Smart vehicle systems and control logic for enhanced remote key ranging security through range value batching

A non-transient, computer-readable medium storing instructions executable by a vehicle controller of a motor vehicle, the motor vehicle including a vehicle door assembly, a vehicle powertrain, and a remote keyless entry (RKE) system operable to control access to the vehicle door and/or activation of the vehicle powertrain, the instructions, when executed, causing the vehicle controller to perform operations comprising:

• connecting, via a radio frequency (RF) transceiver of the motor vehicle, the RKE system with a wireless-enabled portable electronic device (PED) of a user;
• receiving, from the wireless-enabled PED through the RF transceiver, a timeseries of wireless signals containing range data indicative of an estimated distance to the wireless-enabled PED;
• determining, using the range data, a range value for each wireless signal in the timeseries of wireless signals;
• sequentially adding a subset of the range values to a value batch;
• determining the value batch is full when a total number of the range values added to the value batch is equal to a predefined full batch value;
• processing, responsive to determining the value batch is full, the value batch to select a prescribed range value from the range values;
• determining the wireless-enabled PED is in range when the prescribed range value is less than a preset maximum allowable range;
• and
• enabling, responsive to determining the wireless-enabled PED is in range, the user to unlock the vehicle door assembly and/or start the vehicle powertrain.

A motor vehicle, comprising:

• a vehicle body;
• a plurality of road wheels attached to the vehicle body;
• a vehicle powertrain including a prime mover attached to the vehicle body and configured to drive at least one of the road wheels to thereby propel the motor vehicle;
• a vehicle door assembly movably attached to the vehicle body;
• and
• a remote keyless entry (RKE) system attached to the vehicle body and including a vehicle controller and a radio frequency (RF) transceiver, the vehicle controller programmed to:
• connect, via the RF transceiver, the RKE system with a wireless-enabled portable electronic device (PED) of a user;
• receive, from the wireless-enabled PED through the RF transceiver, a timeseries of wireless signals containing range data indicative of an estimated distance to the wireless-enabled PED;
• determine, using the range data, a range value for each wireless signal in the timeseries of wireless signals;
• sequentially add a subset of the range values to a value batch;
• determine the value batch is full when a total number of the range values added to the value batch is equal to a predefined full batch value;
• responsive to determining the value batch is full, process the value batch to select a prescribed range value from the range values;
• and
• responsive to a determination that the prescribed range value is less than a preset maximum allowable range, enable the user to unlock the vehicle door assembly and/or start the vehicle powertrain.