A passive entry/passive start (PEPS) system includes a communication gateway configured to transmit a ping signal based on at least one of a predetermined period and a predetermined transmission power level. The PEPS system includes at least one sensor configured to receive the ping signal and measure a physical characteristic of the ping signal. The PEPS system includes a central module configured to receive the measured physical characteristic of the ping signal, determine a lower threshold and an upper threshold associated with the at least one sensor, and compare the measured physical characteristic of the ping signal to the lower threshold and the upper threshold. In response to determining that the measured physical characteristic is less than the lower threshold and greater than the upper threshold, the central module is further configured to notify a portable device that the at least one sensor has been tampered with.

Communications are established between a base station and a mobile unit. The mobile unit analyzes the content of at least some information received from the base station relating to neighboring cells. When the analyzing indicates that the base station is a cloned base station, a warning is initiated to the user.

Communications are established between a base station and a mobile unit. The mobile unit analyzes the content of at least some information received from the base station relating to neighboring cells. When the analyzing indicates that the base station is a cloned base station, a warning is initiated to the user.

Some embodiments are directed to a method of identifying a vehicle-borne transmitter emitting an interfering signal over a predefined frequency band. The method comprises monitoring the predefined frequency band at a first location to identify an emission of an interfering signal from a passing vehicle. If an interfering signal is detected, the method further comprises capturing a first image of the passing vehicle to enable an identity of the passing vehicle to be determined.

A vehicle alarm system comprising a primary device and at least one secondary device. The primary device is adapted to be connected to the vehicle and the secondary device is adapted to not be connected to the vehicle but adapted to be arranged in the vehicle, wherein the secondary device is adapted to take the role of the primary device if the primary device is disabled or removed from the vehicle.

Communications are established between a base station and a mobile unit. The mobile unit analyzes the content of at least some information received from the base station relating to neighboring cells. When the analyzing indicates that the base station is a cloned base station, a warning is initiated to the user.

The invention concerns a vehicle tracking network including a plurality of subscriber vehicles and a control-center; and systems and methods for tracking vehicles, which are subscribers to such vehicle tracking network. In certain implementations, the method for tracking a subscriber vehicle includes the following operations carried out at the subscriber vehicle: monitoring operation of one or more services related to at least one of a wireless network communication service and positioning service associated with the subscriber vehicle; upon detecting a failure in at least one of said services, generating a corresponding distress signal encoded to be identifiable by other subscriber vehicle(s) of the vehicle tracking network; and broadcasting the encoded distress signal such that it is detectable by one or more of the other subscriber vehicles of the vehicle tracking network, which are located in the vicinity of the subscriber vehicle broadcasting the distress signal. Another subscriber vehicle(s), which receive the distress signal, may thereby initiate automatic notification of the condition of the vehicle broadcasting the distress signal to the control center.