Auto keyless entry system

A modern car is equipped with various systems that prevent unauthorized access to the salon, as well as vehicle theft. Among these security features are signaling, as well as keyless access to the car.

As for the alarm devices, they are designed to scare off a thief or car thief. But if an attacker can disable it, then nothing will prevent him from hijacking the vehicle. The keyless system allows you not to use a regular key, both for the door and for the ignition, but do not rush to the conclusion that this system is able to protect the car from theft.

Let's consider what the peculiarity of this device is, how it works, and also what are its pros and cons.

What is a keyless entry system in a car

In short, the keyless entry system to the car is a device with which the vehicle recognizes the owner and does not allow outsiders to take over the vehicle.

The owner of the car keeps a special contactless key with him, which, using special signals, interacts with the control unit and identifies the owner of the car. As long as the smart key system key fob is within the range of the device, you can freely open the door and start the engine.

As soon as the person with the electronic key moves away from the car (in most cases this distance is up to three meters), starting the power unit becomes impossible and anti-theft protection is activated. However, in this case, the device must be connected to the immobilizer, and not just to the door locks.

Such devices can have their own blockers, or they can be integrated into immobilizer or sync with his work. On the market of modern security systems, you can buy various modifications of devices that work according to their own digital code, which in most cases cannot be hacked (for details on what devices hijackers can use for this, it is described separately).

Most of the reliable systems are already included in new models of the premium car segment, and are also offered by the automaker as an additional option for vehicles in the mid-price category and budget class.

The story of

The very idea of ​​keyless access to a car is not new, but it was decided to introduce it only about half a century ago. For example, some motorists during the Soviet Union attempted to install a start button instead of the ignition switch. However, this tuning did not provide vehicle protection. The button only reduced the number of keys in the binding. To open the car door, the driver had to use another key included in the kit.

Concept cars of those times were equipped with all kinds of developments that only demonstrated the manufacturer's vision of what a smart function could be to protect a car. The key issue that automakers were trying to solve was comfort and durability combined with auto protection. One of the earliest developments in this area was smart access, which was powered by fingerprint scanners or even a face recognition sensor, etc. While these innovations have shown sufficient reliability and stability, they were too expensive for most users.

A breakthrough in this respect became possible with the invention of a device that included a signal repeater and a key generating a floating (variable) electronic code. Each element of the device worked according to a pre-programmed algorithm, due to which a unique cipher was generated each time, but it could not be forged.

The first company to make this development a reality was Mercedes-Benz. The flagship S-class car (W220), produced from 1998 to 2005, received this system as standard. Its peculiarity was that the protection worked throughout the entire service life of the car.

The principle of operation of the keyless car access system

The smart key has a special block with a chip into which the algorithm for generating a separate access code is stitched. The repeater installed in the car also has an identical setting. It constantly broadcasts a signal to which the key card responds. As soon as the car owner is within the signal range, the key with the chip is paired with the device using a digital bridge.

At a certain radio frequency (determined by the system manufacturer), the control unit sends a request. Having received the code, the key block issues a digital answer. The device detects if the code is correct and deactivates the blocking set in the car's security system.

As soon as the smart key leaves the signal range, the control unit activates protection, but this function is not available in low-cost systems. It is not possible to falsify the electronic signal, since the key and the head unit are programmed for a certain operation algorithm. The answer from the key must come instantly, otherwise the system will recognize this as a hacking attempt and will not open the car.

What it consists of

The keyless entry device in most modifications has a standard set of elements. Differences are only in the signals that are sent by the repeater and the key, as well as in the principle of protection (only closes the locks or works together with the immobilizer).

Essential elements:

1. Key. There are a lot of options for this element. It can be a familiar key with a small block equipped with buttons. In another version - a keychain with knitted keys. There are also key cards. It all depends on the manufacturer: what design and layout he chooses for the device. This element has a microcircuit. It creates a code or decrypts a signal from a repeater. A floating code algorithm is used to provide maximum protection.
2. Antenna. This element is installed not only on the car, but also built into the key itself. One transmits the signal and the other receives it. The size and number of antennas depends on the device model. In more expensive cars, these elements are installed in the trunk, car doors and in the dashboard area. Some models of systems allow you to separately deactivate the lock on a specific side of the vehicle, for example, if you need to put things in the trunk, just go to it first, put your foot under the bumper, and the device will open the lid.
3. Door open / close sensors. They are needed in order to determine which function to activate. This function allows the device to independently determine where the smart key is (either outside or inside the car).
4. Control block. The main device processes the received signals and issues the appropriate command to the door locks or immobilizer.

Types of keyless systems

While a wide variety of keyless entry systems are offered to motorists, they all work on the same principle. Their transmitters and receivers use floating code. The main difference between all devices lies in the design of the key, as well as in which digital bridge it uses to communicate with the control unit.

The first systems in the keychain had a folding key that was held in reserve. Companies producing such devices in the late 90s - early 2000s were reinsured against failures in electrical systems. Today they are no longer produced, but there are still enough cars with similar key modifications in the secondary market.

The next generation of the keyless entry system is a small key fob that had to be applied to a special sensor before starting the engine. As soon as the codes have been synchronized, the car can be started.

If the system has a smart card, then it gives the driver even more freedom of action. He can keep it in his pocket, hand or purse. In this case, there is no need to carry out additional manipulations - just go to the car, open the already unlocked door, press the engine start button, and you can go.

Jaguar has developed another interesting modification. The key to the system is presented in the form of a fitness bracelet, with which almost every second user of modern gadgets walks with it. The device does not need batteries, and the case is made of waterproof material. This development excludes the possibility of losing the key (the hand will immediately feel the strap open), and it will be more difficult for a thief to determine what is acting as this key.

Installation of keyless entry

If the car is not equipped with keyless entry from the factory, the system can be installed in a specialized car service. There, specialists will advise on the subtleties of the work of the main modifications, as well as qualitatively connect all sensors and actuators. Such modernization of the vehicle makes it possible to abandon the usual key (if there is a Start / Stop button on the panel).

However, before using such a system, you need to consider a few nuances:

1. As reliable as the electronics are, you shouldn't keep your keys in your car. If the device fails (although this happens extremely rarely), the car can be opened with a regular key without breaking. By the way, how to open the car if the keys are inside is described in separate review.
2. The cost of the system is high, especially modifications that are associated with an immobilizer. If you are purchasing a new car, it is better that it is already equipped with keyless entry.

Advantages and disadvantages

Kessy, Smart key or other similar system have the following advantages over conventional security systems:

• The digital bridge cannot be hacked, since the algorithm by which the key works in tandem with the control unit is unique for each individual device, even if it is the same model.
• There is no need to remove the key from your pocket to deactivate the door lock. This is especially practical in combination with the automatic boot opening system. In this case, you can go to the trunk, hold your foot under the bumper, and the door will open on its own. It helps a lot when your hands are busy with heavy things.
• The devices can be installed on almost any car model.
• Together with the push-button start of the engine, starting the car has become much easier, especially if it is dark in the car.
• If the vehicle is equipped with an immobilizer, keyless entry can be synchronized with this security system.
• Some models of smart keys are equipped with a small screen that displays information about the state of the vehicle. More modern models are synchronized with smartphones, so that the car owner can get more extensive information about his car.

Despite the advantages of this system, it still has its drawbacks. One of the biggest is the ability to "steal" the signal. To do this, attackers work in pairs. One uses a repeater located near the car, and the other uses a similar device near the car owner. This hacking mechanism is called a fishing rod.

Although it cannot be used to steal a car (the control unit will stop recording the signal from the key at a certain moment), damage to vehicles can still be inflicted. For example, some burglars open a car to steal expensive equipment left behind by the driver. However, in order to use such a device, an attacker will spend a couple of thousand dollars, since a "fishing rod" is an expensive pleasure.

To be sure that the car cannot be stolen in this way, you need to make sure that the device works on the principle of an immobilizer, and not just like a regular alarm.

In addition to this problem, this system has other disadvantages:

• Sometimes the key is lost. In this case, you will need to contact the car dealer, as well as to a specialist who can reprogram the device so that it recognizes the duplicate as a native key. It costs a lot of money and takes a lot of time.
• Keeping the smart key always in sight can be stolen, which gives full control over the car to a stranger, so you need to be careful where the key fob is stored.
• So that if a card or key fob is lost, the car can still be used until the device is flashed under a new key, you can use a duplicate, which must be ordered immediately when buying a vehicle.

In conclusion, a few more nuances regarding the operation of the keyless entry system:

Questions and answers:

What is Keyless Entry? This is an electronic system that recognizes a unique signal from the key card (located at the owner of the car), and provides access to the car's interior without the need to turn on / off the alarm.

КHow does the keyless entry button work? The principle is the same as with alarms. The car owner presses the key fob button, the system recognizes a unique code and makes it possible to start the engine without the ignition key.

Why keyless entry may not work? Interference from a metal object or electronic device. The battery in the key fob has run out. Dirty car body, extreme weather conditions. The battery is discharged.