Abstract: A method for operating an electronic control unit during a calibration phase; the method contemplating the steps of: dividing an area of a FLASH storage memory connected to a microprocessor in two pages between them identical and redundant, each of which is aimed at storing all the calibration parameters used by a control software; and using the two pages alternatively so that a first page contains the values of the calibration parameters and is queried by the microprocessor, while a second page is cleared and made available to store the updated values of the calibration parameters.

Abstract: A control system with multiprocessor architecture for an internal combustion powertrain is disclosed. The control system has a computing unit capable of executing both basic control functions of the powertrain and ancillary control functions not directly related to the control of the powertrain. The computing unit comprises a main processor, which is dedicated to executing basic functions for controlling the powertrain, at least one auxiliary processor, which is dedicated to executing ancillary control functions, a number of memories, a series of peripheral devices, at least one peripheral bus connection, to which the peripheral devices are connected, and an intelligent main bus connection of the cross-bar bus type to allow the processors to communicate with the memories and with the peripheral bus connection.

Abstract: A control system with multiprocessor architecture for an internal combustion powertrain is disclosed. The control system has a computing unit capable of executing both basic control functions of the powertrain and ancillary control functions not directly related to the control of the powertrain. The computing unit comprises a main processor, which is dedicated to executing basic functions for controlling the powertrain, at least one auxiliary processor, which is dedicated to executing ancillary control functions, a number of memories, a series of peripheral devices, at least one peripheral bus connection, to which the peripheral devices are connected, and an intelligent main bus connection of the cross-bar bus type to allow the processors to communicate with the memories and with the peripheral bus connection.

Abstract: A control device for a vehicle engine includes a memory unit for storing engine configuration parameters, a processing unit for sending control signals to the engine in accordance with the configuration parameters, and an input/output unit connectible to an external computer to modify the configuration parameters. The control device includes a first portion and a second portion of the memory unit, with each portion being alternately used in an active state for storing a current version of the configuration parameters or in an inactive state for the writing of a new version of the configuration parameters. The processing unit accesses the portion which is in the active state for reading, and the input/output unit accesses the portion which is in the inactive state for writing. An interconnection unit selectively switches one of the portions to the active state and the other of the portions to the inactive state.

Abstract: A method for control of an injector in an internal combustion engine in which for a specific engine cycle, a control unit calculates a desired value of the opening time of the injector and forwards this desired value to a drive circuit of the injector, a supervision device calculates an actual value of the opening time of the injector during the injection phase, compares this actual value with the desired value and generates an error signal if the difference between the desired value and the actual value is outside a predetermined acceptability range.

Abstract: A method and device for driving an injector in an internal combustion engine in which a current wave which is variable over time, which comprises an initial section substantially of a pulse type and having a relatively high current intensity, an intermediate section during which the current intensity is rapidly reduced to substantially zero values and a final section having a substantially constant and relatively low current intensity, is caused to circulate through a control circuit of the injector.

Abstract: A control device for a vehicle engine includes a memory unit for storing engine configuration parameters, a processing unit for sending control signals to the engine in accordance with the configuration parameters, and an input/output unit connectible to an external computer to modify the configuration parameters. The control device includes a first portion and a second portion of the memory unit, with each portion being alternately used in an active state for storing a current version of the configuration parameters or in an inactive state for the writing of a new version of the configuration parameters. The processing unit accesses the portion which is in the active state for reading, and the input/output unit accesses the portion which is in the inactive state for writing. An interconnection unit selectively switches one of the portions to the active state and the other of the portions to the inactive state.

Abstract: A method for control of an injector in an internal combustion engine in which for a specific engine cycle, a control unit calculates a desired value of the opening time of the injector and forwards this desired value to a drive circuit of the injector, a supervision device calculates an actual value of the opening time of the injector during the injection phase, compares this actual value with the desired value and generates an error signal if the difference between the desired value and the actual value is outside a predetermined acceptability range.

Abstract: A method and device for driving an injector in an internal combustion engine in which a current wave which is variable over time, which comprises an initial section substantially of a pulse type and having a relatively high current intensity, an intermediate section during which the current intensity is rapidly reduced to substantially zero values and a final section having a substantially constant and relatively low current intensity, is caused to circulate through a control circuit of the injector.