Virtual sensing system

A control system for a heating system of an exhaust system, the control system comprising:

• at least one electric heater disposed within an exhaust fluid flow pathway;
• and
• a control device adapted to receive at least one input, which relates to an engine condition or a desired temperature profile, and which is selected from the group consisting of temperature readings along the exhaust fluid flow pathway, alternator power, alternator current, alternator voltage, battery power, battery current, battery voltage, battery state of charge, a desired engine condition, inlet air throttle (IAT) and exhaust air throttle (EAT) profiles, exhaust gas recirculation (EGR), mass flow rate of an exhaust fluid flow, NH3 slip, temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR) characteristics of the at least one electric heater, alternator speed, engine speed, state of aging of an aftertreatment component, state of aging of engine, aging degradation characteristics, a dosing rate of a diesel exhaust fluid (DEF), a temperature of the DEF, NH3 storage condition of aftertreatment system, injection timing retard, cylinder cut-out, variable valve manipulation, turbocharger bypass, intake air pre-heating, late post injection, ambient temperature, and combinations thereof,
• wherein the control device is operable to modulate power to the at least one electric heater based on the at least one input such that a different power output is provided by the at least one heater as a function of the at least one input and such that the at least one heater provides a continuously variable power output during operation of the exhaust system.