A Method and System for Engine Control during Transient Operation

A system 12 and method for determining a value for a control variable for an engine 10 are provided. The system 12 includes an electronic control unit 56 configured to obtain a plurality of pairs of programmed timing values for the opening and closing, respectively, of an intake valve 28 and exhaust valve 30 in a cylinder 14 of the engine 10 responsive to different sets of engine operating conditions. The electronic control unit 56 is further configured to obtain a corresponding plurality of conditional values for the control variable responsive to the speed of, and load on, the engine 10 and the plurality of pairs of programmed timing values. Finally, the electronic control unit 56 is configured to determine through interpolation the value for the control variable responsive to the plurality of conditional values.