Advanced Secure Ranging in Vehicle Access Using Radio Frequency Techniques

The Passive Entry and Passive Start (PEPS) system, widely used for vehicle access, traditionally relied on Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) as a metric to determine the proximity of a key fob to the vehicle. However, PEPS systems are vulnerable to relay attacks, where attackers relay signals between the vehicle and the key fob using narrowband amplifiers, bypassing encryption and reducing processing time. Traditional Low Frequency (LF, 125 kHz ISM band) and Radio Frequency (RF, <tex xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">$315 / 434 \text{MHz}$</tex> ISM band) vehicle access systems often lack robust cyber-secure communication mechanisms. Emerging technologies like Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and Ultra-Wideband (UWB) offer enhanced solutions, leveraging proximity-based authentication for automatic locking and unlocking of the vehicle doors. This research proposes a novel approach combining UWB and GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) for secure vehicle access. The system incorporates BLE to establish device authenticity and trigger secure ranging operations. By employing a multilateration technique with UWB and GNSS for distancebased ranging, the proposed solution ensures resistance to relay attacks. The practical implementation, inclusive of PCB assembly for the PEPS ECU, UWB anchors, Telematics Gateway Unit, and BLE key fob, validates the system's design and feasibility. The results underline the effectiveness of this integrated approach in addressing modern vehicular access challenges while setting a benchmark for secure and intelligent access systems.