Automotive Engineering - October 2023 - 12

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The Inside Story on TMAP Sensors
W
ells Vehicle Electronics is a specialist in customized sensor solutions ranging from heavy-duty and commercial,
to marine, agricultural, and industrial applications. In an interview with SAE's Automotive Engineering,
Dallas Kissinger, General Manager, Wells Engineered Products, discusses TMAP sensors, their role in automotive
now and in the future, as well as some of the technical advances that will get them there. Wells
manufactures sensors with the maximum level of performance, durability and reliability.
What is a TMAP sensor and what is its role
in an engine?
First off, the Temperature Manifold
Pressure (TMAP) sensor is an electronic
device to measure pressure and intake primarily
within the intake manifold of an internal-combustion
engine. TMAP sensors
provide data to the Engine Control Unit
(ECU) to make real-time adjustments to
the engine operation. The major components
of a TMAP sensor are the pressure
sensor, the temperature sensor and the
programmable Integrated Circuit (IC).
Typically, the pressure sensor uses a diaphragm
or piezoelectric element that reacts
to changes in pressure. Pressure
changes occur due to variations in throttle
position, engine load and altitude. The
temperature sensor measures the air entering
the intake manifold. The temperature
sensor ensures that pressure measurements
remain accurate regardless of temperature
fluctuations. Finally, the IC processes
the data using calibration and compensation
algorithms and provides an electrical
output representing the absolute pressure within
the intake manifold.
Dallas Kissinger, General Manager,
Wells Engineered Products
information. The underlying issues, such as
intake leaks, sensor malfunctions, or
clogged intake pathways, lead to unusual
pressure and temperature readings. The
TMAP sensor detects these abnormalities
and relays the readings to the ECU. The ECU
then analyzes the data and generates fault
codes, which help when diagnosing and
addressing the problem. This approach to
diagnostics helps maintain the engine's performance
and reliability while facilitating
efficient troubleshooting and repairs. MAP
sensors and TPS may not provide such detailed
diagnostic information.
In what types of vehicles and engines are
TMAP sensors commonly used?
Today, you can find TMAP sensors in lightduty,
commercial, motorcycle, marine and
off-road applications - essentially any
application with an internal combustion
engine (ICE).
The industry is well on its way to transitioning
away from ICE. Do TMAP sensors
What advantages does the TMAP sensor offer compared
to Manifold Absolute Pressure (MAP) sensors and
Throttle Position Sensors (TPS)?
TMAP sensors, like the ones manufactured by Wells
Engineered Products, bring numerous advantages to the
automotive industry. Unlike MAP sensors that only measure
pressure or the TPS that only detects throttle position,
the TMAP sensor provides information on both pressure
and temperature. This integration allows for the advantages
of altitude compensation, better emission control
and more accurate diagnostic information. Having temperature
data allows the ECU to make necessary adjustments
to the engine's operating parameters based on
changing altitudes and air density; MAP sensors would
require separate compensation methods.
The ECU in a TMAP system has increased emissions control
over MAP sensors because of the extra temperature
data available. The more information provided, the better
the control. TMAP sensors can provide valuable diagnostic
12 October 2023
exist in a future without ICE?
I can understand that perception, but TMAP sensors are
not limited to ICE. As the automotive industry transitions
toward hybrid and electric vehicles, TMAP sensors will
evolve to play a role in optimizing air intake and thermal
management in these alternative powertrains. There also
are possibilities in non-automotive applications such as
HVAC systems.
What kind of technological advancements are you seeing
to meet the demands of increasingly efficient and environmentally
engines?
We have already seen a trend towards integration. The
pressure sensor and IC for calibration and compensation
are being built into one packaged component. This reduces
size, weight and complexity while increasing reliability.
Future TMAP sensors will incorporate more advanced
sensing technologies to achieve even higher accuracy
in pressure and temperature measurements.
Improved accuracy will enable more precise engine control,
leading to better battery life, fuel efficiency and
emissions reduction.
AUTOMOTIVE ENGINEERING

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Automotive Engineering - October 2023

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