 11/21. From the outside of the ECU, the input looks like a 21 k resistor to 0V.
There is again a 100nF capacitor decoupling the input to reduce high frequency noise.

The Ext input is used as an alternative for analogue oxygen sensor inputs and as a
general purpose 0-5V input.

The TPS input is linearly interpolated in the same way as the temperature reading
above, however there are only two ADC values, fixed at 0% throttle and 100%
throttle.

0% ADC reading 327


100% ADC reading 2609
Table 2: Example TPS calibration values
Let's assume we have a voltage of 2V at the wiper of the TPS. This will be multiplied
by 11/21 at the ECU input, giving a voltage of 1.048V. This will give an ADC
reading of 1.048/3 * 4095, which is 1430. Using the above calibration values, this will
correspond to a TPS value of (1430-327)/(2609-327)*100% = 48%.

As with the temperature sensor, an ADC reading less than 40 or greater than 4055 will
correspond to an invalid reading (or no TPS connected), and will mean that there is no
TPS reading by the ECU. In the above example, a reading between 40 and 327 will
always correspond to 0% throttle, and 2609 to 4055 will correspond to 100%.

Within the ECU, there are two flags indicating throttle position extremes (one for
closed throttle, one for full open throttle). The closed throttle flag is activated when
the TPS value is less than the closed throttle threshold. For example, if the closed
throttle threshold is set to 1%, the ECU will consider the throttle is closed when the
TPS is 0% only. If the closed throttle threshold is set to 0%, the TPS can not activate
the closed throttle flag. The same condition occurs with the full throttle threshold.

The closed and full throttle flags can also be set by digital inputs. If any digital input
is set to be a closed throttle input and that input is active (pulled to 0V if active low,
or greater than 3V if active high), the closed throttle flag will also be set, irrespective
of the TPS reading. The same applies for the full throttle condition. This allows the
user to use a 4-wire TPS with an inbuilt switch (often the switch is slightly more
sensitive than the pot) for closed throttle detection, or it allows use of a throttle switch

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and maintain features such as idle control, flat shift and throttle-off fuel cut without a
potentiometer based TPS.

The MAP sensor input is electrically the same as the TPS input. The calculations
performed by the ECU are similar, except for two differences. The first is that the
MAP sensor input has a large amount of filtering performed in the firmware. This
helps maintain faithful fuel metering despite air pulsations within the inlet manifold.
This is often required if there is no physical damper on the pressure line for the MAP
sensor.

The second is that the minimum and maximum values can be set by the user over the
range from 0 kPa to 400 kPa. This allows up to a 4-bar MAP sensor to be installed
and read accurately. A higher pressure MAP sensor could be used however the ECU
would not sense any pressure above 400kPa.

Again, the interpolation is clipped once the bounds of the ADC calibration values are
exceeded, and the thresholds of the detection of sensor or wiring failure are the same
as the other analogue inputs.

Pressure ADC Reading


Lower value 16 111
Upper value 200 3450
Table 3: Example MAP sensor calibration table

In the above example, let us assume there is a 4V output from the MAP sensor. This
will correspond to an ADC count of 2860. This will then mean a pressure of
16+(2860-111)/(3450-111)*(200-16) kPa = 167 kPa.

The external input also has upper and lower bounds in a similar manner to the MAP
sensor however the range of the external input is much greater.

5.1.3. Oxygen sensor input and Air-Fuel Ratio


5.1.3.0. Introduction
There are two basic sources of air-fuel ratio measurement. One is an analogue input
on the EGO input while the other is via serial communications from the auxiliary
ECU serial port.

The analogue input looks like a 10 M resistor in parallel with a 100nF capacitor to
0V. It can accept an input in the 0V - 3V range.

The following sections show the calculations performed to obtain the AFR from the
oxygen sensor voltage, depending on the mode selected.

Note that if a serial-connected wideband oxygen sensor is selected and connected, the
AFR from it overrides the AFR calculated from the analogue input. This allows the
installer to configure the ECU with a standard oxygen sensor, tune it using his/her
wideband probe of choice and then disconnect the wideband probe without changing
any wiring.

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5.1.3.1. Oxygen sensor input: None
The AFR is set to "invalid".

5.1.3.2. Oxygen sensor input: OEM, Narrow Band


The AFR is set to "invalid" by default. When the sensor consistently provides a
voltage greater than 0.22V, the ECU considers that the sensor has warmed up
sufficiently and is producing valid output voltages. From then on, the input is
interpolated according to the following table:
Voltage AFR Reading
Lower value 0.0 15.5
Upper value 1.0 14.0

Table 4: Calibration table used by the ECU in OEM Narrow Band mode

In practice, the actual AFR will vary by a much narrower range than this over this
voltage range, however for operating an engine at stoichiometry, the control algorithm
works effectively.

5.1.3.3. Oxygen sensor input: UEGO 0-3V


This mode assumes that following calibration:

Voltage AFR Reading


Lower value 0.0 10.0
Upper value 3.0 20.0
Table 5: Calibration table used by the ECU in UEGO 0-3V mode

This mode can be used in conjunction with a 0-5V linearised wideband oxygen
sensor, provided a separate voltage divider is wired in (see the section on wiring the
oxygen sensor). Many aftermarket wideband sensors have a programmable output
which can be set up in this way. However with this mode there is no detection of a
sensor not being up to operating temperature.

5.1.3.4. Oxygen sensor input: Bosch Wideband 0-1V


This mode was intended for the 0258 104 002 Bosch sensor. The following
calibration table is used:

Voltage AFR Reading


Lower value 0.36 17.0
0.84 13.0
Upper value 0.88 11.0
Table 6: Calibration table used by the ECU in Bosch 0-1V mode

This mode also has no detection of the state of the sensor, so may read lean for the
first minute or so as it heats up. Care should be taken when installing this sensor;

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there have been reports that if it is mounted directly in the gas stream, the voltage
output will reduce as the exhaust velocity increases, leading to a leaner reading.

5.1.3.5. Oxygen sensor input: Zeitronix (0.4 - 3V)


This mode was intended for the Zeitronix wideband lambda sensor. The following
calibration table is used:

Voltage AFR Reading


Lower value 0.4 10.0
1.1 11.0
2.5 14.7
Upper value 3.0 19.0
Table 7: Calibration table used by the ECU in Zeitronix mode

Below 0.4V, it is assumed that the sensor is disconnected or an invalid value, and so
the AFR reading is invalid.

5.1.3.6. Oxygen sensor input: UEGO 0-5V on External input


This mode assumes that following calibration:

Voltage AFR Reading


Lower value 0.0 10.0
Upper value 5.0 20.0
Table 8: Calibration table used by the ECU in UEGO 0-3V mode

This mode can be used in conjunction with a 0-5V linearised wideband oxygen
sensor, provided a separate voltage divider is wired in (see the section on wiring the
oxygen sensor). Many aftermarket wideband sensors have a programmable output
which can be set up in this way. However with this mode there is no detection of a
sensor not being up to operating temperature.

5.1.3.7. Second Serial Port: M&W UEGO LSU4


When polled, the M&W UEGO LSU4 gives the AFR calculated for petrol and a
metric of the sensor temperature. When the ECU is set to this mode, it sends the poll
request every 88ms to the second serial port. If it receives a valid response, which
requires the sensor to be warmed up, the AFR read from the UEGO overrides any
value calculated from the analogue input. If there is no response, the value calculated
from the analogue input is used.

5.1.3.8. Second Serial Port: TechEdge WBO2 2C0


The TechEdge 2C0 uses their propriety frame format version 2, which sends out data
uncommanded. By configuring the device, the user can set the minimum and
maximum air fuel ratios. By default, these are 9.0 and 19.0. To use this device, In the
ECU settings for the second serial port, the TechEdge device must be selected, and
the minimum and maximum AFR x 10 must be entered as the two parameters (eg 90
and 190 for 9.0:1 to 19.0:1). Again, if there is no data from the 2C0 device for a given
period of time, the value calculated from the analogue input is used instead.

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5.1.3.9. Second Serial Port: Innovative Motorsports LC1/LM1
The Innovative Motorsports system uses a propriety frame format, which sends out
data uncommanded. To use this device, in the ECU settings for the second serial port,
the Innovative Motorsports device must be selected. Again, if there is no data from
the LM1/LC1 device for a given period of time, or the packet indicates that the sensor
is not yet warmed up or calibrated, the value calculated from the analogue input is
used instead.

5.1.3.10. Second Serial Port: FJO


The FJO gives the AFR indication in ASCII format. The wideband input overrides the
analogue input as with the other serial input types.

5.1.3.11. Second Serial Port: TechEdge 2J1


The TechEdge 2J1 works in much the same way as the TechEdge 2C0, with the
exception that the configuration of the 2J1 requires very different values. The values
that we use are 77 and 218.

5.1.4. Knock Sensor Input


The Knock sensor input is first buffered, then fed into a bandpass filter/amplifier. The
frequency response is given below:

Figure 29: Response of Knock Filter

The output of this filter is then envelope detected and fed into the ADC input. This is
then sampled by the microcontroller to detect stationary signals (due to normal engine
noise and vibration) and genuine knock (which makes spurious signals above that
generated by normal engine vibration).

5.1.5. Digital Inputs


There are eight digital inputs, which can be setup under the tab Aux in. Each has a
weak pull-up of 100 k to the internal 3V rail, and a series resistor of 3.3 k to
protect the input. The inputs are 12V tolerant, and can be connected directly to
electrical loads such as headlamps, or directly to an input that switches to ground (for
example a power steering pressure switch). If the input is a switched positive line with
no load connected, the input will always read "high". In this case, an external pull-
down resistor must be connected so that when the input is disabled, it reads a low
voltage. A 1 k resistor to 0V will accomplish this.

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Each input can be selected as active high or active low. The default is active low, as
generally switches are connected to 0V on one side, and the ECU on the other side.

Each input also needs its function to be selected. If multiple inputs are selected as the
one function, they are logically OR-ed together.

The following table gives an example of this behaviour:

Input 1 Input 2 Input 3 Resultant


Electrical
Load
decision by
ECU
Type Electrical load Electrical load Electrical load
Sense Active High Active Low Active Low
Comment Connected to Connected to Connected to
headlamp (so blower switch, power steering
will read 0V which connects switch, which
when headlamp to 0V when connects to 0V
is off) blower is when power
enabled steering pump
draws power
from engine

Scenario 1 High (headlamp High (blower High (power True


on) off) steering off) (electrical
load is on)
Scenario 2 Low (headlamp High High False (no
off) electrical
loads)
Scenario 3 High Low (blower High True
on)
Scenario 4 High High Low True
Scenario 5 Low High Low True
Table 9: Example of OR-logic on electrical load inputs

If no input is configured for any given function, that input is considered to be false.
For example, if no input is configured as a clutch/neutral switch, the ECU will always
consider the vehicle to be in-gear with the clutch engaged.

The input configurations for closed and full throttle are discussed in the TPS section.
The ECU will consider the throttle closed if the TPS is below the "closed threshold"
(typically 1%), or if a digital input configured as "Closed throttle" is active. The same
goes for the full throttle condition, except that the TPS must be above the "full throttle
threshold" (typically 98%) or a digital input configured as "Full throttle" must be
active.

The possible auxiliary input types are as follows:

• Clutch : Used as a trigger to enable the idle control or for flat shifting.

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• Electrical Load: Used as a trigger to increase idle effort and target idle speed.
• A/C switch: Used as a trigger to increase idle effort and enable A/C output
• WOT switch: Used as a trigger for flat shifting, to disable the A/C or flood
clear.
• Closed Throttle Switch: Used as a trigger enable the idle flag and deceleration
fuel cut.
• Enrich/Retard Switch: Used as a trigger to a fixed fuel enrichment and ignition
retard (for example when using nitrous oxide)
• Ignition switch: Used as a trigger to cut power to injectors and ignition output
if the ECU has permanent power.
• Turbo Timeout cancel: Used as a trigger to abort the turbo timeout.
• Alternate fuel ignition map: Used as a trigger to select the alternate fuel and
ignition map, e.g. a power/economy switch, for different fuels, or for different
tunes e.g. circuit vs drag racing.
• Traction control enable: This input gets logically OR-ed with the traction
control ‘enabled’ tick box under the road speed tab.
• Launch control enable: This input gets logically OR-ed with the launch control
‘enabled’ tick box under the road speed tab.

Refer to section 2.6 for more information on digital inputs.

5.1.6. RPM and Triggering


Each trigger channel input has two modes of activation; a reluctor (analogue) input
and a digital input. The reluctor input includes an adaptive threshold to reduce false
triggering, and pulls the digital input low when it detects a rapid drop in the input
voltage. This also has a large amount of filtering to reduce effects of ignition noise
from the distributor, on vehicles with a distributor fitted.

The digital input is held high through an internal pull-up of 1 k , and is then filtered
by a 3.3 k in series with a 470 pF capacitor. When the Hall Effect or photodiode is
triggered, it pulls this input low. The input then returns to a high state at the end of the
trigger.

Because the reluctor input pulls the digital input low when triggered, the input must
be selected as a negative/falling digital/reluctor input to operate correctly with a
reluctor pickup.

Each trigger event is flexible in its function, as to whether it represents cylinder phase
information or triggers an ignition/injection event. This is explained in the ECU setup
section of this manual.

While trigger events still occur, the ECU will consider that the engine is still running.
This will be the case even if trigger events occur on an input which is not selected to
perform any function.

A trigger event resets the fuel pump timer to keep the fuel pump running. Once this
timer has elapsed, the fuel pump is stopped and the RPM is set to zero.

While the engine is running, the RPM is calculated by measuring the time difference
over a "period". This period is the angle between ignition and injection events, and for

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a four stroke engine is 720° divided by the number of cylinders (180° for a four
cylinder, four-stroke engine). This is averaged over the previous two periods, that is,
one revolution on a four-cylinder engine, to reduce noise.

The ECU has a flag for whether it considers the engine to be in a "cranking" mode or
not. This flag is set when the RPM falls below "Min Run RPM", and is cleared when
the RPM rises above "Max Crank RPM".

For information on the specific settings i.e. cam/crank/etc, divide, trail, VVT, special
system, and general timing settings refer to section 2.0 Basic setup.

5.1.7. Vehicle Speed Sensing


There are two vehicle speed sensors inputs, MVSS and SVSS. Both are electrically
the same as the digital trigger inputs. Vehicles will usually have a reed switch or Hall
Effect switch that shorts to ground, generating a pulse train as the wheel rotates.

The ECU measures the period between pulses, this is then divided into the number
given by the user to arrive at a number proportional to road speed.

If the ECU receives no pulses in a one second period, the speed for that input is set to
zero.

Under gear options, the user can set the ratio between rpm and road speed. To do this,
enter the road speed that correlates to 1000rpm in the appropriate gear.
Alternatively, you can click ‘learn’ for each gear (you do not have to be at 1000 RPM
to do this).

5.1.8. Supply voltage


The supply voltage is sensed at the input to the ECU. Note that this may read lower
than the actual battery voltage due to voltage drops in wiring, fuses and switches in
the vehicle.

5.2. Calculations, Control Policies and Special Behaviour


5.2.0. Introduction
This section describes calculations and special behaviour performed by the ECU. This
is intended so that installers have a thorough understanding of how the ECU operates
and exactly what each of the settings refers to.

5.2.1. Fuel Calculation, including Volumetric Efficiency (VE)


All values in the fuel map and cranking fuel table correspond to milliseconds of
injection duration (unless you choose to tune by Volumetric Efficiency, in which
case all the values in the fuel map and cranking fuel table will correspond to
percentage of Volumetric Efficiency). There are tickboxes near the Tuning Mode
settings in the software, to determine if Volumetric Efficiency tuning will be used.

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In calculating the fuel to send to the injectors, the first step is to ascertain whether to
read the cranking table or the fuel map. This is based on whether the engine is
cranking or not (see section on RPM calculation).

If the ECU is in cranking mode, the water temperature is consulted. If there is no


water temperature available, a value of 27° is assumed. This value is then used to
look-up and interpolate the appropriate crank pulse width (or %VE) from the table. If
batch fire during cranking is selected then it will continue to fire in batch mode until
the cranking flag is dropped.

If while cranking, the engine does not start in a certain number of counts, or the
throttle is at WOT, the fuel pulse width is changed to the override value, specified on
the Power Cut tabsheet. This only occurs if the feature is enabled.

Otherwise, if the engine is not in cranking mode, the fuel pulse width (or %VE) is
looked up from the fuel map based on RPM and load. The method for the calculation
is dependent on the tuning mode selected. The options are explained in the upcoming
section "Tuning Modes".

How the Volumetric Efficiency (VE) calculation works:

With the VE tuning mode, you must also specify an engine capacity and injector size
(on the same tabsheet as the tickboxes for enabling VE tuning), and of course you
must tune the VE map itself.
In VE mode, the ECU performs further calculations to determine how many
milliseconds of injector pulse width are needed, based on MAP, engine capacity,
injector size, number of cylinders, target AFR, and of course the Volumetric
Efficiency.
In other words, in VE mode, the value obtained from the fuel map is just one part
of a theoretical calculation of injector pulse width, rather than being the pulse
width itself.
You basically need to tune the VE map instead of a milliseconds map, and when you
increase or decrease the VE values it will still have a direct effect on the injector pulse
width. The reason why VE tuning is so nice is because you can just enter something
like 80% VE in every cell initially, and usually the car will run fairly well straight
away!
In closed-loop fuel mode, the target AFR will still be used in the usual way (as well as
being part of the VE calculation). All trims, including the closed-loop correction, still
behave as normal (and are added after the theoretical milliseconds calculation in VE
mode).
You can get an equally good result with millisecond tuning compared to VE tuning,
but the difference is that it's usually quicker to tune VE because the theoretical
millisecond calculation in VE mode gives a better 'starting map'.

So, the fuel pulse width has now been obtained from the cranking fuel table or fuel
map, incorporating VE where applicable, what happens next?

The calculated “fuel trim” value (in %) is applied on top of the value obtained from
the fuel map (after the Volumetric Efficiency calculation where applicable), and this
final figure is what gets applied to the injectors.

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NOTE: This is the calculated fuel value. It may be the case that the fuel has been cut
for some reason, in which case there will be no fuel delivered. The calculated value
remains, however there is no fuel applied.

5.2.2. Ignition Calculation


When in cranking mode, the ignition figure is taken from the Crank Timing (° BTDC)
(on the Corrections tabsheet). Note that the ignition angle in the gauges will read this
value when cranking, even if a special "ignition crank" trigger input is enabled. Note
that the timing lock option (see Basic Setup tabsheet) does not apply when the engine
is in cranking mode.

When the engine is running, the ignition figure is taken from interpolation of the
ignition map, as the fuel is taken from the fuel map. The "ignition trim" is calculated
from the following inputs:

• Master ignition trim


• Digital input retard, if an input configured as such is currently active
• Coolant temperature based ignition trim
• Air temperature ignition trim
• Knock sensing retard

If the timing lock is enabled (see Basic Setup tabsheet), the calculated value is
replaced with the timing lock value.

NOTE: Being in Volumetric Efficiency mode will NOT have any affect on the
ignition angle calculation!

5.2.3. Rotary Spark Split

If the ignition output pattern is set to a rotary mode, the ignition timing value
calculated corresponds to the timing of the leading plug. The spark split, defined as a
function of load and RPM in the Basic Setup tabsheet, is subtracted from the leading
plug ignition angle to arrive at the trailing plug advance angle. This is clipped at TDC,
meaning that if the split would cause the trailing plug to be fired after TDC, it will
instead fire at TDC.

Note: The ignition may be cut at some stage (see Power Cut tabsheet), however this
value will still be calculated.

5.2.4. Tuning Modes


The RPM increment in the fuel and ignition maps is variable. Currently it can be
selected as 200, 250, 300 or 500 RPM steps, with the spaces between steps
interpolated. Smaller step size means greater tuning resolution, but increases tuning
time and limits the maximum tunable RPM. The maximum RPM is merely the step
size multiplied by 31, as in the table below:

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RPM Size Max Tunable
RPM
200 6200
250 7750
300 9300
500 15500

Table 10: Maximum tunable RPM using different RPM step sizes

Regarding load sensing, there are several different tuning modes that the ECU can
use. These are configured in the Analogue setup page. They are described below:

5.2.4.0. 1 = MAP, 2 = unused


In this mode, the load is sensed from the MAP sensor. The lowest load in the map
corresponds to 0 kPa, and the maximum load is set in the "Tuning mode" pane of the
Analogue tabsheet. The value is looked up directly from Fuel Map 1 and Ignition Map
1. Fuel Map 2 and Ignition Map 2 are not used. If no MAP value is available, the
maximum value is assumed.

5.2.4.1. 1 = MAP (default), 2 = TPS (fallback)


This mode is the same as "1 = MAP, 2 = unused" except that if the MAP value is not
available, the TPS is read and the second fuel and ignition maps are consulted. Hence
in this mode, the first fuel and ignition maps are a MAP map, and the second are a
TPS map. The TPS map is only used as a fallback option if the MAP value is
unavailable (eg, due to sensor failure).

5.2.4.2. 1 = MAP (fallback), 2 = TPS (default)


This mode is the same as "1 = MAP (default), 2 = TPS (fallback)" except that the TPS
map (fuel and ignition maps 2) is the default map that is consulted when both sensors
are operational. The MAP map is a fallback option, only used when the TPS value is
unavailable.

5.2.4.3. 1 = MAP, 2 = TPS, max (MAP, TPS)


In this mode, both the MAP and TPS sensors are used. The MAP sensor reading is
used in conjunction with fuel and ignition map 1 to obtain the fuel and ignition from
Table 1 (MAP). The TPS reading is used with fuel and ignition map 2 to obtain the
fuel and ignition from Table 2 (TPS). These two values for the fuel quantity are
compared, and the greater of the two is used. Similarly, the greater of the two ignition
values is used.

5.2.4.4. 1 = MAP, 2 = TPS, avg (MAP, TPS)


This is the same as "1 = MAP, 2 = TPS, max (MAP, TPS)" in that both MAP and TPS
are used in conjunction with both fuel and ignition maps, however instead of the
greater of the two values being used, the average of the two is used.

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5.2.4.5. 1 = MAP, 2 = TPS, min (MAP, TPS)
This is the same as "1 = MAP, 2 = TPS, max (MAP, TPS)" in that both MAP and TPS
are used in conjunction with both fuel and ignition maps, however instead of the
greater of the two values being used, the smaller of the two is used.

5.2.4.6. 1 = MAP, 2 = TPS, MAP + TPS


This is the same as "1 = MAP, 2 = TPS, max (MAP, TPS)" in that both MAP and TPS
are used in conjunction with both fuel and ignition maps, however instead of the
greater of the two values being used, the sum of the two is used.

5.2.4.7. 1 = unused, 2 = TPS


The TPS is consulted, and the fuel and ignition map 2 are used to determine the fuel
and ignition quantity. The low end of the map corresponds to TPS = 0%, whereas the
high end corresponds to TPS = 100%. If no TPS value is available, a value of 100% is
assumed.

5.2.4.8. 1 = MAP, 2 = TPS, use MAP if TPS = 0


In this mode, fuel and ignition map 1 are used in conjunction with the MAP sensor, if
the engine is in the closed throttle state (a digital input of type "closed throttle" is
active, or the TPS reading is less than the closed throttle threshold). Otherwise, the
second map is used in conjunction with the TPS.

5.2.4.9. 1 = MAP, 2 = MAP, use Digital Input to select #2


In this mode, both sets of maps are configured as MAP based tables spanning 0 kPa to
the maximum set. Map 1 is used unless a digital input, selected as "Alternate
fuel/ignition map" is active. In that case, Map 2 is used instead (still using the MAP
sensor).

5.2.4.10. 1 = TPS, 2 = TPS, use Digital Input to select #2


In this mode, both sets of maps are configured as TPS based tables spanning 0% to
100%. Map 1 is used unless a digital input, selected as "Alternate fuel/ignition map"
is active. In that case, Map 2 is used instead (still using TPS).

5.2.4.11. 1 = MAP, 2 = TPS, use Digital Input to select #2


In this mode, Map 1 is configured as a MAP based map, and Map 2 is configured as a
TPS based map. Map 1 is used, in conjunction with the MAP sensor, unless a digital
input, selected as "Alternate fuel/ignition map" is active. In that case, Map 2 is used
instead (using TPS).

5.2.4.12. 1 = MAP, 2 = TPS, MAP x TPS


This is the same as "1 = MAP, 2 = TPS, max (MAP, TPS)" in that both MAP and TPS
are used in conjunction with both fuel and ignition maps, however instead of the
greater of the two values being used, the product of the two is used.

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5.2.4.13. 1 = MAP, 2 = MAP, Pri = 1, Sec = 1x2, Ign = 1
In this mode, both fuel maps are based on MAP. The duration for the primary
injectors will be the sum of fuel map 1, trims, and the primary dead time correction.
The duration for the secondary injectors will be obtained by adding the trims to the
value in fuel map 1, multiplying the result by fuel map 2, then adding the secondary
dead time correction.
Ignition map 1 will be used for ignition timing in this mode.

5.2.5. Fuel Trim Calculation, and Transient Throttle


5.2.5.0. Introduction
There are many components that together make up the fuel trim. They are simply
added together to arrive at the final trim value, which is then applied to the injectors.
These will now be described.

5.2.5.1. Master Trim


The master trim is found in the Corrections tabsheet. It provides an overall trim
control. This should be zero, however non-zero numbers can be useful for quickly
determining power gains by enriching or enleaning the mixture.

5.2.5.2. Inj 3/4 trim (MAP MAP mode only)


When in the 14th tuning mode (see above), this trim value will be applied to injectors
3 and 4. On a two rotor Wankel engine, this is equivalent to trimming the rear rotor.

5.2.5.3. Water Temperature


The water temperature is measured. If no water temperature value is available, a value
of 27° is assumed. This is interpolated in the both the low and high MAP coolant
enrichment tables to give two separate calculated values, these two values are then
interpolated to the correct current MAP value (see Corrections tabsheet), which then
contributes to the final trim value. If no MAP values are set then only the basic low
MAP coolant enrichment is used.

5.2.5.4. Air Temperature


The air temperature is measured. If no air temperature is available, no correction
based on air temperature is performed. Otherwise, the trim is adjusted by the value
interpolated from the "air temp correction" table.

5.2.5.5. Short Post-crank


During cranking, the fuel value is read directly from the cranking table and no
corrections apply. However, most engines need a large amount of enrichment shortly
after they fire to avoid stalling. Typical values would be 30% and 3 seconds. This
additional trim value begins when the engine transitions from "cranking" to "running"
mode, and is linearly decreased to zero over its duration. For example, if it is set to
30% and 3 seconds, the trim addition would be 30% at first, then 20% 1 second after

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firing, 10% 2 seconds after firing and then no additional trim from 3 seconds onwards.
The values for this are found on the Corrections tabsheet

5.2.5.6. Long Post-crank


The long post-crank behaves the same as the short post-crank correction above,
however it gives a longer time-scale. This helps avoid problems such as vapour lock,
fuel and air heat-soak and so on. Many engines do not need this. It is also found on
the Corrections tabsheet.

5.2.5.7. Transient Throttle / MAP prediction


With ‘MAP prediction’ enabled (recommended!):

In MAP prediction mode, there is a table of predicted MAP values against RPM and
TPS. You will need to perform data-logs and/or monitor the values on the F2 Gauge
window to determine what MAP values occur at different RPM/TPS points, in steady-
state. During transient throttle events, the ECU will use the values in this table to
come up with a ‘predicted’ MAP value. The overall MAP value used by the ECU will
be obtained by transitioning between the predicted value and the value from the MAP
sensor (the maximum of the two will be used). The duration over which this transition
occurs is specified by the setting called ‘Transition Time (ms)’.
Note that the ‘MAP’ value on the F2 Gauge window will be the value obtained by
combining the Predicted and Sensed MAP values as described above, because this is
the MAP value that is actually used by the ECU.
See also the ‘Asynchronous Accelerator Pump’ section for more details.

With ‘MAP prediction’ disabled:

There are two possible sources of acceleration enrichment. One is MAP, the other is
TPS. The time-derivative of each of these variables (how quickly each is increasing)
are multiplied by the appropriate numbers in the settings (‘TPS-based Enrich’ and
‘MAP-based Enrich’, again in the Corrections tabsheet). This is then fed into a peak-
hold algorithm, which allows the enrichment to occur once the throttle has reached its
final position. This enrichment also decays linearly over the prescribed time period
(‘Enrich Duration’), and can be seen by the trim value changing as the throttle is
quickly applied.

Once the TPS exceeds the TPS cutoff value, no additional enrichment is applied.
Similarly, once the MAP exceeds the MAP cutoff value, no additional enrichment is
applied.

As well as acceleration enrichment, the ECU also supports deceleration enleanment.


This is calculated the same way as enrichment, however the rate of change of TPS and
MAP decrease (how quickly the throttle is being closed, or how quickly the vacuum is
increasing) is used instead.

5.2.5.8. Digital Input Enrich/Retard


The parameters for this feature are found on the Special Functions tabsheet. If a
digital input is configured as an enrich/retard input and that input is active, the

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enrichment/retardation value from this feature will be added to the appropriate trim
value.

5.2.5.9. Closed Loop Fuel Adjustments


The contribution to the trim based on AFR measurements warrants its own section,
however it is mentioned here because it does contribute to the overall trim value.

5.2.5.10. WOT Enrichment


Under the Corrections tabsheet, there is an option to force an enrichment and run
open-loop at WOT. If this is enabled and the ECU considers the throttle to be fully
open, this enrichment will be added to the trim value.

5.2.6. Ignition Trim Calculation


Like the fuel trim, there are many components that together make up the ignition trim.
They are simply added together to arrive at the final trim value, which is then applied
to the injectors. These will now be described.

5.2.6.0. Master Trim


The master trim is found in the Corrections tabsheet. It provides an overall trim
control. This should be zero, however non-zero numbers can be useful for quickly
determining power gains by advancing or retarding the ignition.

5.2.6.1. Water Temperature


The water temperature is measured. If no water temperature value is available, a value
of 27° is assumed. This is interpolated from the coolant trim table (see Corrections
tabsheet), and contributes to the trim value.

5.2.6.2. Air Temperature


The air temperature is measured. If no air temperature is available, no correction
based on air temperature is performed. Otherwise, the trim is adjusted by the value
interpolated from the "air temp trim" table.

5.2.6.3. Digital Input Enrich/Retard


The parameters for this feature are found on the Special Functions tabsheet. If a
digital input is configured as an enrich/retard input and that input is active, the
enrichment/retardation value from this feature will be added to the appropriate trim
value.

5.2.6.4. Closed Loop Ignition Adjustments


The ignition trim value calculated by the feedback loop is added to the ignition trim
depending on the mode (closed, rapid learn or slow converge), for more information
refer to 5.2.9 and 5.2.10.

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5.2.7. Asynchronous Accelerator Pump
This is an additional feature which is quite separate to the fuel calculation and trim
calculation. It allows an extra jet of fuel to be supplied when the throttle is first
opened, similar to a power jet on a carburettor. This extra squirt of fuel is completely
asynchronous with the rest of the injection sequence, and so can give quite effective
transient performance on an engine, even without sequential injection.

With ‘MAP prediction’ enabled (recommended!):

In MAP prediction mode, the change in calculated injector duration is continuously


monitored. When the throttle is moved quickly, the calculated injector duration will
also change quickly. When this occurs, the difference in injector duration (scaled by
the ‘Asynch Gain (%)’) will be injected instantaneously and asynchronously.

With ‘MAP prediction’ disabled:

The time-derivative of the TPS (how quickly the throttle is being opened) is
measured. The current RPM value is measured, and then the asynchronous accelerator
pump duration is interpolated from the table. This table has its own dialogue box, and
is accessed from the Corrections tabsheet. It gives the accelerator pump duration in
milliseconds as a function of the engine speed. This value is then corrected by the air
and water temperature trim percentages.

This is then scaled against the TPS rate. The effect of this is that the maximum fuel
pulse provided will be that in the table, but if the throttle is not being opened quickly
enough, this will be reduced (for example, it may only give half of this value).

The status of each injector is then checked. If the injector is currently "on", then the
duration of this pulse is added to the pulse that the injector is currently performing. If
the injector is "off", a new pulse is triggered. This is done on all injector outputs
simultaneously.

The cutoff of the asynchronous pump refers to the peak TPS percentage that will
allow the asynchronous pulse, i.e. any change starting above this point will not result
in an asynchronous pulse. If the cutoff value is set to 0, then any positive change in
the TPS value will result in an asynchronous pulse (provided the gain conditions are
also met)

The gain of the asynchronous pump refers to the change in TPS value that is required
to inject the squirt duration in the asynchronous table (so a larger gain in this case will
actually lead to shorter asynchronous pulses). If the gain is set to 0, then it is assumed
the gain has not been setup and is taken to be 30.

5.2.8. Closed Loop Fuel Control


For closed loop fuel control to occur, the following conditions must be met:

1. The engine must be running mode (not stationary);


2. The engine must not be in any fuel or ignition cut mode;
3. The engine must not be at WOT (if WOT enrichment/open loop is enabled);

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4. The ECU must be in either Closed Loop, Rapid Learning or Slow Converge
modes for fuel control;
5. The water temperature must be above the minimum closed loop operation
temperature (if there is no water temperature available, open loop mode is
forced);
6. The RPM must be below the max rpm value;
7. There must be a valid AFR reading from an oxygen sensor input or the second
serial port;
8. The load value (TPS or MAP) must be below the maximum load for closed
loop operation;
9. The target AFR must fall within the range of reading of the currently active
oxygen sensor (including the serial sensors);
10. The engine must have been running for the "Delay before closed loop"
duration.

If all of the above conditions are met, the ECU will operate in closed loop fuel mode.

In closed loop mode, the target AFR is calculated from the target AFR lookup table as
a function of RPM and load (see Target AFR tabsheet). The actual AFR is measured,
and the difference between these two gives the AFR error.

The parameters for the control are given in the "Closed Loop Parameters" dialogue
box. The error is multiplied by the proportional gain, and integrated using the integral
gain. The maximum integral value is calculated so that the maximum trim addition (in
percent) is that given in the dialogue box. For normal operation, the proportional gain
would normally be about 2 - 10, the integral gain about 1, and the maximum trim
about 10%. For fast tuning, the proportional gain should be 0, the integral gain about
4, and the maximum trim about 4%.

The values in the advanced parameters section "Closed Loop Parameters" dialogue
box have the same effects as those listed above however they are four times as
sensitive, this is to allow greater control over large injectors at idle.

The delay before closed loop is the amount of time before the fuel control will go into
closed loop mode once all the conditions are met.

Injector dead is the amount of time it takes for the injector to start flowing after power
is applied, this is a function of the voltage applied to it and as such we can set the
dead time correction for both primary and secondary injectors as a function of battery
voltage under the corrections tab.

5.2.9. Adaptive Fuel Control


For adaptive fuel control (map self learning) to occur, the above conditions for closed
loop operation must be met. In addition, the following conditions (parameters are set
in the "Adaptive Mode Parameters" under fuel control) must be met for adaptive fuel
control:

1. The temperature must be in the specified range;


2. The engine speed must be above the minimum required;
3. An adaptive mode (Slow Converge or Rapid Learning) must be selected.

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Once these conditions are met, the ECU will be in adaptive mode.

In adaptive mode, the ECU starts a timer every time the engine changes "cells" (ie,
the closest RPM and load point in the fuel and ignition maps). This timer allows the
engine to stabilise, so that the ECU is not performing corrections to transient events.
This timer elapses after the "Stabilise time" has occurred (this figure can be set
differently for Rapid Learning and Slow Converge modes). During this time, the
Learn Wait flag will be set, so one aid to tuning is to connect a light to an auxiliary
output, and configure it to be a "Learning wait" type output.

The ECU also checks the RPM and load values to check how close the engine is to
the actual map point. When they are within a certain tolerance (this tolerance is
specified in the Adaptive Mode Parameters dialogue box), the "Learning load OK"
and "Leaning RPM OK" outputs will be enabled.

If the stabilise timer has elapsed, and both RPM and load are within the specified
tolerance, the ECU will sample the correction made to the trim based on the closed
loop correction, and apply this to the fuel map. The ECU will then reset the timer,
however rather than setting it to elapse after the "Stabilise time", it will elapse after
"Update period". This figure then sets how often the ECU updates the fuel map with
corrections.

The selection “update other parts of map” is used for tuning, it will give a base point
equal to the current value, for all untuned points of the same load as the one being
tuned. “Ensure higher loads have more fuel” ensures the fuel curve vs load is
monotonic, by checking all values below the current point and trimming them if
necessary and all values above the current point and adding to them if necessary.

5.2.10.Closed Loop Ignition


When the ECU is in closed loop ignition mode, the knock level is sampled. Provided
the RPM is below the maximum, the sampled knock level is divided by the knock
level to retard 1 degree (in the ignition "Closed Loop Parameters" dialogue box), so as
to determine the degrees needed to be retarded and scaled appropriately. This is then
clipped to a maximum of 20 degrees, the maximum retardation that can occur from
detection of knock. This figure is peak-held so that retardation persists even after the
knock has been cured. This is held for the retard period set in the dialogue box.

5.2.11.Adaptive Ignition
The adaptive ignition should be used as a tuning aid as in some cases left to its own
devices it can retard/advance ignition to non-optimum levels. It works by dithering
the calculated ignition timing by a fixed amount “angle”, and back to the calculated
value every set of ignition events ("no of engine periods"). Because the engine drives
a compliant load (through flexible engine mounts and tyres), a change in torque will
cause a phase shift in the engine's rotation. Over a small period of time this
corresponds to a small change in RPM. The RPM is sampled at the beginning, middle
and end of every ignition dither cycle. The difference is calculated; if the RPM is
greater when the ignition is more advanced, this corresponds to an increase in torque
during the advanced ignition period. If the RPM is the same, there is no torque
increase. This RPM shift is referred to as the "Advance Metric", and will have a
positive value if the torque will be increased by advancing the ignition.

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By default, the ignition dithering will only take place if the conditions for adaptive
ignition are met (that is, minimum/maximum engine speed and minimum/maximum
coolant temperature). When the ignition dithering is not in effect, the Advance Metric
will read zero. Under the "Always sense torque" tickbox is enabled in the Adaptive
Ignition parameters, the dithering will always be active and the Advance Metric will
always be calculated. This is disabled by default as it has a poor effect on idle
smoothness.

Once the advance metric gets above the higher threshold, the advance metric is reset
and the current cell in the ignition map is advanced by 0.2 degrees (slow converge) or
1.0 degrees (rapid learning). The other adaptive parameters such as the RPM and load
tolerance are set as per adaptive fuel control parameters.

- The knock threshold determines the level of knock allowed before the ignition will
be retarded.
- The minimum and maximum rpm values set the conditions for entry into the
adaptive ignition loop.
- Always sense torque will dither the ignition regardless of the conditions, when it is
off dithering will only occur when in adaptive ignition mode.
- Update other parts of map will check that all loads and rpm’s higher are equal or
more advanced, all loads and rpm’s lower are equal or more retarded, if not they will
be changed.
The adaptive ignition system is noisy, to remove some of this noise, there is a filtering
option which uses the number set to determine the percentage that comes from the
sample taken, while the remaining percentage comes from the previous value. The
lower and higher thresholds set the minimum and maximum values that the adaptive
ignition can change the map, the stabilise time sets the time that the ecu needs to be
held at a set rpm and load for the adaptive ignition to occur.

5.3. Power Cut


The power cut is a feature which allows power production of the engine to be cut.
This can be done by either cutting fuel, cutting ignition or both. This cut is performed
as the output is to be fired, so the calculations of fuel and ignition quantities are still
performed whether the engine is in power cut mode or not.

The following conditions can cause a power cut:

1. Bringing the engine speed above the "Hard Rev Limit" (engine speed must be
brought below this figure minus the "Hard Hysteresis" to reinstate engine
power);
2. Bringing the engine speed above the "Soft Rev Limit" will cause a partial cut
(every second cylinder, and then engine speed must be brought below this
figure minus the "Soft Hysteresis" to reinstate engine power);
3. Bringing the engine speed above the "Cold Rev Limit" when the water
temperature is below the "Cold Temperature" (if there is no water temperature
input available, this test is skipped);
4. Bringing the engine speed above the "Turbo Timeout Rev Limit" when the
turbo timer is in operation;

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5. Bringing the engine speed above the "Flat Shift Min RPM" when the engine is
at full throttle and a clutch/neutral input is active (if launch control is enabled,
a vehicle speed of 5 must also be exceeded for a flat shift power cut to occur);
6. Bringing the engine speed above the launch control "rev limit", with launch
control enabled (a soft rev-limit will occur automatically within 200RPM of
the actual launch control rev limit);
7. Bringing the MAP above the "instant overboost power cut" value;
8. Bring the MAP above the 1 sec overboost power cut value
9. Holding WOT condition while cranking (if the feature is enabled, and "Don't
cut but reduce fuel pulse width" is disabled);
10. After the prescribed number of cranks if the engine does not fire (if the feature
is enabled, and "Don't cut but reduce fuel pulse width" is disabled);
11. Under throttle-off conditions (see below).

The throttle-off power cut (also called overrun) requires that the following conditions
are met:

1. The engine speed must have gone above "RPM Higher" (power will be
reinstated when the engine speed falls below "RPM Lower");
2. The throttle must be closed (either by TPS being below "Closed Throttle", or a
digital input configured as a Closed Throttle input being active);
3. The water temperature must be above the "Minimum water temperature" (if
there is no water temperature available, this test is skipped);
4. The air conditioner output must be disabled, if the "Not when A/C is on"
option is selected;
5. There must be no input configured as a clutch/neutral input which is active, if
the "Only when in gear" option is selected;
6. These conditions must be met for the "Time Delay" before the fuel cut occurs.

A special power cut can also be added to cut fuel and ignition if the ignition switch is
off.

5.4. Special Functions


5.4.0. Fuel Pump Control
The fuel pump is activated for the "prime time" (see the Special Outputs tabsheet)
when the ECU is first powered up, and for "trigger timeout" after each trigger pulse.
This means that the fuel pump will stop "trigger timeout" after the engine stops.

If this "trigger timeout" figure is set less than the duration between triggers at the
lowest operational speed (ie, during cranking), the engine will not be able to start. A
value of about 200ms is recommended.

5.4.1. Air Conditioner


The air conditioner output flag is set if the following conditions are all met:

1. An input set as an air conditioner input is active;


2. The engine speed is above the "Min RPM" value (Special Outputs tabsheet);
3. The engine is not at full throttle.

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Then if an auxiliary output is set to be an air conditioner, that output will be activated
when the above conditions are met. The A/C output flag being set will also affect the
idle control and the throttle-off power cut.

5.4.2. Purge Valve


The purge valve is a common component of pollution management on many vehicles.
It allows the engine vacuum to purge fuel vapour from the charcoal canister. The
purge valve will come on under the following conditions:

1. The RPM must be above the "Minimum RPM" (in Special Outputs tabsheet);
2. The TPS must be above the "Minimum TPS" (in Special Outputs tabsheet - if
there is no available TPS value, this test is skipped);
3. The water temperature must be above the "Minimum water temp" (if there is
no available water temp value, the purge valve is disabled);
4. If any input is configured as a clutch/neutral input, none of them may be active
(ie, vehicle must be in gear if there is a clutch/neutral switch configured).

5.4.3. PRCV Control


Some older Nissan engines run a PRCV (Pressure Regulator Control Valve). This
disconnects the vacuum reference of the fuel pressure regulator from the inlet
manifold for the first few minutes after starting the engine. The actual purpose of this
is unknown however there is an option in the Adaptronic to perform this function.

On the Special Outputs tabsheet, there is an option for the duration, in seconds, of the
PRCV. Any auxiliary output selected as a PRCV output will be activated while the
engine is stopped, and for that duration after the engine fires (that is, leaves the
"cranking" state).

5.4.4. Second Serial Port


At this stage the second serial port is only being used for input from an oxygen
sensor, this is described in the oxygen sensor section.

5.4.5. Blow-off Valve


The ECU can be set to control an electronic blow-off valve. This will activate the
blow-off valve output for a fixed amount of time to allow the turbocharger rotor to
spin down gracefully.

The normal state of the blow-off valve state machine is "cruising". This happens at
light loads (including idle). When the MAP goes above the "MAP Prime" value, a
transition is made to the "boosting" state. During "cruising" state, the blow-off valve
output is off. The state will always be "cruising" if there is no valid MAP value.

In the "boosting" state, the blow-off valve output is also off. If the MAP falls below
the "MAP Prime" value, the TPS is checked. If there is no valid TPS reading, or the
TPS is below the "TPS threshold", a transition is made to the "venting" state.
Otherwise, if the MAP falls below the "MAP Prime" value and the TPS is above the

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"TPS threshold", the ECU returns to the "cruising" state. If the MAP remains above
the "MAP Prime" value, it remains in the "boosting" state.

In the "venting" state, the blow-off valve output is as the mode is selected. This can be
on (for "Normal" mode), off (for "Off" mode) or changing between on and off (for
"Flutter" mode). Any of the following events will take the ECU back to the "cruising"
state:

1. The blow-off valve has been venting for the specified duration;
2. TPS goes above the "TPS threshold";
3. MAP goes above "MAP Prime".

5.4.5.0. Digital Input Enrich/Retard


The parameters for this feature are found on the Special Functions tabsheet. If a
digital input is configured as an enrich/retard input and that input is active, the
enrichment value from this feature will be added to the fuel trim value.

5.4.6. Turbo Timer Control


5.4.6.0. Introduction
The function of a turbo timer is to keep the engine running for an amount of time to
allow the oil to cool down after a hard run. There are two modes of operation of the
turbo timer feature of the ECU, which will now be explained.

5.4.6.1. Catch Mode


This is the traditional mode of operation of an aftermarket turbo-timer. In this mode,
the turbo timer relay is connected across the ignition switch terminals. During normal
operation, the relay is off, and the EFI system (including the ECU) is powered by the
ignition switch. When the ignition switch is turned off, the ECU keeps running due to
its internal charge store, detects that the ignition switch has been turned off, and
activates the turbo timer relay. This happens quickly enough that the engine does not
stall and the ECU continues running. The engine keeps running until the ECU
disengages the relay.

Note that during turbo timeout operation, the ECU can no longer detect the state of
the ignition switch, as the switch is being short circuited by the relay. If the user
wishes to reapply the ignition, he or she can do so, however the ECU will remain in
turbo timeout mode until it is taken out of turbo timeout mode.

For this mode to operate, no auxiliary input may be configured as an "Ignition


Switch" (doing so will cause the ECU to use Series Mode). An auxiliary output
should drive a relay coil, the contacts of which connect in parallel with the ignition
switch contacts. This auxiliary output should be configured as a turbo timer.

5.4.6.2. Series Mode


In Series Mode, the ECU actually powers up the rest of the EFI system through a
relay. The ECU must be powered from both the ignition switch and the EFI system
(ie, after the relay contact), through two diodes. The ignition switch must be

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connected to an auxiliary input, and that input must be configured as an active high
ignition switch, with a pull-down.

Figure 30: Series Mode turbo timer configuration

5.4.6.3. Behaviour
The turbo timeout period will be activated when the ignition switch is turned off, and
shall remain in place until one of the following occurs:

1. The water temperature falls below the specified "Minimum Water Temp" (if
there is no water temperature value available, this test is skipped);
2. The auxiliary temperature falls below the specified value "Minimum Aux
Temp" (if there is no auxiliary temperature value available, this test is
skipped);
3. The engine stalls;
4. The time period elapses;

Note that during a turbo timeout, an additional rev limit will apply. This is intended to
reduce risk of theft of the vehicle during turbo timeout, although this may have no real
benefit in practice.

5.4.7. Variable Valve Timing


Variable Valve Timing (VVT) technology is a technique whereby the valve timing
can be varied with relation to the crankshaft angle. This can either be implemented as
an open loop, or a closed loop system. In the former, a variable duty cycle is output as
a function of engine speed only. In the latter, the angle of the camshaft with respect to
the crank shaft is continuously sensed and the actuator output changed to achieve a
target angle.

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The Adaptronic e420c has two channels. They share the same control parameters, and
both must either be open loop or closed loop. If a separate RPM based open loop
function is required in conjunction with closed loop VVT, this can be effected by
using the wastegate control output in open loop mode.

5.4.7.0. Open Loop VVT

Open loop VVT mode is selected by setting all P, I and D values equal to zero. The
VVT angles, as a function of RPM, then become the duty cycle that is output directly
to the VVT outputs.

All VVT outputs will be set to zero duty cycle when the engine is stationary.

5.4.7.1. Closed Loop VVT

There are four components of the closed loop VVT control algorithm in the
Adaptronic e420c ECU. These are as follows:

1. Setpoint and gain calculation


2. Current angle detection
3. Control policy

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4. Actuation

These will now be described.

5.4.7.2. VVT Setpoint and Gain Calculation

The setpoint is an angle, in degrees. This is a function of engine speed, and has set
points every 500 RPM. It is calculated in degrees before top dead centre; hence higher
values indicate a more advanced camshaft. A value of zero is supposed to indicate the
camshaft in its "neutral" position, with no control effort applied.

This table of setpoints as a function of engine speed is accessed by clicking the


"VVT1 angles" button within the VVT pane in the Special Outputs tabsheet.

The controller is a PID controller, which allows for different gains at different RPM.
The points where the gains can be set are 1000, 3000, 5000 and 7000 RPM. Between
these points, the gain values are interpolated. Below 1000 RPM, the 1000 RPM values
are taken, and above 7000 RPM, the 7000 RPM values are used.
The reason for having multiple gains is because the oil pressure (and therefore the
responsiveness of the VVT solenoid) will change with RPM.

5.4.7.3. VVT Current Angle Detection

The angle is detected by calculating the time difference between the index pulse on
the camshaft with respect to the crankshaft position. The crankshaft position is
determined in the usual manner by use of a trigger event angle table and a crankshaft
position sensor. Usually the home position will be marked on the crank angle sensor
by means of a missing tooth.

The camshaft angle for VVT channel 1 or 2 is detected by selecting the "VVT1" or
"VVT2" option in the advanced trigger setup window for the input connected to the
camshaft sensor. Note that this angle must be in a constant position with respect to top
dead centre, for a given camshaft to crankshaft angle.

This is offset by the "reference" position for each channel. This reference position is
the nominal position of the timing pulse of the camshaft, with respect to the
crankshaft, in the camshaft's "home" position (that is, with no control effort applied to
the solenoid).

The procedure of adjustment for these values is as follows:

1. Disable the VVT outputs (set the Aux Output type for each output to "none")
2. Ensure that the timing table is correct and that the correct triggers for VVT1
and/or VVT2 are selected
3. Start the engine and allow it to idle with both camshafts in their "natural"
positions
4. Ensure that the base ignition timing is set correctly (by using the timing lock
feature or otherwise)

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5. Set the "Ref 1" value in the VVT pane, within the "Special Outputs" tabsheet,
to zero
6. Read the VVT1 position from the gauges window (the first angle).
7. Enter this value (to the nearest integer) into the "Ref 1" value in the VVT pane
8. The VVT1 position should now be between -0.5 and +0.5.
9. Perform steps 5-8 for the second VVT channel, if desired

5.4.7.4. VVT Control Policy

The control loop is a PID controller. This section will not explain how to set up the
gains of a PID controller.

The error term is calculated by taking the current VVT angle (which is offset from the
home position, as described above) and subtracting the angle setpoint (which is
interpolated from the table).

The PID gains are calculated by interpolating the PID gain table against the engine
speed, as described earlier.

From the error, the error history and the PID gains, a control effort output is
determined. This is a duty cycle.

The integrator within the PID controller will progress no further under the following
conditions:

1. The error is positive, and the output value for that channel is at the minimum
of its range
2. The error is negative, and the output value for that channel is at the maximum
of its range

This is to reduce the potential problem of "integrator wind-up".

The gain can be varied as a function of engine speed for the reason that as oil pressure
varies with engine speed and the dynamics of the system change, the gain that is
required to achieve acceptable response at low engine speeds causes instability at
higher engine speeds.

5.4.7.5. VVT Actuation

This control effort value is then added to the ‘default’ duty cycle to arrive at the
output duty cycle. This is clipped within the range of the minimum and maximum
duty cycle percentages before being applied to the desired output.

The base value should be determined experimentally by finding at what duty cycle the
valve starts to open. This offset allows the controller to respond quickly without
having to build up the integrator over a long period of time.

The maximum and minimum values should be kept within a range so that the time for
the integrator to come out of saturation is minimised. For example, if the valve at 60%

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duty cycle is completely shut off, there is no benefit to the controller to be able to
apply a value lower than this. Allowing the controller to apply a lower value will only
require a longer time period for the valve to come back into its "active" range once the
control loop comes out of saturation.

5.4.7.6. Gauge Meanings for VVT

The gauge window allows the operator to see the current VVT parameters to gauge
the performance and optimise the control parameters.

In this example, the timing sensed by each camshaft is 24.70°, advanced from the
reference position. The setpoint of VVT1 is 10°. Hence the camshaft is further
advanced than it should be. The 52% figure indicates the duty cycle applied to the
VVT1 solenoid. As the "Reverse 1" option is not ticked, this figure is falling to
attempt to bring the VVT1 value closer to 10 degrees.

The setpoint of VVT2 is 0°, indicating again the that cam is too far advanced with
respect to the setpoint. The "Reverse 2" option is ticked, so the ECU will be
attempting to drive that output at a higher duty cycle. It is currently at 80%, which
would be the limit set in the parameters.

5.5. Generic Auxiliary Outputs


Auxiliary outputs can be configured as "generic" types, which allow an output to be
programmed with respect to an input variable. These include RPM, Air Temp, Water
Temp, Aux Temp, TPS and MAP. There are two modes of operation: hysteretic and
PWM.

In PWM mode, the output will be at 0% duty cycle (ie, off) below the lower
threshold, and at 100% duty cycle (ie, on) above the upper threshold. Between these
two values, the duty cycle is linearly interpolated. This is shown graphically in the
software.

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In hysteretic mode, the output will come on when the variable exceeds the upper
threshold, and will turn off when the variable falls below the lower threshold.

5.6. Idle Control


5.6.0.0. Introduction
Idle control is a difficult problem, because of the different amounts of idle air that an
engine will need under different conditions, the difficulty in knowing when to control
the idle speed, the number of different idle actuators available and the time delay
between making a change to idle bypass value and the engine changing speed.

The ECU uses a combination of open loop forward compensation and closed loop
correction to control idle speed.

Because the idle may be controlled using a PWM solenoid valve (which has a duty
cycle) or a stepper motor (which has a number of steps), the generic term "effort" will
be used to refer to either duty cycle or step number.

5.6.0.1. Cranking Condition


While the engine is stopped, or during cranking, the idle valve is always fully opened.
This allows easier starting of the engine than the alternative. If a stepper motor is
connected, the ECU begins by fully opening the motor. That is, the ECU provides the
fully number of steps that the motor can execute. This will invariably cause some pole
skipping as the motor reaches its end of travel, however is required so that the ECU
knows the position of the valve.

5.6.0.2. Open Loop Idle Effort


The ECU has parameters which the installer should adjust to obtain adequate
performance of the idle system before enabling closed loop idle control. To begin,
disable closed loop idle control by setting the "Proportional Gain", "Integral Gain"
and "Differential Gain" to zero.

The open loop value is calculated from the following settings:

1. Base idle effort these are the default values and should be the basic values that
the engine needs to idle at the correct RPM with no electrical loads, this is
shown graphically in the software if the graph selected is "Open loop idle
effort vs temperature". If the water temperature value is not available, this
extra effort will be added in full;
2. Extra effort after cranking - this allows the idle valve to open for a short
period of time after the engine is started. This figure will linearly decay to zero
over the set time period. During this time, closed loop idle speed control will
be disabled, as the engine will idle higher than the target idle speed. This is
shown graphically if the graph selected is "Open loop idle effort vs time",
where zero seconds is the point of engine fire;
3. Extra effort for A/C - this allows some extra air to be admitted when the air
conditioner output is on, and will be added to any other idle effort additions;

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4. Extra effort for electrical loads - these efforts will be added if any input
selected as an electrical load is active;
5. Extra effort for low batt - this effort will be added if the supply voltage at the
ECU input is less than 12.0V;
6. Throttle Cracker - if the "Throttle Cracker" is enabled, a certain idle effort will
be added to the idle value when the vehicle is in motion (ie, MVSS is not
zero).
7. There is also an option to correct the idle effort based on the air temperature

The easiest way to set these up is to disable closed loop control, warm up the engine
and set the base value. Then apply typical engine loads such as headlights and power
steering loads, and settle on an appropriate electrical load idle effort value. Then do
the same for air conditioning. After this has been sorted out and the engine has cooled
down, the extra effort when cold can be determined.

5.6.0.3. Performing Closed Loop Idle Speed Control


Ideally the ECU will control idle speed when the engine is idling. The ECU has a few
cues as to when this occurs, such as the engine speed, neutral/clutch position, vehicle
speed and throttle position.

The ECU will only actively control idle speed under the following conditions:

1. The throttle is closed;


2. The clutch/neutral input is active, or the "Throttle cracker" is enabled and the
vehicle is stationary;
3. The actual RPM is less than the target RPM plus the "Control Band" (note that
there are two control bands; one for normal operation and the other for when
the air conditioner output is on), or the other conditions have been met for the
period of the "Neutral Timeout".

Once these above conditions are met, the closed loop idle speed will be controlled in a
closed loop mode by the ECU.

5.6.0.4. Closed Loop Idle Speed Parameters - Target Idle Speed


The target idle speed is governed by the following settings:

1. Target idle speed when engine is hot and cold, as a function of water
temperature (if there is no valid water temperature value, the cold target idle
speed is assumed);
2. An extra speed can be added for the case of electrical loads (this would
normally be about 100 RPM);
3. An extra speed can be added for the case of A/C being on
4. An extra speed can be added for the case of a low battery supply.

5.6.0.5. Closed Loop Idle Speed Parameters - Control System


Once the target idle speed has been determined and the ECU has determined that it
should make an effort to control idle speed, the idle speed controller is activated. It is
a basic PID controller, where the following occurs:

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1. The difference between the target idle speed and the RPM is scaled by
"Proportional Gain" to give an effort (this allows for quick corrections to idle
speed, but values too high can lead to instability);
2. The integral of the error is scaled by "Integral Gain" to give an effort (this
allows for long term corrections without so many instability concerns, but will
not react as quickly as the proportional gain);
3. The rate of change of RPM is scaled by "Differential Gain" to stabilise the
system.

One way to configure these values is to first increase the proportional gain until the
system becomes unstable (idle speed hunts), then increase the differential gain to
stabilise the system until it is sufficiently stable. The integral gain can then be
increased as far as possible while maintaining stability - if necessary the differential
gain can be increased.

The limiting factor will be the maximum amount of differential gain that can be
added. If too much is added, the system will become unstable again. This places the
maximum limit on the amount of proportional and integral gain that can be set, which
ultimately limits how quickly and accurately the idle speed can be controlled.

Note that idle speed control should only be performed once the engine is tuned
properly at the idle condition. If the engine is not tuned properly, it will hunt in any
case, which makes idle control extremely difficult.

There are also two "Recovery" conditions, which give an extra amount of air that will
be admitted when the engine speed is below a certain RPM. These should not be used
for idle control; they should really only be used to stop an engine from stalling. These
will react immediately, unlike the closed loop control algorithm

5.6.0.6. Driving the Idle Valve


After the idle effort is calculated, it is clipped to fall within the "Minimum value" and
"Maximum value" specified in the Idle tabsheet. On a PWM type solenoid valve,
these will correspond to duty cycles as a percentage, and will be typically 0 and 100.
On some engines (such as the Mazda B-series DOHC) the idle valve starts to behave
non-monotonically below a certain duty cycle, so a minimum is specified to keep the
duty cycle outside this range. On a stepper motor drive, the minimum should be 0 and
the maximum should be the number of steps of the idle motor.

To drive a PWM solenoid valve, a capable auxiliary output should be configured as


"Idle Control" and set to PWM mode. The actual frequency required will vary from
one valve to another and will require some experimentation.

To drive a stepper motor, four auxiliary outputs will be required. There are currently
two output options in the ECU, whose step patterns are shown below. In the following
table, a "1" corresponds to an activated output (that is, an output held low):

Output Step 0 Step 1 Step 2 Step 3


Idle stepper 1 – 0 0 1 1
Hold
Idle stepper 2 – 0 1 1 0
Hold

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Idle stepper 3 – 1 0 0 1
Hold
Idle stepper 4 – 1 1 0 0
Hold
Idle stepper 1 – 1 0 0 0
Pulse
Idle stepper 2 – 0 1 0 0
Pulse
Idle stepper 3 – 0 0 1 0
Pulse
Idle stepper 4 – 0 0 0 1
Pulse
Table 11: Idle stepper motor output patterns

The step pattern for a standard 6-wire stepper motor (as used on Mitsubishi) is the
"Hold" type output, which always energises two coils at a time. The "Pulse" type
output energises one coil at a time, however it does not keep the coil energised.

Each step will be at least the duration of the "Step Period" specified in the Idle
tabsheet. This is typically 11ms for a Mitsubishi type idle motor.

If the idle motor is at its end of travel, the ECU will deliver a pulse to it once every
few seconds, to ensure that the motor actually remains there. The purpose of this is
that if some poles are skipped during motor excursion, the position of the motor will
not be as the ECU thinks it is. The situation could occur that under closed loop
operation, the ECU may believe it has fully closed the idle valve, whereas the idle
valve is actually still slightly open (due to the skipped poles). Hence by continuing to
step in the "closed" direction, the motor's position will eventually match up with that
expected by the ECU. It is only an issue at the ends of travel, because otherwise the
closed loop control can be used to compensate for any skipped poles.

5.7. Wastegate Control


5.7.0.0. Introduction
The conventional mechanical arrangement on a turbocharged engine with electronic
boost control is to have a pressure feed from the compressor outlet go to the servo
diaphragm via a T-piece and an electric solenoid bleed valve. Opening the valve
allows some air to bleed off, reducing the pressure seen by the servo diaphragm.
Closing the valve allows the full pressure to be seen by the servo diaphragm, and the
standard wastegate pressure will be maintained.

As with fuel control, ignition control and idle speed control, a combination of feed-
forward and feedback is used. Note that closed loop wastegate control is still
experimental, however open loop wastegate control has been verified on road
vehicles.

The wastegate output is configured as a PWM valve. Hence the solenoid valve must
be connected to a high current, PWM-capable auxiliary output.

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5.7.0.1. Open Loop Wastegate Control
The open loop system is quite simple. Within the Wastegate tabsheet, there is a set
duty cycle (as a percentage) for each 500 RPM from 0 to 7500 RPM. The ECU will
interpolate these values, based on the current RPM, to arrive at a duty cycle which is
fed to the wastegate output.

To force only open-loop control, the P, I and D gains in the Control pane must be set
to zero.

5.7.0.2. Closed Loop Wastegate Control


The installer can set a target MAP for each RPM point. The ECU will then attempt to
regulate the wastegate duty cycle to achieve this MAP value.

If there is no valid MAP value, the closed loop operation is disabled and the open
loop mode only is used.

For a discussion on the operation of the PID controller, see the description for closed
loop idle control.

5.8. Driving Outputs


5.8.0. Ignition Outputs
There are three dedicated ignition outputs, and one ignition capable auxiliary output
on the Adaptronic. These can be configured to fire simultaneously (as on an engine
with a distributor) or alternately (as on a 4 cylinder, wasted spark engine),
leading/trailing as in a rotary. In these modes, the third ignition output can be
configured as a tachometer function. They can also be configured to fire in a cycle of
three, which is suitable for direct fire ignition on a three cylinder engine, wasted spark
on a six cylinder engine, or leading trailing with addressing on rotary with addressing
igniters. In this mode, a tachometer output must be sourced from an auxiliary output.
Ignition Output 1 will fire first after the reset pulse from the crank/cam trigger. They
can also be configured to fire in a cycle of four, suitable for direct fire four cylinders
or waster spark eight cylinders, in this situation ign 3 has to be set to Ign 3, and aux
out 1 set to Ign 4.

When using a two-rotor engine, with addressing igniters, the coil address sets the plug
to fire based on wether it is high or low, to offset this addressing so that it
encompasses when the plug should be fired, changing the offset address from 0 to 1, 1
to -3, -3 to -4, -4 to -5, -5 to -6 shifts the addressing right one trigger event, changing
the offset address from 0 to -1, 1 to -2, -3 to 2, -4 to 3, -5 to 4, -6 to 5 changes the
phase. The split between the leading and trailing sparks can be changed based on load
and rpm under the basic setup tab, the value entered will move the trailing plug back
the specified degrees.

Each output will turn on a fixed amount of time (the "dwell time", configurable in the
Trigger/Output window) before the spark is to fire. The output will then turn off at the
angle at which the output is supposed to fire, discharging the coil and generating the
spark.

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The outputs can be configured as rising edge or falling edge sensitive. Most igniters
will be falling edge sensitive; that is, the output goes high to begin charging the coil,
and low again (falling edge) to generate the spark. This option is left in for certain
igniters that were intended to work with Kettering ignition (points), and are triggered
by the rising edge. Honda igniters seem to use this less common logical sense.

The following diagram shows some typical waveforms:

Ign 1, "Both at once",


normal (falling edge)

Ign 2, "Both at once",


normal (falling edge)

Ign 1, "Both at once",


inverted (rising edge)

Ign 1, "Alternate",
normal (falling edge)

Ign 2, "Alternate",
normal (falling edge)

Ign 3, "Tacho 50%"

Ign 1, "Sequential",
normal (falling edge)

Figure 31: Ignition Waveforms in Different Modes

5.8.1. Injection Outputs


Each injector output will fire in accordance with the firing order and pattern selected
in the software. The software gives a graphical indication of this firing order. An
example is shown below:

Figure 32: Injector Firing Pattern Example


The above example shows a configuration for a twelve cylinder engine, where each
injector output is fired once every three periods.

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The current needed for most injectors is 1amp, to achieve this there are a number of
selections which the user can make based on how their injectors are wired up, e.g. for
direct 0.9A, for two injectors together 1.9A.

The staged injector limit sets the limit of the primary injector in terms of ms of the
secondary injectors, the primary injector multiplier sets the percentage increase in size
of the injector, this is all used to calculate the actual injector on time for each injector
when using staged injection. Note also that when using injection in a staged situation
that only all, alternate full speed, or batch should be used.

5.8.2. Auxiliary Outputs


Each output is driven low to activate it. There is no internal pull-up or high side
driver, so these outputs can only sink current. If an output needs to be configured as a
0-12V signal (for example, to feed into a tachometer or another piece of equipment), a
separate pull-up resistor of an appropriate value must be placed.
Not all auxiliary outputs are created equal, for this reason you must choose the correct
channel for the correct output type, the specifics of this can be found in section 2.3.

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