Car anti-theft innovations continue, intelligent electronic solutions allow thieves to “look at the car and sigh”
chrispeng [ad_1]
For those who own a car, no one wants their beloved “car” to become the possession of car thieves. Therefore, while paying attention to car power and handling performance, safety and comfort, and diversified entertainment functions, consumers also pay more attention to the anti-theft ability of cars. In response to market demand, major automakers have continuously introduced innovative anti-theft technologies. The superior anti-theft function has become a powerful tool for auto manufacturers to participate in market competition, and has also become one of the main selling points of their products.
|
|
From the basic way of anti-theft, car anti-theft is divided into two basic categories: mechanical anti-theft and electronic anti-theft. Mechanical anti-theft is a relatively simple anti-theft method, such as the use of wheel locks, gear locks and steering wheel locks for anti-theft, mainly used in the aftermarket of automobiles. Electronic anti-theft originated from the Vehicle Anti-Theft System (VATS) introduced by GM in 1986. The principle of the system is to install an embedded resistor in the car key. The two fine wires are in contact with the internal resistance of the car key. The processing module of the anti-theft system reads the resistance value through the contacts and compares it with the preset fixed resistance value. If the two resistance values match, the engine is allowed to start. If it does not match, you can try to start the engine again only after 10 minutes, which has the effect of preventing theft.
The introduction of the VATS system has stimulated the demand for electronic anti-theft technology in the automotive industry. Due to its intelligent, safer and more convenient features, major car manufacturers have adopted electronic car anti-theft systems as standard configuration of their products, and are committed to continuous research and development of more advanced anti-theft technology to ensure that thieves are completely kept out of the car . The advancement of semiconductor technology makes it possible for car manufacturers to achieve this goal. Semiconductor manufacturers represented by NXP, Microchip, Freescale, TI, and Atmel have launched various new products and solutions in the field of car anti-theft to promote automobile security. Anti-theft systems move to a higher level.
Mainstream car anti-theft solutions
From the current mainstream models on the market, the main anti-theft methods include immobilizer engine (IMMO), remote control door lock (RKE), keyless entry (PKE), two-way smart key, infrared detection, airflow detection and GPS satellite positioning, etc., among which IMMO and RKE are the most widely used.
The engine anti-theft locking system is developed on the basis of the general VATS, and inherits the idea of VATS in the principle of anti-theft, that is, using the password of the chip in the key to match the password in the starter switch to control the starting of the engine to achieve the purpose of anti-theft. “IMMO mainly controls the engine through the engine control unit ECU. The whole solution includes low-frequency transceivers, MCUs, voltage regulators and communication interface chips (such as CAN, LIN transceivers).” NXP Semiconductors Automotive Electronics Greater China Senior Marketing Manager Zhang Jianchen pointed out, “Under the limitation of size, so many components need to be realized with a special circuit board, so we have launched a new generation of single-chip solution ABIC2, including LIN transceivers, voltage regulators and digital The logic unit realizes the single-chip remote ECU communication, and only needs three wires (Power, GND and LIN) to realize the IMMO function.”
The remote control door lock (RKE) technology is the most common application in the automotive field, and most of the models currently on the market from high-end to low-end have this function. The principle of this technology is to control the doors through the body control module BCM, which can be closed or opened by simply pressing the button on the key. With the development of technology, some mid-to-high-end models such as Cadillac STS, Ford Mondeo, and Peugeot 307 integrate this function with the engine immobilizer system. Zhang Jianchen said that in order to save the cost and space of keys, NXP took the lead in launching a single-chip solution that integrates IMMO and RKE. ) proven anti-theft security features and the convenience of a remote door lock,” he said.
The keyless entry system (PKE) is developed on the basis of RKE. As a new generation of anti-theft technology, it is gradually developing and growing. At present, it has gradually entered the mid-range car market from the high-end car market. Not only Mercedes-Benz, BMW and other high-end car manufacturers have widely adopted it. PKE, mid-size models like the Ford Mondeo, Nissan’s Teana, and the new Mazda have also embraced the technology. Zhang Jianchen explained that PKE is not a traditional key, but a smart key, similar to a smart card. When the driver steps into the designated area, the system will automatically open the door if it is a legally authorized driver. Once in the car, the driver only needs to press a button to activate the ignition. “As the first semiconductor manufacturer to mass-produce PKE solutions, NXP can currently provide a complete solution. The mainstream chip PCF7952 has the characteristics of high integration and low power consumption, and integrates all the functions of IMMO, RKE and PKE,” he introduced. road.
Two-way smart key is a more intelligent anti-theft technology, which realizes two-way communication function by adding RF module. However, due to the high cost, it will take time for a large-scale application in the market. The advantages of the two-way smart key are mainly in two aspects: one is that it is easier to use, and the owner can monitor the status of the car on the key through the LED or LCD display to confirm whether the car is locked and whether the engine is still running; another advantage is that The security is greatly enhanced. The traditional one-way key is at risk of being intercepted or attacked when transmitting signals to the car. When using the two-way solution, car manufacturers can use various encryption security algorithms to encrypt the transmission data between the key and the car.
 |
|
Fanie Duvenhage: Chip solutions in the field of car anti-theft will tend to be more general-purpose MCU devices and away from customized ASIC devices. |
For RKE and PKE applications, Microchip provides patented KEELOQ technology for code hopping transmission to lock or unlock the car. Fanie Duvenhage, product marketing manager for the company’s safety, microcontrollers and technology development group, said some systems transmit short, fixed-code messages to the car that can be easily captured and re-transmitted, and in some systems shorter messages , it is also easy for others to “guess” confidential information, which brings hidden dangers to security. “With our KEELOQ technology, each transmission is unique, and even if someone captures the transmitted information, it cannot be exploited because the next one will be completely different. And the information is long enough to be difficult for others to guess. .The KEELOQ system has great advantages from a safety, cost and ease-of-use standpoint.”
In order to improve security, TI launched a new generation of low-power PKE encryption transceiver solution DST+, which not only has the function of identification, but also verifies the accuracy of this identification. The number of authorized spare keys is stored in this system. , a date and time stamp of the learning process, and other background information that add to the security features of the transceiver. In addition, by integrating RFID devices, TI’s solution also achieves the function of keyless entry. The identification device carried by the driver contains one or more antennas connected to the RFID device, which can be used when the owner approaches or touches the door handle. Automatically recognizes the driver and unlocks the car.
In addition to continuous innovation and research in electronic locks, car anti-theft technology has been further developed to detect the opening of doors, the activities of people inside the car through various sensors, and even use acceleration sensors to detect whether the car is towed away. For example, the Porsche 911 is equipped with an infrared detector on the base of the rear-view mirror, which is specially designed to detect the internal wind and grass after the vehicle is locked; the Peugeot 307 is equipped with an ultrasonic sensor in the car to detect the air movement in the car. Once an abnormality occurs, the external alarm system connected to it will immediately start to alarm. “Most of the sensors and central control units in car anti-theft systems do their job with microcontrollers,” Duvenhage points out. “Programmable microcontrollers have the flexibility to allow every car and every system to be different, depending on what the designer wants to achieve, and we can offer customers a wide range of options in this area.”
In addition, more advanced anti-theft methods such as password locks, human body locks and GPS satellite positioning systems have also appeared in some high-end models. For example, the Citroen SUV Evasion needs to enter a password before each start, and the vehicle can only be started after confirmation. The owner can change the password at any time to prevent the password from being cracked; the human body lock uses the voice, fingerprints and other human biometrics as input. The password information is identified and controlled by the computer to unlock. At the same time, some car manufacturers combine GPS technology with GSM network to realize functions such as vehicle positioning, network anti-theft, remote ignition off and remote control of vehicles, which further enhances the anti-theft capability of cars.
Development Trend of Chip Solutions
What is the development trend of semiconductor devices in the field of automobile anti-theft? NXP’s Jianchen Zhang points out that the best way to predict the future is to imagine keyless systems as mediators between other technologies. “The size of a key or smart card limits the size and intelligence of its memory, but it always follows the driver, so its information resources and processing power can be shared using PDAs, cell phones, in-vehicle infotainment systems, and even the car itself, So as to provide more services and convenience for drivers.” He said that in order to achieve this goal, the integration of chip solutions will become higher and higher, and due to more interconnections, safety will also be improved. much attention.
Microchip’s Duvenhage said that from the perspective of development trends, customers are paying more attention to comfort. “PKE is starting to make its way into cars as evidenced by the fact that LCD displays are starting to appear on key fobs.” He expects IC solutions to move toward more general-purpose MCUs and away from custom ASIC devices. “The anti-theft systems of various car manufacturers are different, but due to the small demand, from the perspective of cost, it is difficult for semiconductor manufacturers to develop new chips for each customer.” Therefore, Microchip provides programmable devices for automotive electronics manufacturers. Rather than relying on semiconductor manufacturers to customize products for them, system manufacturers can program devices to meet their needs.
From the perspective of the challenges faced by the chip solution, safety and reliability are always the first pursuit of automobile anti-theft systems. Compared with mechanical anti-theft, electronic anti-theft systems are more advanced and complex, but they have a common weakness, that is, they may be cracked by thieves. To this end, chip manufacturers have spared no effort in developing more advanced encryption algorithms. For example, the KEELOQ patented technology developed by Microchip for RKE and PKE applications uses unique encryption technology to ensure that the information transmitted each time is completely different and long enough, while NXP Then upgrade the algorithm key from 48 bits to 96 bits.
In addition, in order to ensure that the key is still reliable under extreme conditions such as battery exhaustion and accidental falling into the water, NXP also introduced an LSP package, which encapsulates the Transponder’s low-frequency antenna inside the chip. “In the field of car anti-theft, our goal is to continuously introduce new products that meet future market needs around the mainstream anti-theft systems in the market. For example, in order to meet the more user-friendly needs of users, our Transponder can provide more storage space to help drivers. Use the key to record more car owner information, such as seat position, air conditioning and infotainment settings.” Zhang Jianchen revealed that in the future, NXP will also launch an NFC-integrated chip, which can realize the interconnection between the key and the mobile phone, which is the key to the function of the key. Further enrichment is possible.
[ad_2]
