No matter what kind of car you drive, having a passive keyless entry system is pretty luxurious. All you have to do is pull the door handle while the key fob is on you, and you're behind the wheel. No more rummaging through pockets or digging through purses. You don't even have to push a button.
With a passive keyless entry system, you can say goodbye to groping around for your car keys. Image via blogs.cars.com
How passive keyless entry systems work
Now fairly common, passive keyless entry systems eliminate the need to physically insert your key into your car door or press a button to unlock it. Bi-directional communication makes this possible.
With a passive keyless entry system, your car doors unlock within a fraction of a second if your key fob is detected. All you have to do is pull on the door handle, and the base unit within the vehicle emits a short range and low frequency signal, searching for a nearby key fob transponder. Once found, the key fob recognizes the signal and its response is an ultra-high frequency signal. This transmits a code to be authenticated by the base unit encryption firmware. If the proper code is verified, the base unit tells the vehicle's central body controller to unlock the door.
Keyless entry system block diagram. Image via mouser.com
Other details
Passive keyless entry systems are convenient and are designed to last for years without battery replacement. Better yet, you don't need to own a new vehicle to install one. For most people comfortable working with electricity, installing a passive keyless entry system is fairly easy.
For more information, and to view a product list of passive keyless entry system parts, including analog front-ends, buck/boost regulators, DC/DC converters, and microcontrollers, visit http://www.mouser.com/applications/automotive-keyless-entry.
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