Aug 11 2008
Freescale Semiconductor is providing microcontroller (MCU) technology for ElectroJet Inc.’s fuel injection system, designed to reduce harmful emissions by 65 percent and increase fuel economy by 12 percent in motorcycle applications. Showcasing this innovative technology during the 2008 Olympic Games, ElectroJet is providing its advanced fuel injection systems to Dayang Motorcycle Co., Ltd., the official motorcycle supplier for the Olympics.
China has implemented numerous policies designed to reduce air pollution in Beijing in time for the Olympics. A recent mandate requires that half of the capital’s 3.3 million cars be removed from the streets on alternate days, removing approximately 118,000 tons of emissions, or 63 percent of total emissions in Beijing. To demonstrate how advanced technology also can be used to curb harmful emissions from motorcycles, the Beijing police and emergency medical services are equipping their staff with Dayang motorcycles incorporating ElectroJet’s fuel injection system.
Designed for four-stroke motorcycle and motorbike applications, ElectroJet’s fuel injection system is bolt-compatible with OEM carburetor systems and exceeds U.S. and EURO III emissions standards. The system generates 65 percent less carbon monoxide, 35 percent less hydrocarbon and 35 percent less nitrogen oxide compared to a carburetor system. Engines equipped with the fuel injection system not only reap environmental benefits, but also garner a five percent increase in horsepower.
“It’s remarkable that such an affordable, easy-to-implement fuel injection system can significantly reduce harmful pollutants while improving fuel economy and increasing horsepower,” said Paul Grimme, senior vice president and general manager of Freescale’s Microcontroller Solutions Group. “As emissions controls and regulations become more stringent in response to growing environmental concerns, Freescale is proud to work with ElectroJet to deliver innovative technology that’s helping improve the quality of the air we breathe.”
By using Freescale’s 16-bit S12XE MCUs, ElectroJet is able to reduce the number of sensors needed to meter fuel and control ignition and produce a cost-effective fuel injection system priced below $50 (USD) per unit. The features and performance of the S12XE MCUs, especially the XGATE coprocessor, enable ElectroJet to substitute sophisticated single-chip computation capabilities for physical bill of materials cost.
The ElectroJet system is expected to produce an average of 12 percent better fuel economy over stock carburetor systems. Based on current gasoline prices, this fuel savings is estimated to offer the motorcycle owner a return on investment and pay for itself in as little as nine months.
“Motorcycles and scooters are the primary form of transportation in India and China, with volumes more than twice as large as the American automotive industry,” said Kyle Schwulst, CEO of ElectroJet. “Reducing emissions from these vehicles will significantly reduce air pollution in major metropolitan areas like Beijing. Freescale’s advanced microcontroller technology enables us to build highly efficient fuel injection systems that can replace carburetors without losing performance or significantly impacting the price of motorcycles.”
ElectroJet is currently marketing its fuel-injection system to motorcycle manufacturers in India and China and plans to expand its reach to other emerging markets worldwide.
Freescale technology inside
The advanced fuel injection system engineered by ElectroJet is controlled by the Freescale 16-bit S12XE MCU, featuring an integrated XGATE coprocessor. Running at twice the speed of the main CPU, the XGATE coprocessor is engineered to boost system performance by an extra 80 MIPS at peak operation. When combined with the XGATE coprocessor, the S12XE family combines 32-bit level performance with the advantages of 16-bit architecture, such as cost effectiveness, code-size efficiency and excellent electromagnetic compatibility.
The S12 MCU family is the most widely adopted 16-bit architecture in the automotive market. Freescale has shipped more than 300 million 16-bit S12 and S12X automotive MCUs, and S12-based devices continue to ship at a rate of more than 100 million units per year.