Abstract: The feasibility of microwave plasma employed in auto ignition was demonstrated by simulation design and experiments. The simulation design was implemented using the software of "computer simulation technology" (CST) for a 3-D microwave electromagnetic field. The simulation design shows that when the cylinder piston gets to the top dead centre (TDC), the electric field in the cylinder is stronger than elsewhere and the ignition is generated, with the electric field weakening and the ignition quickly snuffing out with fast TDC deviation. Based on linear distribution of the cylinder, the simulation design imitates the situation of existing four cylinder ignition. The network analyzer tests show that the microwave transfer rate is the largest only in a certain scale with the piston alternating position. The microwave source transfers energy to the linear waveguide with a cylinder through the microwave transmission system. Only in a certain scale range, the electric field in the cylinder is strong enough to generate plasma with auto ignition then produced in the cylinder.

Key words: vehicle energy saving, auto ignition, microwave plasma, electric field, resonance