Automotive Electronics and Hybrid Vehicles
Course Code: 23ECE531
Department of ECE Dr. Dilip R SJB Institute of Technology
Module-2
Oxygen (O2/EGO) Sensors, Throttle Position Sensor (TPS), Engine Crankshaft Angular Position
(CKP)Sensors, Hall effect Position Sensor, Shielded Field Sensor, Optical Crankshaft Position
Sensor, Manifold Absolute Pressure (MAP) Sensor – Strain gauge and Capacitor capsule, Engine
Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor, Intake Air Temperature (IAT) Sensor, Knock Sensor, Airflow
rate sensor, Throttle angle Sensor.
Department of ECE Dr. Dilip R SJB Institute of Technology
Sensors
A sensor is a device that detects and responds to some type of input from the physical
environment.
•The input can be almost anything: light, heat, motion, moisture, pressure, magnetic fields,
chemicals, sound, etc.
•The response is usually an electrical signal that can be measured, logged, or used to trigger an
action.
Department of ECE Dr. Dilip R SJB Institute of Technology
Exhaust Oxygen Gas Sensors
Department of ECE Dr. Dilip R SJB Institute of Technology
Exhaust Oxygen Gas Sensors
•Location: Installed in the exhaust manifold or downpipe, before the catalytic converter. Often called
the "Upstream" or Sensor 1.
•Function: It monitors the amount of oxygen in the exhaust gas leaving the engine.
•How it Works: It generates a voltage signal based on the difference between the oxygen content in the exhaust
and the outside air.
• Rich Mixture (too much fuel, not enough oxygen): Produces a high voltage signal (~0.8 - 1.0V).
• Lean Mixture (too much oxygen, not enough fuel): Produces a low voltage signal (~0.1 - 0.3V).
Department of ECE Dr. Dilip R SJB Institute of Technology
Throttle Position Sensor (TPS)
The Throttle Position Sensor (TPS) is a sensor located on the throttle body of a fuel-injected engine. Its
primary job is to monitor the position of the throttle plate and relay this information to the Engine
Control Unit (ECU) or Powertrain Control Module (PCM).
Department of ECE Dr. Dilip R SJB Institute of Technology
Throttle Position Sensor (TPS)
The TPS is essentially a variable resistor or potentiometer. Here’s the basic principle:
[Link]: It has three terminals: a reference voltage (e.g., 5V) from the ECU, a ground, and a signal wire back to
the ECU.
[Link]: As you press the accelerator, the throttle plate rotates on a shaft. This shaft is connected to the wiper arm
inside the TPS.
[Link] Change: As the wiper arm moves across a resistive material, the resistance changes. This change in
resistance alters the voltage on the signal wire returning to the ECU.
1. Closed Throttle (Idle): Low output voltage (typically 0.5V - 0.9V).
2. Wide-Open Throttle (WOT): High output voltage (typically 4.0V - 4.8V).
[Link] Interpretation: The ECU reads this changing voltage signal as a precise throttle angle, from 0% (closed) to
100% (wide-open).
This simple voltage signal is one of the most important inputs the ECU uses to manage the engine.
Department of ECE Dr. Dilip R SJB Institute of Technology
Throttle Position Sensor (TPS)
The TPS signal is used for numerous critical engine management functions:
[Link] Delivery: The ECU uses throttle position, along with mass airflow (MAF) or manifold absolute pressure (MAP), to
determine how much fuel to inject. A rapidly opening throttle requires a quick burst of extra fuel (acceleration enrichment).
[Link] Timing: Throttle position helps the ECU determine the optimal spark advance for power, efficiency, and preventing
knock.
[Link] Control: The Transmission Control Module (TCM) uses TPS data to decide when to shift gears. A high throttle
position tells the TCM the driver wants power, delaying upshifts. A low throttle position tells it to shift early for economy.
[Link] Speed Control: The ECU knows when the throttle is closed (idle) and manages the idle air control (IAC) valve or electronic
throttle body to maintain a stable idle speed.
[Link] Control & Traction/Stability Systems: These systems use TPS data to understand driver intent and modulate throttle
accordingly.
Department of ECE Dr. Dilip R SJB Institute of Technology
Engine Crankshaft Angular
Position (CKP)Sensors
Department of ECE Dr. Dilip R SJB Institute of Technology
Engine Crankshaft Angular
Position (CKP)Sensors
Department of ECE Dr. Dilip R SJB Institute of Technology
Engine Crankshaft Angular
Position (CKP)Sensors
The Crankshaft Position Sensor is one of the most critical
sensors in a modern internal combustion engine. Its primary
job is to monitor the position and rotational speed (RPM)
of the crankshaft.
This information is the primary input the Engine Control
Unit (ECU) or Powertrain Control Module (PCM) uses to
manage:
•Ignition Timing: Precisely when the spark plugs fire.
•Fuel Injection Timing: Precisely when fuel injectors spray
fuel.
•Cylinder Identification: (In conjunction with the Camshaft
Position Sensor) to determine which piston is on its
compression stroke for sequential fuel injection.
Department of ECE Dr. Dilip R SJB Institute of Technology
Engine Crankshaft Angular
Position (CKP)Sensors
How It Works: The Basic Principle
The sensor is mounted in a fixed position, typically near the crankshaft itself, often adjacent to the
main crankshaft pulley (harmonic balancer) or on the engine block near the flywheel/flexplate.
A reluctor ring (or tone ring)—a wheel with notches or teeth—is attached to and rotates with the
crankshaft. As the crankshaft turns, the teeth on this ring pass close to the tip of the sensor.
The CKP sensor detects these passing teeth and generates a predictable electrical signal for each
one. The ECU counts these signals to calculate the crankshaft's exact position and how fast it's
turning (RPM).
Department of ECE Dr. Dilip R SJB Institute of Technology
Engine Crankshaft Angular
Position (CKP)Sensors
There are three main types of CKP sensors, differentiated by their underlying technology:
1. Magnetic (Variable Reluctance) Sensors
2. Hall-Effect Sensors
3. Magneto-Resistive (MR) Sensors
Department of ECE Dr. Dilip R SJB Institute of Technology
Magnetic (Variable Reluctance)
Sensors
Department of ECE Dr. Dilip R SJB Institute of Technology
Magnetic (Variable Reluctance)
Sensors
•How they work: These sensors generate their own AC voltage signal using a permanent magnet
surrounded by a coil of wire. When a tooth on the reluctor ring passes the sensor, it changes the magnetic
field, inducing a voltage in the coil. The signal is an analog sine wave.
•Key Characteristics:
• Self-Powering: They do not require an external power source from the ECU.
• Two-Wire Design.
• Signal strength increases with engine speed (faster RPM = higher voltage signal).
• The sensor must generate a certain voltage to be recognized by the ECU, which is why an engine
might not start if cranked too slowly (e.g., weak battery).
Department of ECE Dr. Dilip R SJB Institute of Technology
Magnetic (Variable Reluctance)
Sensors
Department of ECE Dr. Dilip R SJB Institute of Technology
Hall effect Position Sensor
Department of ECE Dr. Dilip R SJB Institute of Technology
Hall effect Position Sensor
Department of ECE Dr. Dilip R SJB Institute of Technology
Shielded Field Sensor
Department of ECE Dr. Dilip R SJB Institute of Technology
Optical Crankshaft Position
Sensor
Department of ECE Dr. Dilip R SJB Institute of Technology
Manifold Absolute Pressure
(MAP) Sensor : Strain gauge MAP
sensor
Department of ECE Dr. Dilip R SJB Institute of Technology
Manifold Absolute Pressure
(MAP) Sensor : Strain gauge MAP
sensor
Department of ECE Dr. Dilip R SJB Institute of Technology
Engine Coolant Temperature
(ECT) Sensor
Department of ECE Dr. Dilip R SJB Institute of Technology
KNOCK SENSOR
Department of ECE Dr. Dilip R SJB Institute of Technology
AIRFLOW RATE SENSOR
Department of ECE Dr. Dilip R SJB Institute of Technology
Department of ECE Dr. Dilip R SJB Institute of Technology