Particulate matter detection system and method

A controller for controlling a particulate matter sensor having a pair of spaced apart electrodes and a heater, wherein accumulating particulate matter on said particulate matter sensor changes resistance and conductance between said pair of spaced apart electrodes, wherein said particulate matter sensor provides a signal that varies based upon an amount of the particulate matter on said particulate matter sensor, wherein said particulate matter sensor includes a sensing cycle that includes a deadband zone in which said resistance is greater than a first predetermined value, followed by an active zone in which said resistance is less than or equal to said first predetermined value, which is followed by a regeneration zone in which said heater is operated to elevate the temperature of said particulate matter sensor to a first predetermined temperature for a first predetermined time in order to oxidize the particulate matter accumulated on said particulate matter sensor, thereby returning said sensing cycle to said deadband zone said controller comprising:

• a processor and memory storing instructions that, when carried out, causes interrupting said sensing cycle with a modified regeneration zone in which said heater is operated to elevate the temperature of said particulate matter sensor in order to oxidize the particulate matter accumulated on said particulate matter sensor, thereby returning said sensing cycle to said deadband zone, wherein said modified regeneration zone includes at least one of 1) elevating the temperature of said particulate matter sensor to a second predetermined temperature which is greater than said first predetermined temperature and 2) elevating the temperature of said particulate matter sensor for a second predetermined time which is longer than said first predetermined time.