Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) circuit is provided and includes an antenna, a printed circuit board and a RF chip. The printed circuit board includes a stack of layers. The stack of layers includes a grounded layer. The grounded layer includes a slit, a dielectric area, a first grounded area and a second grounded area. The dielectric area includes dielectric material and is disposed between the first grounded area and the second grounded area. The antenna is edge mounted to the ground layer adjacent the dielectric area and offset from a centerline of the ground layer. The second grounded area is disposed between the dielectric area and the slit. The RF chip is mounted to the stack of layers and connected to the antenna via a transmission line and configured to transmit and receive RF signals via the antenna.

Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) circuit is provided and includes an antenna, a printed circuit board and a RF chip. The printed circuit board includes a stack of layers. The stack of layers includes a grounded layer. The grounded layer includes a slit, a dielectric area, a first grounded area and a second grounded area. The dielectric area includes dielectric material and is disposed between the first grounded area and the second grounded area. The antenna is edge mounted to the ground layer adjacent the dielectric area and offset from a centerline of the ground layer. The second grounded area is disposed between the dielectric area and the slit. The RF chip is mounted to the stack of layers and connected to the antenna via a transmission line and configured to transmit and receive RF signals via the antenna.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a system for performing automatic learning of a plurality of remote sensors positioned on a first body is provided. The system includes at least one transceiver and at least one central computing device. The central computing device is operably coupled to the at least one transceiver and is configured to wirelessly transmit a broadcast message in response to a user request to each of the remote sensors and to randomly receive a transmission message from one or more of the remote sensors in response to the broadcast message. The central computing device is further configured to determine whether the transmission message from each of the remote sensors have been received and to learn the remote sensors thereto to receive information corresponding to at least one of a command, a status of the first body, or a location of the first body from the remote sensors.

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: 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 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 remote function fob is disclosed for a passive entry-passive start (PEPS) system for a vehicle. The fob may include a battery, a low frequency (LF) receiver, and a controller. The controller may be configured to enable a low current consumption mode wherein the LF receiver is disabled such that the fob is unable to respond to a PEPS request signal transmitted from a vehicle control module. A method is also disclosed which may include enabling a low current consumption mode wherein a fob receiver is disabled such that the fob is unable to respond to a PEPS request signal transmitted from a vehicle control module. In such a fashion, a shelf-life of the fob battery may be extended.

Abstract: Vehicle-based programmable appliance control systems and methods include a user control module and a transmitter module which are remotely located from one another. A wired connection, such as a vehicle wiring harness, directly interconnects the modules. The wired connection has two ends and is assigned solely to the modules as the user control module is connected to one end of the wired connection and the transmitter module is connected to the other end of the wired connection. The user control module includes a user control and the transmitter module includes a radio frequency transmitter. The user control module transmits a user activation signal based on assertion of the user control to the transmitter module for receipt by the transmitter via the wired connection. The transmitter transmits a radio frequency appliance activation signal based on the received user activation signal in order to activate an appliance.

Abstract: An automotive tire pressure monitoring system is provided including a group of tire pressure monitor sensors each comprising a pressure sensor element, a dual-axis accelerometer, and a transmitter generating a pressure signal including accelerometer information. A front antenna and a rear antenna are both in communication with a tire pressure monitoring receiver. The tire pressure monitoring receiver includes logic adapted to: determine a pressure signals left/right designation from the accelerometer information and determine a pressure signal's front/rear designation using comparative signal strength from the front antenna and the rear antenna.

Abstract: The embodiments described herein include a tire pressure monitoring (TPM) system and method for a vehicle having multiple wheels. The system and method provide an efficient means for accurately associating TPM sensors on the vehicle with specific vehicle wheel locations.

Abstract: An assembly for controlling a device. The assembly includes a circuit board and a carrier. The carrier includes a first portion having a flexible arm and a second portion extending at an angle from the first portion. The circuit board extends between and is disposed adjacent to the first and second portions.

Abstract: The teachings of the present invention include an antenna system for a tire pressure monitoring system. The antenna system includes an antenna coil that is printed on the circuit board in a manner that is cost-efficient and that enhances the signal reception. In one embodiment, the antenna coil is printed planar to the circuit board.

Abstract: A remote wake-up assembly is provided including a remote device containing logic adapted to: generate a pre-amble signal comprising a plurality of pre-determined signal pulses sequentially varied throughout a pre-amble period; and generate a main message signal after a wake-up time-period. A receiver system is included containing logic adapted to: poll for the signal pulses, the receiver system polling comprising an on-state having a on-state length sufficient for receiving at least two of the sequentially varied signal pulses; determine the wake-up time-period using said at least two of the signal pulses; place the receiver system into a low-power sleep state during the remaining portion of said wake-up time-period; reactivate the receiver system at the end of the wake-up time-period; and receive the main message.

Abstract: Vehicle-based programmable appliance control systems and methods include a user control module and a transmitter module which are remotely located from one another. A wired connection, such as a vehicle wiring harness, directly interconnects the modules. The wired connection has two ends and is assigned solely to the modules as the user control module is connected to one end of the wired connection and the transmitter module is connected to the other end of the wired connection. The user control module includes a user control and the transmitter module includes a radio frequency transmitter. The user control module transmits a user activation signal based on assertion of the user control to the transmitter module for receipt by the transmitter via the wired connection. The transmitter transmits a radio frequency appliance activation signal based on the received user activation signal in order to activate an appliance.

Abstract: A low profile antenna for use in a vehicle remote communication system in accordance with the present invention includes a printed circuit board having a copper ground plane mounted on a first side thereof. A dielectric spacer is mounted to the first side of the printed circuit board. A lineal antenna trace is disposed on the dielectric spacer. The antenna also includes a transmission line having first and second signal conductors. The first conductor is coupled to a feed point on the lineal antenna trace and the second conductor is coupled to both the ground plane and a second point on the lineal antenna trace spaced from the feed point.