Spark Ignition Engine Mass Air Flow Control for Precise Torque Management

Presented in this paper is a robust feedback controller design procedure to regulate the mass air flow (MAF) into a 4.6L V8 spark ignition engine. A system level model of engine throttle to engine mass air flow is experimentally determined. In addition, an H_∞ controller is designed to control engine mass air flow with zero steady state error while addressing the nonlinear throttle characteristics and pure delay. The controller design methodology applied to the mass air flow control problem is discussed and an interpretation of the controller presented. Finally, engine dynamometer data demonstrates that the H_∞ controller rejects noise and disturbances while meeting transient and steady state performance objectives.