Abstract: A system includes a base station at a target device and a consumer mobile device such as a phone. The phone includes a wireless receiver, such as a near field communications (NFC) or low-frequency (LF) receiver. The base station includes a wireless transmitter of the same type. The phone and the base station each further include a transceiver such as a Bluetooth™ transceiver or Bluetooth™ low energy (BLE) transceiver. Upon the base station and the phone in a presence of the target device being detected as being matching devices, the phone turns on its receiver, if it is not already on. The transmitter of the base station then transmits a challenge signal. The transceiver of the phone transmits a response signal having an answer to the challenge signal to the transceiver of the base station. The base station enables a function of the target device when the answer is valid.

Abstract: A portable remote control device such as a key fob includes a motherboard, a battery daughterboard having a battery holder to secure a battery, and an interconnect mounting the battery daughterboard to the motherboard. The battery daughterboard may include a first via and the motherboard may include a second via in which the vias are misaligned with one another. The interconnect includes a first pin inserted through the first via and the second via to mount the battery daughterboard to the motherboard. The first pin has a disjointed configuration over a length of the pin in correspondence with a misalignment of the first via and the second via.

Abstract: Systems and methods employ ultra-wide band (UWB) time of flight (ToF) distance measurements for locating a portable device relative to a target. Performance and reliability of UWB ToF distance measurements for locating the portable device is improved by adjusting a communication retry strategy based on signal quality calculations. The quality of an UWB signal received by each satellite of a base station is assessed based on factors like signal strength, noise level, and ratio of first path signal power to total signal power. This data is used to direct the retry strategy to the satellites receiving the best signal quality for these satellites to conduct ToF distance measurements with the portable device and/or to add correction factors to calculated ToF distance measurements.

Abstract: A system includes a remote controller, such as a fob, and a base station at a target device, such as a vehicle. The remote controller and the base station are configured to communicate authorization communications and time-of-flight (ToF) communications between one another over a common communications channel. The base station is further configured to confirm from the authorization communications whether the remote controller is authorized for controlling a function of the target device and to confirm from the ToF communications whether the remote controller is within a predetermined range of the target device. The base station is further configured to prevent the function from being controlled by the control unit when the control unit is not within the predetermined range of the target device.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing a desired vehicle function is provided. The apparatus comprises a base station configured to receive a command signal indicative of the desired vehicle function while in a receive mode. The base station is further configured to determine whether the received command signal includes at least one of a data component from a plurality of data components and to activate a transmit mode in the event the received command signal includes the at least one of the data component. The base station is further configured to determine whether the received command signal includes at least one additional data component from the plurality of data components while in the transmit mode and to determine that the portable device is positioned within a predetermined range in the event the received command signal includes the at least one additional data component.

Abstract: Systems and methods employ ultra-wide band (UWB) time of flight (ToF) distance measurements for locating a portable device relative to a target. Performance and reliability of UWB ToF distance measurements for locating the portable device is improved by adjusting a communication retry strategy based on signal quality calculations. The quality of an UWB signal received by each satellite of a base station is assessed based on factors like signal strength, noise level, and ratio of first path signal power to total signal power. This data is used to direct the retry strategy to the satellites receiving the best signal quality for these satellites to conduct ToF distance measurements with the portable device and/or to add correction factors to calculated ToF distance measurements.

Abstract: A remote control device includes a first loop antenna portion in the form of a printed metallic trace on a first side of a printed circuit board (PCB) and a second loop antenna portion in the form of a raised metallic structure on a second side of the PCB. The first and second loop antenna portions are connected together through the PCB to form a loop antenna.

Abstract: A method includes transmitting polling signals from antennas at respective positions about a vehicle. Each polling signal includes identifying information. The method further includes receiving an acknowledgement signal from a remote unit. The acknowledgement signal includes information indicative of each polling signal received by the remote unit. The method further includes determining a position of the remote unit relative to the vehicle based upon the information of the acknowledgement signal.

Abstract: A carrier wave is selected based on a state of a target device such as a vehicle. A polling signal is generated using the selected carrier wave for transmission from the target device for receipt by a portable controller. A sinusoidal carrier wave is selected when the target device is in a state that is more sensitive to electrical noise interference caused by the polling signal being generated using the carrier wave than to electrical energy consumed in generating the polling signal using the carrier wave. A non-sinusoidal periodic carrier wave is selected when the target device is in a state that is more sensitive to electrical energy consumed in generating the polling signal using the carrier wave than to electrical noise interference caused by the polling signal being generated using the carrier wave.

Abstract: A system includes a remote control unit, such as a fob, and a base station at a target, such as a vehicle. The control unit and the base station are configured to communicate authorization signals and time-of-flight (ToF) ranging signals concurrently between one another. The base station is further configured to confirm from the authorization signals whether the control unit is authorized for controlling a target function and to confirm from the ToF ranging signals whether the control unit is within range of the target. The base station is further configured to prevent the target function from being controlled by the control unit when the control unit is not within range of the target.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, an apparatus for determining a location of a portable wireless device in relation to a vehicle is provided. The apparatus comprises a first base station that includes a first transceiver for being positioned about a vehicle. The first transceiver is configured to operate at a first operating frequency for transmitting and receiving at least one first signal to and from the portable wireless device to provide a first distance of the portable wireless device with respect to the vehicle. The first operating frequency generally corresponds to a distance accuracy value and the first distance generally corresponds to an actual distance of the portable wireless device from the vehicle that is adjusted by the distance accuracy value.

Abstract: A remote control device includes a first loop antenna portion in the form of a printed metallic trace on a first side of a printed circuit board (PCB) and a second loop antenna portion in the form of a raised metallic structure on a second side of the PCB. The first and second loop antenna portions are connected together through the PCB to form a loop antenna.

Abstract: A system includes a remote control unit, such as a fob, and a base station at a target, such as a vehicle. The control unit and the base station are configured to communicate authorization signals and time-of-flight (ToF) ranging signals concurrently between one another. The base station is further configured to confirm from the authorization signals whether the control unit is authorized for controlling a target function and to confirm from the ToF ranging signals whether the control unit is within range of the target. The base station is further configured to prevent the target function from being controlled by the control unit when the control unit is not within range of the target.

Abstract: A method for extending a communication range of a remote control system during a walkaway locking control function includes increasing a reception gain level of a portable controller of the remote control system to a high gain level. The high gain level provides an extended communication range in which the controller receives polling signals from a base station of the remote control system. The controller is unable to receive the polling signals while the controller is outside of the extended communication range. Upon the controller not receiving the polling signals, the controller transmits a command signal for receipt by the base station and decreases the reception gain level back to a normal gain level.

Abstract: A passive entry passive start (PEPS) method for preventing relay attack includes detecting a distance of a wireless device to a vehicle based on a time of flight of an ultra-wideband (UWB) signal between the wireless device and a base station at the vehicle. The method further includes enabling by the base station a function of the vehicle only when the distance of the wireless device to the vehicle is within a zone of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle component for charging a mobile device is described. The vehicle component can be placed in the door or a seat, away from the dashboard. The vehicle component can include a holder configured to hold a mobile device and charging circuitry, adjacent the holder, to wirelessly, electrically communicate with the mobile device to determine a charging protocol of the mobile device and to wirelessly transmit a charging signal to the mobile device. The circuitry of the vehicle or the holder can determine the charging protocol for the mobile device and engage that protocol to wirelessly charge the mobile device.

Abstract: A system and method for remote activation of a device includes, in one embodiment, transmitting a command signal according to one of a first transmission protocol and a second transmission protocol, and selecting the first transmission protocol for use in transmitting the command signal when a selected command is of a first type, and selecting the second transmission protocol for use in transmitting the command signal when a selected command is of a second.

Abstract: A method includes transmitting polling signals from antennas at respective positions about a vehicle. Each polling signal includes identifying information. The method further includes receiving an acknowledgement signal from a remote unit. The acknowledgement signal includes information indicative of each polling signal received by the remote unit. The method further includes determining a position of the remote unit relative to the vehicle based upon the information of the acknowledgement signal.

Abstract: Polling methods and systems are described to allow a wireless device to establish communication with a base, e.g., a vehicle, in an efficient manner. The polling signal includes a plurality of time separated, polling transmission signals and a single receive time period. The polling transmission signals are separated by a non-transmission time period that is greater than a transmission time of the time separated transmission signals. The polling scheme can be repeated the polling signal until a poll response signal from the base is received. Energy savings for the wireless device are provided by limiting the number of receive actions and time periods in the wireless device.

Abstract: A portable wireless device includes an accelerometer to determine movement of the device to trigger a polling operation. The polling operation is to wirelessly connect the portable wireless device to a vehicle to trigger a vehicle operation. The vehicle operation can be based on the position of the portable wireless device and/or movement of the portable wireless device. The vehicle includes an apparatus for determining a location of a portable wireless device in relation to a vehicle. The vehicle operation can further be based on the wireless device location.