))) Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) based immobilizer systems help to curb auto theft and reduce insurance costs

))) DALLAS, TX (May 7, 1999)

Since 1995, when ignition immobilizers were becoming the standard for all vehicles sold in Europe, thefts of automobiles equipped with electronic immobilizers have decreased by 90%. Following this success, automobile manufacturers including Ford, Hyundai, Nissan, Lexus, and Toyota have been offering ignition immobilizer systems on many models sold throughout North America and Asia.

Now, the next generation of immobilizer, recently announced by
Texas Instrument's TI-RFid™, the largest supplier of RFID-based anti-theft systems to the automotive industry, will add the flexibility of Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) to its family of ignition immobilizers. Called Cryptographic Entry Transponders (CET), the system is the first of its kind to combine two previously separate elements (immobilizer and RKE) into one compact package.

How an immobilizer works

A typical immobilizer system consists of the engine control unit, a reader unit, and an antenna. The reader provides an energizing signal to the batteryless transponder embedded in the vehicle's ignition key, generates and transmits a random code to the transponder (key), verifies the response received from the transponder and reports the results to the engine control unit, which approves or denies engine ignition.

If the vehicle is equipped with Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) in addition to an immobilizer, the RKE controller in the key generates a new Ultra High Frequency (UHF) "Rolling Code" security code each time the push button is used to gain access to the vehicle. For immobilization, the transponder in the vehicle's ignition key encrypts the challenge received from the reader based on a security algorithm and a hidden encryption key (code). The result of this "Challenge-Response" encryption is then transmitted to the engine control unit for evaluation.

"Before the CET transponder, vehicles with both RKE and immobilizer systems required two independent designs to handle the different frequencies and security features each system required," said Michael Knebelkamp, automotive strategy manager for Texas Instruments'
TI-RFid™. "By combining the two elements of automotive security into one product design, automotive manufacturers stand to significantly reduce system costs."

The future of automotive immobilizers

Texas Instruments also plans the introduction of products for a true "keyless" entry system in the near future. This vehicle, without outside mechanical locks, will look for the driver's transponder, perhaps embedded in a plastic card carried in their wallet, and will then authorize the unlocking of the doors for driver and passenger entry. Future transponders could even learn a driver's profile ¾ where seating, climate control, and other adjustments would be made automatically based on the driver's preferences.

"Our ignition immobilizer transponders are the leading security technology in Europe, Asia, and now the United States," adds Knebelkamp. "With each new generation of immobilizer, automobile manufacturers gain more cost-effective options to combat theft and provide more customer convenience."