Abstract: A sensor is configured to receive connection information from a portable device via a communication gateway in a vehicle and to communicate with a portable device using impulse radio (IR) ultra-wide band (UWB) communication based on the connection information. A location of the portable device is determined based on ranging using IR UWB communication.

Abstract: A sensor is configured to receive connection information from a portable device via a communication gateway in a vehicle and to communicate with a portable device using impulse radio (IR) ultra-wide band (UWB) communication based on the connection information. A location of the portable device is determined based on ranging using IR UWB communication.

Abstract: A portable device is configured to establish a Bluetooth low energy (BLE) communication connection with a vehicle and to communicate with at least one sensor in the vehicle using impulse radio (IR) ultra-wide band (UWB) communication after establishment of the BLE communication connection with the vehicle is completed. A location of the portable device is determined by the vehicle based on ranging using IR UWB communication performed by the at least one sensor.

Abstract: An overcurrent protection circuit includes switches, resistors, and a voltage divider. A first switch includes a first control terminal and switches current to a load. The first resistor is connected in series with the first switch. The second resistor is connected in series with a second control terminal of the second switch and an output terminal of the overcurrent protection circuit. The voltage divider is connected in series with the second switch and has a center terminal connected to the first control terminal. A DC source voltage is across the second switch and the voltage divider. A latching circuit is provided by the switches, the voltage divider, the first resistor and the load. The second switch discharges the first switch to limit current to the output terminal in response to a voltage drop across the first resistor indicating current supplied to the output terminal has exceeded a threshold.

Abstract: A portable device is configured to establish a Bluetooth low energy (BLE) communication connection with a vehicle and to communicate with at least one sensor in the vehicle using impulse radio (IR) ultra-wide band (UWB) communication after establishment of the BLE communication connection with the vehicle is completed. A location of the portable device is determined by the vehicle based on ranging using IR UWB communication performed by the at least one sensor.

Abstract: An overcurrent protection circuit includes switches, resistors, and a voltage divider. A first switch includes a first control terminal and switches current to a load. The first resistor is connected in series with the first switch. The second resistor is connected in series with a second control terminal of the second switch and an output terminal of the overcurrent protection circuit. The voltage divider is connected in series with the second switch and has a center terminal connected to the first control terminal. A DC source voltage is across the second switch and the voltage divider. A latching circuit is provided by the switches, the voltage divider, the first resistor and the load. The second switch discharges the first switch to limit current to the output terminal in response to a voltage drop across the first resistor indicating current supplied to the output terminal has exceeded a threshold.

Abstract: Systems and methods for vehicle passive entry/passive start (PEPS) are provided. A communication gateway in a vehicle establishes a Bluetooth low energy (BLE) or an impulse radio ultra-wide band (IR UWB) communication connection with a portable device that includes a wireless charging apparatus. A low-frequency transmitter transmits a ping request to the wireless charging apparatus. The portable device transmits a response to the ping request over the communication connection to the communication gateway. The communication gateway authenticates the portable device based on information included in the received response. A passive entry/passive start (PEPS) system performs a vehicle function in response to the portable device being authenticated, including unlocking a door of the vehicle, unlocking a trunk of the vehicle, allowing a wireless charging station of the vehicle to charge the portable device, or allowing the vehicle to be started.

Abstract: A key fob actuator housing and associated system is disclosed for controlling a vehicle key fob via a mobile device. The key fob actuator housing has a set of actuators configured to selectively actuate one or more first buttons of a first key fob and one or more second buttons of a second buttons of a second key fob different than the first key fob buttons. The set of actuators can have a first subset of actuators configured to selectively actuate the one or more first buttons of the first key fob, and a second subset of actuators configured to selectively actuate the one or more second buttons of the second key fob. The subsets can be programmed via a mobile device, and the housing can have a receiver and controller for communicating with the mobile device and activating corresponding actuators to press the corresponding buttons on the key fob.

Abstract: Systems and methods for vehicle passive entry/passive start (PEPS) are provided. A communication gateway in a vehicle establishes a Bluetooth low energy (BLE) or an impulse radio ultra-wide band (IR UWB) communication connection with a portable device that includes a wireless charging apparatus. A low-frequency transmitter transmits a ping request to the wireless charging apparatus. The portable device transmits a response to the ping request over the communication connection to the communication gateway. The communication gateway authenticates the portable device based on information included in the received response. A passive entry/passive start (PEPS) system performs a vehicle function in response to the portable device being authenticated, including unlocking a door of the vehicle, unlocking a trunk of the vehicle, allowing a wireless charging station of the vehicle to charge the portable device, or allowing the vehicle to be started.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided and include a control module that establishes a secure wireless communication connection with a portable device. A sensor receives connection information about the secure wireless communication connection, eavesdrops on the wireless secure communication connection based on the connection information, measures signal information of a communication signal sent from the portable device to the control module during the secure wireless communication connection, compares the measured signal information with wakeup criteria information, and reports the measured signal information to the control module in response to the measured signal information satisfying the wakeup criteria. The control module receives the measured signal information from the sensor and determines a location of the portable device based on the measured signal information.

Abstract: Systems and methods for vehicle passive entry/passive start (PEPS) are provided. A communication gateway establishes a Bluetooth low energy communication connection with a portable device. The communication connection has a connection event during which information is exchanged between the communication gateway and the portable device. The communication gateway instructs sensors to perform two-way ranging using impulse radio (IR) ultra-wide band (UWB) communication with the portable device based on the information exchanged during the connection event. A localization module determines a location of the portable device based on the two-way ranging performed by the plurality of sensors. A PEPS system receives the location of the portable device from the localization module and performs a vehicle function, including unlocking a door of the vehicle, unlocking a trunk of the vehicle, or allowing the vehicle to be started, based on the location of the portable device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for vehicle passive entry/passive start (PEPS) are provided. A communication gateway establishes a Bluetooth low energy communication connection with a portable device. The communication connection has a connection event during which information is exchanged between the communication gateway and the portable device. The communication gateway instructs sensors to perform two-way ranging using impulse radio (IR) ultra-wide band (UWB) communication with the portable device based on the information exchanged during the connection event. A localization module determines a location of the portable device based on the two-way ranging performed by the plurality of sensors. A PEPS system receives the location of the portable device from the localization module and performs a vehicle function, including unlocking a door of the vehicle, unlocking a trunk of the vehicle, or allowing the vehicle to be started, based on the location of the portable device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for vehicle passive entry/passive start (PEPS) are provided. A communication gateway establishes a Bluetooth low energy communication connection with a portable device. A localization module determines a portable device location based on two-way ranging using impulse radio ultra-side band. The PEPS system performs vehicle functions, such as unlocking a door or trunk, allowing the vehicle to be started, or activating wireless charging, based on the portable device location. Another system includes at least one low frequency (LF) antenna configured to transmit a wireless charging ping signal within a predetermined range to a portable device configured for wireless charging. A communication gateway authenticates the portable device based on a response to the ping signal by the portable device. A PEPS performs vehicle functions, such as unlocking a door or trunk, or allowing the vehicle to be started, in response to authenticating the portable device.

Abstract: An unmanned vehicle interface device includes a wireless transceiver configured with a radiation pattern that covers a particular spatial region, and a controller coupled to the wireless transceiver. The controller is programmed to detect an unmanned vehicle within the particular spatial region using the wireless transceiver, upon detecting the unmanned vehicle, communicate with the unmanned vehicle using the wireless transceiver to override existing controls of the unmanned vehicle, and after overriding the existing controls, forcibly control the unmanned vehicle.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided and include a control module that establishes a secure wireless communication connection with a portable device. A sensor receives connection information about the secure wireless communication connection, eavesdrops on the wireless secure communication connection based on the connection information, measures signal information of a communication signal sent from the portable device to the control module during the secure wireless communication connection, compares the measured signal information with wakeup criteria information, and reports the measured signal information to the control module in response to the measured signal information satisfying the wakeup criteria. The control module receives the measured signal information from the sensor and determines a location of the portable device based on the measured signal information.

Abstract: An unmanned vehicle interface device includes a wireless transceiver configured with a radiation pattern that covers a particular spatial region, and a controller coupled to the wireless transceiver. The controller is programmed to detect an unmanned vehicle within the particular spatial region using the wireless transceiver, upon detecting the unmanned vehicle, communicate with the unmanned vehicle using the wireless transceiver to override existing controls of the unmanned vehicle, and after overriding the existing controls, forcibly control the unmanned vehicle.

Abstract: A system for identifying location of a mobile electronic device relative to an object. The system includes an electronic control unit configured to calculate location of the mobile electronic device, the electronic control unit including a first transceiver connected to a first antenna that receives signals from the mobile electronic device used by the electronic control unit to identify location of the mobile electronic device. One or more antenna modules are in communication with the electronic control unit. Each one of the antenna modules includes a second transceiver connected to at least two secondary antennas that receive signals from the mobile electronic device used by the electronic control unit to identify location of the mobile electronic device.

Abstract: A combined vehicle passive entry/passive start (PEPS) and mobile electronic device wireless charging system. The system includes a vehicle transmitter configured to transmit a signal in accordance with a wireless charging protocol. The signal is transmitted through a first wireless communications channel for receipt by a mobile electronic device. A vehicle receiver is configured to receive response data from the mobile electronic device through a second wireless communications channel. The response data is generated by the mobile electronic device in response to receipt of the signal transmitted by the vehicle transmitter. A vehicle processor module is configured to at least one of unlock doors of the vehicle and start the vehicle in response to receipt of the response data by the vehicle receiver.

Abstract: A system for identifying location of a mobile electronic device relative to an object. The system includes an electronic control unit configured to calculate location of the mobile electronic device, the electronic control unit including a first transceiver connected to a first antenna that receives signals from the mobile electronic device used by the electronic control unit to identify location of the mobile electronic device. One or more antenna modules are in communication with the electronic control unit. Each one of the antenna modules includes a second transceiver connected to at least two secondary antennas that receive signals from the mobile electronic device used by the electronic control unit to identify location of the mobile electronic device.

Abstract: A combined vehicle passive entry/passive start (PEPS) and mobile electronic device wireless charging system. The system includes a vehicle transmitter configured to transmit a signal in accordance with a wireless charging protocol. The signal is transmitted through a first wireless communications channel for receipt by a mobile electronic device. A vehicle receiver is configured to receive response data from the mobile electronic device through a second wireless communications channel. The response data is generated by the mobile electronic device in response to receipt of the signal transmitted by the vehicle transmitter. A vehicle processor module is configured to at least one of unlock doors of the vehicle and start the vehicle in response to receipt of the response data by the vehicle receiver.