Engine control system and method for controlling actuation of solenoid valves

1. A method of controlling actuation of a solenoid, said method comprising:

receiving a combined selection and control signal;

decoding a value encoded in the signal, the value corresponding to a desired electric current profile;

selecting a desired electric current profile from a plurality of electric current profiles based on the decoded value and in response to decoding the value;

sensing a control code encoded in the signal; and

operating the solenoid in accordance with the selected desired electric current profile in response to sensing the control code.

2. The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein decoding the value encoded in the signal comprises counting a number of triggers occurring in the signal during a time period.

3. The method as set forth in claim 2 wherein counting a number of triggers comprises counting a number of rising edges in the signal during the time period.

4. The method as set forth in claim 3 wherein decoding the value encoded in the signal comprises sensing a first falling edge and wherein the time period begins in response to sensing the first falling edge.

5. The method as set forth in claim 4 wherein sensing the control code encoded in the signal comprises sensing a falling edge in the signal after the time period.

6. The method as set forth in claim 2 wherein counting a number of triggers comprises counting a number of falling edges in the signal during the time period.

7. The method as set forth in claim 6 wherein decoding the value encoded in the signal comprises sensing a first rising edge and wherein the time period begins in response to sensing the first rising edge.

8. The method as set forth in claim 7 wherein sensing the control code encoded in the signal comprises sensing a rising edge in the signal after the time period.

9. The method as set forth in claim 1 further comprising prohibiting operation of the solenoid in response to detecting an error in the combined selection and control signal.

10. The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein operating the solenoid comprises starting operation of the solenoid in accordance with the selected desired electric current profile in response to sensing the control code.

11. The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein operating the solenoid comprises stopping operation of the solenoid in accordance with the selected desired electric current profile in response to sensing the control code.

12. The method as set forth in claim 1 further comprising receiving the plurality of electric current profiles and storing the plurality of electric current profiles.

13. The method as set forth in claim 12 wherein receiving the plurality of electric current profiles comprises receiving the plurality of electric current profile prior to receiving a combined selection and control signal.

14. An engine control system comprising:

a processor;

a valve controller in communication with said processor; and

a valve having a solenoid in communication with said valve controller;

said valve controller configured to

receive a combined selection and control signal from said processor,

decode a value encoded in the signal,

select a desired electric current profile from a plurality of current profiles based upon the decoded value,

sense a control code encoded in the signal, and

operate said solenoid in accordance with the selected desired electric current profile and the control code, in response to sensing the control code.

15. The system as set forth in claim 14 wherein the valve controller comprises an application specific integrated circuit.

16. The system as set forth in claim 14 wherein the valve controller is further configured to receive, prior to receiving the signal from the processor, the plurality of electric current profiles and store the plurality of electric current profiles.

17. The system as set forth in claim 14 wherein the valve is further defined as one of an injection valve and an intake valve.

18. The system of claim 14 , wherein the valve controller is configured to decode the valve encoded in the signal by counting a number of one or more trigger edges in the signal during a period of time.

19. The system of claim 18 , wherein the one or more trigger edges comprise one of one or more rising edges and one or more falling edges in the signal during the period of time.

20. The system of claim 18 , wherein the valve controller is further configured to decode the value encoded in the signal by identifying a first edge in the signal, the first edge being an opposite edge relative to the one or more trigger edges, the first edge starting the period of time during which the one or more trigger edges are counted.

21. The system of claim 14 , wherein the valve controller is configured to sense the control code by sensing an edge of signal following completion of the period of time.

22. The system of claim 14 , wherein the valve controller is further configured to prohibit operation of the solenoid in response to detecting an error in the signal.

23. The system of claim 14 , wherein the valve controller is configured to operate said solenoid by performing a stop operation thereof in accordance with the selected desired electric current profile and the sensed control code.