Low power vehicle-access solution for smart keys and wearables

Microchip has announced a passive entry/passive start (PEPS) solution, claimed to be the industry lowest power solution. The ATA5700 and ATA5702 are primarily intended for use in battery powered applications such as smart keys (i.e. PEPS) and complementary car access via mobile devices, smartphones and wearables where the power consumption is one of the key requirements. Key benefits of the new devices include ultra-low power consumption, outstanding key localisation accuracy and unique built-in counter relay (‘man-in-the-middle’) attack protection measures. Car theft based on relay attacks of vehicles equipped with a PEPS system is becoming one of the top security concerns of automakers. The two new devices have a unique built-in LF vector calculation unit that allows customers to implement effective relay attack countermeasures at no additional cost. The new devices also feature excellent low frequency sensitivity, enabling convenience features such as customised welcome-lighting upon approaching the vehicle or automatic ‘walk-away locking’ of the vehicle – in a range up to 10m. The power consumption for this ‘always on feature’ is industry leading, tripling the battery lifetime in the highest sensitivity mode. The devices offer the highest key localisation accuracy in the market which is critical to accurately distinguish whether a key fob is located inside or outside the vehicle and to comply with accuracy requirements of insurance companies. In addition, the devices contain an open-source, zero-cost license immobiliser protocol based on AES-128 that enables interoperability, allowing large volume customers to deploy second sourcing strategies. “The fast growing passive entry market is driven by an increased customer demand for convenience features — hands-free entry, hands-free locking or even personalized welcome lighting,” said Matthias Kaestner, vice president of Microchip’s automotive business unit. “As these devices become more and more prevalent, the need for enhanced security to prevent car theft is vital, and Microchip provides what our customers need.” Both devices feature a 3D immobiliser, 3D high sensitivity LF receivers, digital processing unit, 128-bit crypto engine, LF vector calculation unit and a microcontroller. The ATA5702 is enhanced with a built-in RF transmitter fractional phase-locked loop (PLL) to ensure a robust ultra-high frequency (UHF) link that is highly immune to jammers and disturbers.