The ICE program uses mathematical formula to model the operation of a 2 stroke engine. All of the functions within the program are based on calculations from first principles and not based on empirical data. The program takes a view of the engine as a whole and not its component parts, or assemblies, to analyse performance, and the potential effect of changes.
This is an extract from one of the ICE books:
"The program may be used as a Tool by Students, Engineers etc to evaluate and illustrate the potential performance of Two Stroke Internal Combustion Engines, hence the name ICE. It enables the user to establish the potential outcome of alternative design configurations. The output data is presented in tables with the option to display this in Graphical form or Diagrams, on Screen or to a Printer. "
"ICE is immediately ready for use following installation using the default evaluation files, no input is required to learn how to operate the program."
The level of detail provided within the program cannot be easily covered in a few words. To get a feel for the options available and the way the program works have a look at the latest development version of the help file here.
The initial versions of ICE were developed to run under DOS using the early basic compilers. The first windows version used VB4. The current version was written in VB6. There is a vb.net version in the early stages of development (version 2.0).