MSP430 to Ignition Circuit of a Motorcycle.

First, I assume you know that the MSP430 can't directly ignite the spark plug, but that you have to control the control lines to the ignition coil (as one possibility).

You don't mention what motorcycle it is, whether it is electronic ignition or the old points-style ignition.

Probably the easiest solution is to look into controlling a relay that either allows or prevents the +12V positive going into the coil. A quick Google search will turn up plenty of example circuits of controlling a relay with a logic-level signal.

Hello Sumanth,

Interesting project. 

I will assume this is a security type ignition kill system.  Why would you want to control the spark though?  Wouldn't it be simpler to control the engine off with the MSP?  Otherwise you will also have to monitor the ignition timing, advance and retard control.

Thanks,

greenja said:

Wouldn't it be simpler to control the engine off with the MSP?  Otherwise you will also have to monitor the ignition timing, advance and retard control.

I don't think that's exactly what he meant. I think this is a language barrier misunderstanding. Thus my suggested solution to simply control whether the coil gets power or not.

Now, if it's a CDI or transistor ignition, that may be a different story. But since we don't even know what vehicle we're talking about, well......

Ah now I see. It is more along the lines of an "Evil Genius" design.

After 3 failed fingerprint trials, 1 heck of Access Denied response.

Paul Jr Designs (of the TV Show "American Chopper" fame) built a motorcycle for a FIST Industries that incorporated a biometric authentication system for starting/running the motorcycle.