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My Touch Pro ran TomTom flawlessly until a couple of months ago when I got a problem with the GPS device (not the signal) being lost every few seconds. It would reappear again for about 5 secs then off again. Despite soft resets etc, I suspected it might be the SD card at first as I tried many restart combinations with the card in/out etc and as it seemed to help on one occasion I put it down to that. But it did happen on a regular basis.
I now have the X1 with its superb GPS implementation, I was very impressed for a few days... until you guessed it, this problem started happening again!
Luckily I remembered the only setting I had done prior to this occuring was to use the Advanced Config application, where I enabled the AGPS feature. So... I went back in and disabled it and the problem disappeared immediately. I used Advanced Config on the Touch too, so that must have been the problem for sure.
I notice that AGPS is disabled by default. Why HTC did this must mean there is a problem with this feature.
So be advised, not to use the AGPS unless anyone knows good reason to and has a fix for the problem I mentioned.
I ran into the same problem. Turned on agps in advance config, used tomtom 7 and keep getting drop signal. It would pick up the sat signal for a few second and lose it, what interesting though when I use google map it would track me fine, no lost of signal. I can see my "dot" on google map moving along. When I drive, haven't tried it with other nav software to see if this was an issue. I still wonder why they have agps turned off though as default.
i think even if its set to "disabled", its enabled. a-gps must be hard coded in the hardware itself!
ps: i have the same problems when its "enabled".
I think it's the AGPS file that might have corrupted. You can solve this by re-download AGPS file and everything will be fine.
It happened to me once or twice, but it's not a reocurring problem so I did not bother much.
which agps file?
Guess you talk about an A-GPS setting in Tom Tom?
I cannot follow your conversation. With Mobile Navigator, which has no switch to enable or disable A-GPS it works pretty fine.
Sat-fix within seconds - thanks to the provided A-GPS function of the X1, which I don't think can be disabled on teh X1, until you don't update the information frequently with the Quick-GPS application.
Maybe Tom Tom can't interpret the A-GPS information?
How long does a Sat-Fix in Tom Tom take, when you disable A-GPS (in Tom Tom)?
Eric
we are talking about a tool called "advanced config tool". there is an option of enabling and disabling a-gps. "disabled" works best for most users...
you can have a 3d fix in seconds also with no a-gps.
Eric X1 said:
I cannot follow your conversation. With Mobile Navigator, which has no switch to enable or disable A-GPS it works pretty fine.
Sat-fix within seconds - thanks to the provided A-GPS function of the X1, which I don't think can be disabled on teh X1, until you don't update the information frequently with the Quick-GPS application.
Maybe Tom Tom can't interpret the A-GPS information?
How long does a Sat-Fix in Tom Tom take, when you disable A-GPS (in Tom Tom)?
Eric
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's incredibly quick (even indoors) to fix a position without AGPS. I admit I haven't knowingly had any noticable problems outside of TomTom but this is something I use a lot. It copes admirably inside, in built-up or shaded areas. No real need for AGPS then! I did try updating my QuickGPS file by the way, to no avail. Disabling was the only fix!
The FIX IS TOO FAST!!!
But I don't have this problem.......
DocMAX said:
we are talking about a tool called "advanced config tool". there is an option of enabling and disabling a-gps. "disabled" works best for most users...
you can have a 3d fix in seconds also with no a-gps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My X1i doesnt have an "adavanced configuration tool" application. Is this a 3rd party addon that you have installed, or is my device just configured differently?
DocMAX said:
which agps file?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
xtra.bin in \Windows directory I believe
one way to verify if the problem is due to the AGPS corrupted file, is if you encounter the problem, delete the xtra.bin and see if the problem goes away.
kiwiandy said:
My X1i doesnt have an "adavanced configuration tool" application. Is this a 3rd party addon that you have installed, or is my device just configured differently?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you have to download it http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=317070
it's our swiss army knife, but be careful
I think people may be getting confused between a-gps and what quickgps does.
My take on this is:
QuickGps downloads a file which contains a list of satellites to speed up getting a signal. Works very well on the x1
this is governed by HKLM/Software/HTC/QuickGPS
A-gps gets an approximate location from your cell tower and feeds 6 virtual satellites signals through the com port set up in the control panel.
It constantly does this, using memory-map software you can see that the signal drops and comes back every second or so. it seems to overwrite what is actually coming from the gps chip as I've seen 4 high quality satellite signals disappear to be replaced with 6 from the a-gps nowhere near where I was.
There's a setting in the registry section concerning A-gps which has "GPSmode" which is set to 2 I wonder what the other values are and do, I havent played with those yet.
You can change the refresh interval I set mine to be 5 when on foot
HKLM/Software/HTC/SUPL_AGPS
I agree with pretty much what you have said (the difference between Quick GPS [sometimes also known as Assisted/A-GPS] and the conventional, location-based AGPS)
However, I don't believe, unless somebody scientifically, or empirically prove, that the phone will receive virtual satellite feed/signal once it acquire the proximity based on the LBS signal. Because to do that, you need to have a data carrier, and it's either via GPRS/UMTS data connectivity (not possible since I would have noticed the data transmission), or radio frequency that satellites transmit on. It can't be GSM/W-CDMA since they operate on the different frequency as GPS, or if it indeed transmit the "virtual satellite signal" on the GSM/W-CDMA network, then I'm sure you will notice it as part of your monthly telco billing?
You may argue that the server is transmitting the virtual satellite signal on the GPS radio frequency, if so, that'll be new development in the AGPS technology since HP iPAQ 6515 first come out employ. However, there are few consideration point;
1. GPS radio frequency does not operate well across barriers, which means the 'virtual satellite transmitter' must be transmitting at a higher ground otherwise it won't work
2. The GPS receiver must be able to reconcile signal from virtual satellite signal and 'real' satellite signal, which means added layer of processing at the phone end, which in my opinions offer more complexity than effective solution.
That said, I just read that the Quick GPS service provider supports 50bit navigation raw data streaming, so I might be wrong afterall.
fards said:
I think people may be getting confused between a-gps and what quickgps does.
My take on this is:
QuickGps downloads a file which contains a list of satellites to speed up getting a signal. Works very well on the x1
this is governed by HKLM/Software/HTC/QuickGPS
A-gps gets an approximate location from your cell tower and feeds 6 virtual satellites signals through the com port set up in the control panel.
It constantly does this, using memory-map software you can see that the signal drops and comes back every second or so. it seems to overwrite what is actually coming from the gps chip as I've seen 4 high quality satellite signals disappear to be replaced with 6 from the a-gps nowhere near where I was.
There's a setting in the registry section concerning A-gps which has "GPSmode" which is set to 2 I wonder what the other values are and do, I havent played with those yet.
You can change the refresh interval I set mine to be 5 when on foot
HKLM/Software/HTC/SUPL_AGPS
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
zenkinz said:
I agree with pretty much what you have said (the difference between Quick GPS [sometimes also known as Assisted/A-GPS] and the conventional, location-based AGPS)
However, I don't believe, unless somebody scientifically, or empirically prove, that the phone will receive virtual satellite feed/signal once it acquire the proximity based on the LBS signal. Because to do that, you need to have a data carrier, and it's either via GPRS/UMTS data connectivity (not possible since I would have noticed the data transmission)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
when you enable a-gps in the registry it establishes a data connection, or at least it does on my phone.
In my house I get a variable signal, it can drop the data connection easily (and does)!
When I first tried A-gps enabled in the registry it tried to connect, couldnt and memory-map reported no signal. It then connected I got 6 satellites listed till the data connection dropped. This makes me think it's using a data connection.
I disabled all data connections using paul modacos "nodata" and didn't get any "satellites" picked up. My quickgps was upto date at the time and outside I would expect to get a decent "proper" satellite lock.
the SUPL-AGPS section of the registry also contains the following.
Server IP 10.1.101.63
Server Port 7275
Which suggests some form of data connection. Remember this has nothing to do with quickgps or the ephemeris data that gets.
Have a look at http://wmexperts.com/articles/gps_vs_agps_a_quick_tutorial.html
&
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GPS_Phone
A typical A-GPS-enabled cell phone will use a data connection (internet, or other) to contact the assistance server.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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edit Have just tried again to confirm what I wrote and not getting anything through a-gps at all! I wonder if there's something in this custom rom that's changed things.
But I am being told Ive got a HDop of 666.6m which is a bit spooky..
step outside and I got 9 satellites with 8m hdop back inside and I'm getting standard fix 5 sats 2m HDop flashing on and off every second (signal/no signal) but no data connection being used, so it looks like I'm wrong, so I'll take it all back!
Need to work out what's going on now..
I was having this same issue. At least its good that its not just my device. I tried deleting xtra.bin from both \windows and \temp and it did not help.
Just some clarification on QuickGPS and AGPS. For a regular stand alone GPS to connect, when it first finds a satellite it must download ephemeris data. The ephemeris data contains info about where all the GPS sats currently are in the sky. The ephemeris data is broadcasted by every satellite periodically. A regular GPS must wait for the beginning of the next transmission. If signal is lost mid transmission, the GPS reciever must wait for the next transmission and start all over again. Only once this data is downloaded can a lock begin to be calculated. What quickGPS does is download the ephemeris data from the internet so that next time you request a gps lock, this sometimes lengthy process can be skipped. quickGPS downloads a file called packed ephemeris and places it I believe in the windows directory.
AGPS on the other hand simply supplements info from the sattellites with info from the cell network. What towers you are currently near gives an approximate location (the mechanism that google my location uses) which then tells you which satellites to look for. When fards said it feeds virtual satellite info, he doesn't mean it actually broadcasts fake satellites via RF. It just feeds extra info to the GPS driver. Also, there are lots of calculations to do to maintain a lock. Once the receiver is getting sattelite signals it can send this information over the internet to the AGPS server which is a much more powerful computer that can do these calculations much faster. The server calculates the lock for you then sends you your position information back over the internet. This is why apgs enables a data connection.
Just out of curiosity, does anyone know if the N1's AGPS radio is functional without an active mobile/cel connection? Would love to be able to turn the phone radio off when travelling abroad but still have access to GPS functionality.
GPS will work, but it'll lock in slower.. AGPS involves sending the data to a server somewhere else you get a faster lock, so you'll need a data connection for that.
You will of course not be able to see any maps without data also.
Turn on "Airplane" mode; GPS still works.
Cheers,
Kermee
Thanks for those answers. I used to keep a TyTnII around just for the GPS functionality while on vacation overseas, but if this works and I can find a suitable nav program, should be great =)
cliffy15 said:
Thanks for those answers. I used to keep a TyTnII around just for the GPS functionality while on vacation overseas, but if this works and I can find a suitable nav program, should be great =)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Aye. You'd need the maps on SD if you don't have data connectivity. I don't even know if Google Maps + Nav works outside of the U.S. (with or without hacks) even if you were roaming on data...
Cheers,
Kermee
Kermee said:
Aye. You'd need the maps on SD if you don't have data connectivity. I don't even know if Google Maps + Nav works outside of the U.S. (with or without hacks) even if you were roaming on data...
Cheers,
Kermee
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I never used the audio nav feature, but the rest of it definitely did work for me in AUS. Although it cost me a pretty penny to use it ($15/1MB transfer fee) with international data roaming ...
hi guys,
when i try to use gps (with syngic), it takes a lot of time to search satellites. when i had WM, there was an app that downloaded satellite's data every week. there is a way to have a faster signal search in android?
thanks
loscassapalle said:
hi guys,
when i try to use gps (with syngic), it takes a lot of time to search satellites. when i had WM, there was an app that downloaded satellite's data every week. there is a way to have a faster signal search in android?
thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mine does it already, when I enable GPS, the mobile connections kicks in and I get a fix in no time
as far as i know the aGPS ( assisted GPS ) can use the network towers to make a quick location fix within a radius of 1.5 Km, but you need to have this function active.
knowing roughly where you are helps the gps to select the needed data from the satellites.
last week i got a gps fix in less then 20 sec.
k.mooijman said:
as far as i know the aGPS ( assisted GPS ) can use the network towers to make a quick location fix within a radius of 1.5 Km, but you need to have this function active.
knowing roughly where you are helps the gps to select the needed data from the satellites.
last week i got a gps fix in less then 20 sec.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
but AGPS needs data connection
Hey guys no one has had problems with the GPS fix?
Thanks
Nope, it's working great.
Why? Do you have a problem with it?
i tested the GPS as soon as i got it. caught my position within 15 seconds to 10 metres from its first ever try.
jusba64 said:
Hey guys no one has had problems with the GPS fix?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
don't forget to turn on your data connection at all times when using gps (locations or maps) because otherwise, you will not get a gps fix
despite HTC's thourough promotion of the Locations app with "preloaded maps", you still need a data connection to use the locations program. Utterly ridicoulous but heck, what can you do...
matthiasdeblaiser said:
don't forget to turn on your data connection at all times when using gps (locations or maps) because otherwise, you will not get a gps fix
despite HTC's thourough promotion of the Locations app with "preloaded maps", you still need a data connection to use the locations program. Utterly ridicoulous but heck, what can you do...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's not impossible to use Locations without data, it will just take longer to get a GPS fix.
matthiasdeblaiser said:
don't forget to turn on your data connection at all times when using gps (locations or maps) because otherwise, you will not get a gps fix
despite HTC's thourough promotion of the Locations app with "preloaded maps", you still need a data connection to use the locations program. Utterly ridicoulous but heck, what can you do...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll have to disagree. I only need data connection to get the AGPS data which speeds up fix. After that the Locations app works fine, even with data turned off. Have you downloaded maps to your SD card?
Well...
I am not sure if I i have a problem, but this is my situation:
Both me and my girlfriend own a DHD.
I have installed copilot on both devices and when I turn on copilot and turn on gps (but have data connection disabled), her GPS fix takes about 30 seconders - 2 minutes, and mine may take > 15 minutes.
Surely 15 minutes should not be acceptable, even with data turned of ,right??
paulus_01 said:
Well...
I am not sure if I i have a problem, but this is my situation:
Both me and my girlfriend own a DHD.
I have installed copilot on both devices and when I turn on copilot and turn on gps (but have data connection disabled), her GPS fix takes about 30 seconders - 2 minutes, and mine may take > 15 minutes.
Surely 15 minutes should not be acceptable, even with data turned of ,right??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try downloading Gps Status from the market. Use it to reset your AGPS data and download new one. See if it makes any difference.
olivierlee said:
Try downloading Gps Status from the market. Use it to reset your AGPS data and download new one. See if it makes any difference.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thx, will have a look when I am at home and let you know if it helped.
It can improve the GPS fix, even if I do not turn on the data connection thereafter?
i had a problem with the lock. i went to the market place and got a normal gps satelite info applcaition. i then waitied for about 20 minutes for it to get a fix(first time) when i then opened HTC locations it worked properly and gets a fix really fast. i guess its just the first time.
SO if you are not getting a fix, WAIT a while for the first time maybe even 30 mins and then it will be fine.
BTW, my GPS fix issue has now been solved....do not know why, but at least it fixes within 1-2 mins or so...
Sometimes it's all about waiting. GPS locating can be very dodgy since it depends on too many factors and is initially a veeeery old technology.
I heard that soon tho EU will launch their own positioning sistem (Galileo - worth 3.4 billion;] ) that's accurate to the meter and since in some way will cooperate with NAVSTAR ( the US current GPS ) will hopefully have better "reception".
Until then - we wait and rely on bloody AGPS
Hi guys I have just attempted to use the satnav installed on the MDJ 1.7 rom which I believe is google ? anyway I can get a gps lock by using gps-status then in the application it hangs on getting directions and will only work using the data connection any ideas ? or is there a better one ?
Just wondering fi tis fault with google or the GPS ? I can get lock so must be with the app ?
Oh it does work using data connection but no good in europe or USA.
I guess I could use WM just for SAtNav and copilot or tomtom but would be nice to have it all working.
AFAIK, it gets your location with GPS and then attempts to calculate the route, which requires a data connection. I'm not sure whether it needs the data connection after that or not, but I've driven 100's of miles using it and have never had the map stop moving or lose any information, so I don't believe it uses data during the journey. Maybe just a touch every now and then.
If it gets your location and then fails calculating your route then it suggests that there is an issue with your data connection.
johncmolyneux said:
AFAIK, it gets your location with GPS and then attempts to calculate the route, which requires a data connection. I'm not sure whether it needs the data connection after that or not, but I've driven 100's of miles using it and have never had the map stop moving or lose any information, so I don't believe it uses data during the journey. Maybe just a touch every now and then.
If it gets your location and then fails calculating your route then it suggests that there is an issue with your data connection.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ahh that makes sense now so it needs data connection to download the route data then you can switch it off.
Still bit crap when you are abroad because data charges are like £1 per mb or so.
So guess I may get co-pilot from the "market" which seams quite reasonable ?
Thanks.