Smart Handle

The Smart Handle (1) consist of a resistive membrane lock switch (3) which allows the user to actively lock the vehicle. The capacitive switch (2) senses a hand approaching the handle pull to passively unlock the vehicle. The Hall-effect switch (4) senses handle pull movement, a magnet (5) in the cap acts against the hall effect switch. An adaptation algorithm in the logic circuit of each handle can modify the sensitivity of the capacitive switches as well as system responses to the Hall-effect switch inputs to compensate for sensed repeated or continuous actuations.

The Smart Handle has a "play protection", In the event that seven (7) handle activations are made (in a row) where no valid FOB is found, the RFH will stop waking the vehicle on detection of a smart door handle and wait until a FOB is detected. After six hundred (600) wakeups where no FOB is found, the RFH will stop waking the vehicle until a smart door handle is pulled. Near the cap on the Smart Door Handle is a hall switch and a magnet in the cap, when the handle is pulled the circuit is closed and the RHF will send the signal to wake the system. In the event that the magnet or circuit is defective, the system may not see the handle activation and render the PE on that door inoperative. The smart door handle provides an error status. The error status generally means a switch is stuck. Any status with an error shall be ignored by the component handling door handles. The handle pulled status is only used to wake a sleeping door handle.

Each of the PE outside smart door or tailgate handle are powered by and provide a direct input to the Integrated Circuit (IC) of that handle. The IC of each PE outside door handle receives power from the RFH on a signal circuit, and a clean ground from the RFH on a return circuit. The PE handle IC and the RFH communicate with each other by modulating the current in the signal circuit.

The inputs from those three switches and the handle logic circuit allow each handle to send the RFH up to four different signals: Unlock Request, Hall, Lock Request and Error. The RFH determines the system response based upon the inputs it receives from each handle as well as the inputs it receives through the authentication process with each detected key fob.

The RFH detects the vicinity of the key to the vehicle through the vehicles various LF antennas. The key recognition and authentication stage begins when the vehicle user brings their hand towards the inside of the handle. At that moment, the RFH reads the Key Identification (KEY-ID) and the secret code stored in it. If the RFH identifies it as the key encoded in its memory, it sends the request to unlock the doors or the driver door only (depending on the setting in the customer programmable options menu) to the BCM.

The smart handle provides the status for the unlock sensor, the lock sensor, the handle pull status and an error status to the RFH.

The tactile switches are serviced separately from the smart handle.