Verizon i910 (Omnia) aGPS Unlock Effort

[Guest dmk679]

With the emergence of an updated i910 rom, gps functionality is unlocked - great news! Through real-world testing, it is apparent that gps functionality is standalone (without aGPS). A big pro of a standalone gps is the independent function without data services. A big con is that it may take a few minutes to obtain a successful lock, which can be frustrating in some situations. The goal of this discussion is to enable aGPS on the verizon i910 (omnia).

Target 1 - XTRA

The samsung i900 (gsm) has an additional control panel applet named Enhanced GPS. This control panel applet initiates the executable \windows\gps_xtra.exe (aka XTRA) on the handheld. XTRA contacts a server (notably: test.agps.com:7275 or xtra1.gpsonextra.net:80) to download an xtra.bin file. The xtra.bin file contains satellite information to allow for much faster locks. The gps_xtra.exe on the i910 does not open a window to allow for user interaction. A different version of XTRA (attached), opens on the i910 and also interacts with registry settings in hklm/software/samsung/ril/gps/xtra. Although the user can interact with this version of XTRA, we are unable to download updated xtra.bin files using the phone data services or through activesync. Manually downloading the xtra.bin file from xtra1.gpsonextra.net and placing the file in the devices root directory (ie \My Device) allows XTRA to read the date/time stamp from the file. For additional testing of successfully running XTRA on the i910, a comparison of registry values and files from the i900 needs to occur. View XTRA screen shots and settings from this samsung-omnia thread.

Target 2 - Registry

The i910 registry has several folders of interest related to aGPS settings. hklm/software/samsung/ril/gps and hklm/software/samsung/ril/gps/xtra . Note that the XTRA directory is not present using any of the current Verizon roms and needs to be manually created, with keys setup similar to the i900.

Registry settings on the i900 - from this [url="http://www.modaco.com/content/i9x0-omnia-http-omnia-modaco-com/272440/xtra-et-a-gps/"]modaco thread[/url]


[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Samsung\RIL\GPS]

"AccessPoint"=""

"Accuracy"=dword:00000013

"AGPSStatus"=dword:00000000

"DownloadResult"=dword:00000000

"MaxLocationAge"=dword:00000000

"OperatingMode"=dword:00000000

"QOPDelay"=dword:0000000c

"RefreshRate"=dword:00000001

"ResponseTime"=dword:00000002

"Running"=dword:00000000

"ServerAddress"="test.agps.com:7275"

"SessionType"=dword:00000001

"SSL"=dword:00000000

"StartingMode"=dword:00000001

"TimeSync"=dword:00000000

"VAccuracy"=dword:00000000


[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Samsung\RIL\GPS\XTRA]

"AccessPoint"=""

"AutoDownload"=dword:00000000

"DownloadInterval"=dword:00000018

"DownloadResult"=dword:00000000

"Enable"=dword:00000000

"UseSpecificAPN"=dword:00000000

Manipulation of these registry keys may prove useful in unlocking aGPS on the i910.

Target 3 - qpst gpsone settings

By connecting the i910 to qpst, an internal qualcomm program to set/debug phone, gpsone settings can be viewed and manipulated. In many succesful aGPS setups on other devices, gpsone settings will be edited and entered "in sync" with appropriate registry settings - see aGPS setup for vx6800 on xda. For example, if an ip address for an aGPS server is entered in qpst, the associated ip can be entered in the serveraddress registry key listed above. Below is an image of the qpst gpsone tab on a motoq - the gpsone tab one the i910 has identical input options.

By setting up the appropriate aGPS settings in qpst and/or the registry, it may be possible to obtain aGPS functionality. View this thread over at xda regarding settings used on an HTC which have resulted in successful aGPS setup. Obtaining the default gpsone settings from an i900 device may prove helpful.

Summary

We have at least three targets to get aGPS working on the i910:

1) get XTRA to work properly (or get quickGPS to work - which functions in a similar manner)

2) modify registry in hklm/software/samsung/ril/gps and hklm/software/samsung/ril/gps/xtra (note xtra directory must be added; see above for i900 keys for both directories)

3) modify gpsone settings using qpst

Lets work together and see if we can obtain aGPS on the i910.

ps: you can run command line entries on the i910. First enable the clock to display in the taskbar (should be under the clock setting in the ctrl panel). Open an application (eg File Explorer) to display the clock in the upper task bar. Hold down the middle button on the bottom of the i910. Tap and hold the clock in the taskbar. Upon release of the clock, you will be prompted with a "Run" dialog box that will allow you to run command line strings.

GPS_XTRA.rar

Edited July 27, 2009 by dmk679

[Guest theidoctor.org]

The goal of this discussion is to enable aGPS on the verizon i910 (omnia).

wait... im confused... i thought agps is already enabled? Isnt a standalone gps what we want in this phone?

[Guest krelvinaz]

wait... im confused... i thought agps is already enabled? Isnt a standalone gps what we want in this phone?

Not if you want a quick lock. That is what the a in aGPS does (assist in getting lock). Without it, it takes a long time to get a lock.

It appears that the Assist part is not working or working properly.

[Guest theidoctor.org]

Not if you want a quick lock. That is what the a in aGPS does (assist in getting lock). Without it, it takes a long time to get a lock.

It appears that the Assist part is not working or working properly.

ok... well i understand assisted-gps, i just thought people were trying to look into using standalone gps so they wouldnt have to use verizons service....

hmm, im interested to see the improvement we can get on our phones with this

[Guest Omega Ra]

yes we wanted the stand alone and it is great, but it would be nice if we could get a fast lock so if we can get aGPS working and not have to pay that would be lovely.

[Guest dwallersv]

Doesn't aGPS require position information from the cell tower the phone is connected to, made available to the target internet host (in this case, it would be test.agps.com or xtra1.gpsonextra.net)? If this is indeed the case, we're SOL because Verizon doesn't make that data available. That's why Google Maps "My Location" non-GPS positioning never worked on the 910.

[Guest dmk679]

Doesn't aGPS require position information from the cell tower the phone is connected to, made available to the target internet host (in this case, it would be test.agps.com or xtra1.gpsonextra.net)? If this is indeed the case, we're SOL because Verizon doesn't make that data available. That's why Google Maps "My Location" non-GPS positioning never worked on the 910.

There are different ways aGPS can work. One method utilizes ephemeris data (gps estimates over the next 3/7/10 days) - an example would be downloading the xtra.bin or packedephemeris.ee . Ephemeris data contains estimates of satellite locations (not cell towers). The advantage to this solution is that you can download the file using data services, activesync or wifi and use the file to assist with gps locks over the next 3/7/10 days. I have downloaded the xtra.bin file and placed it in the \My Device and \My Device\Windows location. Over the next few days, I can determine if the addition of this file results in quicker locks. One may argue that utilization of ephemeris data is not true aGPS, which may be true since the gpsmode is still standalone, however the results are the same and I do not want to debate the topic. Review info on this page for more info.

Another aGPS method connects to an aGPS server to obtain "real-time" data when the gps is utilized. This method requires data services at the time of gps utilization to work properly.

Our option for the i910 is to determine if/how we can get the xtra.bin file from XTRA to help with locks. If we can get this file to work then we need to either fix GPS_XTRA.exe to update xtra.bin or use another application that performs the same function (eg quickgps).

Edited April 11, 2009 by dmk679

[Guest johnny2678]

Target 3 - qpst gpsone settings

By connecting the i910 to qpst, an internal qualcomm program to set/debug phone, gpsone settings can be viewed and manipulated. In many succesful aGPS setups on other devices, gpsone settings will be edited and entered "in sync" with appropriate registry settings - see aGPS setup for vx6800 on xda. For example, if an ip address for an aGPS server is entered in qpst, the associated ip can be entered in the serveraddress registry key listed above. Below is an image of the qpst gpsone tab on a motoq - the gpsone tab one the i910 has identical input options.

By setting up the appropriate aGPS settings in qpst and/or the registry, it may be possible to obtain aGPS functionality. View this thread over at xda regarding settings used on an HTC which have resulted in successful aGPS setup. Obtaining the default gpsone settings from an i900 device may prove helpful.

Very nice writeup... I was just about to post something similar now that I have played with unlocked GPS for a few days. While it is certainly nice to have the functionality, it doesn't stand up to the precision I got with my 6800 following the very same instructions posted above (9-12 satellites & <5 second lock time). Can we do something similar on the Omnia?

from XDA... does this step work on the Omnia?

Put the phone in DMR Mode by dialing ##3424 and pressing send. If you're having problems using the ## codes you can

directly execute "\Windows\DmRouter.exe /DIAG" with any program that lets you run command line arguments. ActiveSync will disconnect, and the PC should recognize the phone as an HTC USB Modem and will install the drivers.

[Guest ciara]

how do we enable the gps? I just got the omnia on march 26th, my google maps won't even lock onto a gps signal. Is this because of the agps?

[Guest johnny2678]

how do we enable the gps? I just got the omnia on march 26th, my google maps won't even lock onto a gps signal. Is this because of the agps?

http://www.modaco.com/content/i9x0-omnia-h...for-omnia-i910/

Please read this thread and follow the instructions TO THE LETTER! This should get you up and running with GPS on the i910... this thread is to discover a way to do the "quick" or "instant" GPS fix associated with aGPS.

[Guest johnny2678]

Does anyone have the 3 files that are posted at the XDA 6800 wiki site?

http://wiki.xda-developers.com/index.php?p...=VerizonAGPSFix

The server seems to be down. These instructions got aGPS up and running on my Titan after a compatible radio was release and I am willing to try them on my Omnia if I can get the files.

Thanks!

[Guest dmk679]

Does anyone have the 3 files that are posted at the XDA 6800 wiki site?

http://wiki.xda-developers.com/index.php?p...=VerizonAGPSFix

The server seems to be down. These instructions got aGPS up and running on my Titan after a compatible radio was release and I am willing to try them on my Omnia if I can get the files.

Thanks!

qpst 2.7 build 215 link: http://htr.hxc-host.com/hacktherazr.com-QPST_2.7_b215.exe

gc agps cab: attached - note that these reg entries will not work on the i910 - they are specific to htc devices

win modem drivers: download verizon software at http://vzam.net/ - see howardforums for details

Put the phone in DMR Mode by dialing ##3424 and pressing send. If you're having problems using the ## codes you can

directly execute "\Windows\DmRouter.exe /DIAG" with any program that lets you run command line arguments. ActiveSync will disconnect, and the PC should recognize the phone as an HTC USB Modem and will install the drivers.

From my experience, qpst settings stick on the i910 without going into a diagnostic mode. The i910 does not have the dmrouter.exe file, we would have to get into a diagnostic mode another way.

GC_Verizon_aGPS.cab

Edited April 11, 2009 by dmk679

[Guest johnny2678]

From my experience, qpst settings stick on the i910 without going into a diagnostic mode. The i910 does not have the dmrouter.exe file, we would have to get into a diagnostic mode another way.

Thanks for posting these... so you've tried qPST and applying the ip address? Did it make a difference w/ GPS? Or do we still need to figure out the reg settings?

[Guest dmk679]

Thanks for posting these... so you've tried qPST and applying the ip address? Did it make a difference w/ GPS? Or do we still need to figure out the reg settings?

Yes - I have tried qpst using verizon, alltel and telus agps server ip's. No dice...yet. I also tried a variety of reg settings:

operating mode = 2 or 4

serveraddress = same as used in qpst, including port number (ip:port)

agpsstatus = 1

I couldnt get it to work - maybe you give it a shot and see what you get?

Right now, I am testing this setup:

qpst gpsone settings:

check: allowed, gps emphemeris, autonomous, gps/alft hybrid

ip: 0.0.0.0

pde port: 0

reg settings:

agpsstatus = 0 (turn off)

operatingmode = 0 (standalone)

xtra settings (using app previously posted or can modify registry directly):

enabled

downloaded xtra.bin manually and placed in \my device and \my device\windows - not sure which location is correct for our device yet.

I need to test a bit more, but using this setup I just got a warm lock in 30 seconds on two occasions. I do need to test further to confirm and need to test a cold lock scenario, which I could not do today due to moving 10 yards of freaking mulch.

Definitions so we all talk the same lingo:

Hot start: restarted in the same location and GPS clock still correct.

Warm start: restarted in same location but GPS clock out of date, or restarted in different location but GPS clock still correct.

Cold start: restarted in a different location and GPS clock out of date.

Get your watches out and start testing some combinations - the more people we have testing different combinations the better we are to hit something that works for us.

If anybody needs any files or help getting qpst connected let me know.

[Guest dmk679]

Update using the previously posted configuration:

Cold lock on two separate occasions in less than 60seconds (40 miles from previous location and > 2hrs elapsed). Will continue to monitor performance and try different configuration to connect succesfully to aGPS server.

Update 12Apr09 2210est: 60s cold lock - seems like xtra.bin file is resulting in quicker cold locks. Tried connecting to aGPS server by chainge qpst gpsone settings and modifying reg settings - no luck yet. I think this may be possible with the appropriate registry settings, which we have not figured out yet.

Edited April 13, 2009 by dmk679

[Guest dmk679]

Update: 50-60s cold lock today using WLS with or without xtra.bin file available. Seems to have no effect on reducing lock times. Back to the drawing board to enable server aGPS (preferable) or XTRA, yuk.

[Guest krelvinaz]

Darkwings gpstest was making a aGPS connection via the net if I recall correctly. I can't find my notes on the hostname though.

[Guest ardvarkofdoom]

I personally can't check a cold lock right now and to be honest, that is really where you have to check the replication ability for fast locks because once I have a lock, I can usually get another lock really quick, even inside buildings. I can't say that the data connection opening is or isn't part of the agps opening... but you have to remember, it'll open up the data connection to download whatever part of the map you are looking at :excl:

[Guest flyaf05]

Where can you find the data connection name?

[Guest dmk679]

Where can you find the data connection name?

Settings / Connections / Connections / Manage Existing Connections

Look in the NAME column for the data connection name, I changed mine to Vzw and cannot remember the default name.

I can't say that the data connection opening is or isn't part of the agps opening... but you have to remember, it'll open up the data connection to download whatever part of the map you are looking at

The map data I am viewing is cached, does it still open a data connection to get updated map data. In any event, I plan to test a cold lock tomorrow am so we will know if the settings work or the whole thing is fubar.

[Guest ardvarkofdoom]

Yeah, it should still open up a data connection because even though you are currently viewing cached map, you might move off the cache and need to download new maps

[Guest flyaf05]

I just tried a warm start and had 5+ sats in 15-30sec. I'll try a cold start tomorrow.

[Guest dmk679]

I cold locked using WLS too fast this morning (it was almost immediate) - need to test again later

Is anyone else able to test?

Edited April 14, 2009 by dmk679

[Guest durag5]

I tried your settings after a hard reset of my phone to the original beta rom and i could not get a fast cold lock. verified settings in qpst and in registry editor.

[Guest Omega Ra]

Has anyone tried this program? GPSToday