A reference signal generator generating a reference signal for
high-resolution measurement/control in real time includes a means for
calculating the rotational trend, e.g. increase/decrease in the r.p.m.,
of an engine when a first tooth is detected by an angle sensor at the
(n-1)-th cycle according to the mutual relation between the time interval
between the first tooth and a second tooth just before the first tooth at
the (n-1)-th cycle of the engine rotation and the time interval between
the first tooth and a third tooth just after the first tooth, a rotation
time predicting means for predicting the time interval between the first
tooth and the third tooth at the n-th cycle by reflecting the rotational
trend on the time interval between the first tooth and the second tooth
at the n-th cycle, and a means for generating a reference signal by
dividing a predicted time interval in correspondence with a predetermined
angle resolution during the time after the first tooth is detected by the
angle sensor at the n-th cycle till the third tooth is detected by the
same.