Real-time impedance measurement and frequency control in an automotive plasma ignition system

Author

Williams, Roger ; Ikeda, Yuji

Author_Institution

NXP Semicond., Smithfield, RI, USA

fYear

2015

fDate

17-22 May 2015

Firstpage

1

Lastpage

4

Abstract

We describe a method for optimizing plasma matching in a pulsed 2.45 GHz automotive plasma ignition system. The large-signal impedance into the spark plug feed network is continuously monitored, and the frequency for optimal match is estimated and changed in less than 100 μs to accomodate changes in gas pressure. This method is also used to “learn” the frequency response of the system to compensate for initial manufacturing variations, ageing, and temperature-related changes in the feed network and spark plug. We describe the performance of a system using a modified coaxial transmission line resonator (CTLR) spark plug operating at pressures from 0.1 to 1 MPa, and discuss a low-cost implementation.

Keywords

automotive components; frequency control; plasma devices; plasma diagnostics; spark plugs; CTLR; ageing; frequency 2.45 GHz; frequency control; frequency response; gas pressure; initial manufacturing variations; large-signal impedance; modified coaxial transmission line resonator spark plug; optimal match; plasma matching; pressure 0.1 MPa to 1 MPa; pulsed automotive plasma ignition system; real-time impedance measurement; spark plug feed network; temperature-related changes; Ignition; Masers; Microwave FET integrated circuits; Microwave integrated circuits; Automotive applications; frequency control; ignition; impedance measurement; plasma applications;

fLanguage

English

Publisher

ieee

Conference_Titel

Microwave Symposium (IMS), 2015 IEEE MTT-S International

Conference_Location

Phoenix, AZ

Type

conf

DOI

10.1109/MWSYM.2015.7167027

Filename

7167027