The Emerald K6 ECU Specification

The K6 ECU was introduced in early 2010 and brought with it new innovations in hardware design. At the heart of the K6 is an automotive specific 32 bit Power PC processor giving class leading performance, stability and durability. The K6 now features 6 ignition and 6 injection drivers, allowing full sequential control for up to 6 cylinder engines, plus the K6 has the best environmental protection of any Emerald ECU to date.

As with previous Emerald ECUs the K6 continues to provide class leading features with intuitive and easy to use software combined with future proof upgrade options. The K6 currently uses the already established K3 PC software providing intelligent and proven functionality and features, such as Adaptive Lambda control, Closed loop Boost and EGT control, VVT control and Triple MAP switching.

Physical	Dimensions	110 x 190 x 44 mm (W x L x H)
	Weight	491g
	Power supply	6.5v - 18v
	Environmental protection	IP65 sealed enclosure, IP68 water proof connectors.
Inputs	Engine speed triggers	3 inputs, each configurable for Inductive or Digital sensors, crank, cam or distributor. User selectable crank trigger patterns.
	Air Temperature	Yes, standard Bosch or user programmable characteristic
	Coolant Temperature	Yes, standard Bosch or user programmable characteristic
	Barometric Pressure	Internal barometric pressure sensor
	Engine load	Throttle pot and/or MAP 0 - 5v signals
	Lambda sensor	0 - 1v (Narrow band) or 0 - 5 v (Wide Band) signals
	Road speed	Up to 4 inputs, configurable for inductive or digital sensors, software switchable internal pull-up option.
	Other	Coded immobiliser input, exhaust gas temperature, oil/aux temperature. Spare inputs can be assigned to air conditioning request, boost level adjustment, clutch switch, triple map selection, launch enable, and others...
Outputs	Ignition coil drivers	6 internal drivers, configurable as Active high for external amplifier control or Active low for direct coil control
	Injector drivers	6 internal high power drivers
	Other	Air conditioning clutch, fuel pump relay control, supply relay control, two stage cooling fan control, programmable tacho driver, oxygen sensor heater control, shift-light, boost control valve, variable cam control, cam switching, single & twin PWM solenoid IACV control, Bipolar & unipolar IACV stepper motor control, user programmable outputs, 5v sensor supply
Data-link Interfaces	RS232 serial communications port
Data-link Interfaces	Controller Area Network (CAN) interface. Version 2.0B protocol at up to 1Mbit/sec

Adaptive Lambda control: Self learning fuelling capability

By utilising any of the aftermarket wide band lambda sensors with a capability to output a 0-5v signal the K6’s adaptive mapping capability can be used. Fully user configurable with 3 modes of operation – open loop, closed loop and adaptive you can now have exactly the air to fuel ratio that YOU want anywhere in the speed and load range.

Adjustable speed and load sites: Tailor maps for your engines specific requirements

32 speed sites (rpm) Speed sites are adjustable to a resolution of 1 rpm.

To deal with specific rpm and/or load related issues that arise on different engines (abrupt airflow changes due to cam timing, TB design or boost onset) the K6 speed and load sites are fully user configurable. Changes made are propagated through all maps and can be made at any time.

CAN bus: Link to other CAN enabled devices

The K6 output’s a steady stream of up to 21 data parameters; 20 times a second which can be used by other CAN enabled devices – i.e. Digital dashboards. Emerald’s CAN protocol is freely available and can be downloaded from our Software & Manuals page.

Closed Loop EGT control: Adjust boost pressure and fuelling to control port temps

The ECU can be configured to read exhaust gas temperature via a signal conditioning unit. To ensure the best accuracy, the exhaust gas temperature is transmitted digitally between the signal conditioning unit and the ECU. Either an Emerald or VAG signal conditioning unit can be used.

Exhaust gas temperature is a critical measurement for all engines. The K6 ECU can utilise exhaust gas temperature from a suitable thermocouple and conditioning unit. User configurable maps allow reductions to boost pressure and/or additional fuel to be introduced to safeguard the engine.

Enhanced Boost control: Tailor boost curves for your needs - variable by gear ratio

Electronic Boost control variable by engine speed, load and gear ratio. Enables precise control of boost pressures which can minimise turbo lag, propagate boost earlier and introduce boost progressively to maximise traction. In combination with map switching this becomes a very flexible and powerful feature.

Honda VTEC & VVT control: Control & utilisation of these clever mechanisms

Full, configurable control of the Honda VTEC system and also Variable Valve Timing Cam Phasers including the Rover variable cam duration (VVC) engine.

Map switching: Triple map facility.

The ECU can store up to three completely separate maps. If set to do so the ECU will allow you to freely switch between maps on-the-fly. A 0-5 volt signal via an analogue input can be used to instruct the ECU which map to use. A simple two position on-off switch can be used to provide a high-low signal that will enable you to switch between two maps. To switch between three maps a rotary multi-position or potentiometer can be used.

User configurable and for most users operable from an in-car switch, this feature gives the user 3 completely different maps (including all map parameters) to configure as they see fit. We have seen this feature being used more and more over time with more and more ingenious uses.