The X1 has been marketed and advertised as having aGPS but thus far it seems no one can get it working. It seems SE no longer maintains a working SUPL aGPS server. The server found in the settings is in the 10.1.x.x IP range which is NOT a real server. It is a private IP (look up network address translation on wikipedia to see what that means). I am tired of 5-10 minute locks sometimes and terrible performance in a city with tall buildings. I am getting ready to visit NYC and this will probably render my GPS useless. When I visited Georgetown which isnt even as dense, the GPS went nuts. Do you think we can do something about this? Does anyone know any public SUPL aGPS servers? Also can someone with a completely stock X1 ROM post the contents of the following reg key:
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\HTC\SUPL AGPS]
Please post your ROM version if you do. Thanks!
*edit. Please read!*
Ok, let me throw in a little explanation to aid this conversation. A stand alone GPS works by listening to satellite signals and calculating your distance from each satellite it hears. In order for this to work the gps reciever needs to know where in the sky the satellites are. The satellites broadcast what is called ephemeris data that contains this info. This is why your initial lock can take quite some time. If you start listening in the middle of the broadcast you must wait for it to start again. If you loose signal during the broadcast you need to wait for it to start over. Once you have the ephemeris data you can begin working on a fix.
QuickGPS is NOT aGPS. What QuickGPS does is download the ephemeris data from the internet so that you dont need to download it from the satellites. This can speed up your initial lock.
aGPS is another thing entirely. It is not a carrier service. All you need for aGPS is a GPS reciever and an internet connection of ANY kind and an aGPS server to connect to. You could use wifi. Since you have a phone though and you are moving it makes sense to use a cellular connection. In this case your carrier can only charge you for data transfer. Lastly, your carrier may maintain their own aGPS server. aGPS has several functions. First it detects the cell sites you are connected to to get a rought idea of where you are (like google's mylocation feature). Now that you know where you are you know which satellites to look for (since aGPS also does have ephemeris data). Once you start recieving GPS signals, rather than calcutaing a fix yourself you can send the info about the signals to the server which has a much more powerful CPU. It will calculate a fix for you and send you your position.
Another thing. GPS software does not need to be in any way aware of aGPS or QuickGPS. These are both utilities used directly by the GPS reciever itself to help get a fix. GPS programs use a standard API to get position information from the GPS reciever. How the underlying reciever goes about getting that information is of no importance to the GPS program. Wouldnt it kind of suck if every GPS software had to have its own algorithm for calculating a GPS fix from satellite location data? These are not simple calculations (one of the reasons it is nice to have a server doing the calcs for you). This is why there is an API for this.
Hope this clears up misconception and leads to a more informed discussion of the issue. Posted from my X1 with Opera Mobile 9.7 on my way to NY with CorePlayer playing the music and iGo8 navigating running in the background. I love this phone.
On my X1 with German stock R3A it looks like that:
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
aGPS seems to be switched off!? Here has been another discussion about that issue.
From what I know, AGPS is a service provided by your operator. You need to enable it
in "Settings->Phone->Services" to get the right settings. Maybe this IP is just dummy.
is agps the thing used to get a quickgps signal, if so mine works. u have to manually update sometimes (lasts 7 days).
might not be the same thing, not sure
I've been able to update my QuickGPS also with A-GPS turned off - it must have been useless until now...
My X1a (stock NAM R3A) has following values...
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\HTC\SUPL AGPS]
ServerIP: 10.1.101.63
EnableAGPS: 1
GPSMode: 2
NumberFixes: 999999999
QoSAccuracy: 50
QosPerformance: 89
ServerPort: 7275
TimeBetweenFixes: 1
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
QuickGPS is something the GPS software should use. Enabled or disabled, if iGo8 for example does not use it, it's all the same. And I can't tell for sure if iGo and Garmin are using it.
No offence, guys..
But here we go again, with the a-gps. I wonder why a-gps is mostly discussed and asked by Sony Ericsson users And wonder why just SE users always feel tricked...
1) Let's think.. So with the IP thingy you expect that the a-gps will connect to an internet server, right?
Myself, I've never experienced problems with GPS in X1. Living far away from a crowded city, the reception is fine. And in the city, no problems as well. During AS, it downloads the coords through quickgps and later my GPS gets fixed in about 20s (that's when Tomtom or other GPS app is able to navigate). Of course in URBAN AREAS.
2) if you look here, it has been discussed http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=413893
If you google the ip 10.1.101.63, you'll find that everybody is talking about it almost everywhere, but nobody actualy knows, how the a-gps on HTC should work (coz nobody ever saw it working and people are know poorly about what that really is) - if triangulation or something else..
So no problem at all. Coz triangulation through cells won't help you with navigating at all.
Cheers
edit: sorry for being arsey
where can i find the file to check? my phone is completely standard. is it not possible to have both gps systems turned on and it use what ever is best at the time?
of course it is going to be switched off! Why would it be on if you were not using it!
If you want everything to work 100% properly then use a official rom like me
Use this IP-Adress: 64.14.59.165. (ping supl.nokia.com)
With this I get a lock within 1 second, without in about 10 sec. There isn't any data connection established,
but it seems to use one, if it has been enabled before (only for lock).
So, Basics now
AGPS is not QuickGPS. AGPS uses a database stored on a Internet Server.
It calculates your position by using this triangluar method (the cells of your provider) and can dertermin your position
quite exactly, so the GPS lock duration is reduced dramatically.
The triangluar method just tells the device: you're between those three stations, i.e. in that triangle.
QuickGPS downloads a database that contains the Location of the satellites in
your area, so the GPS device doesn't need to check all stallites, as it just can't connect to some.
This reduces lockup time as well, but won't work anymore if you move about 300km without enabling GPS.
AGPS will work anywhere and is more precise. Combining both brings the most effort.
Hope, this helps
how do i put that ip address in? and where do i have to go to turn on both agps and normal gps at the same time
Use a Registry Editor (for example PHM Registry Editor) and go to this key:
"HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\HTC\SUPL AGPS"
There's a picture of it in post 2.
Set "EnableAGPS" to 1 and enter the IP Adress in the field "ServerIP", then restart your device.
With "normal GPS", I thing you mean QuickGPS? Just let it download the
desired data and its done.
comeradealexi said:
of course it is going to be switched off! Why would it be on if you were not using it!
If you want everything to work 100% properly then use a official rom like me
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yup. My aGPS has been working from the start.
Diewi: you forgot the server port
Please read the explanation of GPS I added to the first post. It clears up a lot.
Diewi said:
From what I know, AGPS is a service provided by your operator. You need to enable it in "Settings->Phone->Services" to get the right settings. Maybe this IP is just dummy.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As explained in the first post this is not necessarily a carrier service but can be provided by your carrier. I did check the settings and did not see it there. Does anyone see aGPS as a service here?
Ganondolf said:
is agps the thing used to get a quickgps signal, if so mine works. u have to manually update sometimes (lasts 7 days).
might not be the same thing, not sure
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is not the same. Explained in the first post.
winningblue said:
My X1a (stock NAM R3A) has following values...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks!
thelucius said:
QuickGPS is something the GPS software should use. Enabled or disabled, if iGo8 for example does not use it, it's all the same. And I can't tell for sure if iGo and Garmin are using it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No software needs to be aware of QuickGPS. QuickGPS data is use directly by the GPS reciever. Software all use an API to get the GPS position. How the underlying reciever gets that position makes no difference. Software does not need to be aware. QuickGPS is not the issue however. Please see the first post.
More replies later. My turn to drive.
Yeah, in the Service tab there's something called "Location Setting". I don't have this as
well, but there are many users and howtos report this. I think this just with the
expensive providers and contracts. It seems to set agps up automatically. But I'm happy it works without this.
@nevermind: The port is just the default one: 7275
a-GPS is something different.
Start of the GPS is slow for one reason. GPS has to download orbit data from the satellites. There is one 'rough data' package, that contains data for all satellites and is transmitted from all satellites. It should basically tell you 'which satellite is over the horizon at the moment'. That is also the reason you could enter your rough position in the 'cold' boot process. These days GPS receivers have so much channels, it makes little difference, so this function is not present in most todays GPS units.
Anyway, that is just a beginning. Then you have to download precise orbit elements. Ant those are transmitted only by each individual satellite, only for that satellite. It's not much data, few numbers. But there is no feedback, no handshaking, so if there is some error in receiving it, you must simply try again.
Especially in situation like car moving in city, this process can need many retries. Thus it can take long. You can see the GPS is downloading the data from the satellite for example in Garmin XT software. Downloading satellite has empty signal gauge (but corresponding signal strength), downloaded satellite (can be already used) is displayed with full gauge.
So basically .. you wait because you download few numbers from satellites 40.000 km away with no handshake. But wait .. downloading data .. that can GSM network do much better. And that is a-GPS. GPS software simply downloads the precise data for each satellite from webserver. This process can be controlled in QuickGPS app.
This is done in the GPS driver, so the mapping software does not have to have any support.
a-GPS is different then getting location from GSM BTS stations, which only some software supports (like Google maps).
Also a-GPS can indeed broke your fix, especially on Xperia. Sotimes the data from GSM network are downloaded wrong, or are old, no idea .. but if it happens, you loose signal very often (because unit tries to read position of satellites which are not above horizon) and the position may be off. In such cases: try to manually reload data in QuickGPS, or try to disable QuickGPS altogether.
Ah .. actually I may have it mixed .. and this could be Quick gps while a-gps indeed is location from BTS. But then it has nothing to do with GPS accuracy or speed. It will just give you rough location fast. And as far as my Xperia goes, in google maps it works perfectly.
Alright, I get your point, but from what I know AGPS is "better" than using sources like
QuichGPS. It gets your position more precise. Don't know how it's implemented, but this
seems to speed up lockup time, as many articles state it (and from what I experieced).
Maybe it just "validates" the data sent by satellite. But for me it works even without using
sofware that is explecity written to use carrier information (Meaning speedup).
From what I've seen Google Maps just takes the cell you're into and says: well about 5km there
you are. That's not AGPS from what I know.
But from the basic things you said, you're right.
Basicly I gotta say it works and is better than any other solution. Perhaps an
expert in GPS issues can clear this.
So, as a summary one can say the better the device knows where it is, the
faster the lockup is.
This discussion is getting more and more theoretical, isnt't?
What I advice everyone who is willing to use AGPS is to take the Registry
settings I posted above.
P.S: Thaks Dr.Sid for your input
Related
Hi there,
This topic is about my experience of configuring a-gps manually with a French operator. This may help others.
I installed a few day ago the last french official HTC ROM (see here)
My Diamond is SFR branded (French Vodafone), and after upgrading from the native SFR ROM to the HTC one, I felt a slowdown to get a good GPS signal for the apps I use: Googlemaps and iGo8. The signal also seemed less accurate.
I decided to investigate this way.
First of all, some elements that may be obvious for most of you, but reminding them does not hurt:
A-gps is a system that enhances GPS performance, by connecting to an a-gps server. As a matter of fact, this server makes use of cellular network signal to locate you faster. For further informations, see Wikipedia a-gps article.
AFAIK, a-gps is different from Quick GPS (see here) In particular, config values for a-gps and Quick GPS are located in different registry keys on Diamond.
Now let's get deeper into a-gps:
You can, once again AFAIK (and you'll correct me if I'm wrong ), use two kinds of a-gps server:
Your mobile vendor's server (i.e. HTC)
Your operator's server
I remembered that on some phones (at least Nokia N95), you have to define manually your a-gps server when using SFR network.
For Nokia, the problem is that the port used by the vendor's server is blocked by SFR WAP connection.
This is not the case of HTC a-gps server, since using HTC rom does not inhibit a-gps: it only seemed slower to me than with my SFR rom.
Here are the registry parameters for a-gps, on the original HTC ROM:
Code:
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\HTC\SUPL AGPS]
"EnableAGPS"=dword:00000001
"ServerPort"=dword:00001C6B
"ServerIP"="10.1.101.63"
"QosPerformance"=dword:00000059
"QoSAccuracy"=dword:00000032
"TimeBetweenFixes"=dword:00000001
"NumberFixes"=dword:3B9AC9FF
"GPSMode"=dword:00000002
I guess "10.1.101.63" is the IP address of an HTC's a-gps server (?!)
I then downgraded to native SFR ROM, and here was the same key:
Code:
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\HTC\SUPL AGPS]
"ServerURL"="geoloc2.sfr.fr"
"GPRSConnection"="WAP SFR GPRS"
"Network"="WAP SFR GPRS"
"EnableAGPS"=dword:00000001
"EnabledPrivacyMethod"=dword:00000000
"CloseConfirmMsgTime"=dword:0000003C
"PrivacyMethod"=dword:00000000
"EnableLocInfo"=dword:00000001
"ServerPort"=dword:00001C6B
"QosPerformance"=dword:00000059
"QoSAccuracy"=dword:00000032
"TimeBetweenFixes"=dword:00000001
"NumberFixes"=dword:3B9AC9FF
"GPSMode"=dword:00000002
As you see, the server is defined with its URL, "geoloc2.sfr.fr" (known as one of SFR's a-gps servers), and some parameters are different.
Of course, you have to replace "WAP SFR GPRS" by the network connection you want to use.
I upgraded to HTC ROM again, and set the operator's rom values.
Now I've got the feeling that it's harder, better, faster, stronger (and more accurate).
By the way, QuickGPS is configured in the following key: [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\HTC\QuickGPS].
Note that, on SFR branded rom, this key does not even exist.
Hope this helps.
I've wondered why Quick GPS seems to replace the A-GPS feature on the diamond. QuickGPS doesn't seem to do a damn thing for me. From cold boot, I can stand in open air for 5 minutes until I even start to get a peek at a couple of satellites. How can we be sure that QuickGPS is even working at all?
I used to own a Nokia N95 that had the A-GPS feature, the GPS inside the N95 was pretty average. But with the A-GPS feature you could at least get a lock in under 10 seconds, every time. As long as you had configured your positioning server, (supl.nokia.com) and you had a data connection, then it was consistently under 10 seconds from cold boot. Without A-GPS it was more like 5 minutes plus, basically what I'm seeing on the diamond.
As people have noticed, using tools like Advanced Config to enable A-GPS breaks the GPS completely. Probably because of the missing settings such as you have outlined above, (I noticed these settings while poking around in the registry recently too). I wonder how we can find out what the server names for other countries are and get this working for eveyone.
Also, the IP address 10.1.101.63 is a private IP address so I guess that explains why it fails when you switch AGPS on, that address will never be contactable, so they must have used it for some kind of internal testing - but if it's working for you (with your new settings) then why did HTC choose to leave it broken for the other ROMS....
Well... Since I updated to this last HTC rom, QuickGPS "does work". I mean, it is an installed program, therefore available in "programs" list, and when I launch it, I can "download" data to update it. Though I don't have a cue of what use is made of this technology on Diamond.
I've always used Advanced Config to enable A-GPS, and it has always worked for me. But if it breaks the GPS, I guess you can do it from the registry by setting "EnableAGPS" value to 1.
I also tested a N95 8Go recently, and I had the same results.
But I'm not sure to understand your need: Diamond has both A-GPS and QuickGPS. I don't think QuickGPS is very efficient, but A-GPS is.
I do also think that setting the "ServerIP" value to "10.1.101.63" must work worldwide, since I bet this is HTC's a-gps server.
With this, GPS signal takes about 30 seconds to lock (at first use after soft-reseting, but may be under 10 seconds for next uses).
Did you give it a try?
hantoucc said:
Well... Since I updated to this last HTC rom, QuickGPS "does work". I mean, it is an installed program, therefore available in "programs" list, and when I launch it, I can "download" data to update it. Though I don't have a cue of what use is made of this technology on Diamond.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes I have i too, and it connects and downloads data ok. But does it speed up a GPS lock? I don't think it does. I've hard reset and just run TomTom without QuickGPS and then with QuickGPS and I cannot for the life if me see any difference at all. In TomTom Satellite screen, you can see no data. If it was working, you should see all Satellite 'numbers' in their respective little boxes and then the tracking would begin almost immediately. But I'm not seeing this.
I've always used Advanced Config to enable A-GPS, and it has always worked for me. But if it breaks the GPS, I guess you can do it from the registry by setting "EnableAGPS" value to 1.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Many people have said that enabling A-GPS (via advanced config or direct reg edit) makes the GPS stop working completely i.e. never getting a lock. If you have got this working for you, as far as I know, you're one of the first! Lucky you!
But I'm not sure to understand your need: Diamond has both A-GPS and QuickGPS. I don't think QuickGPS is very efficient, but A-GPS is.
I do also think that setting the "ServerIP" value to "10.1.101.63" must work worldwide, since I bet this is HTC's a-gps server.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No that IP address is within a private non-routable range for internal private networks and cannot be reached from the internet. Read this if you want more info.
I do agree though on the A-GPS being better, and with my experience with Nokia phones A-GPS is excellent. I don't understand what it is that QuickGPS is trying to do, because there is nothing quick about it. I thought it would be similar to A-GPS (in how it actually works) but now I'm confused :/
With this, GPS signal takes about 30 seconds to lock (at first use after soft-reseting, but may be under 10 seconds for next uses).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Now that's the sort of time we all should expect when using an assisted/quick GPS aid to the actual GPS chip. It should be lightning fast. So to me it says QuickGPS is pretty lame, as everyone is using it by default in all ROMS and there are many many people complaining about the GPS not getting a lock at all. So it can't possibly be working properly. And if it is, it still sux.
I'm going to try and replicate those settings you have above on my Diamond and see how it goes. I'll post back shortly.
OK well I've put all those settings in, but still no luck. It is not working. I've been waiting several minutes and still cant even get a fix.
It's not out of the realms of possibility that SFR's A-GPS server can only be used by SFR customers. After all, they assign you your IP address when you connect to the web on your diamond so they could easily lock it down so that random people cannot use it. In fact that would make a lot of sense.
I think we're close, but I guess we need to find a SUPL A-GPS server that is open to the public, maybe? Or certainly at least find out if HTC has one that we can use that is accessible via the internet... Maybe someone else has some ideas?
you can try: "supl.nokia.com" instead of "geoloc2.sfr.fr"
Have you tried this, and what port does it use?
I'd been playing some more and found out having it enabled really screws things up - TomTom thinks it has a lock, then it doesn't, then it does, then it doesn't, etc. It's really bugging out. So I just switched it off.
I'm really interested to know though if A-GPS will help with the ongoing GPS-Lag/inaccuracies problem, some poeple have reported that the lag is fixed in the new OS builds floating around but I can confirm that it is not fixed - in fact it felt like it was worse!
This GPS is causing too many headaches!!!
salada2k said:
Have you tried this, and what port does it use?
I'd been playing some more and found out having it enabled really screws things up - TomTom thinks it has a lock, then it doesn't, then it does, then it doesn't, etc. It's really bugging out. So I just switched it off.
I'm really interested to know though if A-GPS will help with the ongoing GPS-Lag/inaccuracies problem, some poeple have reported that the lag is fixed in the new OS builds floating around but I can confirm that it is not fixed - in fact it felt like it was worse!
This GPS is causing too many headaches!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm also in Australia and i'm having the exact issues as you in regards to GPS lag and inaccuracies, i do however get a fix quite quickly, first time after a ROM change it takes a while but after that its somewhere between 30 sec and 1 min 30. I have changed my rom many times updating to all the latest custom ROM's, still its inaccuracy remains, its about 40 metres off on my device. I live inhouse number 16 and yet it tells me I'm at house 20. Like WTF........
What a pain in the arse!!!!
I got ip adress of HTC aGPS server!
its the 64.14.59.165
you got to just change the htc stock server of the diamond to this and its working well for me.
saveferris said:
I'm also in Australia and i'm having the exact issues as you in regards to GPS lag and inaccuracies, i do however get a fix quite quickly, first time after a ROM change it takes a while but after that its somewhere between 30 sec and 1 min 30. I have changed my rom many times updating to all the latest custom ROM's, still its inaccuracy remains, its about 40 metres off on my device. I live inhouse number 16 and yet it tells me I'm at house 20. Like WTF........
What a pain in the arse!!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tell me about it. Mine is about 50m off 90% of the time, sometimes it looks like it might be ok. The other thing I noticed today is that the 'speedo' in TomTom i.e. the bit on the status bar that tells you how fast you're going - which is usually very accurate - still tells me I'm going 15km/h, then slowly counts down to zero anything up to 20 seconds after reaching a complete stop! I am starting to regret spending money on TomTom. But to quantify that, I don't blame THEM, I'm just pissed I've shelled out so much for the Diamond + TomTom and the fkng things dont work properly. We have to get to the bottom of this!
salada2k said:
Tell me about it. Mine is about 50m off 90% of the time, sometimes it looks like it might be ok. The other thing I noticed today is that the 'speedo' in TomTom i.e. the bit on the status bar that tells you how fast you're going - which is usually very accurate - still tells me I'm going 15km/h, then slowly counts down to zero anything up to 20 seconds after reaching a complete stop! I am starting to regret spending money on TomTom. But to quantify that, I don't blame THEM, I'm just pissed I've shelled out so much for the Diamond + TomTom and the fkng things dont work properly. We have to get to the bottom of this!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep, its all the same issues I'm having, but not just with tomtom, I'm using iGo8 and garmin XT with no success.
This was written by me on another thread complaining about the GPS.
I called HTC support Australia and informed them off its fault with GPS lag and its accuracy, I informed them that over 50% of users are having this issue on the XDA forum, they told me that no fault has been logged and there isn't an issue, It may be time to call up the tech support and make some noise to get this issue resolved. its a pain in the arse and it shouldn't be happening.
I also called up Hong Kong Customer support the other day and they said the exact same thing...... i think.... the chicks English was just deplorable.
I think i may call the Australian HTC support again, and just irritate the **** out of them, hopefully this time they may have a solution for me.
saveferris said:
I think i may call the Australian HTC support again, and just irritate the **** out of them, hopefully this time they may have a solution for me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I hope you can get somewhere mate! Good luck!
lowrider_05 said:
its the 64.14.59.165
you got to just change the htc stock server of the diamond to this and its working well for me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
anyone tried if this really works?
Is IgO 8 working with A-GPS enabled?
Thanks
Update/Refresh of GPS data
Maybe a stupid question, but how can I update the a-GPS data or does the device update the data automatically?
pls delete
lit2fly said:
anyone tried if this really works?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, it does seem to be some kind of Navigation related server - I am trying now...
Well, it doesn't seem to have made a difference - but I will test some more...
lowrider - where did you find that IP?
What is the data amount when using AGPS ?
Are some data only transferred when opening TomTom ?
steph90 said:
What is the data amount when using AGPS ?
Are some data only transferred when opening TomTom ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It should be only a few KB send, and then a little more KB received.
It should only happen when the GPS is activated (e.g. you start TomTom) and then the A-GPS would kick in then. It should not transfer any more data unless you lost the GPS signal, then it would assist the GPS in getting a lock again, and therefore transfer another few KB.
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.
GPS Questions that I haven’t seen in other threads.
Along with many of you I'm trying to get my GPS to obtain a fix faster.
I have a Tilt (8925 / TYTNII) / WM6.1 with Garmin Mobile XT (no data plan just wifi). I’ve had an issue for the past year with the GPS not locking on for up to fifteen minutes even though it appears to see up to nine good satellites. HTC replaced the mother board which includes the Qualcomm GPSone chip. This corrected most of the problems but at times it still takes a long time to lock on even though it shows satellites with good signal strength. QuickGPS comes loaded on the phone yet has no effect on how long it takes to lock on. It’s my understanding that the satellite locations are loaded in an almanac on the phone. Since this data changes it must be refreshed on a regular basis for the chip to lock on quickly. I have several questions.
1) Is the almanac / ephemeris data stored on the GPSone chip’s memory (if it has any) or does it reside in the phones memory? If it’s on the phone can it be read?
2) Does each satellite transmit at a different frequency and does the GPSone chip scan these frequencies looking for a satellite that can download the latest almanac and ephemeris data?
3) QuickGPS doesn’t seem to make any difference on my phone. Is this program what’s called “assisted GPS”? If so does QuickGPS update the GPSone’s ship data or the GPS software’s data you are using such as Google maps or Garmin? I assume it’s the GPSone’s data because the chip must send a “sentence” to your GPS software telling it that the chip has locked on to enough satellites to provide navigation. Until this happens the GPS software just waits or times out. When I look in the registry I see that enableAGPS dword is set to 00000000. Wouldn’t this have to be a one for assisted GPS to work? I tried setting it to a 1 but it didn’t make any difference.
4) I download data using QuickGPS (via wifi). How can I tell that the data is for my area or if it is being used by the GPSone chip? It’s using 193.253.42.109 which is a site in California called Geo Information. Is the almanac information global? In other words does QuickGPS provide information on all GPS satellites in every download? If I do a soft reset and then run QuickGPS and then start Garmin I don’t see any satellites for about two minutes. It then appears to load almanac data from the first satellite it sees and then a bunch of satellites pop up all at once. That’s why I don’t think QuickGPS is helping.
5) This seems to be a huge problem with our phones. Could someone write a script to poll the GPSone chip say every two hours which would in turn refresh the GPS data so that whenever we need to use the GPS it would be doing a warm start rather than a cold?
Thanks for any insight. I’m lost in more ways than one.
Frank
Im not sure whats causing ur issue! but i never thought quickgps helps. its always the usual slow gps connectivity in my phone. just thought i will add my 2 cents...
Get this http://www.visualgps.net/VisualGPSce/default.htm program. Go outdoors (not between tall building) in an open area. Run VisualGPSce, see if it locks within 2-3 minutes. Once it locks, you can try other programs.
Make sure you GPS is set to com4 and preferably 38400 bps.
GPS coverage is not so good inside the buldings. Wood buildings are fine. Buildings and cars with UV protection and tinted glass are trouble. Also concrete walls/roof are another trouble.
Also to add, QuickGPS never helped me.
FrankCB said:
GPS Questions that I haven’t seen in other threads.
Along with many of you I'm trying to get my GPS to obtain a fix faster.
I have a Tilt (8925 / TYTNII) / WM6.1 with Garmin Mobile XT (no data plan just wifi). I’ve had an issue for the past year with the GPS not locking on for up to fifteen minutes even though it appears to see up to nine good satellites. HTC replaced the mother board which includes the Qualcomm GPSone chip. This corrected most of the problems but at times it still takes a long time to lock on even though it shows satellites with good signal strength. QuickGPS comes loaded on the phone yet has no effect on how long it takes to lock on. It’s my understanding that the satellite locations are loaded in an almanac on the phone. Since this data changes it must be refreshed on a regular basis for the chip to lock on quickly. I have several questions.
1) Is the almanac / ephemeris data stored on the GPSone chip’s memory (if it has any) or does it reside in the phones memory? If it’s on the phone can it be read?
2) Does each satellite transmit at a different frequency and does the GPSone chip scan these frequencies looking for a satellite that can download the latest almanac and ephemeris data?
3) QuickGPS doesn’t seem to make any difference on my phone. Is this program what’s called “assisted GPS”? If so does QuickGPS update the GPSone’s ship data or the GPS software’s data you are using such as Google maps or Garmin? I assume it’s the GPSone’s data because the chip must send a “sentence” to your GPS software telling it that the chip has locked on to enough satellites to provide navigation. Until this happens the GPS software just waits or times out. When I look in the registry I see that enableAGPS dword is set to 00000000. Wouldn’t this have to be a one for assisted GPS to work? I tried setting it to a 1 but it didn’t make any difference.
4) I download data using QuickGPS (via wifi). How can I tell that the data is for my area or if it is being used by the GPSone chip? It’s using 193.253.42.109 which is a site in California called Geo Information. Is the almanac information global? In other words does QuickGPS provide information on all GPS satellites in every download? If I do a soft reset and then run QuickGPS and then start Garmin I don’t see any satellites for about two minutes. It then appears to load almanac data from the first satellite it sees and then a bunch of satellites pop up all at once. That’s why I don’t think QuickGPS is helping.
5) This seems to be a huge problem with our phones. Could someone write a script to poll the GPSone chip say every two hours which would in turn refresh the GPS data so that whenever we need to use the GPS it would be doing a warm start rather than a cold?
Thanks for any insight. I’m lost in more ways than one.
Frank
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. Stored in phone memory, and yes it can be read.
2. A GPS receiver calculates its position by precisely timing the signals sent by the GPS satellites high above the Earth. Each satellite continually transmits messages containing the time the message was sent, precise orbital information (the ephemeris), and the general system health and rough orbits of all GPS satellites (the almanac). The receiver measures the transit time of each message and computes the distance to each satellite. Geometric trilateration is used to combine these distances with the location of the satellites to determine the receiver's location. The position is displayed, perhaps with a moving map display or latitude and longitude; elevation information may be included.
3. QuickGPS is not Assisted GPS. QuickGPS downloads the latest satellite positions to help with a faster initial GPS fix. Assisted GPS uses your cell-phone location through cell-tower triangulation to provide a location just like a GPS receiver would. Usually not as accurate.
4. QuickGPS downloads a global catelog. The amount of satellites used for GPS aren't so numerous that it needs to download just the ones in your area. It basically downloads a text listing of all the available GPS satellites.
5. Have you tried flashing a new radio to your device? This can make a world of difference in GPS fix acquisition, especially in different areas.
Also, have you read this?
Thank you for all the info. I just found this article
I'm still not sure why QuickGPS isn't helping. While on my quest for GPS information I found this article. It answers a lot of questions. Thanks also for the link to the GPS thread. I had read it before but it didn't answer the questions I posted.
http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/news/2009/01/assisted-gps.ars
my Tilt locks onto 4 or 5 satellites within 10-20 seconds, usually faster. I've never had a problem. It even locks onto 2 satellites when I'm in my apartment. I use quick GPS, updated via WiFi, but I haven't updated it for a couple weeks.
I'm running wm6.5, 1.7x radio.