Electronic engine control interface

In combination with a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine having an electrically-operated fuel injector associated with each cylinder, each of said injectors having electrical power input terminals and each injector being adapted to deliver measured quantities of fuel to said cylinder in response to the energization of said terminals,

• transducer means responsive to the motion of said engine for generating a first timing signal each time said engine rotates by a predetermined rotational increment, and for generating a second timing signal each time said engine rotates to a predetermined angular position within its operation cycle,
• an electronic control signal generator coupled to said transducer to receive said first and second timing signals for generating a fuel delivery control signal and a cylinder identification control signal, said control signal generator including first timing means for establishing a predetermined time displacement between said fuel delivery control signal and said cylinder identification control signal,
• an electrical drive signal generator positioned remotely from said control signal generator and connected thereto by a control signal transmission path, said drive signal generator being responsive to said control signals and applying drive signals to said power input terminals of said fuel injectors, said drive signals being derived from the combination of said fuel delivery control signal and said cylinder identification signal, said drive signal generator further including second timing means for measuring the duration of the time displacement between said control signals as received by said drive signal generator, and for discontinuing the generation of said drive signals whenever said measured duration deviates substantially from said predetermined time displacement established by said first timing means.