8/1/02

Mitch Emmons, 334/844-5964

AU ENGINEERS WORKING ON NEXT-GENERATION ENGINE CONTROLLERS

AUBURN -- Engineers in Auburn University's Center for Advanced Vehicular Electronics -- partnered with Daimler Chrysler Corp. in Huntsville, Ala. -- are working on the next generation of microelectronic vehicle controllers.

As part of AU's Information Technology Peaks of Excellence program, the engineers are testing the reliability of materials for use in a leading-edge transmission and engine control system. It is a partnership that has been going strong since 1995, when Chrysler began using a multi-chip module developed with AU for the transmission controller in its Jeep models.

"We have moved from the original transmission control chip to the next generation of these systems that will control both transmission and engine operations," says John Evans, an associate professor in the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, and formerly the program manager with Chrysler, working with AU on the project.

As with the original controller, the system must operate in the hot and high-vibration, under-the-hood environment of a vehicle. Yet with the integrated system, the problems are more challenging.

"The original system was mounted on the firewall next to the engine and had to be reliable up to about 125 degrees celsius," Evans said. "The new system, which will be installed directly inside the transmission, will have to perform reliably up to 155 degrees celsius."

Evans said Auburn's job is to test the various circuit board materials, sealers and other components under laboratory conditions.

"Chrysler will evaluate its own system, but we are helping to determine the best materials for use in assembling these systems," Evans said.

In addition to its reliability in harsher applications, the new controller also reduces the number of direct wire connections presently required.

"Wire connections are among the most common points of mechanical problems in an engine," Evans said. "All of the connections will be integrated directly into the system instead of a wiring harness. We are probably looking at 16 versus 60 direct wire connections with this advanced system, and a much more reliable system."

Efficiency improvement also is expected in performance, according to Evans.

"Engine performance is typically measured in fuel economy -- miles per gallon," he said. "In theory, since this component is installed directly into the transmission, it can be individually tuned to the operating characteristics of that particular transmission, thus improving fuel consumption significantly."

Evans said a cost reduction also is highly possible with the new system.

"The present system uses expensive ceramic circuit boards," he said. "One of the tests that we are conducting is on different circuit board materials. We are hoping to achieve not only quality and performance improvements, but also a cost reduction."

Evans joined the AU engineering faculty last August. He said he was attracted because of the association that he already had with the university and its advanced electronics research program.

"I had worked with Wayne Johnson (director of the Information Technology Peaks initiative) and his advanced vehicle electronics research program, to establish the CAVE center," Evans said. "Also, I had been teaching an electronics manufacturing course that compliments a course that Wayne teaches. When the opportunity opened for me to join the faculty, it just seemed right."

CAVE is co-sponsored by the National Science Foundation. Other research centers associated with the Information Technology Peaks of Excellence are the Alabama Microelectronics Science and Technology Center; the Center for Innovations in Mobile, Pervasive, and Agile Computing; and the Wireless Engineering Research and Education Center.

The Peaks of Excellence comprise seven multi-disciplinary research areas selected for their strength and ability to address priority research and development needs for the state, region and the nation. Other programs among the Peaks of Excellence include: Fisheries and Aquaculture; Cell and Molecular Biosciences; Detection and Food Safety; Forest Sustainability; Poultry Products, Safety and Quality; and Transportation.

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CONTACT: Evans, 334/844-1418.