Related
Some people might experience with certain GPS software.
If you look at the log of the NMEA log, you might realize that it burst out every 6-10 seconds. After that you might wait for another 6-10 sec, which is unusable for real-time navigation. If you happen to meet this trouble.
I have a way which could allow normal update intervals.
Install GPSGATE, it create virtual GPS COM PORT and re-route the NMEA data.
Install GPSGATE, just use the default settings, it create the virtual GPS port as COM 1.
Just use GPS software on COM 1 .
software url: http://franson.com/gpsgate/
Can anyone confirm this works? Ive noticed my GPS works the same way. Im using the Kaiser / TyTn II with Mapking and i notice that i also get my signbal ins bursts and NOT a smooth stream. Anyone know if this will resolve the problem?
What is the update intervals with GPSGATE ?
Do you mean GPSGATE must be run concurrently with the other software TomTom 6 for example ?
It would be a good workaround for people who encounter this GPS issue.
could this be some delicious spam?
How exactly does the OP propose that a user space application can make the hardware produce data in a smoother stream?
I call BS.
seems like BS to me too...Probably some spam Can anyone who has tried it out verify if it really works or not?..
THKS
You don't need to use other GPS software concurrently,
just use the GPSGATE and mapking will do.
Remember you have to modify the settings in mapking to use the virtual com port ( com1 default)
Not SPAM
I am not sure, this is BS.
If I am not mistaken the GPSGATE will act like a "router" (middle man) between the GPS hardware (Internal GPS of Kaiser) and the application (TomTom).
If the GPS hardware is faulty (having problem) with bursting data every 10 seconds, then the GPSGATE will also receive bursting data every 10 seconds.
So, that's useless as long as the problem is in the GPS hardware.
Gpsproxy should be able to do the same thing and its free.
GPSGate is a splitter, allowing using more than one application with the same NMEA stream. It creates another virtual GPS COM port, that's it.
GPS on the Kaiser works great and I'm on SatNav business. Aquisition time is fast, reception is great and update ratio is every 1 sec, just like any other civilian GPS receiver. GPS is NOT evaluated by the refresh rate you see on the screen, other software will give you other rate, try OZI Explorer for instance. I used Kaiser with TomTom, Destinator & Ozi, all works really great even comparing to Sirf III GPS chipset embedded devices such as Eten X500, HTC Artemis and Asus 535.
Last, Microsoft has included the same functionality of GPS Gate in WM5 and WM6 under settings. You do not need to install any additional SW, you can send "trueman 12345" (the guy who opened this thread with 2 posts history) your money directly.
Thanks RonenB for this very usefull precision !
Thanks as well RonenB, However, it does not solve the odd occasional pause in the data that we're seeing. Is this hardware or software that needs help in the Kaiser?
Actually I'm not so sure we have defined the problem accurately here.
Examining the signal from the GPS shows some interesting info.
1
A satellite is locked onto for perhaps only one or two seconds at a time.
2
Several satellites can achieve a lock but out of these a few will be lost every few seconds
3
New satellites are also acquired every few seconds.
The Result
If you are in the presence of many satellites then there is a constant dropping of some and locking onto others. This leads to no problems as there are always a few satellites locked on and data flow is smooth.
BUT
If you are in the presence of only say 2 or 3 satellites it is possible to drop these two or three (as indicated above), but no new ones are acquired. In this situation there will be a few seconds before the first 2 or 3 lock in again. Result a gap in data flow to your GPS software.
Meaning
The Internal GPS is not polling data in bursts. In other words you cannot turn up the frequency of data polling (possible baud rate adjustment maybe). The data is continuous but if there are too few satellites then there can be gaps where it drops some satellites and does not lock others.
There are various applications that can show this behaviour graphically but tomtom shows it well on the satellite view screen.
Compared to external GPS satellite locks this works in a strangely different way. You will see the bars jumping around from a lock on this one to that one continuously. Only a problem as I say when there are only a few satellites in sight.
Mike
PS - I cannot see the advantage of GPSGate in this particular situation as it is due to momentary periods when no satellite is detected.
Having said all of the above, I find the GPS perfectly adequate for general use. Perhaps if I need spot on plotting data then it might be weak. However if I need that unusual level of accuracy I would not use my phone to do it. I regularly use mine in place of my car's tomtom and the results are on a par with the full tomtom device.
mikechannon said:
Actually I'm not so sure we have defined the problem accurately here.
Examining the signal from the GPS shows some interesting info.
1
A satellite is locked onto for perhaps only one or two seconds at a time.
2
Several satellites can achieve a lock but out of these a few will be lost every few seconds
3
New satellites are also acquired every few seconds.
The Result
If you are in the presence of many satellites then there is a constant dropping of some and locking onto others. This leads to no problems as there are always a few satellites locked on and data flow is smooth.
BUT
If you are in the presence of only say 2 or 3 satellites it is possible to drop these two or three (as indicated above), but no new ones are acquired. In this situation there will be a few seconds before the first 2 or 3 lock in again. Result a gap in data flow to your GPS software.
Meaning
The Internal GPS is not polling data in bursts. In other words you cannot turn up the frequency of data polling (possible baud rate adjustment maybe). The data is continuous but if there are too few satellites then there can be gaps where it drops some satellites and does not lock others.
There are various applications that can show this behaviour graphically but tomtom shows it well on the satellite view screen.
Compared to external GPS satellite locks this works in a strangely different way. You will see the bars jumping around from a lock on this one to that one continuously. Only a problem as I say when there are only a few satellites in sight.
Mike
PS - I cannot see the advantage of GPSGate in this particular situation as it is due to momentary periods when no satellite is detected.
Having said all of the above, I find the GPS perfectly adequate for general use. Perhaps if I need spot on plotting data then it might be weak. However if I need that unusual level of accuracy I would not use my phone to do it. I regularly use mine in place of my car's tomtom and the results are on a par with the full tomtom device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, I believe that it is time to explain a little bit how GPS works.
The GPS satellites are transmitting their position rapidly. However, due to homeland security issues (US did not want to allow anyone to place a receiver in a jet fighter or a missile) civilian GPS receivers are limited to aquire position every 1 second only. This is not a problem for a normal user even for civilian aviation. Thus, when you look at the NMEA stream, you will see it coming in bursts and not as rapid as normal data. Since GPS strings are quite short, it is good enough for any navigation system.
Number of satellites aquired is not an indicator to anything. Like any RF system, the engineers can tweak the noise level so that it will look to you that you are receiving X amount of satellites, the signal is on the air anyway.
What is important though is the position of the satellites. the closer to the horizon, the less useable that satellite is to calulate the position. Therefore receivers are taking the best located satellites into account and ignoring others even of they are recieved. Valid fix (position) is aquired by at least 3 satellites for 2D (X,Y) and 4 or more for 3D (with elevation).
Result is that as a user, you should not bother too much looking into the stream or number of sattelite in use as long as you can get a valid fix. The important and effective elements are hidden from the user: number of transsistors in the GPS chipset, quality of antenna etc. User can just evaluate the overall preformance.
As I wrote above, the Kaiser integrated GPS surprised me for superb preformance. I just arrived this week from Israel to Germany and could get a fix as soon as I left the underground garage. I did not loose GPS signal even once since I started using the device. That includes forests and dence city centers. Real good job by HTC here.
This is the problem i am facing:
Im using MapKing with Hong Kong 2007 maps. Getting a fix is no problem. I can normally get a fix in about 10-15 secs. When i check the status page I will normally have a connection to 5-7 satelites.
The problem is that the icon does not move smoothly when i travel. In map king your position on the map is represented by a small car icon. It jumps from location to location every 3-5 secs but does not smoothly move along. Can someone please tell me if this is the case with tomtom as well? Maybe it a problem with mapking?
phame said:
This is the problem i am facing:
Im using MapKing with Hong Kong 2007 maps. Getting a fix is no problem. I can normally get a fix in about 10-15 secs. When i check the status page I will normally have a connection to 5-7 satelites.
The problem is that the icon does not move smoothly when i travel. In map king your position on the map is represented by a small car icon. It jumps from location to location every 3-5 secs but does not smoothly move along. Can someone please tell me if this is the case with tomtom as well? Maybe it a problem with mapking?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is a Mapking problem and you should contact their support. Does not happen to me with Destinator, TomTOm and Ozi.
Ok, there is no point to argue, if you really find yourself having problem with GPS update lag, then give it a try. No harm indeed...
In HK, there are people the validity of the work around. GPS proxy might also work as well( i think it is the same principal) just i wasn't aware of this good free software before hand..
http://www11.discuss.com.hk/viewthread.php?tid=5329804&extra=page=2
(u need an account and some chinese word knowledge)
trueman12345 said:
Ok, there is no point to argue, if you really find yourself having problem with GPS update lag, then give it a try. No harm indeed...
In HK, there are people the validity of the work around. GPS proxy might also work as well( i think it is the same principal) just i wasn't aware of this good free software before hand..
http://www11.discuss.com.hk/viewthread.php?tid=5329804&extra=page=2
(u need an account and some chinese word knowledge)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Quite agree it's worth trying, and the application has other uses too.
Mike
FYI: I got GPS to work easily by installing GPSViewer, opening COM4/4800baud and getting located. After that, using Google Maps was a breeze; total "trick" took me about 1 minute to figure out which is way quicker than some other workarounds on the internet.
I was driving with iGuidance for about 1 hour this morning and I'm seeing different behavoir for this bug. iGuidance also has an excellent GPS signal viewer, mine was showing 8 out of 8 sattellites, all green, all the time (they turn red when not receiving signal from a sat). My map was moving about once per second or slightly faster. The program only paused once after about 30 minutes into the trip, for about 20-30 seconds. The iGuidance program's moving arrow's color also changes color based on signal quality of the combined sattelite lock, Green for good 3D mapping, Yellow for 2D when there are minimal sats for navigating, and Red for no signal data. During this pause the arrow went Red to indicate no data.
This seems like a bug to me.
I have just updated my ROM to "Dutty's WM6.1 Hybrid v2 5.2.19716/5.2.19700" and at the same time installed TomTom.
It can take quite a while to pick up a lock the first time the software is booted but if I close and open TomTom without rebooting the phone the second time is much quicker (almost instant). I have just tried rebooting the phone and it goes through the same slow process the first time tomtom is booted and then quick following that. Is this normal behaviour for GPS on the device (not holding GPS info when the phone is rebooted) or is it an issue with the ROM or Radio. If its the radio is their anyone in the UK who can recommend the best radio for battery life and GPS.
Cheers,
Michael
cyberkid2002 said:
I have just updated my ROM to "Dutty's WM6.1 Hybrid v2 5.2.19716/5.2.19700" and at the same time installed TomTom.
It can take quite a while to pick up a lock the first time the software is booted but if I close and open TomTom without rebooting the phone the second time is much quicker (almost instant). I have just tried rebooting the phone and it goes through the same slow process the first time tomtom is booted and then quick following that. Is this normal behaviour for GPS on the device (not holding GPS info when the phone is rebooted) or is it an issue with the ROM or Radio. If its the radio is their anyone in the UK who can recommend the best radio for battery life and GPS.
Cheers,
Michael
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is pretty normal for GPS especially on these devices. It takes a while to get the first fix after a reset, but subsequent ones are quicker.
You may be able to speed up this process by using the QuickGPS tool to download cache data of satellite locations.
Also, try and use GPSTest to get the lock first. Many people use the GPSTest application and keep it running in the background as it tends to keep a good lock on things.
Adjust the baud rate with GPStest.
cheers for the responses... i will try the GPSTest thing...
KDKobes: what change does adjusting the baud rate make? quicker to lock?
I'm running the new, stock 6.1 Rom, and the only criticisim I have of it is the really slow initial GPS lock. The first time I use it after a soft reset or reboot, it can take anything in the region of 10-15 minutes, which I really don't think is right - I'm positive the original Rom was better at this. Subsequent fixes are much quicker, but if you find yourself needing the GPS and you happen to have recently rebooted, chance are you'll be well past your destination by the time it picks up, which is not good.
Quick GPS appears to be behaving as it always has - whenever I check it has recent data showing, downloaded through Activesync as normal - but it's almost as if that data's not being used in this Rom.
I should mention I'm seeing this behaviour in both Tom Tom and Live Search... it always does get a lock eventually, so there doesn't appear to be a problem with the GPS itself. Has anyone got any insight into this?
cyberkid2002 said:
cheers for the responses... i will try the GPSTest thing...
KDKobes: what change does adjusting the baud rate make? quicker to lock?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The baud rate is used by the internal COM port to interface with the GPS controller. It is the same deal like the speed of a modem...2400....4800...9600, etc.
Honestly with the amount of data that a GPS passes (which is not that much) I don't know if it makes a difference if it is set low. However, I always set mine high because faster is better, right so, might as well.
bengalih said:
The baud rate is used by the internal COM port to interface with the GPS controller. It is the same deal like the speed of a modem...2400....4800...9600, etc.
Honestly with the amount of data that a GPS passes (which is not that much) I don't know if it makes a difference if it is set low. However, I always set mine high because faster is better, right so, might as well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Where would you even set that though? I played with GPS Tool for a while, but it appeared to forget whatever port setting I used next time it ran anyway, so presumably it only affects that session of GPS Tool, not the system as a whole. In TomTom there's no speed setting for the internal GPS either; it should all be handled by WM itself.
Boinng said:
Where would you even set that though? I played with GPS Tool for a while, but it appeared to forget whatever port setting I used next time it ran anyway, so presumably it only affects that session of GPS Tool, not the system as a whole. In TomTom there's no speed setting for the internal GPS either; it should all be handled by WM itself.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I think that's right... you can set it inside GPSTest.
However, like I stated many people find that GPSTest gets the quickest lock and prefer to either open it first and/or leave it running in the background. I haven't used my GPS that much, but I do find that this works.
It at least allows me to see what is going on with the lock. If I start Google Maps it will either work or not with GPS, but not really show me what's going on. GPSTest will allow me to see if I have a lock or not and then open up my other apps for use.
I just realised, I'm talking about the HTC GPS Tool, while you're talking about GPS Test - which is that, the Chartcross one?
You should try IGO8
cyberkid2002 said:
I have just updated my ROM to "Dutty's WM6.1 Hybrid v2 5.2.19716/5.2.19700" and at the same time installed TomTom.
It can take quite a while to pick up a lock the first time the software is booted but if I close and open TomTom without rebooting the phone the second time is much quicker (almost instant). I have just tried rebooting the phone and it goes through the same slow process the first time tomtom is booted and then quick following that. Is this normal behaviour for GPS on the device (not holding GPS info when the phone is rebooted) or is it an issue with the ROM or Radio. If its the radio is their anyone in the UK who can recommend the best radio for battery life and GPS.
Cheers,
Michael
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello!
I have experienced exactly the same problem as you have with TomTom.
I have both a "Tytn II" and a HTC Advantage (X7500).
When using TomTom on the X7500 the GPS takes time to fix a position, 15-20 min or more is not unusual after a soft reset.
Then when it has fixed the position it is EXTREMLY slow when it comes to calculating the route!
I live in Sweden and I often drive to Germany, and when calculating the route from Sweden to Germany it takes over 3 min to finish!
Then we have the issue with the struggling graphics, (Of course I have been told that TomTom has trouble with VGA displays, and I find that to be very true.) the map is very slow and sometimes it stops completly for a few secounds!
On my Tytn II however the map is not struggling the same way, and it calculates much faster then on the X7500, Why? I dont know!
X7500 is a much faster device so it beats me!
The GPS lock is however almost as slow on the Tytn II as it is on the X7500, no matter if I have used quick GPS to download data or not!
A few weeks ago I stumbled upon a navigation program called IGO8, I decided to try it, and believe me when I say that I will never go back to TomTom again!
First of all the GPS lock is almost instant with IGO8, from a soft reset it finds a lock within maybe 2 min at most! And then it seems that it somehow remembers the position and the next time you start the program it will have a fix in secounds!
Then it calculates much faster, I tryed to calculate the route from Sweden to Germany on my X7500 and it was finishes under 20 secounds! (Compare that to over 3 minutes with TomTom on the same device!)
It supports VGA screens, so the map floats much better on my X7500.
Next thing is that there is more maps for IGO 8 so it covers much more of "mother earth" if you want to navigate in a foreign country!
It also has 3D terrain, and can even show buildings in 3D! (Only works in some places!)
It has a very simple and logical interface that is much easyer to understand then TomTom, and it is skinnable and very customizable!
So if you are serious about having a great navi I would strongly recommend you to try IGO 8! I can promise you will not be dissapointed!
Oh and buy the way, I dont work for IGO either!
More GPS Woes
KDKobes said:
Adjust the baud rate with GPStest.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have problems getting software on my O2 Stellar to recognise the internal gps. I've tried a couple of different programs (TomTom & GPSTuner) and also fiddled around with the com ports in both the software and on the Stellar (using the External gps app in settings) but still no recognition of the internal gps.
I caleed O2 and no one could help, in fact they didn't even know it had internal gps!
I've seen GPSTest mentioned a few times. It's not on my Stellar - where can I get it?
Am I missing something?
Help please!
Thanks
Dave
davespearce said:
I have problems getting software on my O2 Stellar to recognise the internal gps. I've tried a couple of different programs (TomTom & GPSTuner) and also fiddled around with the com ports in both the software and on the Stellar (using the External gps app in settings) but still no recognition of the internal gps.
I caleed O2 and no one could help, in fact they didn't even know it had internal gps!
I've seen GPSTest mentioned a few times. It's not on my Stellar - where can I get it?
Am I missing something?
Help please!
Thanks
Dave
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Get GPSTest here
You can either manually set it to a COM port or have it autoscan. I believe some ROMs identify it as COM3 and others COM4, so probably best to do an autoscan. It might take a few minutes to find it, and then another few to get a lock. But after that it generally starts up and locks within a minute or two (in my experience).
HI There
Trying to find a program that displays GPS signal and connection on the Today screen, I've done a bit of searching like, and came back with [<b>GPSToday0.9.9.1</b>] but it seems to act erratically, when you switch it on it doesn't do anything, I used GPSTest to ensure I was recieving GPS, and I got 3D lock in under a minute, however GPS on GPSToday still claimed no lock, it eventually showed a couple of satellites in use but only a few minutes after actual lock, plus the mapping bit is only US enabled, which although a bonus is still a bummer. (im in the UK)
Then I found [<b>GPS Sentry</b>] which cost me a little to purchase, is supposed to be a good solution but again it doesn't seem to work with Kaiser/TytnII any other solutions?
In an Ideal world a little program like GPSToday is perfect, logs on every hour or so, grabs the GPS location of the phone and logs out. Compliments other GPS programs with NMEA data in a similar fashion as QuickGPS. But essentially needs to actually work.
Anyone know of anything else I can try?
Hi Sideburnt,
GPSToday should work perfectly on the Kaiser/tytnII. That is the "reference" device on which GPSToday was most tested. In fact GPSToday is also used as a "GPS primer" by many folks because it significantly speeds up GPS locking for other programs.
When started up for the very first time, it does a bunch of initial setup things like processing your address book contacts etc which can take up time.
After the first few locks, you will notice that it locks must faster, and any other GPS programs will also get a signal quickly.
Also, there are only two features that are US only: the street address display, and the weather display. Everything else like the geotagger, the geologger, the mapping of contacts on the map, the wake-up device for fix feature, the co-ordinate display, the maps, that is all available.
Also, you must make sure that your WM GPS port settings in StartMenu->Settings->ExternalGPS are correct.
We urge you to give it one more try.
Thanks.
Sideburnt said:
HI There
Trying to find a program that displays GPS signal and connection on the Today screen, I've done a bit of searching like, and came back with [<b>GPSToday0.9.9.1</b>] but it seems to act erratically, when you switch it on it doesn't do anything, I used GPSTest to ensure I was recieving GPS, and I got 3D lock in under a minute, however GPS on GPSToday still claimed no lock, it eventually showed a couple of satellites in use but only a few minutes after actual lock, plus the mapping bit is only US enabled, which although a bonus is still a bummer. (im in the UK)
Then I found [<b>GPS Sentry</b>] which cost me a little to purchase, is supposed to be a good solution but again it doesn't seem to work with Kaiser/TytnII any other solutions?
In an Ideal world a little program like GPSToday is perfect, logs on every hour or so, grabs the GPS location of the phone and logs out. Compliments other GPS programs with NMEA data in a similar fashion as QuickGPS. But essentially needs to actually work.
Anyone know of anything else I can try?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You might also try baf GPSToggle very small footprint and works perfect on my tilt
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.
I've had my tilt since Jan 2007. In that time I've probably flashed at least a 100 different roms onto it in an effort to reduce the general ****tiness of the phone's performance (GUI).
At one point, I had working GPS - but considered it more of a novelty. I have a renewed interest in using the GPS but now programs behave as if it doesn't exist. I've tried the OEM Rom, WinMo 6.1/6.5 (AthineOS) and Android.
WinMo 6.1/6.5
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QuickGPS, installed with latest gps data downloaded.GPSTest, installed. When I run it I get "GPS Starting Up", but the message never changes. I also see 4 or 5 green/yellow bars which I assume indicate signal from various sats. This indicates to me that the GPS unit on the phone isn't broken at least?Google Maps installed. When I attempt to use GPS I get "Seeking satellites (0)" until it appears to give up.TomTom installed but doesn't work either.
Android
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Attempting to use any location service returns "Your location is temporarily unavailable." I'm under the impression that the 1.5 builds have GPS support now....
While ultimately I would like to use Android, I would settle for at least getting google maps to work from within WinMo. Can anyone give me any suggestions? Or a definitive way to determine if the GPS unit is just broken/bad?
Thanks
Josh
Just as a quick update for any googlers.
The issue is that the GPS radio is taking upwards of 10minutes to get initial lock. Google maps/Tom Tom just give up I think.
The Android fix was to download GPSTest from the Market and let it run for ~600seconds until Lat/Long were obtained. Subsequent locks were very fast. The procedure must be repeated whenever you powercycle the phone.
For windows mobile, I am under the impression that QuickGPS is supposed to allow the GPS to bypass the initial Satalite Search by obtaining location info off the net. I haven't figured out why the windows managed GPS is not utilizing this data though, but I suspect there is a setting somewhere to tell it to use QuickGPS data - Maybe someone else can elaborate.
-Josh