Vehicle access system

1. An access unit configured to control access to a vehicle via communication with a further access unit, the access unit comprising:

a first transmitter configured to transmit a polling signal; and

a first receiver configured to receive an authentication signal from the further access unit in response to said polling signal;

wherein the first transmitter is a first ultra-wideband transmitter and the first receiver is a first ultra-wideband receiver;

wherein the first transmitter is configured to pulse the polling signal with a time interval between transmissions;

wherein the first transmitter is configured to:

increase the time interval between transmissions of the polling signal in response to an increase in a distance between the access unit and the further access unit; and

reduce the time interval between transmissions of the polling signal in response to a reduction in the distance between the access unit and the further access unit,

wherein the distance between the access unit and the further access unit is determined based on a time of flight of communications between the access unit and the further access unit, the first transmitter being configured to set the time interval in dependence on the determined distance;

wherein the further access unit comprises a controller configured to authenticate a response signal transmitted from the access unit in response to said authentication signal; and

wherein the controller is configured to initiate unlocking of at least one vehicle door when the distance between the access unit and the further access unit is less than or equal to a threshold range; and the controller is configured to initiate locking of at least one vehicle door when the distance between the access unit and the further access unit is greater than or equal to a threshold range.

2. The access unit of claim 1 , wherein the first transmitter is configured operatively to transmit the polling signal continually during an operating period to initiate communication between the access unit and the further access unit.

3. The access unit of claim 1 , wherein the access unit is a portable unit for communicating with a further access unit installed in a vehicle.

4. The access unit of claim 3 , wherein the first transmitter stops transmitting the polling signal if the access unit is stationary for a predetermined period of time.

5. The access unit of claim 4 , comprising a motion sensor for outputting an activation signal to start the first transmitter transmitting the polling signal when the access unit is moved.

6. A vehicle access system comprising the access unit of claim 1 in combination with a further access unit, wherein the further access unit comprises:

a second receiver configured to receive the polling signal from the access unit; and

a second transmitter configured to transmit an authentication signal;

wherein the second transmitter is operatively configured to transmit the authentication signal in response to the polling signal received from the access unit; and

wherein the second transmitter is a second ultra-wideband transmitter and the second receiver is a second ultra-wideband receiver.

7. The vehicle access system of claim 6 , wherein the controller is configured to:

determine a direction of the access unit in relation to the further access unit; and

initiate the unlocking of at least one vehicle door on a side of the vehicle proximal the access unit.

8. The vehicle access system of claim 6 , wherein the controller is configured to:

generate an alert signal if a vehicle door is partially or completely open.

9. A method of operating a vehicle access system, the method comprising:

transmitting a polling signal from an access unit;

transmitting an authentication signal from a further access unit upon receipt of said polling signal;

wherein the polling signal and the authentication signal are ultra-wideband signals;

wherein the polling signal is pulsed and a time interval is introduced between pulses, and the time interval is increased in response to an increase in a distance between the access unit and the further access unit, and reduced in response to a reduction in the distance between the access unit and the further access unit;

determining the distance between the access unit and the further access unit based on a time of flight of communications between the access unit and the further access unit; and

setting the time interval in dependence on the determined distance,

wherein the polling signal is transmitted continually during an operating period and contact between the access unit and the further access unit is initiated upon receipt of the polling signal by said further access unit, and

wherein at least one vehicle door is unlocked when the distance between the access unit and the further access unit is less than or equal to a threshold range, and wherein at least one vehicle door is locked when the distance between the access unit and the further access unit is greater than or equal to the threshold range.

10. A vehicle having the access unit of claim 1 .

11. A vehicle having the vehicle access system of claim 6 .