Preignition detection for hydrogen combustion engines

A system adapted to control operation of a spark-ignited combustion engine to combust hydrogen, the system comprising:

• an ignition system comprising a primary circuit comprising a first coil operatively coupled with a voltage source and a switch controllable to regulate a primary current through the primary circuit, a secondary circuit comprising a second coil operatively coupled with a spark plug, and a core magnetically coupling the first coil and the second coil;
• and
• an electronic control system configured to:
• control the switch to provide the primary current,
• after the switch is controlled and before a spark has been generated by the spark plug, sense a make voltage of the secondary circuit;
• diagnose a preignition event based at least in part on the make voltage;
• and
• in response to diagnosing a preignition event at least one of modifying operation of the spark-ignited combustion engine and providing an operator perceptible output indicating the preignition event.