Measuring the distance between devices

摘要

First and second devices having clocks which may have different clock rates. Obtaining a measure of the distance of propagation of a signal passing between the devices involves transmitting a first signal 12 from the first device to the second device. After a turnaround time TAT, a second signal 14 is transmitted from the second device to the first device. Any error in the clocks may lead to an error in the measurement of the turnaround time TAT. One device contains circuitry to calculate the ratio of the clock rates of the first and second devices, either by adjusting frequency divider ratios until there is LO frequency match, or by determining the offset frequency of an envelope of a mixed signal. The ratio of the clock rates is used to compensate the turnaround time TAT, to mitigate error. The accurate distance measurement can be used to determine if a relay attack has taken place in a vehicle security system.