Abstract: A radar system includes a radio frequency (RF) section that is controllable to focus operation in one of a plurality of fields of view (FOVs) and a control section configured to identify a side of the vehicle in which the radar system is installed and direct the RF section to focus transmission and reception in one of a first or a second FOV based on the side of the side of the vehicle in which the radar system is installed. A method includes: transmitting RF energy and listening for a reflection from a predetermined target mounted on one side of a vehicle; determining a whether a reflection has been detected; and directing the RF section to focus operations to the FOV that is predetermined for use for a radar system mounted on a same side of the vehicle as the predetermined target when a reflection has been detected.

Abstract: A method for controlling a rear glass defroster for a vehicle upon start-up is presented. First, one or more factors are determined, which are selected from a temperature of an environment immediately outside the vehicle, a humidity of the environment, a dew point of the environment, a barometric pressure of the environment, a temperature of a rear glass of the vehicle, a temperature of an internal cabin of the vehicle and a sun load on the vehicle. Next, the one or more factors are compared to one or more corresponding predetermined thresholds or ranges that are indicative of conditions suitable for frost formation on a rear glass of the vehicle. Then, if the comparison indicates that the one or more factors meet the frost formation conditions, the rear glass defroster is activated. A vehicle rear-glass defrost system which uses the foregoing method is also presented.

Abstract: A rain sensor in a vehicle includes a transmitter to implement a pseudorandom modulation of a timing of emission of infrared transmissions toward a windshield of the vehicle. The rain sensor also includes a receiver to be active for only a specified period of time following each emission of the infrared transmissions and to receive a reflection based on the infrared transmission encountering any substance on the windshield.

Abstract: A method and apparatus that determine whether an occupant of a seat is operating a touch screen. The method includes detecting a signal received through an antenna embedded in a seat, determining whether the detected signal is generated by an input to a touch screen, and outputting information indicating an occupant of the seat is operating the touch screen if the determining determines that the detected signal is generated by an input to a touch screen.

Abstract: In an example of a method for performing vehicle antenna diagnostics, a transmitting and receiving (TX/RX) antenna of a multiple input multiple output (MIMO) antenna assembly of a vehicle is electronically caused to emit a check signal. A response of a receiving only (RX) antenna of the MIMO antenna assembly is electronically detected in response to the check signal. A received signal strength indictor output is generated in response to the response of the RX antenna. The received signal strength indictor output is converted to a digital signal. The integrity of the MIMO antenna is determined after comparing the digital signal with an expected power level of the RX antenna.

Abstract: In an example of a method for performing vehicle antenna diagnostics, a transmitting and receiving (TX/RX) antenna of a multiple input multiple output (MIMO) antenna assembly of a vehicle is electronically caused to emit a check signal. A response of a receiving only (RX) antenna of the MIMO antenna assembly is electronically detected in response to the check signal. A received signal strength indictor output is generated in response to the response of the RX antenna. The received signal strength indictor output is converted to a digital signal. The integrity of the MIMO antenna is determined after comparing the digital signal with an expected power level of the RX antenna.

Abstract: A system and method of diagnosing wireless key fob interference includes: detecting, at the vehicle, the presence of a wireless signal in a key fob frequency range; determining at least one characteristic of the detected wireless signal that prevents a vehicle user from controlling the vehicle using a wireless key fob; and determining whether interference exists.

Abstract: A system for preventing a relay attack on a vehicle is provided. The system includes a base unit positioned in the vehicle and operably connected to at least one vehicle system. The base unit is configured to obtain position information of the base unit. The system further includes a portable operating unit configured to obtain and transmit position information of the portable operating unit to the base unit. The base unit determines the position of the portable operating unit relative to the base unit and selectively controls operation of the at least one vehicle system based on the determination of the position of the portable operating system relative to the base unit.

Abstract: A method for authenticating a request for access comprises monitoring one or more ambient transmissions present in a local environment, analyzing the one or more ambient transmissions to create a characterization thereof, and transmitting information configured to instruct a security token regarding characteristics of an adapted transmission protocol based on the characterization. The adapted transmission protocol is configured for decreasing a likelihood of interference by the one or more ambient transmissions with reception of an authentication transmission from the security token. An authentication transmission comprising authentication information is received from the security token, and the security token is authenticated based on the authentication information. In response to a request for access, a signal is transmitted to a controller indicating the request is authentic.

Abstract: Vehicle alignment for inductive charging includes a control system and logic configured to execute on the control system. The logic is configured to define a first orientation for a first antenna and a second antenna, which are disposed on a vehicle. The logic is also configured to define a second orientation specifying a location of a vehicle charging device disposed on the vehicle relative to the first and second antennae. The logic is further configured to determine a location of an inductive charging device relative to the vehicle by performing triangulation analysis using data from the first and second orientations in conjunction with signals received from the first and second antennae. The logic is also configured to calculate a direction to the location using voltage values from the signals, such that movement of the vehicle in the direction brings the vehicle charging device closer to the inductive charging device.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for suppressing radio interference from a noise source having an operating frequency. In accordance with an embodiment, a vehicle is provided. The vehicle may include, but is not limited to, a communications bus having a delay, an electric motor communicatively coupled to the communications bus, the electric motor configured to transmit an operational frequency of the electric motor to the communications bus, a radio communicatively coupled to the communications bus, and an audio amplifier communicatively coupled to the communications bus and further configured to be coupled to the radio via the communications bus, the audio amplifier comprising a filter configured to selectively filter radio signals of the radio based upon the operational frequency of the electric motor and a maximum change in angular velocity of the vehicle over the delay.

Abstract: A method for authenticating a request for access comprises monitoring one or more ambient transmissions present in a local environment, analyzing the one or more ambient transmissions to create a characterization thereof, and transmitting information configured to instruct a security token regarding characteristics of an adapted transmission protocol based on the characterization. The adapted transmission protocol is configured for decreasing a likelihood of interference by the one or more ambient transmissions with reception of an authentication transmission from the security token. An authentication transmission comprising authentication information is received from the security token, and the security token is authenticated based on the authentication information. In response to a request for access, a signal is transmitted to a controller indicating the request is authentic.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for suppressing radio interference from a noise source having an operating frequency. One system includes memory for storing a threshold signal strength, a re-configurable filter for selectively filtering signals of a harmonic of the operating frequency, and a controller. The controller is configured to compare a signal strength of a received signal to the threshold signal strength and turn ON the re-configurable filter if the signal strength of the received signal is less than or equal to the threshold signal strength. A method includes determining a noise signature for the motor vehicle and associating a signal strength threshold with the noise signature. The method further includes comparing a signal strength of a tuned radio station to the signal strength threshold and turning ON the filter if the signal strength is less than or equal to the signal strength threshold.

Abstract: Vehicle alignment for inductive charging includes a control system and logic configured to execute on the control system. The logic is configured to define a first orientation for a first antenna and a second antenna, which are disposed on a vehicle. The logic is also configured to define a second orientation specifying a location of a vehicle charging device disposed on the vehicle relative to the first and second antennae. The logic is further configured to determine a location of an inductive charging device relative to the vehicle by performing triangulation analysis using data from the first and second orientations in conjunction with signals received from the first and second antennae. The logic is also configured to calculate a direction to the location using voltage values from the signals, such that movement of the vehicle in the direction brings the vehicle charging device closer to the inductive charging device.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for suppressing radio interference from a noise source having an operating frequency. In accordance with an embodiment, a vehicle is provided. The vehicle may include, but is not limited to, a communications bus having a delay, an electric motor communicatively coupled to the communications bus, the electric motor configured to transmit an operational frequency of the electric motor to the communications bus, a radio communicatively coupled to the communications bus, and an audio amplifier communicatively coupled to the communications bus and further configured to be coupled to the radio via the communications bus, the audio amplifier comprising a filter configured to selectively filter radio signals of the radio based upon the operational frequency of the electric motor and a maximum change in angular velocity of the vehicle over the delay.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for suppressing radio interference from a noise source having an operating frequency. One system includes memory for storing a threshold signal strength, a re-configurable filter for selectively filtering signals of a harmonic of the operating frequency, and a controller. The controller is configured to compare a signal strength of a received signal to the threshold signal strength and turn ON the re-configurable filter if the signal strength of the received signal is less than or equal to the threshold signal strength. A method includes determining a noise signature for the motor vehicle and associating a signal strength threshold with the noise signature. The method further includes comparing a signal strength of a tuned radio station to the signal strength threshold and turning ON the filter if the signal strength is less than or equal to the signal strength threshold.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for suppressing radio interference from a noise source having an operating frequency. One system includes memory for storing a threshold signal strength, a re-configurable filter for selectively filtering signals of a harmonic of the operating frequency, and a controller. The controller is configured to compare a signal strength of a received signal to the threshold signal strength and turn ON the re-configurable filter if the signal strength of the received signal is less than or equal to the threshold signal strength. A method includes determining a noise signature for the motor vehicle and associating a signal strength threshold with the noise signature. The method further includes comparing a signal strength of a tuned radio station to the signal strength threshold and turning ON the filter if the signal strength is less than or equal to the signal strength threshold.

Abstract: Methods are provided for reducing impulse noise effects in a motor vehicle radio. One method includes the steps of first detecting impulse noise received by the motor vehicle radio. The received impulse noise is classified as either short pulse width impulse noise or as long pulse width impulse noise. The short pulse width impulse noise can generally be blanked without seriously affecting the audio quality of the radio. For the long pulse width impulse noise, a maximum long pulse width blanking repetition rate is set and such impulse noise pulses are blanked at a blanking rate less than the maximum long pulse width blanking repetition rate.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for suppressing radio interference from a noise source having an operating frequency. One system includes memory for storing a threshold signal strength, a re-configurable filter for selectively filtering signals of a harmonic of the operating frequency, and a controller. The controller is configured to compare a signal strength of a received signal to the threshold signal strength and turn ON the re-configurable filter if the signal strength of the received signal is less than or equal to the threshold signal strength. A method includes determining a noise signature for the motor vehicle and associating a signal strength threshold with the noise signature. The method further includes comparing a signal strength of a tuned radio station to the signal strength threshold and turning ON the filter if the signal strength is less than or equal to the signal strength threshold.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods are provided for suppressing radio interference from a noise source. One apparatus includes a controller for commanding a noise source to dither its operating frequency, and a filter for receiving signals from the controller indicating the present operating frequency of the noise source and to filter radio signals having the same frequency as the present operating frequency while the operating frequency is dithered. A system includes an electric motor having an operating frequency, a controller for commanding the motor to dither its operating frequency, and a filter configured to receive signals indicating the present operating frequency of the motor and to filter radio signals having the same frequency as the present operating frequency while the operating frequency is dithered. One method includes dithering the operating frequency of a noise source and filtering signals having the same frequency as the operating frequency while it is dithered.