System identification and LQG control of variable-compression HCCI engine dynamics

The homogenous charge compression ignition (HCCI) combustion engine has potential to replace the spark ignition and compression ignition engines of today. One of the main problems in making the engine commercially attractive is the lack of direct means of controlling the ignition phasing. We investigate the potential of inlet air temperature as a means to ignition actuation. This article describes a method for system identification of the HCCI process, and development of an effective LQG regulator for the combustion process, Matlab and Simulink being used in computations and simulations.