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Return to GPS Problems.

Retrieved from "http://openmoko.org/wiki/GPS_Problems"
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See GPS for details on how to evaluate the Freerunner GPS with command line utilities.

MicroSD Card Issue

This thread indicates that the problem is interference from the SD card slot, and recommends trying without the SD card inserted. A software workaround is under testing...

Summary

Alasal posted a summary of the SD/GPS issue to the community mailing list (http://lists.openmoko.org/pipermail/community/2008-July/022180.html). The following is a wikified version of that summary, edited for clarity and to keep up with changing information.

Summary of the summary
You will be able to use the SD card at the same time as the GPS except for the first approximately 30 seconds. (And that's the worst case, because maybe OpenMoko can find better hacks/fixes).
Do the people of OpenMoko know about the problem?
Yes.
Are they working on the problem?
Yes, they are actively searching for a solution.
What is the problem?
The OpenMoko FreeRunner has a long TTFF with the SD card in the phone, so it takes a long time (10min+) before you get your first GPS data.
What is TTFF?
This is the time to first fix of the GPS. This is the time the GPS needs to get the first clue on where you are on planet earth. So you have to do this only once. After you have a FF (first fix), you can get more fixes without any problems with the SD card in the phone.
So if we have a first fix, the SD card doesn't block the GPS anymore?
Yes, the SD card doesn't block the GPS if we have a first fix. (Some people even claim it's more stable)
Do they have a solution?
Yes. There is already a highly alpha software workaround. The software just turns off the SD card clock when the SD card is not being used. They are also examining a hardware solution.
Do we have to return our FreeRunners to OpenMoko?
Probably not, because the software workaround should work too.
But we can't read from the SD card when the GPS is on?
Wrong, you will be able to read the SD card when the GPS is on. You will probably not be able to read the SD card when you're starting the GPS (approximately 30 seconds), because the SD card only stops the GPS from getting its first fix. After that you will be able to read the SD card again.
Is there a better software solution?
Maybe. From reading the mailing list, I have understood that half the Openmoko team is looking into this bug. All this information is only 1 - 2 days old and the bug is also young, so I suspect they can fine-tune the software workaround and make it only slow down the SD card or even better.
Did Openmoko test the GPS with a SD card in it?
Yes
Whey didn't they find it while testing the Freerunner?
Because they have to do the tests with a fake GPS signal and with that signal it worked (In a fab you don't have a decent GPS signal). They have already modified the test, so it corresponds to the GPS signal better.


Information about faulty antennas

  • If you removing the SD card doesn't help and you suspect your antenna, try unplugging and replugging the internal GPS connector. (See Disassembling_Neo1973 about 2/3 of the way down. (this may differ on freerunner, pictures appreciated)

Also note that there is a trac ticket for this issue: #1542

FreeRunner_GPS_antenna_repair_SOP Indicates that some (rare?) units may have bad soldering, and includes a guide to fix. This will presumably void your warranty.