Passive Entry/Passive Start Systems And Methods For Vehicles

Smart overview of the Invention

The patent application describes a system for passive entry and passive start (PEPS) in vehicles, utilizing advanced communication technologies. The system integrates a communication gateway within the vehicle, which establishes a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) connection with a portable device. This connection enables the vehicle to instruct sensors to perform ranging using impulse radio (IR) ultra-wide band (UWB) communication, facilitating accurate location determination of the portable device.

Technical Field

The application focuses on enhancing PEPS systems by incorporating BLE and UWB communication devices. These technologies address limitations found in traditional systems that rely on low frequency (LF) signals. The new system aims to improve range estimation and device localization, thus offering more reliable and efficient vehicle access and start functionalities.

System Components

Key components include a communication gateway, sensors for UWB communication, and a localization module. The gateway pairs with the portable device via BLE and directs sensors to conduct two-way ranging using UWB. The localization module processes signal information such as received signal strength and time of arrival to determine the device's location, which is then used by the PEPS system to unlock doors, trunks, or start the vehicle.

Enhanced Features

The system supports additional sensors that can eavesdrop on BLE connections to gather further signal data, enhancing location accuracy. Sensors may communicate with the gateway through wired or wireless connections and can engage with IR UWB tags on portable devices. Multiple sensors can perform ranging in designated time slots for improved precision.

Additional Functionality

The system also includes provisions for wireless charging integration. A low frequency antenna can transmit a charging ping signal to compatible devices, with responses authenticated by the communication gateway. This feature complements the PEPS system by ensuring seamless function execution like unlocking or starting the vehicle upon successful device authentication.