PSC1-003 Programmable Signal Calibrator

Online data sheet below

Description:

The PSC1-003 Programmable Signal Calibrator provides precise calibration of fuel by adjusting fuel control signals.  It can be used with naturally aspirated or forced induction engines.  It is intended for use on any application that uses a zero to five volt load sensor and is generally used to adjust fuel by calibrating the mass air flow (MAF) or manifold absolute pressure (MAP) signal.

Through a serial interface, the PSC1-003 can be programmed by a laptop computer running the Split Second R4 software.  The software provides three dimensional mapping of the MAF/MAP signal.  In direct mode, the MAF/MAP value is determined by the active cell value.  The active cell is determined by MAF/MAP sensor output voltage and RPM.

The PSC1-003 can be configured for a second mode of operation whereby the cell value is used to modify the MAF/MAP signal signal.  For example, the MAF/MAP sensor signal could be modified up or down according to the table values.  Other versions of the PSC1 are available that can do mapping where the primary axis is pressure. The PSC1-001 can be used to control manifold absolute pressure (MAP) based systems and has an internal 2.5 bar MAP sensor.

The calibration of the PSC1 is done through a serial interface, which is active while in operation.   The R4 software runs on Windows 95/98/NT/2000/XP.  The software provides real time display of RPM, manifold pressure, and cell value.  The R4 software is the same software that is used to program the AIC1.  A variety of editing tools ease the task of setting up an initial map and quickly fine tuning for optimum performance.

Features:

Two three-dimensional map tables defined by MAF/MAP voltage and RPM
Compatible with 2 and 4 stroke engines from 1 to 12 cylinders
Laptop adjustable
Two modes for either direct output or signal modification
Can be mounted in the engine compartment
Transient surge and battery reversal protection
 

Basic Connection – Direct Output:

In this mode of operation, the PSC1-003 is used to reassign the MAF/MAP sensor output values.  The values in the mapping table are used to directly control the output.  This mode is particularly useful to limit the output voltage within the allowable range of the ECU.  

The output voltage can be set anywhere between 0 and 5V over the entire range of 800 cells that correspond to zero to 5V input and 500 to 8000 RPM.  The full scale value in each cell is 20.  Therefore, a cell value of 4.0 outputs 1V, 8.0 outputs 2V, 12.0 outputs 3V etc.  There are 200 levels which correspond to a step size of 25mV.

Wire Assignments:

LABEL
CONNECT TO
WIRE COLOR
B+
Switched battery positive (+12V)
Red
B-
Signal common
Black
DIRECT OUT
ECU MAF/MAP input (in direct mode)
Yellow/Green
V IN
MAF/MAP out or external control signal
Yellow
MAF/MAP
MAF/MAP signal output
Green
MODIFY OUT
ECU MAF/MAP input (in signal modify mode)
Violet
TACH
Tach signal (pulses per rev = #cyl/2)
Yellow/Black
F-DB9
Serial connector on computer
---

Signal Modify Configuration Using the MAF Sensor Signal:

In this mode, the output to the ECU is a modified version of the MAF/MAP sensor signal.  The advantage of using this configuration is that its output is already close to the desired output.  The map table in the PSC1-003 is used to modify the MAF/MAP signal as necessary.

The range of adjustment in this mode is +/- 2.5V.  A cell value of 0 will subtract 2.5V from the signal.  A cell value of 10 will not alter the signal.  A cell value of 2.5V will add 2.5V to the signal.  The starting map for this configuration is a map loaded with 10 in every cell.  With a value of 10 in every cell, the PSC1-003 will not modify the MAF/MAP sensor signal.

The signal modify connection is recommended for most engine management applications.  It will result in the smoothest and most stable operation possible.

Signal Modify Mode with an External Input Signal:

This mode is commonly used to modify an MAF/MAP signal according to an independent control input and RPM.  In the example shown, the MAF sensor signal is modified as a function of TPS voltage.  In this configuration the external input is designed for a 0-5V signal.  The cell value is used in the same way as the previous configuration.  A cell value of zero to 20 offsets the signal by a range of –2.5V to +2.5V.

Software:

The PSC1 is programmed with the R4 Fuel Controller Software.  When the software is launched an identification screen will appear that says Split Second.  After four seconds, the maim menu will appear.  If this is a new application, select File then New Customer to create a new customer.  Type in the customer name and save.  The default location for customer names is My Documents.  When you return to the main screen, select File and Open Customer to open the customer file that you just created.   Once the customer is open, the Maps, View, Options and Help tabs become active.   Whenever you write new data to the PSC1, all settings and mapping will automatically be saved under the current customer name.  You can fill in the various fields such as name, address etc. if you like. 

Connections:

Select the proper com port for the serial connector on your computer.  Remove the lid on the PSC1.  Connect the PSC1 to the computer using a 9-pin serial cable.  The cable must have a male plug on one end and a female on the other.  Once the serial cable is plugged in and the PSC1 is powered up, you may connect to the PSC1 by selecting the Connect to ECU icon.   Once communication has been established with the ECU, the Real Time pull down becomes active.   

Programming:

Use the Options pull down and Systems Settings option to select Voltage mode and Programmable Signal Conditioner.  Use the Options pull down and Engine Settings to select the number of cylinders of the engine..  Use the Maps pull down to access the fuel map tables.  There are two map tables in the R4 program.  The PSC1 uses table A.  The active cell at any given time is determined by the MAP sensor reading and RPM. 

The PSC1-003 is calibrated to read over a zero to 5V input range.  In order to read the proper scale on the map tables and on the real time display, select options and system settings.  From this screen, select Programmable Signal Calibrator and Voltage.

The number entered into the cells on the map represent either the actual output voltage (direct mode) or the amount that the input voltage is offset (signal modify mode).  The number entered in the cell can range from 0.0 to 20.0.  The step size in both modes is 25mV.  Example outputs are shown on the following table.

This table shows the output voltage for direct and signal modify modes of operation.   Note that there are 200 cell values.  Only 20 are shown for simplicity.

Cell Value
Mode
Direct
Signal Modify
0
0.0
-2.5
1
1.25
-2.25
2
0.5
-2.0
3
0.75
-1.75
4
1.0
-1.5
5
1.25
-1.25
6
1.5
-1.0
7
1.75
-0.75
8
2.0
-0.5
9
2.25
-0.25
10
2.5
0.0
11
2.75
0.25
12
3.0
0.5
13
3.25
0.75
14
3.5
1.0
15
3.75
1.25
16
4.0
1.50
17
4.25
1.75
18
4.5
2.0
19
4.75
2.25
20
5.0
2.5

You can click and drag to highlight an area of cells.  Once highlighted, you can use the icons across the top of the window to fill all the selected cells with a value.  For example, in the direct mode, if you fill the selected cells with the value 10, whenever the manifold pressure and RPM match one of those cell locations, the output voltage will be 2.5V.

A highlighted area of cells can also be changed by a percentage by using the Change By button.  To increase a highlighted area of cells by 10 percent for example, select the cells, click on the Change By button and enter 10.  To reduce by 50 percent, enter –50.

You can also fill a range of cells with values that are interpolated from the end points.  This works over a row, column or 2-dimensional area.  To fill values over a two dimensional area, fill the four corners of the area with cell values.  Then click and drag to select the area encompassed by those corner cells.  Click on the Auto Fill button.  The software will calculate and fill the correct values for all highlighted cells.

Once the maps are set up, you can write to the ECU in the PSC1.  To write to the ECU, the ignition must be on so that the PSC1 is powered up.  The engine must be off so that tach pulses are not present during programming.  To write to the ECU press the Write Data to the ECU button.  The operation of writing the data will also save the configuration and map information in the current file that is open.  You can also upload from the ECU using the Read Data From the ECU button.  You can then save or modify the data.

Operation:

Once the data is loaded into the PSC1, the engine can be started.  From the main screen, the Real Time pull down can be used to observe a variety of operating parameters.  The All option brings up a window that displays boost pressure and RPM as well as cell value and duty cycle for both A and B channels.  The All window can be enlarged to full screen size to make it easy to read while working on the engine.  The RPM and Pressure options display analog gauges that show those parameters.  The All, RPM and Pressure options can all be displayed simultaneously.

Custom Versions:

Higher resolution versions of the PSC1-003 are available.  The PSC1-003F has a step size of 12.5mV and a range of adjustment of  +/-1.25V.  The PSC1-003SF has a step size of 6.3mV and a range of adjustment of  +/-0.625V.

Electrical Characteristics:

PARAMETER
CONDITIONS
MIN
TYP
MAX
UNITS
Supply Voltage
BATT+ to BATT-
12
13.5
15
V
Supply Current
Into BATT+ terminal
 
16
 
mA
Tach threshold
Normal operation
 
1.6
 
V
Tach Hysteresis
Normal operation
 
0.5
 
V
Vacuum/Boost
On vacuum/boost hose
0
 
2.5
Bar
Direct Output
Steady state source current
 
10
 
mA
Modify Output
Steady state source current
 
10
 
mA

Mechanical Characteristics:

(dimensions in inches)