Programmable Electronic Ignition Equipment for Study of Engine Behavior

This paper describes two instruments for electronically controlling ignition timing that were developed for the investigation of ignition timing control surfaces. The first instrument described generates straight-line advance curves with breakpoints as a function of manifold pressure and engine speed. The second instrument described is more versatile and allows the generation of advance curves that are a general function of two independent variables, one of these being engine speed.

Use of the equipment to provide specifications for the design of mechanical distributors and also for the design of more sophisticated types of electronic advance systems is described, and some results are given.