Keyless Entry! a new security system

Overview

      Security is one of the things everybody is concerned about; no matter how precocious we are when installing sophisticated locks, it may be insufficient. Now, imagine a lock and key system which is immune to pick locks and the best part: it doesn't use a key!; installed in your home doors and in your cars. In this post I'll be writing about the keyless entry system available for your homes and cars; its history and how does it work. 

History of Keyless entry systems

      A keyless entry system also, technically termed as Remote Keyless System (RKS) is an electronic lock that controls access doors to buildings/vehicles without the need for a mechanical key.  Originally the notion of keyless entry hosted a keypad lock located near the driver's door, opened only by a preset password. These systems now have a hidden touch activated keypad, available on a few Ford vehicle models.

Ford Thunderbird 1980

      One of the first introductions was in 1980 on the Ford Thunderbird, Mercury Cougar, Lincoln Continental Mark VI, and Lincoln Town Car, which Ford called Keyless Entry System. It was a keypad on the driver-side exterior door above the door handle. Nissan offered the same technology on the Nissan Maxima and Nissan Fairlady beginning in 1984, essentially using the same approach as Ford, with the additional option of being able to roll the windows down and open the optional moonroof. 

 

      The remote keyless systems using a handheld transmitter first began appearing on the French made Renault Fuego in 1982, and as an option on several American Motors vehicles in 1983, including the Renault Alliance. The feature gained its first widespread availability in the U.S. on several General Motors vehicles in 1989. When it comes to Smart Key systems (which is the type of key you don’t have to take out of your pocket) the first systems appeared on the 1993 Chevrolet Corvette. They did not appear in Mercedes Benz cars until 1998.

 Basic functioning of a RKS and SKS

 Remote Keyless Systems:

     Keyless remotes contain a short-range radio transmitter, and must be within a certain range, usually 5–20 meters, of the car to work. When a button is pushed, these RKS emit a radio frequency wave modulated with a distinct digital identity code which is programmed by the manufacturers and the car unlocks/locks if and only if this unique code is matched by a receiver unit in the car. Most RKSs operate at a frequency of 315 MHz for North America-made cars and at 433.92 MHz for European, Japanese and Asian cars. The confirmation that the door has locked/unlocked is given by indicator blinks/lamp flashes/honking horns.

Smart Key Systems:

      SKS includes a proximity system which is triggered when the transponder car key is within the range of the car's sensor. Most of the smart key system cars, have an auto start/self start system in the vehicles without having to insert the key into the car.
      How good are these smart keys when it comes to anti-theft technology? Well, for one, they use the rolling codes. A computer inside the vehicle recognizes the rolling code projected by the smart key, and then verifies it before unlocking the vehicle or starting the engine. BMW's smart keys also use computer-encrypted microchips to ward off car thieves who want to exploit this technology. This way, no one can use just any smart key to open up your vehicle's doors or start its engine. The technology may be more advanced, but the effect is basically the same: your key matches your car but the only difference here is that, instead of a physical key, it uses a specific code which is matched with the vehicle.

        However, no matter how sophisticated and secure the system is, there will always be a loophole; these smart keys and the remote keyless systems are susceptible to hacking and there have been a couple of incidents associated with it. 

Other applications

Smart home locks

       These days, smart key systems are also being used to fortify houses and offices. The locks accommodated in homes or offices work on the same principles as that of a smart key system in vehicles except, they may use Bluetooth for a carrier wave and in addition to that they may also incorporate a bio-metric scanner as a key.

bio-metric scanning