Ion current interface

Abstract: Abstract Abstract The reason to measure the ion current in a combustion engine is to extract combustion parameters in order to achieve closed loop control of the combustion i.e. control of the spark, fuel and air into the engine. By using the spark plug, in a spark-ignited engine, as a probe it is possible to measure the ion current. The purpose with this thesis is to improve an existing ion current interface. A ringing caused by the ignition coil will follow by the ion current signal. Now the need of energy in the spark increase. Since increased energy in the spark gives a longer burn time and a longer ringing the ringing will extend into the ion current signal. The problem with the old interface is that the ringing is not symmetrical which could cause problems when filtering the signal. The aim of this thesis is to achieve a symmetrical ringing and a interface that can handle an ion current amplitude from 0,1µA to 1mA.