IGNIS Application

The IGNIS firmware is a public application for starter-generator systems: it turns the siliXcon motor controller into an SGCU (starter generator control unit) that starts an internal combustion engine (ICE) and loads it as a generator — standalone, or as a high-availability pair of synchronized SGCUs on a common shaft.

Thanks to the siliXcon sensorless technology, full torque is available from zero RPM with no position sensor — the generator machine cranks the ICE itself. No starter motor, no sensors: a robust electric machine design, essential for a high-reliability genset.

Add an ICE and a small battery or supercapacitor, and IGNIS becomes a complete stand-alone genset with voltage regulation (how it works): it starts the engine on demand, idles it when no power is drawn, and holds the DC bus while dynamically following the load — a regulated DC power source that a hybrid e-powertrain simply treats as a power supply.

How it works

• Enabling — the system is enabled by a start request from a switch, a CAN command, or automatically on power-up; while enabled, the engine is kept running even at zero generation demand.
• Starting — the automatic engine starting sequence: pullback, cranking, retry cycle, with rpm-based start detection.
• Loading — after a no-load warmup the generator load follows the generation demand: it ramps up when power is requested, ramps down and lets the ICE idle unloaded when the demand is zero.
• DC regulation — the voltage limiter holds the DC bus as the primary regulator; the current limiter caps the total generation current and the battery charging (BMS).
• Multi-master operation — high availability with two synchronized controllers on a common shaft: no single point of failure in the control, the system keeps generating with one controller if the other fails.
• CAN interface — one control message in, one system status message out; the host reads a single message regardless of the internal pairing.
• Generation statistics — system current and power, generation peaks, persistent engine time and start counters.
• Commissioning control — the gen shell command for bench testing.
• Motor sound feedback — acoustic feedback for system events.
• Ignition relay — contactor-driven engine shutdown (wiring).

Key terms

Term	Meaning
SGCU	The starter generator control unit — the siliXcon motor controller running IGNIS; the hardware unit of the system, one per motor
ICE	The internal combustion engine — the prime mover on the common shaft; cranked by the generator machine, killed through the ignition relay
ECU	The engine control unit managing the ICE (throttle, injection) — third-party; can follow the broadcast capability with the throttle
BMS	The battery management system — reports the battery charging current on CAN for the charging limiter
host	The supervising system consuming the power — commands the SGCU over CAN (0x560) and reads the system status (0x568) back
demand	How much generation is currently requested (0–100 %): the host charging limit combined with the battery limits
capability	The torque scale the system is ready to sink at the moment to fulfill the demand — broadcast as feedback for the ICE throttle (see CAN)
leader	The controller currently in charge of the generation — the other one follows it
ignition	The contactor output that allows the ICE to run — closed through starting and generation

Parameter Tree Overview

Path	Description
/	Main states (app_mode, app_flags, gen_demand, current, power) and the start source selection (start_sel, IN_gen)
/starting	Starting sequence parameters
/loading	Loading curve, dynamics, warmup and ramp times
/dc	DC regulation: the voltage limiter (primary regulator), the current limiter, BMS input
/can	Multi-master pairing and CAN control timeouts
/debug	Diagnostic states of the starting sequence
/genstat	Generation peak permanents