How Does Engine Control Unit (ECU) Works In Motor Vehicle ?

The use of the term ECU may be used to refer to an Engine Control Unit, however ECU also refers to an Electronic Control Unit, which is a component of any automotive Mechatronic system, not just for the control of an engine. It serves several functions which includes regulating and maintaining the amount of fuel and air in the fuel injection part and helps in increasing horsepower of the engine.

An ECU is a computer with internal pre-programmed and programmable computer chips that is not much different from a home computer or laptop. The vehicle’s engine computer ECU is used to operate the engine by using input sensors and output components to control all engine functions.
The ECU needs inputs from vehicle sensors like the crankshaft sensor and camshaft sensors to compute the information using a program that has been stored in the ECU on a programmable memory chip. The ECU program will use the inputted sensor information to compute the needed output like the amount of fuel injected and when to spark the coil in order to start the engine.

How does an ECU work?

An ECU is often referred to as the ‘brain’ of the engine. It is essentially a computer, a switching system and power management system in a very small case. To perform even on a basic level, it has to incorporate 4 different areas of operation.

Input :-
This typically includes temperature and pressure sensors, on/off signals and data from other modules within the vehicle and is how an ECU collects the information it needs to make decisions.

• An example of an input would be a Coolant Temperature sensor, or an Accelerator Pedal Position sensor. Requests from the Antilock Brake System (ABS) module may also be considered, such as for the application of traction control.
• 
  Processing :-

Once the data has been collected by the ECU, the processor must determine output specifications, such as fuel injector pulse width, as directed by the software stored within the unit.

• The processor not only reads the software to decide the appropriate output, it also records its own information, such as learned mixture adjustments and mileage.
• Output
• The ECU can then perform an action on the engine, allowing the correct amount of power to control actuators precisely.
• These can include controlling fuel injector pulse width, exact timing of the ignition system, opening of an electronic throttle body or the activation of a radiator cooling fan.
• Power Management

The ECU has many internal power requirements for the hundreds of internal components to function correctly. In addition to this, in order for many sensors and actuators to work, the correct voltage has to be supplied by the ECU to components around the car. This could be just a steady 5 Volts for sensors, or over 200 Volts for the fuel injector circuits.

Advantages Of ECU :-

→ The main function of the ECU or Engine Control Unit is the controlling of series of function of actuators on an internal combustion engine and ensuring the excellent engine performance. The Engine Control Unit is also called Power train control unit. This is also responsible for the best Engine performance.
→ It controls the fuel mixture used by the engine. It determines the amount of air-fuel mixture injecting into the engine.

→ ECU adjust the exact timing of the spark or the ignition timing to provide the better power and economy. ECU detects itself whether there is the problem in the compression stroke or not and works according and set the timing of ignition.
→ Most cars have also built in control system in their ECU for controlling idle speed. Idle speed is controlled through the programmable throttle stop.

→ The amount of data that goes through the ECU for processing is staggering. There are multiple operations which have to be performed almost simultaneously to achieve maximum performance. The beauty of the ECU is that it permits processing of all the information that is received by the engine with the sensors. The car responds far better and much quicker because of this. The sophistication of the ECU is such that a car company can program information so one car model may have a very smooth ride, while another has more of a racing flair to it. It is also possible to have both qualities in the same vehicle and that is another quite astounding dimension of the ECU.