In order to satisfy the requirements of design and performance of an internal combustion engine, all kinds of existing variable valve actuation systems were compared by analyzing their advantages and disadvantages, and a novel electro-hydraulic variable valve actuation system was then developed. Afterwards, a simulation model based on the mathematical and physical equations was developed through MATLAB/Simulink softwares, and the developed model was verified by experimental results. Furthermore, the effects of controllable parameters such as the phase angle difference between high and low pressure rotary valve, accumulator pressure and engine speed on maximum lift, valve open duration, and valve velocity and acceleration were investigated. The results showed that phase angle difference had limited influence on valve trajectory at the beginning section of lift, but changed the valve closing by altering valve open duration. The pressure of accumulator did not change the valve timing and its duration， but influenced significantly on the maximum valve lift. The maximum valve lift and valve closing were affected by the engine speed variance. Sectional area of valve lift decreased and valve closing delayed with the increasing engine speed.