Radio Key Entry Systems

The UK Non-Specific Short Range Device authorisations are suitable for use by
Radio Key Entry Systems. Typically, modern systems such as vehicle remote central
locking and immobilising, take advantage of the SRD allocation in the 433.05 to
434.79 MHz frequency band. There also exist some older systems that use the 418
MHz band, although no new Radio Activated Key Entry systems can be brought into
service from the end of 2007.
For successful communication, where wanted key signals are received and
unwanted signals are ignored, both the key transmitter and receiver equipment need
to work in harmony. Ofcom in allowing the use of key entry systems, make
Regulations that are designed to ensure that the relevant apparatus shall not cause
or contribute to any undue interference to any wireless telegraphy. Therefore,
Ofcom carefully regulates the key transmitter, but leaves the quality, or robustness,
of the receiving apparatus to manufacturers and ultimately consumer choice.
Though the need to ensure Radio Key Entry systems receivers are able to
discriminate the wanted from unwanted signals is well understood by most
manufacturers, there have been incidences where poor receiver selectivity has
resulted in the failure of the radio key entry system.
In the 1990s, when radio key entry systems started to be commonplace in most UK
vehicles, there was widespread agreement amongst the car industry, radio key
manufacturers, government and NGOs that there was a need for the provision of
more information to the public and vehicle manufacturers and scope for
improvements to transmitter and receiver design specifications. To this end the
Radio Activated Key Entry RAKE Committee was formed, to respond to the issue
and to suggest ways to mitigate problems.
The RAKE Committee report made a number of observations and recommendations.
Though somewhat dated, the findings of the RAKE Committee remain relevant to
date. The Rake Committee report, in its advice to vehicle manufacturers, makes
recommendations on Safety Features and General Features designed to help users
understand the limitations of Radio Activated Key Entry and to help consumers avoid
associated problems. This advice includes;
Radio keys should never be used as the sole means of activation for safety
critical applications and the use of radio keys should always be carefully
weighed against the convenience of operation.
In all applications where radio activation is used, any failure of or interference
to the communications link should result in the system remaining safe.
An alternative means of vehicle entry and mobilisation, which does not
compromise the vehicle security, should be provided.
Written advice should be provided to customers to the effect that ' ... since
this system operates by use of radio it is possible that it will be subject to
interference which may result in the system failing to operate in its normal
manner.
The full report of the RAKE Committee can be downloaded from the Ofcom Legacy
Regulator Archives for the Radiocommunications Agency.