[Q] Satellite Phone (Thuraya XT) as external modem for android smartphone? - Networking

Hi,
I need Internet Connection in remote areas. My gadgets are a Thuraya XT Satfon and a Android Smartphone Galaxy S I9000.
The Thuraya Phone can give Internet Connection to any Laptop via GmPRS and USB Datacable with ISDN Speed. Because of weight (i have to carry all my stuff on the backpack), I want to get this internet connection to my smartphone.
Does anybody know any tricks, how to do this? All service providers say, it is not possible. I don't belive that. If it's possible with a XP/Vista/W7 Laptop, it can be done with a android smartphone. The only thing that is needed is a android driver and the cable connection via USB.
I'm willing to pay for a solution, if there is a programming task needed. Thanks very much for any help!!

You'd need an Android device with USB Host capabilities. I think some tablets and the Nexus S have that capability, but I'm pretty sure you'd have to do some coding and hackery to get it to work.

synaesthetic said:
You'd need an Android device with USB Host capabilities. I think some tablets and the Nexus S have that capability, but I'm pretty sure you'd have to do some coding and hackery to get it to work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks very much for your tip. I'll check the host capabilities of my smartphone. I agree, that there is some hackery and coding needed. Do you know a serious partner willing and capable to do this work. Anybody here in this forum maybe?
I'm pretty sure, that i'm not the only one with this wish.....

External modem communciation
Hello, I have similar problem. I need a developper or partner to connet to a Android embedded device based on Freescale IMX53 with USB Host and RS232 serial port with a particular modem (not GSM) but which use custom AT commands (some of this is the same as GSM and GPRS), can anyone help me to find some way to send AT command to this device? or maybe a developper who can do this?
Thank you in advance

Hi,
I and couple of friends worked up to 2008 on Thuraya based projects - some of them reached marked. Our first projects were based on Thuraya phones - Ascom and Hughes - we removed all interface parts and included in special boards, producing powerful modems. You can find more if you search google with "selsat Thuraya" or "globeconnect Thuraya". We were part of team which developed those projects.
Our last Thuraya based project was using Thuraya Module SM-2500 and Cirrus Logic processor. It included embedded Linux and embedded Asterisk, which allowed using VoIP phones to make more or less wireless calls, but that project did not saw market.
Last few years we worked mostly with Asterisk and Linux. But we got some experience with Android - applications and Android boards (Odroid T).
One small example of our experience with Android applications is StribogECG - you can find it in Market.
Please feel free to contact me here or on my mail:
stoyanmihaylov at yahoo.com

what are the benefits of satellite phones?

There are no benefits in areas with GSM coverage. Satellite phones are essential for areas where are no other communications, like part of deserts, sea / ocean, some mountains.
Thuraya particularly, has very attractive (for satellite) prices. Please be aware - Thuraya has limited coverage - most of Europe, most of Africa, most of Asia but no America or Australia.

Related

Using multiple Universals as desktop replacements

This may may be a little premature as the Universal has only been available for such a short while, however I would really appreciate the input of the expert knowledge that makes this one of the greatest forums in the world.
I am starting a small business within the next few months and will initially have a workforce of around 6 people. The majority of the work will involve taking calls, using word+excel+powerpoint, viewing and reviewing small online videos and data input to an online database. The staff will also be dispatched to the field and will need to work remotely.
So my theoretical question is whether the universal could be used as a desktop replacement for use within the office where a central server/computer provides wifi connection and as a remote terminal whilst in the field.
The questions I have therefore are:
Do you think I will be able to bring the VGA out onto a 15” monitor? either natively via USB or via an adapter such as the ‘IGO pitch duo’ or ‘Margi’ etc. My knowledge here is limited, but if activesync can show this on the desktop. Could the internal display on the universal be routed to an external monitor instead of the main screen, I believe Nydot has some software to help achieve this. Will this be an appropriate UI, I can not expect staff to use a 3.6" screen all day long.
Will I encounter problems with multiple devices in one room? I.E. Sharing a wifi connection, multiple Bluetooth headsets and keyboards used in a confined space.
Will I be able to use VOIP on each of the six phones running with different numbers at the same time through one broadband connected computer?
Also if anyone can foresee other problems that may arise from the use of pocketpcs instead of desktops/laptops please let me know. Does anyone know of any other small companies that already have tried or succeeded at this before now?
Thanks in advance, your views on this will help greatly, as I would hate to buy six universals and then have to buy six laptop/desktops as well.
Jamie Honey
From experience
Hi and good luck with your startup,
I used to run a business in the UK on behalf of a friend from UAE, back in 1992. I got a Psion organiser and a printer, but boy, it is painful to work on a small device all day long. We already have problems with well designed macro systems with eye strain and rsi.
So i will recommend you get a few PCS and a couple laptops for field work and a couple pda's and people can share and swap, it will also create variety which is good for business morale, and since you will be using the windows platform, no problem with syncing and sharing...
Just an advice...
Regards
Nabil H
Hi Jayman,
As far as I'm aware, the JasJar doesn't have an external VGA output that would allow you to view internal screen contents on an external monitor.
The only way this could be achieved would be by using some type of SDIO card that facilitated a VGA output function.
The HTC Himalaya Device (XDA2 and XDA2i) have an interface underneath the battery that supports a little backpack that has a VGA output and a CF card slot. However the Himalaya doesn't have all the features of the JasJar.
As long as you configure your Wifi devices correctly (DHCP/Static IP - no duplicates, you will have no problems. The same goes for your bluetooth connections. For bluetooth you will need to implement a strict naming scheme for the devices in order to avoid confusion.
I'm not too sure about the VOIP query - i'll research that and get back to you later as i'm curious about that as well.
Pocket PCs are not ergonimcally condusive with an intense longterm working environment. As Nabil2000 stated, your employess will eventually feel the ill health effects associated with working in a "cramped" position on such a small device.
Hope this helps
Good luck with you business idea
Qaz
So Jayman, what did you do in the end?
xerxes

VERIO (K-JAM) – CONNECTING TO THE OUTSIDE WORLD

VERIO (K-JAM) – CONNECTING TO THE REAL WORLD
I’m a university research technician, and my principal interest is instrumentation & control.
Does anyone have any idea how to provide some form of I/O – digital and analogue – to enable the XDA to interface with the outside world?
The two physical ports (excluding wifi and Bluetooth) are the SD slot and the USB port. Surely someone has cracked the access to these ports, it seems like such a useful facility if re-applied to data acquisition.
Alternatively, is there anything (yet) on the market based on Bluetooth which allows data/signals to be input.
An obvious use of such analogue input/output would be for virtual instrumentation – a portable oscilloscope, for example, or a signal generator.
Any info’ on this, most appreciated.
Thanks,
Ken

TV / Radio on HTC Uni's

Does anyone know anything about the release date, or whether the devices have been released.... for the Pocket PC that allows you to watch live TV feed via the SDIO Port?
I know there was a company that said March 06, but they've sorta gone quiet... there's radio devices out there, and devices for the PALM or CF Card... But anyone know anything about one that will be compatible with the MDA Pro???
:-/
Tv and Radio only via WIFI or 3G connections via subscriptions or internet based feeds only.
dont know any that will allow this via an SDIO slot, but would be interested if found, suspect if used it will be a massive battery drain.
There was something meant to have been released in March:
http://msmobiles.com/news.php/4782.html
But can't find anything else about it... :-(
You might consider this
If you want access to TV/Sat/Cable or your DVD player you might want to try this.
http://www.slingmedia.com/
It has a mobile player.
Re: You might consider this
Celestial said:
If you want access to TV/Sat/Cable or your DVD player you might want to try this.
http://www.slingmedia.com/
It has a mobile player.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is there anything cheaper than $249 :-/ ??
here is the site:
http://www.eopstech.com/eops/index.html
doesn't open on my side (looks like it's hosted on a dialup connection :lol: )
ady said:
doesn't open on my side (looks like it's hosted on a dialup connection :lol: )
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Doesn't open on my side either :-( Is this somewhere that sells them? Makes them??..
Hi to everyone on the forum. This is my first post. I'm recently the owner of a new HTC Universal (T-mob MDA Pro).
Just thought I'd let you kno - I'm a PhD student working on mobile digital TV. I'm working in 2 European projects aimed at delivering mobile digital tv based at Brunel University. I currently have one of the digital TV SDIO receivers mentioned here. It's a prototype from a company called DibCom. It's a DVB-H receiver. DVB-H sends boradcast data in bursts so a receiver only has to be powered in bursts thus saving battery life. DVB-H braodcasts were tested in Oxford not so long ago. DVB-H broadcasts are not gonna be around until a few years yet so to test the chip I have to set up my own digital DVB-H channel and broadcast to myself! I'm working on user interface terminal applications, middleware and protocols. My job is to create the interactive side of the broadcasts - basically creating the interactive services like you see with regular DVB-T freeview only for mobile devices (and hopefully much better!). So interactive sports, shopping, gaming etc can all be done on your mobile device. That's the plan anyway! I'll try to attach a pic of the prototype chip here (taken with my MDA PRo!)
All the best guys!
LLOYDY
cool sounding job man.
what do you believe the DVB-H reception will be like, I find freeview starts to go all blocky when its windy so I have no idea what DVB-H will be like if i was on the move (maybe on the bus or something).
Well this is why also the reason we needed a new technology to deliver to mobile devices. DVB-H doesn't need line-of-sight to the transmitter like DVB-T does. It will use "transmitter" and "receiver diversity" so that one strong signal can be singled out from lots of signal echoes and bounces. It is designed specifically for mobile use. One of the projects I'm working in is called PLUTO (Physical Layer DVB (that's the U!) Transmission Optimisation) where we're working on this exact issue. See http://www.ist-pluto.org for more info on this. The second project deals with broadcasting applications and user interfaces voe rthe new network etc and is called INSTINCT World (due to commence in September). INSTINCT World is a world-wide project with China being the newest member so far.
But... we'll soon see! All the best,
LLOYDY
So if this isn't coming out for ages.... why was msnmobiles saying the device for Pocket PC will be out March 06?
And there's already one out for the PALM devices using the CF card...
:-/
If you have windows xp media center you can use www.orb.com for live tv and whatever media files you have on your pc. I use it all the time to watch sports while my wife is shopping at the mall. EDGE speeds are adequate to watch but it is a little hard to read the scores on my wizard. If you can get onto a wifi connection the picture comes in perfect. The program tests your internet speed connections so gives you the best picture for your internet speeds. Best of all it is free and works really well.
Sorry for being misleading: I wasn't saying the devices won't be out until next year (I've had mine for well over a year now), I was referring to the broadcasts - broadcasting in the UK (and most of Western Europe I believe) won't start until next year sometime (I'm unsure about the USA). DVB-H still hasn't got a designated broadcast radio band yet. This is all still up in the air. I'm sure there are many companies about to release or have already released the receiver chips. Nokia have released their DVB-H capable phones already and I have been working with a few of them. Only thing is they use their own proprietary software and drivers which cost $$$. I'm working to develop an open standard across the board and eagerly awaiting the JSR272 (a proposed API from Java ready for mobile television and multimedia). As you can see the Digital TV Group is a member of the projects I'm working in and these are the people who set the digial TV standards.
@Jeeb75:
The media streaming your referring to though is Internet streaming. This is completely different and is an inefficient use of internet traffic/bandwidth (until internet router broadcasting protocols are properly used at least). With DVB-H you will get clear, crisp Digital TV and services over-the-air just like you can pick up a standard TV channel a home. Thanks for the info tho - I enjoy getting TV streams on my Universal.
Again, I apologise for the misunderstanding. Hope this helps!
LLOYDY
Just in case anyone's interested in this, just found out from the manufacturer, that the items are available now, and work on analogue signals, so will work now too.
USD$150 is the price at the mo, which isn't toooo bad when you think of how much a portable TV would cost...
I'm gonna order one, and if anyone want's to know about it, will update this in due course
Dave.
jmdrizen said:
Just in case anyone's interested in this, just found out from the manufacturer, that the items are available now, and work on analogue signals, so will work now too.
USD$150 is the price at the mo, which isn't toooo bad when you think of how much a portable TV would cost...
I'm gonna order one, and if anyone want's to know about it, will update this in due course
Dave.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
More info/details please
I checked out dibcoms website, from what I can tell, they are only making the internal chipset for the all in one analogue and DVB h tuner, not any ready to sell devices
I'm currently reviewing the SDIO analogue TV tuner from Eopstech. Both its power and sound is off-board due to the bandwidth limitations of SDIO.
Also, due to the bandwidth limitations, the bigger the screen size, the lower the frame rate. On my Magician in portrait mode, its very good. It slows down a bit in landscape. On the Universal in landscape it can be quite gittery but still watchable. The most annoying thing about it is the external battery pack which is quite bulky and only lasts 2.5hrs. However, you can plug headphones, power and an external aerial into it.
lloydcody: can you upload the pictures you posted to the forum itself or resize them pls.
lloydcody, couldn't you lose your job by disclosing those pics on here? I would take tehm down if I was you..... (although I wouldn't know if you have signed a NDA)
I haven't got a job - I'm a student! Just thought I'd let you guys know that mobile TV is soon on its way. There's nothing wrong with the pics. This is not a hush-hush project - far from it. I'm part of an open standards project not some secret corporate prototyping.
You can buy one of these chips yourself if you're interested - though they're not cheap!
@nedge2k
What do you want me to do with pics?
LLOYDY
LOL. Sorry, and thanks for clearing that one up. How much are the chips?

USE G1 As External GPS On Laptop - Can This Be Done

USE G1 As External GPS On Laptop - Can This Be Done
The reason why I am asking this is cause I am building A Car PC.
I can use the G1 as A Wifi Connection Surf The Net With Internet Explorer, Firefox, etc....
But It would be great to use with MS Streets Of Garmin PC, etc... with the Dreams GPS
If this has not been done yet it would be great if some one could (Must Likely a Developer) make a program that can do this
Thanks In Advance
And I Also Already Did This SEARCH FOR USE G1 As External GPS
im pretty sure this has been covered b4 but im not 100% and the answer then was no( i personaly dont know but i remember seeing a bunch of people saying no) well hopefully thats helps a lil..
maybe the dream uses a comport to communicate with the gps reciever, if that is true you may be able to redirect this to a bluetooth-comport
It may be possible, but I really don't think it would be worth the tremendous effort, considering GPS dongles can be had for less than 20 a pop.
I think it would be awesome to do since it's one less piece of equipment to carry around.
All it would take would be:
A program to take reading of the GPS info.
Convert it to the proper format (emulating a GPS dongle which isn't hard.)
There already are various programs that can send data to the PC. Use one of their code.
Have a program on the PC to translate it all into a virtual com port.
But then... I'm not a programmer. And the way I discribe it would be more like a hack than a proper program. But I don't believe the android API's allow you to control the way that the USB or the Bluetooth is identified by a computer.
It can be done but I don't think android naively supports the serial port profile over bluetooth which you would need to accomplish this. Once you figure that out all you need is to get your phone to spit out NMEA location data over that connection and your laptop will see it as a Generic GPS device.
phin1ght said:
It may be possible, but I really don't think it would be worth the tremendous effort, considering GPS dongles can be had for less than 20 a pop.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Indeed, and if you're building a CarPC, a small GPS dongel - that can be placed in good line-of-sight - is the better option anyway.
-bZj
I would prefer connection over internet or WiFi as it won't be easy to provide sky view to an laptop or pc so any user may place his laptop or pc at an place, get near an window for sky view to his android phone, then the data would be transferred to pc via internet or WiFi connection instead of connecting usb chord each time...
There are already apps like printer share which uses the phones internet connection for printing, also the upcomming app teradesk that lets an user to get files from his pc even when we are far from our pc,.....
Both apps use a server and client method for data transfer... so hope this would be possible...

USB Host Controller - Looking into android controlled robotic projects

Hello everyone. I have been searching for threads all day and have not found much information about being able to hook up devices into some kinda of USB interface or serial interface on Android devices. The closest thing I can find is this: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1202082
There has to be a host controller on these phones right? I would think that if there is a micro SD read reader on the phone, there would be one. Am I the only one thinking this? What is the best way to find out?
My inspiration comes from the ArduPilot project . I think this is pretty sweet but I think it could be way more powerful with a full operating system versus a limited micro controller. An additional fun link of, what most can imagine, my final goal: http://www.wimp.com/helmetcam/
I am posting this on the Evo 4G general thread due to owning it and it would be easy to disassemble, if there is something I need to look into.
I want to look finding (or creating) a robotics application for the android OS to map *connected* servo controllers (not bluetooth connected, Arduino powered, etc..) that will also allow remote users to control the phone multiple threads to control the UV or UAV. Examples: 1: Flying the RC Plane while viewing the video stream on the phone's multiple cameras (integrated or attached). 2: Executing autopilot application and monitoring it's progress through two-way communication from a controlling "base" station (PC, Server, Tablet, etc..). Maybe executing multiple RC vehicles at once.
I have a feeling that this would help many others with other types of monitoring projects (What comes to mind: Home security, Car Security, garden monitoring, etc..) This could also help the creation of other commercial products.
Any input and direction you can give would be appreciated.

Categories

Resources