Consumer Electronics DongGuan BoFan Technology Co.,Ltd. , https://www.ufriendcc.com
Demand for low-cost two- and three-wheeled vehicles is on the rise in emerging markets like China, India, and Brazil. These small engines—particularly the two-stroke variety, which dominates in Asia—are major contributors to air pollution. A three-wheeled taxi equipped with a two-stroke engine can emit as much harmful gas as approximately 50 modern cars combined. As environmental concerns grow, governments are stepping up efforts to reduce emissions from small engines.
To meet stricter regulations, motorcycle and outdoor equipment manufacturers are being pushed to develop cleaner-burning engines. Emerging markets are adopting emission standards similar to Euro 3, while the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has also introduced strict emissions rules for small engines. According to a survey by the Outdoor Grid Equipment Industry Association, the implementation of EPA Phase III standards in 2015 is expected to cut harmful emissions from small gasoline engines by 95% compared to 1997 levels.
In response to global emission regulations and rising fuel costs, the small engine market is gradually shifting from mechanical carburetor systems to more efficient and eco-friendly electronic fuel injection (EFI) systems. Freescale has developed a cost-effective platform that integrates analog components with 16-bit microcontrollers (MCUs), making it ideal for small engine control applications.
The platform includes the MCZ33812, an advanced analog IC optimized for managing fuel and spark in EFI systems, along with Freescale’s S12 microcontrollers. This integrated solution helps lower emissions, simplify system design, reduce material usage, and speed up time-to-market. It supports a wide range of small engines, including those used in motorcycles, scooters, three-wheeled taxis, and outdoor power equipment such as lawn mowers, trimmers, snow blowers, and generators.
For manufacturers, meeting stricter emissions requirements is most effectively achieved through electronic ignition, electronic carburetors, or full EFI systems. An EFI system can reduce COâ‚‚ emissions by up to 65%, hydrocarbons by 35%, and nitrogen oxides by 35% compared to traditional carbureted engines. Additionally, it improves horsepower and fuel efficiency.
To support the shift toward advanced electronics in small engines, Freescale offers highly integrated and cost-effective components. The MCZ33812 analog IC is a key innovation, combining a voltage regulator, injector driver, ignition pre-driver, relay drivers, and other essential functions into a single chip. Supported by SMARTMOSTM technology, this integration reduces component count by up to 12 parts, simplifies board layout, and enhances product quality and reliability.
Freescale also provides reference designs to help accelerate development. Their MCZ33812-based solution uses the S12P microcontroller to create a two-chip ECU prototype, allowing engineers and software developers to work in parallel. This streamlines the development process and speeds up time-to-market.
The S12/S12X MCU family is widely used in automotive electronics. The combination of the MCZ33812 and S12P MCU offers a powerful yet affordable solution for small engine control. The S12P provides 16-bit performance at an entry-level price, with low power consumption, good EMC, and efficient code size. Its scalability allows for easy migration to higher-performance models like the S12XS and S12XE series, ensuring long-term flexibility for developers.
Key features of the MCZ33812 include:
- 1 fuel injector low-side driver (current limit: 4.0 A typical)
- 1 relay/fuel pump or second injector low-side driver (current limit: 4.0 A typical)
- 1 low-side driver (current limit: 1.5 A typical)
- 1 ignition pre-driver with independent high-side and low-side outputs
This comprehensive solution ensures reliable and efficient control for a wide range of small engine applications, supporting both current and future needs in the evolving market.