Abstract: A vehicle remote function system is provided for determining a location of a fob relative to a vehicle. The system includes a controller adapted to be mounted in the vehicle and configured for communication with antennas mounted at different vehicle locations, the controller for use in determining the location of the fob based on ultra-wide band wireless signals transmitted between the antennas and the fob. The controller is configured to locate the fob within one of multiple three-dimensional zones, one of the zones configured to have a non-spherical shape. A method is also provided for use in a vehicle remote function system, the method for determining a location of a fob relative to a vehicle. The method includes transmitting ultra-wide band wireless signals between the vehicle and the fob, and determining the location of the fob within one of multiple three-dimensional zones, one of the zones having a non-spherical shape.

Abstract: A vehicle system and method is provided for detecting the location of a portable wireless device. The vehicle system includes the portable device and a plurality of base stations positioned about a vehicle. The portable device is configured to transmit a first wireless signal and a second wireless signal indicative of motion data of the portable device. A main base station of the plurality of base stations is configured to determine a first final position of the portable device in response to each of the plurality of base stations successfully receiving the first wireless signal. The main base station is further configured to determine a second final position of the portable device using the first final position and the motion data of the second wireless signal as received at the first base station and after determining that the second base station has not successfully received the second wireless signal.

Abstract: A vehicle system is provided with a portable device that is configured to provide a wireless signal. The vehicle system includes at least three base stations for being positioned about a vehicle within a first plane and a fourth base station for being positioned within the vehicle and vertically offset from the first plane to define a second plane with two of the at least three base stations. Each base station is configured to receive the wireless signal and to generate a message indicative of a time of flight of the wireless signal. The fourth base station is further configured to determine a three-dimensional location of the portable device based on the message generated by each base station.

Abstract: A vehicle system and method is provided for detecting the location of a portable wireless device. The vehicle system includes the portable device and a plurality of base stations positioned about a vehicle. The portable device is configured to transmit a first wireless signal and a second wireless signal indicative of motion data of the portable device. A main base station of the plurality of base stations is configured to determine a first final position of the portable device in response to each of the plurality of base stations successfully receiving the first wireless signal. The main base station is further configured to determine a second final position of the portable device using the first final position and the motion data of the second wireless signal as received at the first base station and after determining that the second base station has not successfully received the second wireless signal.

Abstract: A vehicle remote function system is provided for determining a location of a fob relative to a vehicle. The system includes a controller adapted to be mounted in the vehicle and configured for communication with antennas mounted at different vehicle locations, the controller for use in determining the location of the fob based on ultra-wide band wireless signals transmitted between the antennas and the fob. The controller is configured to locate the fob within one of multiple three-dimensional zones, one of the zones configured to have a non-spherical shape. A method is also provided for use in a vehicle remote function system, the method for determining a location of a fob relative to a vehicle. The method includes transmitting ultra-wide band wireless signals between the vehicle and the fob, and determining the location of the fob within one of multiple three-dimensional zones, one of the zones having a non-spherical shape.

Abstract: A debounce strategy is disclosed for use with a switch detection circuit to validate whether the switch is properly actuated or whether interferences, switch bounce, or other interruptions are presenting indications of switch activation. The debounce strategy may be implemented in a multi-stage process so that systems relying on debounce validation can begin processing, or other so that other time depending operations begin processing, prior to completing debounce validation.

Abstract: A system and method for authorizing a remote device amongst multiple remote devices for passive functions, such as passive entry and passive start, includes a vehicle having a plurality of strategically located antennas, combinations of which transmit a query signal and receive query responses, a challenge antenna amongst the plurality of antennas for transmitting a challenge signal to at least one of the multiple remote devices in accordance with a challenge order, and a control unit having a controller in communication with the antennas for determining the challenge order based upon the query responses. Upon a failure, the system determines which of the remote devices to challenge next based upon the failure type and the number of retries remaining.

Abstract: A system and method for authorizing a remote device amongst multiple remote devices for passive functions, such as passive entry and passive start, includes a vehicle having a plurality of strategically located antennas, combinations of which transmit a query signal and receive query responses, a challenge antenna amongst the plurality of antennas for transmitting a challenge signal to at least one of the multiple remote devices in accordance with a challenge order, and a control unit having a controller in communication with the antennas for determining the challenge order based upon the query responses. The controller can determine whether a remote device is located in an authorization zone, out of an authorization zone, or whether the remote device's location is indeterminate.

Abstract: A debounce strategy is disclosed for use with a switch detection circuit to validate whether the switch is properly actuated or whether interferences, switch bounce, or other interruptions are presenting indications of switch activation. The debounce strategy may be implemented in a multi-stage process so that systems relying on debounce validation can begin processing, or other so that other time depending operations begin processing, prior to completing debounce validation.

Abstract: A system and method for authorizing a remote device amongst multiple remote devices for passive functions, such as passive entry and passive start, includes a vehicle having a plurality of strategically located antennas, combinations of which transmit a query signal and receive query responses, a challenge antenna amongst the plurality of antennas for transmitting a challenge signal to at least one of the multiple remote devices in accordance with a challenge order, and a control unit having a controller in communication with the antennas for determining the challenge order based upon the query responses. The controller can determine whether a remote device is located in an authorization zone, out of an authorization zone, or whether the remote device's location is indeterminate.

Abstract: A system and method for authorizing a remote device amongst multiple remote devices for passive functions, such as passive entry and passive start, includes a vehicle having a plurality of strategically located antennas, combinations of which transmit a query signal and receive query responses, a challenge antenna amongst the plurality of antennas for transmitting a challenge signal to at least one of the multiple remote devices in accordance with a challenge order, and a control unit having a controller in communication with the antennas for determining the challenge order based upon the query responses. Upon a failure, the system determines which of the remote devices to challenge next based upon the failure type and the number of retries remaining.