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Chapter 7
Computer Control
Fundamentals
117
118 Auto Engine Performance and Driveability Chapter 7 Computer Control Fundamentals 119
Compared to vehicles of the past, cars and light trucks The engine control computer in various makes and process only 16 numbers and letters as a single data piece.
have greater fuel economy, produce less pollution, and models of vehicles is called by different terms, according to A 32-bit computer works much faster than older models,
Computer
perform better. Many of the improvements introduced to the individual manufacturer preferences. Some of these terms interfaces better with CAN busses, and can store as many
vehicle over the years to achieve these results involve the include: as 4 billion numbers. The 32-bit ECM controls all of the
electronic devices. This chapter discusses on-board comput- Q On-board computer. electrical devices on a vehicle, either directly or through
ers and how they monitor and control the various engine, Input
Q Microprocessor. other ECMs attached through a CAN system. CAN systems
drive train, and vehicle systems. This chapter not only pro- devices Output Q Controller. are discussed later. Figure 7-3 shows a 32-bit ECM installed
vides a review of computer control systems, but also prepares (sensors) devices Q Engine control module (ECM). on the vehicle rewall.
you for many of the subsequent chapters in this text. Q Electronic control unit (ECU).
Q Electronic engine control (EEC).
Q Powertrain control module (PCM). ECM Communications
Engine Q Vehicle control module (VCM).
Electronic Engine Control Systems and drive
Since there are over two dozen motor vehicle manu-
Signals from the input sensors and to the output
train devices are analog signals, or signals composed of variable,
facturers, the number of names for the computer can cause nondiscreet voltage levels. The analog signals to and from
The most important advance in the areas of driveabil- confusion. In this book, the engine-control computer is
Figure 7-1. A typical computer control system cycle or loop. the sensors vary from millivolts to battery voltage, depend-
ity, fuel economy, and performance is the development of always called the ECM for engine control module. Calling
This loop applies to all automotive computer control systems. ing on the system, and are usually referred to as reference
the on-board computer to control the engine and drive train engine control computers ECMs makes it easier to separate
systems. The on-board computer system is usually called voltages. Computers are digital devices working with a
them from other vehicle computers and the computers used series of on and off, or discreet, signals. This information is
the electronic engine control system. This system is com- in diagnostic equipment.
posed of electrical, electronic, and mechanical devices that referred to as serial data or the data stream.
monitor and control engine operation. Electronic engine Electronic Control Module The ECM operates output devices by turning them on
and off. Output device operation is controlled by varying
control systems always have a central computer that inter- Multiple ECMs the length of time the device is operated, either by apply-
acts with the other components. Some systems have one The electronic control module (ECM) processes and
or more related computers that control some of the electri- Almost all vehicles have more than one control. There ing voltage or supplying ground. The length of time over
interprets the electrical inputs from the sensors through the
cal devices drawing heavy current. Other systems use the may be separate control modules for the transmission, anti- which the signal or ground is provided is called the pulse
use of miniaturized electronic components arranged to use
second computer to operate the fuel injection system or lock brakes, air conditioner, and body electrical circuits. width, Figure 7-4. The ECM also provides external com-
logic. All information processing in a computer is a binary
control automatic transmission operation. These control modules communicate with each other munications to other on-board computers and diagnostic
operation. This is a series of on-off signals, no matter how
On-board computers control parts of the fuel system, and act as a single unit when tasks in different parts of the equipment, which are discussed in the next section.
complex the information or signal. The manipulation of
ignition system, emissions system, drive train, and acces- vehicle must be coordinated.
these signals is what operates the computer.
sories such as the air conditioner. A few vehicles have All ECMs are divided into several internal circuits Multiplexing and Data Busses
control systems that also operate parts of the valve train. that process the sensor inputs and issue commands to the Note: The computers that control engine As explained earlier, the ECMs in most vehicles com-
Although the engine-control computer is often connected appropriate output devices. A schematic of a simple ECM operation on most vehicles should not be municate with each other. They transfer information via a
to and receives information from other vehicle computers, system is shown in Figure 7-2. Although each of the internal confused with those operating the anti-lock path called a data bus. The data bus is simply a roadway
it is primarily used to control engine and vehicle systems. ECM circuits operates independently, the circuits exchange brake system (ABS), cruise control, air bags, anti- for data transfer between the ECMs and other control
Vehicle manufacturers often refer to computerized engine information and share sensor inputs. theft system, climate control system, or suspension. modules.
controls as emission-control devices. While these controls
help to clean up the exhaust gases, they do so by improving
overall engine efciency. The computer and its related parts
are constantly tuning all engine systems and components
Main Control Modules
for optimum performance. In most vehicles, one computer has the job of manag-
The basic computer control system consists of three ing the data ows of the other vehicle control modules. The
main areas: job may be assigned to the vehicle control module (VCM),