Abstract: A key fob for accessing a vehicle. includes a secure element including a microcontroller unit, a non-volatile memory module communicably coupled to the microcontroller unit and configured to store a first system software for running a first vehicle access application and a second system software for running a second vehicle access application. The key fob includes one or more secure hardware blocks communicably coupled with the microcontroller unit. The key fob is configured to operate in a first mode or second mode. In the first mode, the microcontroller unit is configured to activate the secure hardware blocks, operate at a first clock speed, and boot the first system software. In the second mode, the microcontroller unit is configured to inhibit activation of one or more of the secure hardware blocks and/or operate at a second clock speed that is lower than the first clock speed; and boot the second system software.

Abstract: In accordance with a first aspect of the present disclosure, a secure element for use in a battery system includes a seal interface configured to couple the secure element to a seal included in the battery system. The seal is configured to physically protect a battery unit of the battery system. The secure element includes a storage unit configured to store a reference value indicative of a closed state of the seal and a monitoring unit configured to monitor an electrical characteristic of the seal and to compare the electrical characteristic of the seal with the reference value. In accordance with a second aspect of the present disclosure, a corresponding method of operating a secure element is conceived.

Abstract: A near field communication (NFC) device includes an NFC antenna, a first transmitter coupled to the NFC antenna, a second transmitter coupled to the NFC antenna, and a controller coupled to the first transmitter and the second transmitter. The NFC antenna includes a first part extending from the first transmitter to a ground connection of the NFC antenna, and includes a second part extending from the ground connection to the second transmitter. The controller is configured to cause the first transmitter to feed the first part of the NFC antenna while the second transmitter does not feed the second part of the NFC antenna, and to cause the second transmitter to feed the second part of the NFC antenna while the first transmitter does not feed the first part of the NFC antenna.

Abstract: A device such as a key fob includes a wireless interface for establishing a wireless connection to a controller integrated in a vehicle. The key fob is configured provide access credentials to the controller via the wireless connection. The key fob also includes a wired interface for connecting the key fob to a console integrated in the vehicle. When connected to the console, the key fob can be used to wirelessly charge an external mobile device. In addition, or in the alternative, the key fob can be used as an anchor device for performing ranging operations with an external mobile device.

Abstract: In accordance with a first aspect of the present disclosure, a localization system is provided, comprising: a plurality of ultra-wideband (UWB) communication nodes; a plurality of antennas, each one of said antennas being included in one of said UWB communication nodes; an antenna selection unit configured to select a subset of said antennas for use in ranging operations that output a position estimate of an external device; wherein the antenna selection unit is configured to select said subset in dependence on at least one previous ranging operation. In accordance with a second aspect of the present disclosure, a corresponding method of operating a localization system is conceived. In accordance with a third aspect of the present disclosure, a computer program is provided, comprising computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a localization system, cause said localization system to carry out a method of the kind set forth.

Abstract: In accordance with a first aspect of the present disclosure, a near field communication (NFC) device is provided that includes a first NFC antenna, an NFC unit operatively coupled to said first NFC antenna, and a field detection unit including a second NFC antenna. The field detection unit is configured to detect, when operated in a first state, whether an electromagnetic field is present on the first NFC antenna by tuning the second NFC antenna to the operating frequency of the first NFC antenna and by detecting whether said electromagnetic field is present on the second NFC antenna. In accordance with a second aspect of the present disclosure, a corresponding method of operating an NFC device is conceived.

Abstract: An integrated circuit for a wireless charging device is configured to communicate with a receiver device using near field communication (NFC). The integrated circuit is configured to determine one or more processing response times of the receiver device based on the communication and determine if the receiver device comprises a passive NFC tag or a powered NFC device based on the one or more processing response times.

Abstract: In accordance with a first aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle access system includes a near field communication (NFC) front-end including a first secure element; and an access controller operatively coupled to the NFC front-end. The access controller includes a second secure element configured to verify data provided by the first secure element. The first secure element and the second secure element are configured to establish a secure communication channel for transmitting said data from the first secure element to the second secure element. In accordance with further aspects of the present disclosure, a corresponding method of operating a vehicle access system and a computer program for carrying out said method are provided.

Abstract: One example discloses a wireless communications device, including: a first receiver input configured to be coupled to a first end of an antenna and a first end of a sense resistor; wherein the sense resistor is coupled in series with the antenna; a second receiver input configured to be coupled to a second end of the sense resistor; a controller configured to determine an antenna current (Iant) flowing through the antenna based on a voltage between the first receiver input and the second receiver input; wherein the controller is configured to increase the antenna current if the antenna current is below a first predetermined value; and wherein the controller is configured to decrease the antenna current if the antenna current is above a second predetermined value.

Abstract: In accordance with a first aspect of the present disclosure, a battery system is provided for use in a vehicle, comprising: a plurality of battery modules; a controller operatively coupled to the battery modules; a plurality of secure elements, wherein each of said battery modules contains at least one of said secure elements and wherein the controller contains at least one of said secure elements, and wherein said secure elements are configured to perform one or more authentication operations by executing a cryptographic algorithm. In accordance with a second aspect of the present disclosure, a corresponding method of configuring a battery system is conceived.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for managing a secure element for an automotive application. The method includes receiving a control signal via a first data transmission path. The control signal includes instructions for controlling the automotive application. The method includes determining whether the received control signal is authorized or not. If the control signal is authorized, the method includes increasing an attack counter, and locking the secure element, if the attack counter is equal or higher than a predefined locking value. The method includes unlocking the secure element in response to successful performing of a secure function. Further, a control system for an automotive application and a computer program product is disclosed.

Abstract: An architecture is arranged to (re-)configure a software defined vehicle (SDV) that includes electronic control unit (ECU) including a host processor; and a single secure element (SE) operably coupled to the host processor. The SE may include a main credential applet operably coupled to at least one application applet and the main credential applet is arranged to program the at least one application applet.

Abstract: A communication antenna comprising an inner antenna loop extending within a plane, configured to allow a current to flow along a first inner wire and a second inner wire. The communication antenna also comprises, an outer antenna loop extending around the inner antenna loop within the plane, configured to allow a current to flow along an outer wire. The communication antenna further comprises, a plurality of transistors configured to be controlled by a first control voltage and a second control voltage selectively to switch between, a first state which produces current flow in the first inner wire that is in phase with the current in the outer wire; and a second state which produces current flow in the second inner wire that is out of phase with the current in the outer wire. The plurality of transistors is coupled between the outer antenna loop and the inner antenna loop.

Abstract: In accordance with a first aspect of the present disclosure, a near field communication (NFC) device is provided, comprising: an NFC circuit; a matching circuit operatively coupled to the NFC circuit; a first antenna and a second antenna; a first switch operable in a first state and in a second state, said first switch being configured to connect a first end of the first antenna to a first end of the second antenna when operated in the first state, and to connect said first end of the first antenna to the matching circuit when operated in the second state. In accordance with a second aspect of the present disclosure, a corresponding method of implementing a near field communication (NFC) device is conceived.

Abstract: A secure element includes a sensing unit configured to sense one or more signal characteristics. The signal characteristics include characteristics of signals transmitted to and from components of a vehicle access system. The secure element also includes a processing unit configured to conclude, in dependence on an output of the sensing unit, that one or more attacks are carried out on the vehicle access system. A corresponding method of operating a secure element is conceived, and a computer program for carrying out said method is provided.

Abstract: In accordance with a first aspect of the present disclosure, a near field communication (NFC) device is provided, comprising: an antenna configured to enable wireless communication with an external device; a charging unit configured to charge the external device by transferring power to said external device through said antenna; a detection unit configured to detect whether the external device is a passive NFC device; a controller configured to control the charging unit in dependence on an output of the detection unit, wherein said output indicates whether the external device is a passive NFC device. In accordance with a second aspect of the present disclosure, a corresponding method of operating a near field communication (NFC) device is conceived.

Abstract: In accordance with a first aspect of the present disclosure, a communication system is provided, comprising: a plurality of communication nodes which are operatively coupled to each other, wherein each of said communication nodes comprises a first radio frequency (RF) communication unit configured to perform ranging sessions with an external communication device; a controller configured to create a logical subset of said communication nodes based on an indication of a channel quality between the communication nodes and the external communication device, wherein said indication of the channel quality has been obtained using a second RF communication unit comprised in each of said communication nodes; the controller further being configured to cause that only the communication nodes included in said logical subset perform said ranging sessions with the external communication device.

Abstract: A near field communication (NFC) device includes two concentric NFC antennae. The first NFC antenna forms a first loop the second NFC antenna forms a second loop of the antenna. The overall electric and magnetic field patterns of the antenna can be controlled by changing the phase of signals used to drive the two antennae. In one configuration, the magnetic field strength may be concentrated toward a central area between the two antennae in a configuration suitable for transmitting conventional NFC signals. In another configuration the two antennae are driven with signals that are out of phase, resulting in a magnetic field pattern which extends over a wider area that is suitable for wireless device charging.

Abstract: A battery module includes one or more battery cells and a battery module controller operatively coupled to the battery cells. The battery module controller is configured to determine a state of the battery cells. A secure element is operatively coupled to the battery module controller and is configured to store data indicative of the state of the battery cells as determined by the battery module controller. An interface unit operatively coupled to the secure element is configured to receive a request for evaluating the state of the battery from an external user device.

Abstract: A first wireless charging device includes: an antenna and a power transmitter configured to charge an external device by transferring power to the external device through the antenna. The first wireless device also includes a near field communication (NFC) unit configured to detect whether the external device is a passive NFC device. The first wireless device includes a controller configured to control the power transmitter in response to an antenna load value determined by the NFC unit that indicates whether the external device is a passive NFC device and the charging device prevents charging of the external device if the external device is a passive device.