Vehicle Locking Control Using UWB Time of Flight Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for controlling vehicle functions via mobile devices, such as locking/unlocking and starting, face inaccuracies in determining the mobile device's position relative to the vehicle, particularly due to imprecise RSSI and GPS measurements, and reliance on gyroscopic sensors which are undesirable.
Innovation Solution
A device utilizing both Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and Ultra Wide Band (UWB) communication protocols to authenticate the mobile device and precisely determine its position relative to the vehicle, using UWB signal travel time measurements for accurate positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If RSSI or GPS measurement methods are used to determine mobile device position, then the system can function with simpler components, but the measurement precision deteriorates to several meters which does not guarantee specification compliance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines BLE authentication functionality with UWB positioning functionality into a unified communication system. The same communication device performs both cryptographic authentication via BLE and precise time-based positioning via UWB, eliminating the need for separate GPS modules or gyroscopic sensors while achieving centimeter-level positioning precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical positioning methods (GPS satellites, gyroscopic sensors, accelerometric sensors) with an electromagnetic time-based measurement system. By measuring the time of flight of UWB signals between transmitter and receiver, the system achieves precise position determination without mechanical moving parts or complex sensor arrays.
2Measurement precision
If true positioning using gyroscopic and accelerometric sensors is employed, then position data can be obtained, but the device complexity increases and the system becomes less desirable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical inertial sensors (gyroscopes and accelerometers) with an electromagnetic time-based ranging system. By measuring the time of flight of UWB signals, the system directly calculates position without requiring mechanical sensors to track movement, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces UWB signal transmission time as an intermediary measurement parameter. Instead of directly measuring position through complex sensor fusion of gyroscopic and accelerometric data, the system uses time-based flight measurements as an intermediary to derive position information more simply and accurately.
3Ease of operation
If BLE protocol is used for authentication, then communication is established, but position determination accuracy is insufficient for safety-critical vehicle functions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges BLE authentication with UWB positioning in a sequential two-stage process. First, BLE establishes secure cryptographic authentication between the mobile device and vehicle. Then, UWB provides precise time-based position measurement. This combination maintains the simplicity of BLE authentication while adding the precision of UWB positioning, enabling safety-critical functions.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Ensures precise execution of vehicle functions based on the mobile device's position, meeting certification standards like Thatcham, with high accuracy and without relying on gyroscopic sensors.
Implementation Method 1
determine data representative of the position of the mobile device in relation to the vehicle, said data being obtained on the basis of the measurement of the travel time of signals exchanged between the communication devices
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The present invention relates essentially to a device for controlling locking/unlocking and/or starting of a vehicle (V) comprising a first communication device (COM1) mounted in the vehicle (V), said first communication device (COM1) being linked to the control unit (ECU) of the vehicle (V), and a second communication device (COM2) disposed in a mobile apparatus (SP), the first communication device (COM1) and the second communication device (COM2) being able to communicate with one another according to a first mode of communication so as to carry out an authentication of the mobile apparatus (SP) by the vehicle (V), said authentication authorizing the locking/unlocking and/or starting of the vehicle (V), characterized in that the first communication device (COM1) and the second communication device (COM2) are able to communicate also according to a second mode of communication, so as to determine data representative of the position of the mobile apparatus (SP) with respect to the vehicle (V), and in that the execution, by the control unit (ECU), of the command for locking/unlocking and/or starting the vehicle (V), is dependent on said data representative of the position of the mobile apparatus (SP) with respect to the vehicle (V).