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From: chris@amdcad.UUCP (Chris Moore)
Newsgroups: net.auto
Subject: Re: eliminating distributors
Message-ID: <475@amdcad.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 2-Jan-85 18:47:00 EST
Article-I.D.: amdcad.475
Posted: Wed Jan  2 18:47:00 1985
Date-Received: Thu, 3-Jan-85 04:55:02 EST
References: <458@amdcad.UUCP>
Distribution: net
Organization: AMDCAD, Sunnyvale, CA
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> It would be quite easy to get rid of the distributor with four
> ignition coils and a little electronics which could not fail
> in the way I experienced yesterday. It would also eliminate
> the need to check and change the rotor.
> 
> The problem of course is expense. Existing ignition coils are
> expensive. But so was computing power. Semiconductors have
> changed the way modern engines are controlled. Semiconductors
> can change the way engines obtain spark. Part of the reason for the
> cost of ignition coils is the need to step up from 12v to 12,000v.
> But with modern electronics and power transistors it would be
> easy to drive a coil with 1,000v. Then the ignition coil would
> only need to step up by a factor of 12.
> 
> Anyway, I hope an automotive engineer (if beer makers are on the
> net, why isn't GM, Ford, or Chrysler?) will read this and think
> about it.
> 
> 
> Maybe I should talk to our product planning people about such an IC...
> 

Phil - I've been working on that, but keep having problems with the
silicon vaporizing when hit with 12,000 V.
		   Chris Moore, AMD Product Planning