A remote entry system for a vehicle having passive and remote keyless entry functions

A vehicle communication system (11) mounted in the vehicle (10) and a portable fob (12) for carrying by a user are provided. The vehicle communication system (11) comprises a trigger generator (22), an LF transmitter (14) for broadcasting an LF wakeup signal (40,43), and an RF transmitter (16) for broadcasting a UHF status message including vehicle status data. The vehicle communication system (11) broadcasts a challenge signal (41,44) after the LF wakeup signal (40,43). The portable fob (12) comprises an LF receiver (37) responsive to the LF wakeup signal (40,43), a fob controller (30) for determining response data, and an RF transmitter (32) for broadcasting a UHF response signal (42,45) incorporating the response data. The portable fob (12) further comprises an RF receiver (35) for receiving the vehicle status data, a visual display (36) for visually reproducing the vehicle status data, and a manual input key (31) for activating the fob controller (30) to generate a remote control message. The RF transmitter (32) in the portable fob (12) broadcasts a UHF control signal incorporating the remote control message. The vehicle communication system (11) further comprises an RF receiver (15) responsive to the UHF control signal and a base controller (13) for initiating a corresponding remote control function in response to the UHF control signal.