The automotive sector has come a lot ahead in the last 20-30 years and most cars now come with features that would have been unimaginable just about 40 years ago. Car phones were just about the only thing that most people could hope to have in their cars. But today, you will find your car to be loaded with features which use so many radio and wireless technologies that they can boggle your mind. Yet they have been built to be very seamless.
The concern is that as these systems have become so sophisticated, they have also become very sensitive. If they are not properly protected against RFI interference they will not be able to work properly. Even if your car may have come well protected from the factory, if you had an accident and the repair work was not done properly, RFI radio frequency interference may creep in and create problems with the smooth functioning of many systems. Here are some systems in these modern vehicles which may be impacted in case of RF noise leakage.
Key Systems that may be Impacted
The first and most important system that will be impacted due to RFI interference is the Engine Control Unit. There are many computer systems in modern vehicles, independently or collectively responsible for engine control, transmission, and other critical functions. All these communicate through electronic networks. RF interference can potentially disrupt these communications, leading to problems ranging from anywhere like bad fuel efficiency to major engine performance issues or malfunctions. In addition to this there are several systems in modern cars which rely on a system called Controller Area Network (CAN) bus.
This is a critical communication network in vehicles, connecting various electronic control units. RF interference can disrupt the communication on the CAN bus, potentially leading to communication errors and malfunctions. Along with the ECU, there are electronic stability control systems which ensure that your vehicle remains stable during challenging driving conditions. These systems rely on sensors and electronic components. RFI radio frequency interference can potentially impact the accuracy of sensor readings, affecting the performance of ESC.
Along with these systems, many modern cars come with a completely new set of systems called Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). This is made of collision avoidance systems, radar-based cruise control, and lane departure warning systems. They rely on precise radar and sensor data. RF interference can affect the accuracy of these systems, potentially leading to false alarms or impaired functionality.
Good to have Systems that may be Impacted
Modern cars also come with a new set of features which are not really mandatory for the vehicle to function properly but are more of a luxury and experience improvement for the people traveling in the car. Many of these rely on radio tech and are susceptible to RFI radio frequency interference. Among these are your remote keyless entry and go systems. They use radio frequency signals for communication between the key fob and the car. Interference can disrupt communication, leading to issues such as difficulty in unlocking or locking the vehicle doors.
Similarly, there can be issues with remote start functionality, trunk opening, or panic button operation. Most modern cars also come with built in Satnav systems which rely on GPS signals for positioning. If there is too much RFI interference near or around the GPS antenna, getting an accurate GPS lock may become very hard and vehicles may get misrouted. The same can be said about the infotainment systems of the car. They may get impacted because of RF noise.
Now cars are well shielded by companies against RF and EM interference when they come from the factory, but you need to be careful about maintaining them. Also remember to ensure proper shielding if you get your car repaired anywhere.
