The I.P.O. Principle

Control modules receive information from sensors advising them of certain operating conditions. This information is identified as Input to the control modules. The Input continually informs the control modules of conditions that may be changing.

The control module then process the Input information comparing it to programmed responses or commands based on every possible operating condition. The control module decides based on the programming and the Input conditions which output signal to operate.

The control module, based on the processing that has occurred, then sends a signal to a component changing the status of that component. The components respond to the output signal of the control module.

This is known as the I.P.O. Principle.

Fig 1: Control Module Function

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Any device controlled by a processor requires input to the alert the operating program of a condition. The program processes the input information and logically activates an output of a component.

All MINI control systems are explained by the IPO principle. It is the key to understanding all MINI control system technologies.