Systems and methods for vehicle passive entry/passive start (PEPS) are provided. A communication gateway in a vehicle establishes a Bluetooth low energy (BLE) or an impulse radio ultra-wide band (IR UWB) communication connection with a portable device that includes a wireless charging apparatus. A low-frequency transmitter transmits a ping request to the wireless charging apparatus. The portable device transmits a response to the ping request over the communication connection to the communication gateway. The communication gateway authenticates the portable device based on information included in the received response. A passive entry/passive start (PEPS) system performs a vehicle function in response to the portable device being authenticated, including unlocking a door of the vehicle, unlocking a trunk of the vehicle, allowing a wireless charging station of the vehicle to charge the portable device, or allowing the vehicle to be started.

Systems and methods for vehicle passive entry/passive start (PEPS) are provided. A communication gateway in a vehicle establishes a Bluetooth low energy (BLE) or an impulse radio ultra-wide band (IR UWB) communication connection with a portable device that includes a wireless charging apparatus. A low-frequency transmitter transmits a ping request to the wireless charging apparatus. The portable device transmits a response to the ping request over the communication connection to the communication gateway. The communication gateway authenticates the portable device based on information included in the received response. A passive entry/passive start (PEPS) system performs a vehicle function in response to the portable device being authenticated, including unlocking a door of the vehicle, unlocking a trunk of the vehicle, allowing a wireless charging station of the vehicle to charge the portable device, or allowing the vehicle to be started.

A tracking system can provide configuration instructions to an electronic device based on user presence. The tracking system can determine a user's location relative to a geographic boundary surrounding a geographic area associated with the user. Depending on the user's location, the tracking system may send instructions to configure an electronic device to send a notification or change the operating mode of the electronic device in response to the user's presence. The electronic device may be a scanning device that is configured to have a higher or lower scanning frequency, depending on the presence or absence of the user relative to the scanning device.

A tracking system can provide configuration instructions to an electronic device based on user presence. The tracking system can determine a user's location relative to a geographic boundary surrounding a geographic area associated with the user. Depending on the user's location, the tracking system may send instructions to configure an electronic device to send a notification or change the operating mode of the electronic device in response to the user's presence. The electronic device may be a scanning device that is configured to have a higher or lower scanning frequency, depending on the presence or absence of the user relative to the scanning device.

Methods and apparatus for verifying respective positions of Nodes based upon wireless communications between Nodes included in an array. Values for variables derived from multiple wireless transmissions between Nodes are aggregated, and a position of a particular Node may be determined based upon multiple data sets generated by multiple communications between disparate Nodes. In addition, the presence of an obstacle to wireless communication between some Nodes may be derived from the data sets. A user interface may provide a pictorial view of positions of all or some Nodes in an array, as well as a perceived obstruction.

The vehicle includes: a plurality of vehicle antennas configured to receive a plurality of signals, respectively, from a remote control device; and a vehicle controller configured to: i) calculate an arrival distance between each of the plurality of vehicle antennas and the remote control device based on an arrival time of the plurality of signals received by the plurality of vehicle antennas, ii) extract an initial arrival pulse signal having a first reference value or higher from among at least one pulse signal contained in each of the plurality of signals, iii) extract at least one valid signal having a maximum value corresponding to a second reference value or higher from among the plurality of signals received by the plurality of vehicle antennas, iv) calculate an arrival distance of an initial arrival pulse signal contained in the at least one valid signal, and v) estimate a position of the remote control device based on the arrival distance.

A method of timeslot-wise detection of at least one radio signal in a cellular radio network. A radio signal is received via at least one first radio antenna and at least one second radio antenna. The radio signal received by the respective radio antennas is forwarded to at least one first radio receiver assigned to the first radio antenna and to at least one second radio receiver assigned to the second radio antenna. The radio signal forwarded is evaluated. The radio receivers are synchronized with a preconfigured frame structure. At least one identical time slot is selected out of the frame structure Timing information of the selected time slot is provided from the first radio receiver to the second radio receiver, from the second radio receiver to the first radio receiver and/or from the respective radio receiver to a central unit for calculating a time difference of arrival. Further, a device for timeslot-wise detection is described.

Systems and methods are provided in which a direction of arrival of a radio frequency (RF) signal received by a plurality of antennas is determined. A plurality of first converter receives RF signals from the plurality of antennas and outputs a minimum of a first optical signal and a second optical signal each modulated by their corresponding RF signal. A plurality of second converters receives a minimum of the first optical signal via a first optical channel that introduces a first delay and the second optical signal via a second optical channel that introduces a second delay. The second converter outputs a first RF signal that corresponds to the RF modulation on the first optical signal and a second RF signal that corresponds to the RF modulation on the second optical signal. A switch serially receives, from the second converter outputs, the first RF signal and the second RF signal. A direction finding subsystem determines a direction of arrival using a phase difference between the first RF signal and the second RF signal.

An observation satellite is used for obtaining information about electromagnetic energy emitted from the earth. The observation satellite orbits the earth in an orbit having an inclination larger than 90 and smaller than 270. Further, the observation satellite comprises at least one receiving antenna, the at least one receiving antenna having a receiving pattern directed towards the earth, and suitable for receiving electromagnetic energy in the radio frequency range as the observation satellite is orbiting relative to the surface of the earth. The observation satellite also comprises a transmitter configured for at least one of: (i) retransmitting, to a relay spacecraft, the received electromagnetic energy, (ii) transmitting, to the relay spacecraft, information representing the received electromagnetic energy, and (iii) transmitting, to the relay spacecraft, information derived from the received electromagnetic energy. The invention also relates to systems and methods therefor.

An observation satellite is used for obtaining information about electromagnetic energy emitted from the earth. The observation satellite orbits the earth in an orbit having an inclination larger than 90 and smaller than 270. Further, the observation satellite comprises at least one receiving antenna, the at least one receiving antenna having a receiving pattern directed towards the earth, and suitable for receiving electromagnetic energy in the radio frequency range as the observation satellite is orbiting relative to the surface of the earth. The observation satellite also comprises a transmitter configured for at least one of: (i) retransmitting, to a relay spacecraft, the received electromagnetic energy, (ii) transmitting, to the relay spacecraft, information representing the received electromagnetic energy, and (iii) transmitting, to the relay spacecraft, information derived from the received electromagnetic energy. The invention also relates to systems and methods therefor.