Wide Band Oxygen Sensor Electronic Control Unit (LambdaTronic) 2005-01-0061

As emission regulations continue to become more stringent, new design approaches need to be considered as implementation solutions. Wide band, or linear, oxygen sensors provide emission control benefits that can help meet these requirements. Due to the complexity of these oxygen sensors, a control ASIC is required. However, integrating a control ASIC into an existing electronic control unit (ECU) design can be problematic. The Bosch Wide Band Oxygen Sensor ECU (LambdaTronic) is a design proposal that provides a stand-alone solution to this issue. It is an ECU that provides oxygen sensor (LSU) control and diagnostics and communicates the information to the vehicle engine ECU via a standard automotive bus. LambdaTronic is currently being designed and developed for production release in the automotive market. When LambdaTronic is combined with one or more wide band LSU sensors, the system can be considered a “smart” oxygen sensor.