Method of controlling combustion in a homogeneous charge compression ignition engine

A method of controlling combustion in a compression ignition distributed reaction engine, the method comprising:

• providing an engine controller that includes:
• a plurality of control modes, including:
• an engine response control mode with an engine response time minimizing cost function and an engine efficiency control mode with an efficiency maximizing cost function;
• a model of engine operation, the model adapted to receive a plurality of sets of simulated actuator control parameters and engine operating parameters and to provide predicted engine output for each set of simulated actuator control parameters;
• operating the engine in the engine efficiency control mode;
• providing a desired engine response requirement and engine operating parameters to the controller;
• changing from the engine efficiency control mode to the engine response control mode when the engine efficiency control mode cannot meet the desired engine response requirement;
• evaluating a plurality of sets of actuator control parameters by applying a corresponding plurality of sets simulated control parameters and the engine operating parameters to the model, which in turn employs the response time minimizing cost function to provide corresponding sets of predicted engine output;
• comparing the plurality the sets of predicted engine output with the desired engine response requirement;
• and
• controlling the engine by implementing a set of the plurality of actuator control parameters that best satisfies the engine response time minimizing cost function.