yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Galaxy S I9000 General] fallenguru:
GPS Status, GPS Test and Maps

None. I don't drive.

This is incorrect. Any and all GPS devices would benefit from a faster way to get at the almanac data. Smartphones have a data connection as a matter of course, so why not use it? That they also tend to have sub-par GPS chips and antennas is beside the point.

Well, that's what interests me. I want to be able to pull out my phone, launch Maps (or whatever) and have it tell me where I am, embed my coordinates in a photo, find the nearest bus stop ...

Navigation is a whole different can of worms where quality depends on a lot more than just GPS. A good navigation app can snap you to the nearest / most probable street even if the GPS location is way off.

I guess the best test would be a tracker (for running, jogging or the like) - that should show an unbroken and more or less straight line.
[Galaxy S I9000 General] reinbeau:
I use both Cardio Trainer and Runkeeper, and am always impressed with how well the GPS tracks. I will say the tracks with Cardio Trainer are better than with Runkeeper, I get more 'wavering' on Runkeeper. The raw signal handling is one thing, but how an app uses the data seems to be another.
[Galaxy S I9000 General] betoNL:
Hmmm very interesting....you are waaay off. But somehow I already knew that.

Anyway if you are satisfied by testing the Gps the way you do so I believe you think the gps is working beautifully ..But Gps Status and Gps test are easily "fooled" by software configuration within Android

And Google Maps ( one of the most unreliable Nav apps) have to be tested on movement ( in car, on a bycicle, in the bus etc)

It's late now and I will answer this better tomorrow, with some quotes...maybe...

I am also satisfied with the Gps on my sgs... but I test with many onboard nav programs, and in the car, on the bike, bus......And in different countries

and Agps is just a scam....(more tomorrow)

P.s- No navigation program will compensate a faulty gps performance when the snr values get too low...iGo software will stop guiding , informing that "satellite signal is lost, and other progs like Maps and Aura Sygic will put the cursor all over the place

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[Galaxy S I9000 General] sxi200:
@allotrios you are a fu**ing legend. I am shocked. Never thought I'd see the day when I could actually use my GPS again. It works 100%. Also thanks to @alelas for posting the pics.

Testing indoors as I used to in the past, same ****. Nothing. Then with the cover opened I just pressed slightly on the GPS antenna and BANG, GPS test plus when ape ****.

Now I put the blue-tak on the spot, closed the cover and I'm getting 8 sat locks indoors. I will try to hit thanks on all your posts just for this fix alone.

You are a LEGEND!!!!

BTW : how in the fu*k could Samsung make such a basic design flaw that is really so simple to fix????
[Galaxy S I9000 General] slaman:
Didn't work for me... brand new replacement phone from Samsung... and still can only "view" two satellites despite my Nexus S viewing 8 in the same location... my Captivate also views 8 satellites.

Second I9000M that simply cannot see any GPS satellites or get a lock... completely unusable GPS.

Pressing the GPS sticker didn't do anything
[Galaxy S I9000 General] betoNL:
A Nexus S, a Captivate and a SGS??? Anything else???

With so many gadgets, no wonder you can't find the G-spot:D
[Galaxy S I9000 General] lezuric:
here in PH.. we have a very poor GPS connectivity.. atleast I learn how things work out with SGS. Thanks!:p
[Galaxy S I9000 General] itenos:
I can't believe that!!!! Incredible solution! I'm having my SGS since July last year and it never got a descent GPS since then going through virtually every firmware and software fix that I came over during that time.

Only Gingerbread JVK started to give satisfactory results but this little trick changes everything. It seems to have a new phone in my hand. GPS is finally working!

Thank you so much!!!

P.S. I think the OP should add this to the first post and that XDA moderators should make this thread sticky after that
[Galaxy S I9000 General] betoNL:
Just as a curiosity, if you dont mind:

How do you test the gps?

Tks
[Galaxy S I9000 General] betoNL:
Well there is so much to tell, but I dont want to bore anybody to death and I dont have the time anyway...just allow me to post some quotes:

Why the manufactures , specially the manufacturers of the very expensive

so called high-end smartphones didnt maintain those high standards, suppling phones with more capable gps chipsets like the SirfstarIII ones which dont need a-gps (supl or Xtra} or any assist whatsoever?

I like this view:

Are you guys bored yet?

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[Galaxy S I9000 General] reinbeau:
Actually, no, it's interesting and makes perfect sense. Thank you for gathering the info!
[Galaxy S I9000 General] Widdly:
Size, cost, politics. Possibly there is a smaller margin on the high end phones than there is on the mid-segment, because of the game being played that they all want to have the rep of building the best mouse trap.

You bet I'm bored. Not by your story, though. This search for a better GPS has cost me WEEKS of time already. I PMed you a couple of months ago. It's getting obsessive to the point of being unhealthy.
[Galaxy S I9000 General] betoNL:
And.....did you apply the gps G-Spot method already?

Many users PMed me I lost track and....didnt start my Gps thread yet :o

Really..if you stil got probs??

Get a compact external bluetooth gps receiver....The Nokia LD W something I was using (see my first viedo on my sign.) costs around 20 € here in Holland,,,

Works like a charm on the the sgs,,,,
[Galaxy S I9000 General] slaman:
Lol! Vibrant kept dying on me (four times because of internal sd corruption issue on bell phones) so I bought a captivate thinking I'd sell the vibrant when it came back from repair. Fiancee took it instead, then my captivate died (yep, fifth phone to die in six months)... So I bought a nexus s while waiting for it to come back from repair. I will subsequently sell it.

Bottom line is that the galaxy s is horribly constructed with inferior hardware. Nexus s is flawless!

Sent from my Nexus S
[Galaxy S I9000 General] betoNL:
Well this is a bit off-topic, but what the heck, this forum is inflated with gps threads anyway...

The Nexus S is finally on sale here in Holland, I even thought they would let it pass by and start straight away with the Galaxy S 2.

Since you are very experienced with buying / selling / destroying :D , all kind of phones, I would like to ask you:

Hardwarewise, what is better on the Nexus S?

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[Galaxy S I9000 General] Cortesi:
Thanks a lot! You mad me me post my first post because of this! I have tried "everything"! I probably have one of the first releases of Galaxy S, so I guess I have bad antennaposition....

I have been sooo frustrated, nearly dropping my trainings/getting a new phone..!:)
[Galaxy S I9000 General] allotrios:
Glad it worked for you Cortesi!

By the way, I just installed Simply honey 3.2 rom and Damian's kernel v2.1 and GPS is even better!
[Galaxy S I9000 General] stocki78:
Hi,

Unfortunately the g-spot trick did not work for me, so I decided to look a little closer and removed the plastic housing.

Another guy installed on the metal thingys there a cable and I did some test, too. Again no improvement with different cables and lengths.

But while fiddling around with the metal connector I thought maybe lifting it could help and indeed this was the trick for me. Improved my gps dramatically!

So instead of something pushing the antenna tighter, the metal connector now pushes harder and improves the signal quality.

Maybe a solution for some of you too...

Br stocki
[Galaxy S I9000 General] $omator:
interesting. can we see a picture?
[Galaxy S I9000 General] Tamborine:
Just a curiosity, I tried googling if anyone had problems with port 7276, but it only came up with one search pointing to the google forums. I've tried port 7276, and it seems to me it tends to lock up slower then the port 7275 with supl.google.com setting. Albeit I do not use my gps very often so from a cold start.
[Galaxy S I9000 General] alejoca:
Hi, I wasn´t aware that so rich and detailed information about te poor GPS performance existed.

I had the same problems, and i have buyed a gps helper to improve the performance.

But i wasn´t totally happy with the results so i keep searching until i found this thread.

@dangrayorg

I have tested the settings here and many and many others ( have played around for a while ) and i just feel the need to say THANKS!

Because for a common user like me, such problems often are impossible to solve.

The post is very detailed and easy to read, and gave me the opportunity to try and fix the damn thing!

I need to say I´m delighted with the results, before trying anything my GPS barely see one or two sats and took 20 minutes to get a lock.

Now i see 9 or 10 satellites in the first 20 seconds and y get a lock on all of them""" this is heaven for me!!

For me has worked better the auto settings in the Server FQDN, the other settings are like here.

And here it´s the proof (h**p://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/806/20110507175415.png/)

Many thanks!! :D

Ale
[Galaxy S I9000 General] sgsI9003:
It still can be improved further so it can lock in 3-4 sec still your accuracy is off by 32 feet & SNR is still bit low.

Read the post in my signature & apply a simple fix you will be delighted.

Pressing the thanks button is better than saying thanks.
[Galaxy S I9000 General] t1mman:
GPS.xml

If, like me, you are using the GPS as a training aid to keep your pace, speed, etc. the GPS seems to "erratic" to keep a precise fix.

But then, I've done some reading and it seems like the cause of this behavior is caused by one settings in the jupiter.xml:

<gll DynMode="DYN_PEDESTRIAN" >

I've used darky's rom (9.3 and 9.4) and it looks like the file was replaced by the one in this thread:

http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=881941

The effect of this change is trully amazing; Instead of "trying to guess" and trying to "auto-correct" your destination, it takes only the GPS hit and keep it precise and accurate.

My main concern here is: HOW CAN I CHANGE THIS FILE UNDER GB?

The files provided on the thread are only working with Froyo since the file itself was changed under GB (/vendor/etc/gps.xml) so CWM won't work and I've tryed good ol' linux command (CP/MV, etc.) but the file is locked and read only... is there any way I can change this file?

Also, the current GPS.xml doesn't include any "gll DynMode", so it need to be tested to be concluded (as working or not)

Both original GPS.XML and optimised jupiter.xml are provided in the rar

UPDATE: Well, ADB Shell did work for MV/CP. I'll test it out this week to see if it works now
[Galaxy S I9000 General] $omator:
next time do some research.

gps.xml that youre posting is 1:1 as gb stock one

jupiter.xml on the other hand i guess must be some vibrant, epic or other variations specific file as it is not present in stock fw. will have to look at it later..

thats how it looks in terms of most fixes out there... you do not even chceck the files... flash whatever you lay your hands on and at the end its kernel developer fault that wifi bt apps aint working or whatever drain you have...
[Galaxy S I9000 General] t1mman:
The GPS.XML was intended to be "stock", as it is provided for comparaison for the jupiter.xml, provided in the link posted.

as stated in my post:

I'm also posting my finding in the same time as I do my research. The ADB Shell workaround is not in any sticky in here, so I'm also updating my findings.

before you say "do some research", please take time to read the whole post. And also consider this: This forum is intended for devloppers and findings of other users. Without the users posting their findings, their test results and their "bug" in the release, the whole thing would be pointless.
[Galaxy S I9000 General] $omator:
explain me how copying this files would help

gps.xml is the same

jupiter.xml i guess must have whole driver changed i think so it will not be use maybe will triger error?

again how this is helping anyone?

/edit: well good luck man with your voyages. try not to break something ;)
[Galaxy S I9000 General] t1mman:
Why don't you take the time to read the linked post before concluding to anything at all?

And take the time to read my posts in whole, not only parts... the 2 files are provided as comparaison. I don't know what your "goal" is, but mine is to try and test some things. Some of us might understand where I am heading, you clearly don't

The goal is simple: Provide a solution for sport trackings.

It worked flawlessly with Darky's optimised rom (9.3 and 9.4)

It is flawed with latest Gingerbread release (officials and untampered released, like JVH and JVK), the signal jumps around, is unconsistant and unprecise.

My reading has come to a conclusion: The flaw might be related to the GPS trying to "auto-guess" the destination and the path. This would be caused by the settings explained in this post:

http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=881941

This is provided as an hypothesis. It needs to be tested to be concluded as either true or false.

Please don't diss on theories or hypothesis before they are tested, this is the main reason this site exists. If you don't believe in testing, hypothesis and theories, you should probably go read review instead of reply on a DEVLOPPERS forum.
[Galaxy S I9000 General] $omator:
good luck then :)
[Galaxy S I9000 General] $omator:
there you go mate. gps.xml from latest (2.3.4) nexus s update. files are not the same as in i9000 jvh. there are few new lines added. so if you want to 'experiment' try this maybe ;)

also keep in mind that files not only have permisions but owners too ;)
[Galaxy S I9000 General] t1mman:
Actually, the most important parameter for sport tracker is the ability to force Pedestrian mode (instead of auto) with the command

DynMode="DYN_PEDESTRIAN"

This XML doesn't implement it so it should be rather useless for this type of application. But I have found PlumbBob GPS Fix wich would fix / implement this feature.

I have yet to test it out but I'll update my results
[Galaxy S I9000 General] $omator:
help me understand.

-how forcing gps to be in pedestrian state is good. wouldnt it be better to set it to automatic?

-nexus settings seems to have extended settings regarding noise reduction, i would say thats good and also might improve fix, especialy in radio-crowded area.

-what about CNoSmoothEnable i would say true

are there any more settings 'missing' in your opinion / 'wron'g setted
[Galaxy S I9000 General] $omator:
raw fix (and not tested)

i use atm

nexus's 2.3.4 gps.xml merged with sgs's one and few things changed

http://pastebin.com/FK6YBATs

copied into both files (yeah same in both)

could edit .sh files but that way it is faster ;)

/system/vendor/xml/gps.xml

/system/vendor/xml/gps_ExtLNA.xml

and from nexus's 2.3.4 ---> sgs

/system/vendor/bin/gpsd ---> /system/vendor/bin/gpsd

/system/vendor/lib/hw/gps.s5pc110.so ---> /system/lib/hw/gps.s5pc110.so

remember to set correct permisions/owners/groups

thats closest to nexus you can get

from what ive spoted accuracy stepping is not 5-15-30-...

but 5-10-15-20-25-...
[Galaxy S I9000 General] $omator:
-delete--delete-
[Galaxy S I9000 General] $omator:
--delete----delete--
[Galaxy S I9000 General] t1mman:
Well, actually, I've explained this at least once in my previous post, so please read this reply in FULL before asking the same question:

The issue (for my case) is when jogging/training, I need the signal to be as precise as possible. the "Auto" mode will try to "autocorrect" and "guess" your route and your position so, this will produce inconsistency in the tracking.

The results give something like this:

http://sportypal.com/Workouts/Embed/1127832?key=5f82f9efec399b456bd303b6ace455f4c0e5568b&ms=0

Where the same device can give results such as this one:

http://sportypal.com/Workouts/Embed/1013431?key=528033780e3d5c71e1b478dc9f1dfce8e6034c28&ms=0

So, the main explanation of the HUGE difference would be, as take from Da_G's analysis of gps.xml (or jupiter.xml)

This is the only logical reason as I have tested with the same settings in AngryGPS as I used, over a clean install (flashed JVH in odin, hardReset, cleaned caches, etc.) I have also tested many modems and the results are the same.
[Galaxy S I9000 General] reinbeau:
Tin Foil worked

I folded a strip of tin foil up to match the size of the little square on the inside of the cover of my Captivate, right over that little bent spring that seems to make contact with it. Carefully put the cover back on and voila! My GPS, which was usable but not quick or very accurate, now locks in about two seconds and has an accuracy of 5 meters - pretty damned good compared to 23 meters and fifteen to eighteen seconds to lock before!
[Galaxy S I9000 General] yanuricasper:
With picture would be nice:)
[Galaxy S I9000 General] $omator:
i was ironic ;)

anyways i think setting it to automatic is best option

but your test with running is best we can get. could you test my suggested files from nexus s with xmls switched to one ive pasted?

if you like i can provide you with files from latest 2.3.4 nex update
[Galaxy S I9000 General] t1mman:
For now I will test the result with

plumbBob2.0-BETA11

But since it changes more than just the xml's, the result might not reflect (or be solelly related to) your changes.

and keep it updated here. I don't know if the OEM settings/GPSD support the switch from Car to Pedestrian mode (when in Auto), but even at a walking pace, I get jumps.
[Galaxy S I9000 General] $omator:
ok then when you finish with your test please take nexuses files and copy over sgs ones with my xml please and post the results.

files are different but works on sgs. i do not see any errors in logcat produced so it is ok. and i like that accuracy stepping is every 5 meters not 15 as earlier
[Galaxy S I9000 General] $omator:
ive took a look into the fix youre trying out.

basicly those are not newst nexuss files with some things added that i do not know how could help interesting, will have to talk to 'developer'

not to mention thats captivate forum thats why he addes some files that do not exist in 'normal' sgs...

still imho best way would be copy nexus files i mentioned + tweak xmls as you like taking a base from my pastebin
[Galaxy S I9000 General] betoNL:
Dont waste your time ...really....

These "fitness" gps users have no clue,,,,Trying to get such an accuracy from smartphones gps and using OFFboard gps programs...

When the internal gps chipset is not performing as it should, things can only get worse when using Offboard gps apps which many times have (additional) sync problems with the server where the maps are stored..

The new Aura Sygic got a good performing pedestrian mode, but if the snr values remain low , you can forget it

And here I am....wasting my time once again :).....

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[Galaxy S I9000 General] $omator:
still i get 'i think' better results with nexuss files :)
[Galaxy S I9000 General] $omator:
i think i will do cwm package for those nexus files later

plus use this http://www.appbrain.com/app/tracker-booster/com.kaukovuo.android.trackerbooster
[Galaxy S I9000 General] t1mman:
Have you took a look at the result I have posted (sportypal links)? The difference is big enough to consider some settings in the equations, it's not only hardware related as the same hardware produce great results.

Anyway, the goal here (again) is to post our findings, there is a topic out there already about the possibility and what not...

anyway, to get back to the point, my latest test is not concluant.

So, I might get back to the rom wich gave me the best result (Darky's 9.4 with JQ1 from what I remember) to test if I still get the same results as I got (and retreive XML files to see if the settings are there)
[Galaxy S I9000 General] betoNL:
I have a good working gps on my sgs, since the Eclair times....

But I would be glad to test the nexus files if you make 2 of those $omator's cwm packages ( one with the new settings and one with the "original" settings just in case)

And you can see many of those gps tools(like tracker booster) in action, on my (old) videos + the best solution of all (for those who arer still having problems) which is the use of a compact external bluetooth gps receiver equipped with a sirfstar3 chipset (video 1 on my sign.)

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[Galaxy S I9000 General] $omator:
nothing special - traveling window fix ;)
[Galaxy S I9000 General] RashaMatt:
No tinfoil required

The tinfoil just improves the electrical contact between the spring and the backplate. But it has the disadvantage of pressing the spring further in, which may weaken it (it will certainly reduce the contact when the tinfoil falls out).

You can achieve the same effect without tinfoil by GENTLY lifting the spring up, so it protrudes a little higher, and thus makes better contact with the backplate all by itself. Also, gently cleaning both springs and backplate contacts could help.

After doing this I can now lock up to 5 sats indoors (on JVH with KC1 modem), and 10/10 outside. I haven't tested the tracking in motion yet, but I do see 5m accuracy outside on a cloudy day.
[Galaxy S I9000 General] reinbeau:
I had already done the 'gentle lift' and clean - the tin foil worked better. I'm not concerned about the foil falling out, I can easily replace it. It works, better than what I'd done before.
[Galaxy S I9000 General] $omator:
looks like the gps files from newest JV9 release fixed GPS ;)

cold start (all data from /data/gps deleted) took 8seconds and i had 11 birds =]

those are major changes in files!

i will post cwm zip tomorow or today if i will not fall asleep
[Galaxy S I9000 General] caribbean_spur:
Any news on this new fix? Just got my SGS and no luck, I have a bad GPS, can't even get a fix.
[Galaxy S I9000 General] astralmind:
Any fix for GingerBread ?

my gps was ok with froyo (ie usable for mytracks and driving) but now, regardless of which GB I try it is useless (20-30m precision)
[Galaxy S I9000 General] fy168:
upgrade yr SGS to gingerbread. n yr Gps will be lock within minutes
[Galaxy S I9000 General] astralmind:
Did the opposite for me, GB broke my GPS. Froyo was great.