TRW Prepares Integrated Remote Keyless Entry and TMPS Receiver

Automotive safety systems manufacturer TRW Automotive recently announced that it is preparing to launch two new products on the market, namely an integrated Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) and Direct Tire Pressure Monitoring system (TPMS) receiver. The announcement came as the company has secured its first production contract with "a major Asian auto manufacturer."

"The integration of RKE and TPMS is another example of TRW's drive toward enhancing value and performance through electronics integration," Martin Thoone, vice president, Global Electronics Engineering, said in a release.

"This system simplifies the electronics architecture by eliminating the need for separate receivers for these two systems – we can maintain the performance characteristics while using less space and reducing system weight and wiring complexity, leading to lower material and assembly costs," added Thoone.

According to a company statement, there will be no discernible change to the RKE key fob layout or performance – the transmitted commands will be received by a single smart receiver/ECU that will process information from the RKE fobs and also the temperature and pressure signals sent from the transmitters located in the TPMS sensor units in each individual tire.

The integrated ECU decodes the signal to activate the lock/unlock function for vehicle doors and the trunk, and provides tire pressure warning information to the driver in the same way as conventional RKE and TPMS receivers.

The integrated system is anticipated to launch in 2012 for a 2013 Model Year vehicle.