A controller for a spark plug of an engine is provided. The controller is configured to receive a signal indicative of an operational parameter of the engine. The controller is configured to define a breakdown time duration for the spark plug. Further, the controller is configured to determine an optimum amount of energy required to generate a spark for the spark plug based on the defined breakdown time duration and the operational parameter. The controller is further configured to cause the optimum amount of energy to be supplied to the spark plug to cause the spark to be generated for the spark plug.

The present disclosure refers to a method for detecting an exchange of a component of an ignition system of a spark-ignited internal combustion engine. The method comprises the step of determining at least one parameter being indicative of an operation or condition of the ignition system; and the step of detecting an exchange of the component based on a comparison of the parameter with at least one reference value.

The present disclosure refers to a method for detecting an exchange of a component of an ignition system of a spark-ignited internal combustion engine. The method comprises the step of determining at least one parameter being indicative of an operation or condition of the ignition system; and the step of detecting an exchange of the component based on a comparison of the parameter with at least one reference value.

Methods and systems are provided for determining an ignition coil dwell time based on an estimated ignition coil temperature. In one example, a method may include estimating the ignition coil temperature based on heat transfer between engine and the ignition coil, heat transfer between ambient and the ignition coil, and internal resistive heating of the ignition coil.

Methods and systems are provided for determining an ignition coil dwell time based on an estimated ignition coil temperature. In one example, a method may include estimating the ignition coil temperature based on heat transfer between engine and the ignition coil, heat transfer between ambient and the ignition coil, and internal resistive heating of the ignition coil.

Methods and systems are provided for determining a type of spark plug fouling. In one example, a method may include differentiating spark plug fouling due to soot accumulation from spark plug fouling due to fuel additive accumulation based on a current on a control wire of the spark plug following application of a dwell command. Further, exhaust oxygen sensor degradation and/or exhaust catalyst degradation may be determined based on switching frequencies of one or more exhaust oxygen sensors and the type of spark plug fouling.

Methods and systems are provided for determining a type of spark plug fouling. In one example, a method may include differentiating spark plug fouling due to soot accumulation from spark plug fouling due to fuel additive accumulation based on a current on a control wire of the spark plug following application of a dwell command. Further, exhaust oxygen sensor degradation and/or exhaust catalyst degradation may be determined based on switching frequencies of one or more exhaust oxygen sensors and the type of spark plug fouling.

Methods and systems are provided for determining an ignition coil dwell time based on an estimated ignition coil temperature. In one example, a method may include estimating the ignition coil temperature based on heat transfer between engine and the ignition coil, heat transfer between ambient and the ignition coil, and internal resistive heating of the ignition coil.

An ignition control system for an internal combustion engine has a coil connector for connecting to an ignition coil, a processor coupled to the coil connector, and a memory coupled to the processor. The memory contains instructions for the processor to, in communication with the ignition coil, achieve and maintain a target spark duration by dynamically controlling a coil dwell set-point of the ignition coil. The processor energizes the ignition coil during a first ignition sequence based on the coil dwell set-point, directly measure spark duration of the first ignition sequence by monitoring a voltage reflection on a primary side of the ignition coil, adjust the coil dwell set-point for a second ignition sequence based on the target spark duration and the measured spark duration, and energizes the ignition coil during the second ignition sequence based on the adjusted coil dwell set-point.

An ignition control system for an internal combustion engine has a coil connector for connecting to an ignition coil, a processor coupled to the coil connector, and a memory coupled to the processor. The memory contains instructions for the processor to, in communication with the ignition coil, achieve and maintain a target spark duration by dynamically controlling a coil dwell set-point of the ignition coil. The processor energizes the ignition coil during a first ignition sequence based on the coil dwell set-point, directly measure spark duration of the first ignition sequence by monitoring a voltage reflection on a primary side of the ignition coil, adjust the coil dwell set-point for a second ignition sequence based on the target spark duration and the measured spark duration, and energizes the ignition coil during the second ignition sequence based on the adjusted coil dwell set-point.