My HTC Diamond is supposed to have eGPS which should facilitate quick acquisition of position. I also read that with eGPS one should get a fix indoors.
However, I'm finding that my regular Garmin navigator (an eTrex Vista HCx) gives me faster acquisition times. And works better in the home.
So is eGPS an over-hyped gimmick? Or do I have to do something to get it to work? Or must the local cellular network be upgraded to support it?
Please help.
Google maps uses it by default on my device.
The Diamond has AGPS not EGPS
Diamand has AGPS not EGPS
Alfredos said:
The Diamond has AGPS not eGPS
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. So the Diamond has AGPS which seems to be overhyped
Maybe my next phone will have eGPS ...
aGPS
what program are you using to get a gps fix? google maps gives me a fix pretty quick but tomtom takes longer... i think it i have google maps open in the background and then open tomtom i get faster/better reception...
JanDaMan said:
google maps gives me a fix pretty quick but tomtom takes longer...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you sure Google Maps isn't getting its fix quicker by virtue of it using triangulation of Tx towers, and not GPS from the outset?
Mathew
A GPS from what I understand means it downloads a "database" of some sort from the web and saves it to the phone, said "database" is a kind of location guide of where the GPS satellites are, thus enabling it to get a faster fix.
By default I think it updates itself every 7 days, don't know if you can change that never bothered to look, but i update mine manually probably sooner than that - maybe every 2 days or so.
Program on the phone is "Quick GPS" incase you hadn't run it yet.
Google maps is ridiculously slow in my opinion at getting a fix especially when i compare it to TomTom 7 which I'm running on the phone and it can get me a fix from cold boot to 8 Satellites or more in under 10 seconds, every time without fail.
Windows Live Search however is still slower than TomTom 7 but is quicker at getting a fix than Google maps in my experience, problem with Google Maps and Live Search I believe is although it may seem slow at getting your location it might not be, reason being is because it has to download the piece of map it needs for where you are, the time delay I believe is in it downloading the map and processing it to screen - not actually getting your position, I think it has your position quickly enough but it can't display it because it doesn't have that part of the map yet.... catch my drift.
- maybe I'm wrong on this one but thats my opinion.
Someone on here will probably disagree with most of the above, but there you go.... It probably explains this in the Phones Manual but I'm a typical arrogant male and refuse to read manuals...unless it's a Haynes Manual for my car which I read every night before I go to bed.
Happy Days!
.G.
#6: errr... that is eGPS!
The Diamond has AGPS not EGPS
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry mate, correct me if I'm wrong, Google maps tells me my position (it's not very very accourate indeed) without using gps data (for use gps data it asks me to check a specific option). Isn't EGPS the technology that gives u the posistion using GSM antennas ?
smogdragon said:
Sorry mate, correct me if I'm wrong, Google maps tells me my position (it's not very very accourate indeed) without using gps data (for use gps data it asks me to check a specific option). Isn't EGPS the technology that gives u the posistion using GSM antennas ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First Google maps is very fast to find position cause it uses GSM antennas. EGPS permit to use both GSM antennas + classic GPS. Diamond was to be eGPS but finally not. It is just A-GPS. But as mentionned before, if you want to get a fast fix with TOMTOM or iGO use Quick GPS before (take less than 10 second to download gps datas) then launch your gps soft it will fix in less than 15 seconds.
mike_sendrove said:
#6: errr... that is eGPS!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, the Diamond does not support eGPS.
Google Maps uses its own system which, for all intents and purposes, works in a very similar way - namely triangulation of transmitters cross-correlated with its own database of surveyed transmitter sites.
It is worth noting that eGPS is a trademarked term (owned by CSR) covering a very specific hardware implementation of transmitter triangulation - it is not the first nor only system to do this.
Mathew
MJNewton said:
Are you sure Google Maps isn't getting its fix quicker by virtue of it using triangulation of Tx towers, and not GPS from the outset?
Mathew
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no no i'm talking about the actual GPS fix is fast, not the approximate signal tower thing (which is instant)
When the Diamond and Touch Pro were initially unveiled they touted eGPS, why is it not included? If anyone doesn't believe me just look it up on google.
Related
I believe Kaiser rely on the Qualcomm chip for GPS. How is the performance. People say good thing about the SIRF III chip. How is the Kaiser GPS compare to the SIRF III? Anyone know?
welll in most cases built in gps arnt as reliable as the actuall thing... they are off sometimes
I guess it may depend on what you want/need to do with GPS.
If I turn it on and run Google Maps, it shows me right in the middle of my house, and that's where I am. If I move from one end of my house to another, I again appear in the right place.
To use GPS do we require to have gprs or 3g data activated.
Or is like integrated FM Radion which doesnt require data connection.
No -- there is a GPS receiver built into the unit that sends NMEA 0183 data over a serial port. You'll probably need map software; any software that works with WM6 and a Bluetooth GPS should do the job (e.g. TomTom 6).
I use Googlemaps and TOMTOM 6 with no problem.
I need to mention that I am a current HTC Trinity owner, and if IF if IF if IF the Kaiser has the same A-GPS chip found in the trinity, then this is what we should expect (from my experience with the Trinity)
1- Initial fix time can take long (sometimes it takes 2 minutes, sometimes 5 minutes, sometimes 10 minutes, and sometimes IT NEVER gets a fix and no GPS singal can be found)
2- Once the GPS get a fix, then it works perfectly and flawlessly.
So I only hope that the Kaiser will solve the initial fix problem.
Has it now "normal" GPS or the mobile Version AGPS
I guess you could upgrade your radio to 1.40+ and try again. They said there's a big improvement to GPS fix.
Talking about TTFF, if you are moving, or inside a building, I think it will take longer than usual to get a fix. I live in a really urban area, but once I stand still in an open area, I usually got fix in 2-3 minutes, without exception.
Someone did a test in the Trinity forum - the accuracy of the qualcomm chip is even better than that of the sirf-iii.
However, a major problem though is the lack of a software assisted gps problem that can improve the ttff time. (Though qualcomm said there's one, but until now it's still vapourware.)
ww2250 said:
I guess you could upgrade your radio to 1.40+ and try again. They said there's a big improvement to GPS fix.
Talking about TTFF, if you are moving, or inside a building, I think it will take longer than usual to get a fix. I live in a really urban area, but once I stand still in an open area, I usually got fix in 2-3 minutes, without exception.
Someone did a test in the Trinity forum - the accuracy of the qualcomm chip is even better than that of the sirf-iii.
However, a major problem though is the lack of a software assisted gps problem that can improve the ttff time. (Though qualcomm said there's one, but until now it's still vapourware.)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I also have the Trinity and can back up the above comments. I have a Sirf III device as well and apart from the Time To First Fix being quicker there is no noticeable difference between the two - both very accurate and don't lose their fixes.
TheEngineer0815 said:
Has it now "normal" GPS or the mobile Version AGPS
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You might find this interesting: http://mobilitysite.com/2007/08/assisted-gps/
Gordon
GordonTGopher said:
You might find this interesting: http://mobilitysite.com/2007/08/assisted-gps/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Really interesting. The author of this article think that the Kaiser will have a Sirf-III. Now I think for the first time, we got a device with 2 GPS, a dedicated Sirf-III GPS chip together with a Qualcom integrated GPS.
I would imagine it will greatly increase the accuracy as well as the TTFF
Oh, wait, HTC might disable the Qualcom GPS, and just use the Sirf-III. See what they did to Hermes
Does anyone know how to start the gPS on the Kaiser - I bought one ...but don`t know how to start !
I've read so many posts, you'd think I could get this to work.
I've run the QuickGPS that comes w/ my AT&T Tilt. It shows a download time and that it's valid for a little over 6 days from now.
When I run Google Maps, and try Track Location, I get the standard error message that says my GPS receiver is not responding.
Anyone have any thoughts/pointers?
thx
Robert
did you go into settings and change the GPS settings?
Wait. I just found another thread that says I need to run something besides QuickGPS to get Google Maps to work.
I'm confused. I need to run (i) QuickGPS, (ii) another application (such as GPS Test or GPS Viewer), AND (iii) google maps?
Or, do I just need to run (ii) and (III)?
thx
Robert
McHale said:
did you go into settings and change the GPS settings?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes. ONe of the first things I did.
Com 4, 4800 baud.
R
rmcalhany said:
Wait. I just found another thread that says I need to run something besides QuickGPS to get Google Maps to work.
I'm confused. I need to run (i) QuickGPS, (ii) another application (such as GPS Test or GPS Viewer), AND (iii) google maps?
Or, do I just need to run (ii) and (III)?
thx
Robert
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In theory, it should work with only (i) and (iii). However, in practice, it seems people (including me) only have success if you do (i), (ii), and (iii).
E.g. Run something like Windows Live, get the Satellite fix, then run Google Maps. I know its cumbersome, but it seems that Google Maps' tolerance for waiting for a sat signal is too short. And since all other progs work with the GPS without such actions, I'd say its a Google Maps issue, not a Kaiser one.
I have never had a problem?
I feel like i am missing something...I have Tom Tom, and google maps, and have never done anything except run them? Works flawlessly for me, are you guys running htc rom?
rmcalhany said:
Yes. ONe of the first things I did.
Com 4, 4800 baud.
R
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've seen elsewhere that some people that have changed their GPS settings on the Kaiser/Tilt have needed to hard-reset to get the GPS to work again.
So, I would suggest doing a hard-reset and be sure to just not touch any GPS settings following that.
You DON'T need to run any other 3rd party apps to enable your GPS or anything of that sort. Just install Google Maps and go outside to test it. It could take up to a minute to get a signal. It's also possible you might get the error you previously mentioned, the first time you open Google Maps. Just click "retry", and that should do it.
Give that a shot and report back.
I used TomTom last night (I downloaded the free Chicago map but don't live anywhere near Chicago) and it truly is a slick app.
BUT
I use Windows Live all the time with it and am very very impressed how it works. I don't have the Google app loaded so can't comment on it specifically.
But I was having issues with QuickGPS and had to hard reset to fix it.
-Mc
It all depends on your location and how quick your unit finds the satellites. GOogle Maps has a very short timeout allowance. So, yes, sometimes, retrying over and over will work. Sometimes not. Running another program that has a higher timeout tolerance helps in those situations. E.g. I was in Portland this week and with the heavy cloud cover and rain, it took about 2.5 min for it to get a fix. Thus Google kept timing out. So, I switched to Live which waited and waited and waited, and then when it had the fix, worked nicely. I could then stop Live and switch to GoogleMaps and it would work nicely.
Yes, it is a problem with Google Maps apparently
It has a very short timeout to get satellite fix.
This is getting frustrating. Maybe I'm just an idiot. I installed Windows Live and configured it to Com 4. I then had Live "center on GPS" and instead of Palo Alto where I am now, it shows me in Oakland. When I switch to Google Maps, I still get the timeout error.
Arrrgh.
Guess I should try GPS Viewer or something instead of Windows Live?
Robert
Yes, try GPS Viewer to see the number of sats you are receiving.
RemE said:
Yes, try GPS Viewer to see the number of sats you are receiving.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well. Downloaded GPS Test (not GPS Viewer) and it shows about 3 satellites (usually 2 are green, 1 yellow). At the minimum, I have one yellow bar. I'm on the 6th floor with a large window that I can see a HUGE amount of sky out of. So I'm kind of disappointed. (Well, now I show no satellites).
It's been indicating "GPS Starting up" for over 3 minutes.
Google Maps still won't get GPS to work
Anyone have any idea what's going on?
Robert
i had alot of google map problems also. after setting to com 4 and 4800 baud go outside and try the track location feature. also it helps if its not too cloudy. Most of the times I was testing it I was inside the house which didnt work.
FYI. GPS Viewer has the following error on my device:
java.lang.NoClassDefFoundError
Robert
... and where do I find GPS Viewer? As far as I can tell, it is not on my phone..?
You need to download it, search the forum. there is a link to the site/file somewhere
found another cool one, free http://www.visualgps.net/VisualGPSce/
Just a followup. I downloaded GPSViewer from another site. It works. And now Google Maps works.
Evidently GPS Test just wasn't enough by itself.
Thanks all.
Robert
Strangely I have the opposite problem, GPSViewer can never get a satellite lock, I can leave it for minutes and nothing, but load up Google Maps and within seconds... there I am.... :-D
Now please no groaning when you see this topic. I know the GPS has been hammered to death on these forums; this post is my vein attempt to see if one particular area of interest of mine has at all moved forward.
(let's also side-step the whole "does your GPS lag?" issue here too!)
(..and, for clarify, I'm referring to AGPS as in the use of the mobile phone network to 'assist' positioning by use of triangulation in areas of poor/no GPS reception, and NOT the use of QuickGPS to download current sat. info in an attempt to get a quicker initial fix)
I used to use TomTom Navigator v7.450; it worked (of a fashion! ) although one specific thing that never worked was that whenever AGPS was enabled (using AdvancedConfig or similar) TomTom would get a signal and then immediately drop it again.. on/off on/off etc.. the fix being to disable AGPS.
I must admit I'm suspicious about HTC having their stock ROMs with AGPS disabled by default - especially as this was initially a 'selling point' of the device and part of the sales blurb ("not only does it have GPS but really good GPS using AGPS".. oh the irony!) - have they themselves ever got it to work?!?!
Now TomTom Navigator v7.910 is out (have just installed it myself, currently waiting for an updated map to download). I have seen it muted that this now works with AGPS on the Diamond or maybe the Pro (ie. someone reports the above bug, yet claims it now works having moved to v7.910). Can anyone else confirm this? More importantly, can anyone confirm AGPS has given the Diamond any GPS-related benefit what-so-ever?? (ie. great if it doesn't stop TomTom working anymore, but does it actually improve it like it should?).
I'll of course try it out myself later today or over the weekend and report back.
Hope this makes sense.. cheers.
just tried TomTom 7.910 (9185) with AGPS enabled, and cant say i noticed much difference.
seems the same now with it enable or dissabled. Cant be sure tho, havent done a long journey yet.
Will update later/tomorrow.
mugglesquop said:
just tried TomTom 7.910 (9185) with AGPS enabled, and cant say i noticed much difference.
seems the same now with it enable or disabled. Cant be sure tho, haven't done a long journey yet.
Will update later/tomorrow.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for taking the time etc.
Interesting, because..
I've just taken a wonder outside and found I'm still getting the signal constantly being lost bug (looking at the screen that shows the sat. bars I have a good signal for a few seconds, then this goes and 'No GPS device' is displayed, then good signal back again and so on).
On this Diamond I'm using ROM 1.93.401.2 the the supplied radio (1.0.25.05), as I suspected this 'improvement' (potentially) noticed by you/others is more likely a result of a ROM/radio update and not a TomTom software update (guessing this AGPS bug isn't the first thing you try after flashing is it?).
Hmm..
nb. I'm using the exact same version/build of TomTom as you
hmmm... yeh, i'm going on a 60+ mile journey later, so will have a play.
Using Dutty's 3.4 ROM and Radio is BS14...
I thought that the whole point of AGPS is so you could help you get a GPS fix when indoors. Which I always thought was an unusual selling point when the entire purpose of GPS software is to help you find your way in the outdoors. Perhaps it could be more useful for those new tagging services that are popping up.
Anyhow I've been running a fairly recent version of iGo8 using Dutty's Rom 3.3 and 3.4 (both with that new radio).
With AGPS turned off, GPS signal is quickly attained and holds strong outdoors. Nothing indoors, naturally.
With AGPS turned on (via Duttys "AGPS Settings" utility), GPS signal is as quickly attained and flickers fully on then fully off, repeating constantly. When indoors, nothing at all.
So, with iGo8, AGPS seems to be a non-runner.
By the way, I once read that AGPS has to be configured to your particular mobile provider. Perhaps that's the issue?
Same here, with a-gps enabled signal drops constantly
after my journey yesterday, had the same problems as above.
tried with TomTom 7 and iGo8
I've never had any problems with GPS apart from slow getting a moving fix when the unit is physically very hot.
The main benefit of AGPS for me is that you can get your location on Google Maps within 1500m or so without enabling GPS.
It also proves A-GPS works.
ben cole said:
I've never had any problems with GPS apart from slow getting a moving fix when the unit is physically very hot.
The main benefit of AGPS for me is that you can get your location on Google Maps within 1500m or so without enabling GPS.
It also proves A-GPS works.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm, I think this is thanks to googles effort, not AGPS... Google uses Google Gears API which can position you by using basestations and SSIDs.
AGPS is correcting/updating the GPS data with actual almanac data sent from you mobile provider...
Pitchb3nd said:
Same here, with a-gps enabled signal drops constantly
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same for me, anyone being able to use TomTom and AGPS without losing signal periodically?
ben cole said:
I've never had any problems with GPS apart from slow getting a moving fix when the unit is physically very hot.
The main benefit of AGPS for me is that you can get your location on Google Maps within 1500m or so without enabling GPS.
It also proves A-GPS works.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah Google Maps does this on its own without having AGPS enabled on the Diamond. I believe AGPS is supposed to be more accurate than 1000m - 1500m though.
Oh and I believe the way that Google Maps gets its position depends on your mobile provider. I used to get the message "your location is not available" constantly on my network but one day (simultaneously as the iPhone was released in my country), the location was available. So I believe that the network flicked a switch for this technology to work.
AGps and TomTom
Hi,
agps have need to run to:
1) Carrier to inform MobilePhone here is (Is a Base Station Issue)
2) Public information about position
On mobilephone if is enable i think is need to have different information, and tomtom have old pattern to process agps information.
With googlemaps have new process and can use.
With my diamond agps run (googlemaps)
Cityhunter71
Please, don't mix the Google technology and A-GPS. They have nothing in common.
Google maintains their own privately held database of GSM-cellids which GMM can query to determine your position based on the current cellid.
A-GPS is a technology where the GSM-basestation itself receives GPS-satellitedata and relays it to the device. With this additional data, the GPS-receiver in the device is supposed to achieve a faster fix.
Have fun!
a-gps works with 7.450
i remember once that it was taking forever for the satelites to be found yet is was updating my postion on the map constantly via a-gps (which im sure was enabled by default in stock rom as ive never changed it)
a-gps is useful inside because you usually have your phone with you and to find a route, you need gps
Apologies for my erroneous post.
I realised my error today when I installed Google Maps on an ageing Blackberry I had unlocked to play with.
Started it up and lo and behold there was my location....thought I'd better head back here to suffer my shame ...LOL
Thanks for the input guys.
So - in summary:
Even with later ROMS / radios / software applications, there is still yet to be seen any benefit from the Diamond (theoretically) having an A-GPS capability.
RUBBISH!!
I personally subscribe to the theory that there is a missing link between the A-GPS driver type software and an info feed from the likes of the network operator, ie. it's all very well it picking up info on the network but without a back-end database to translate this it's useless.
As far as purpose goes.. I personally think A-GPS sounds on paper to be a great idea. Not a replacement for GPS, nor to be used exclusively indoors, but a good aid/starting point. For example, if I'm sitting in an unfamiliar office in London and wanted to use TomTom to navigate me a route to where I want to get to, A-GPS could provide TomTom with a rough starting point. Similarly, I often find myself launch a nav program (when I'm lost!) and standing there for up to 5 mins waiting for a fix.. at least this would give me an approximation from which I could probably work out myself where I was from looking around me. In my mind when you first fire up TomTom on the Diamond A-GPS should simply put you in the right postcode and start doing its stuff while the GPS seeks out its signal, and not still show me as being either at Home or its last known destination. But in any event - it seems not to work!! Bugger!!
I thought that aGPS was also to help hold a GPS signal when in tunnels, canyons, heavy forest cover (ie.Redwoods in this area, many tower to well over 300 feet!) or any situation where the signal from the satellites may be impaired, or even blocked completely.
Im running Duttys 3.5 and with AGPS on I will get a signal for 10 seconds, then it goes for a second, then back for 10. then gone. Turned AGPS off and all is well.
I can confirm that AGPS does work, some parts here in Finland it works and someplaces it does that on off thingy. once when I was just playing with my tomtom it got signal where it would never get it without it. but mostly here it doesnt work properly so i disable it.
But in Helsinki (larger city) it works properly and helps getting signal fast beneath tall buildings.
But yeah it doesnt work in my hometown so its kinda rubbish here.
Maybe it has something to do with how new are nearby cell towers or something. dunno
In Trondheim, Norway it worked with Telenor and gave me a signal indoors, but when I use it together with TomTom the signal gets lost periodicly, really really annoying since "everything" is already there. Probably just something with the co-operation with the regular GPS or something?
I think i got it to run.
I use tt7.910 on diamond with htc 1.93 dutch rom
My mobile provider is mobistar.
I can get a lock inside, tough it's slow(ie not as fast as outside).
When I fire up tt7 the almanac data is showing in the satelite screen.
reg settings are:
Code:
GPRSConnection: Orange World
GpsMode: 4
Network: Orange World
ServerIP: 194.51.71.138
ServerPort: 7275
ServerUrl: agps.orange.fr
anyone know of a program that only uses the AGPS on the kaiser? ( like how the GPS on the iPhone works or how google maps gets you location) it would be nice to have the option to use the AGPS on its own to save some battery life and have a faster fix since the fix times suck on WM6.1
Thanks guys and gals
might want to try the program KaiserTweak, i thought it has the option to activate A-GPS only.. but im not sure...
i dont know if it would work with TomTom or any other prog that normally uses GPS though..
what iphone 2g use is not agps
agps is an extention of normal gps
it's not the term used for pinpointing ones
location by requesting the gsm network
What you're referring to in google maps is Cell ID positioning, and that's what the 2G iphone uses.
As said, the AGPS as we have it on the Kaiser only refers to the ability to download satellite position data from the web via QuickGPS and thus enabling faster times to first fix, and having a "guesstimating" algorithm that will try to continue giving you a position when sat coverage is too low to get a real one.
The GPS on the 3G iphone also is a "real" GPS receiver that draws power, however while the Kaiser can get satellite path info from the sats if the online data is not available or outdated, only slower, the one in the iphone can ONLY get it online, thus rendering the GPS useless if there's no network coverage. Dead stupid IMO.
got it, thanks for the explination
kilrah said:
The GPS on the 3G iphone also is a "real" GPS receiver that draws power, however while the Kaiser can get satellite path info from the sats if the online data is not available or outdated, only slower, the one in the iphone can ONLY get it online, thus rendering the GPS useless if there's no network coverage. Dead stupid IMO.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dead wrong, sir. Read here:
http://arstechnica.com/journals/app...-the-iphones-gps-without-a-network-connection
http://www.autonavigationgps.com/using-the-iphones-gps-without-a-network-connection/
Do some research before you make statements with big capital letters that make it seem like you know what you're talking about.
I have both phones, I know that the iPhone 3G's GPS unit will work without a data connection, it just takes five minutes or so. Kind of like the GPS on my Tilt if I don't use Quick GPS first.
dzelaya18 said:
Do some research before you make statements with big capital letters that make it seem like you know what you're talking about.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, Sorry for that. I however DID research, and the source I got that info from stated it clearly enough here:
A typical A-GPS-enabled cell phone will use a data connection (internet, or other) to contact the assistance server. Alternatively, it may use standard non-assisted GPS, which is slower and less accurate, but does not lead to network charges for data traffic, which can be considerable.[3] Some A-GPS solutions do not have the option of falling back to conventional GPS (as with the new iPhone 3G).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Seems I just fell into my first "Wikipedia is wrong" occurrence
No problem mate. With no data connection, it's about as slow as using my Tilt with Quick GPS. Which is to say, super slow. And just like my Tilt with Live Search or Google Maps, even getting the fix doesn't do much good unless you've got the maps cached into memory.
EDIT: I meant to say, "...about as slow as using my Tilt without Quick GPS."
I'm a .NET developer and I had a Tilt (Kaiser) before getting a Fuze (Raphael). GPS issues were always ridiculous. Sometimes I'd get it quickly, sometimes it would take 20 minutes. (Very annoying when you need to drive somewhere fast and the GPS doesn't want to work right.)
GPS ID stands for GPS Intermediate Driver
What this is (added in Windows Mobile 5.0) is to use Windows to ask information about the GPS device, not accessing the GPS device itself. Utilizing the COMM port will lock the COMM port for access. This was a problem so Microsoft made the driver for developers to use. Google Maps uses this driver while in TomTom you have to manually select the COMM port.
Having Windows to read the COMM port keeps it open for other applications to use. It's also faster since it's working as a device driver to the GPS hardware. I'm not sure if HTC updates the driver but the driver takes care of calculating speed, altitude, latitude, longitude, etc as well as parsing the NMEA information.
I've seen a lot of different tools all opening the COMM port directly and as a developer, you shouldn't be doing this, not unless you're using PPC2003. I believe (and this could be just wishful thinking) that GPSID is faster at getting a fix than COMM based. I could be wrong, but that's where you guys can help.
So here's a simple GPSID based GPS Tool. Include the Microsoft written DLL (Microsoft.WindowsMobile.Samples.Location.dll) with the executable.
Maybe I can make a simple application to stay keep the GPS open in the background and if you run it again, a message box appears saying "GPS is closed" or something (like S2U2) does.
Suggestions welcome.
(Link soon---bug testing)
Downloads
GPSTool v0.01
--------------
First release
GPSToolPro v.0.02
-----------------
Changed name
Added Satellite info
GPSToolPro v.0.03
-----------------
Changed from VB.NET to C#
Added code to obtain cell tower information from RIL (Radio Information Layer)
Query Google for GPS position of cell tower and report to user
It does run and report correctly. Not sure if it helped with the quick fix though.
It really needs signal strength bars. The direction I'm facing and angle I hold my phone makes a difference, without bars I don't know if I'll be standing there forever or if I just need to wait a bit longer...
I will try this, currently i use GPS Tool. But yes i do need the bars as those are vital informations.
But what are bars?
Bars are simply graphical representation of %.
If you want the percentage, you take the SatelliteCount and divide that by SatellitesInViewCount * 100
SatelliteCount is the number of satellites locked on to.
SatellitesInViewCount is the number of the satellites that the device is seeing.
I'll make it prettier. Hopefully I can find something that can get a power usage rating and see how much mW are being sucked up by GPS
Edit: Oh wait, I see what you mean. You mean signal strength per satellite. There's something in the API about that. I'll work on that.
Edit2: Okay, got it. Per satellite I have Azimuth, Elevation and Signal Strength
Glad you understand about bars & signal strength. This does launch faster than GPSTest and VisualGPSce, so that's nice.
Okay, i put v0.02
I also renamed the application to GPSToolPro.
The satellite info is Azimuth, Elevation, Signal %
I also added Heading and cleaned up the format slightly. Remember, this is really beta. After we get it working decently I'll pretty it up.
I think it's broken, i'm fixing that.
Edit: It's working now.
What's interesting is that i have A-GPS off and I'm getting 3 satellites in view from sitting in my kitchen and there are no windows nearby.
I'm guessing that means AGPS isn't off as we thought it was.
Edit2: I'm getting a GPS lock from inside my kitchen. I'm looking at the elevation values. I'm not sure what measurement it is but I have 46 and 11
Edit3: Okay, I understand Azimuth and Elevation now. It's strange but why am I getting signal inside if I have AGPS off. I'm turning it on and registry and trying it out.
I don't think it's AGPS, I think you're getting GPS signal. I'm pretty sure AGPS is completely disabled in NATF 4.1, requiring a CAB to re-enable it, and I get signal inside buildings... Signal strength GREATLY varies depending on which radio I'm using though.
RE .02 - it doesn't work on my device. Extracted on the PC, copied over via Mobile Device Center, it launches & runs for a couple seconds, then errors out. NullReferenceException
Hmm, I changed the refresh to 3 seconds and it hasn't quit yet. Maybe it doesn't like 1 second? - Update, I did a SR to see how quick it would lock, 1 second did not error, but the data values flicked on/off so fast I couldn't see them until they populated the upper right. Oh and the lock was pretty quick >30 seconds.
What do the three boxes represent? Is Left the current refresh, Upper Right the locked satellites?
On v.01 the elevation was not accurate, reporting 130' but really where I'm at is closer to 500'.
This seems pretty good so far.
I got a fix within seconds inside my living room on 5 sats. I also loaded VisualGPSCe to verify and it showed the same thing. I loaded up iGo and it showed a strong GPS signal and an accurate position.
Of course I also use GPS about 4 hours ago, so I'm not sure if that helped it any or not.
The real test is when you're nowhere near you were on the last lock. Otherwise (from what a senior member wrote), if it sees all the same satellites from the previous time it was on, the lock is pretty quick.
I think this leads to some people reporting constant 20 second locks vs several minute locks. If you never wander more than 20 miles, I'm guessing it still has the proper data stored.
pkley said:
The real test is when you're nowhere near you were on the last lock. Otherwise (from what a senior member wrote), if it sees all the same satellites from the previous time it was on, the lock is pretty quick.
I think this leads to some people reporting constant 20 second locks vs several minute locks. If you never wander more than 20 miles, I'm guessing it still has the proper data stored.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is called the GPS Almanac. The GPS information is stored in the "GPS Almanac" so when you start up the GPS again, it reads what's on the GPS Almanac and gets a fix faster. This is called a hot fix. When the GPS Almanac is out of date or the location is moved then it takes longer to get a fix. This is called a cold fix.
I've managed to use Google's servers as well as the cell phone's towerID to find the approximate longitude and latitude. I'm working on putting this information into the GPS Almanac and then turning on the GPS device. It might avoid ever having to do a cold fix.
It's not a cab, it's a zip. how do I install this, please?
paulyluca said:
It's not a cab, it's a zip. how do I install this, please?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just copy both files somewhere and run the exe.
I just stuck them in the same folder on my SD card and ran it from there.
Great work CLShortFuse,
So I tested it out outside on my deck (30 degrees out, so it warmed up!) and this is the info i got...
Running JUST google maps after a soft reset:
1 minute 22 secs and 9 satellite lock
GPSTest after a soft reset
29sec, 1.2HDOP, 3D, 8 Sat
GPSTool after a soft reset
31 sec, 10 sat and a lot of info that is beyond me
Looks like a good tool and i'm positive with time and work it'll be great!
-SCDavis
CLShortFuse said:
This is called the GPS Almanac. The GPS information is stored in the "GPS Almanac" so when you start up the GPS again, it reads what's on the GPS Almanac and gets a fix faster. This is called a hot fix. When the GPS Almanac is out of date or the location is moved then it takes longer to get a fix. This is called a cold fix.
I've managed to use Google's servers as well as the cell phone's towerID to find the approximate longitude and latitude. I'm working on putting this information into the GPS Almanac and then turning on the GPS device. It might avoid ever having to do a cold fix.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Now that would be the bomb!
Your software did not seem to get a lock quicker once I drove 30 miles away. Course neither did GPSTest...
So I installed GPSToolPro. It seems to be working.
A few questions.
1. How is this app different than GPSTest?
2. How do the two columns differ in the information they offer?
3. What is the practical value of the data for each satellite?
4. What is a reasonable Update interval?
5. When should this app be used?
Thanks.
It's still a work in progress. As of right now, no benefit. I've already managed to get an AGPS signal (something HTC didn't do for the device) but I'm still trying to send those coordinates to the GPS device. If I can do that, the GPS device won't have to cold fix anymore. Basically, if you have an internet connection you'll never have to cold fix anymore. Hot fixes in 30seconds or less. I have an idea of how to do it, but I haven't got around to playing with that.
I'll also try to add as many advanced functions as I can with the device including to completely power off the GPS device and not keep it on standby (shutting off GPS to any other applications in the background).
It's to be a truly complete diagnostic tool.
I know it's ugly right now I can work on the UI after I get the technical stuff working.
drjim said:
1. How is this app different than GPSTest?
2. How do the two columns differ in the information they offer?
3. What is the practical value of the data for each satellite?
4. What is a reasonable Update interval?
5. When should this app be used?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1) I haven't looked into GPSTest, so I don't know.
2) The top right is satellites in view and the bottom right is satellites locked onto.
3) The values are Azimuth, Elevation, Signal Strength
4) I keep it at 1 second but how often you want to refresh the GPSID information. Any value lower than the GPSID Poll frequency in the registry is pointless
5) Right now, just for seeing what's going on with the GPS. Hopefully in the future it'll have a more practical use (faster GPS fixes)
Thanks, CLSF. It sounds like it will develop into a useful tool.
While I have you, does the FUZE GPS use data from a data plan, i.e., does it get its info through the mobile provider's cellular system?
ps-uninstall
If I wanted to uninstall and wait for final product, how would I do that? I don't see it in my Programs or Remove Programs lists?
Thanks.
drjim said:
Thanks, CLSF. It sounds like it will develop into a useful tool.
While I have you, does the FUZE GPS use data from a data plan, i.e., does it get its info through the mobile provider's cellular system?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you disable AGPS from Start -> Settings -> System -> AGPS Settings, then the Fuze will not start a data connection to assist with navigating.
drjim said:
If I wanted to uninstall and wait for final product, how would I do that? I don't see it in my Programs or Remove Programs lists?
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It did not install. Just delete the files.