Using nrf9160 as a proper GPS tracker

[Jesper Tiberg]

Hi,

I have some questions regarding the state of the GPS functionality, and the future plans for nrf9160.

Will continuous GPS tracking while simultaneously using LTE work in the future?

Currently, AFAIK, it only works while in PSM mode which makes it not really work as a real-time, high resolution tracker.

Is this a HW or SW issue? HW regarding nrf9160 in general (potentially with one LTE and one GPS antenna), but also Thingy:91 (which have a shared antenna).

To be clear about my objectives: I wan't to keep one position every second and sending it to a server in real-time.

If, after gotten a fix, I disable the GPS for doing LTE-communication (or just saving power), it takes a long time to regain a new fix (it seems to always cold start at best). Will this be fixed in the future?
This problem is even bigger due the GPS needing to be switched off while sending the positions to a server.

Is there / will there be support for (some kind of) aGPS for quicker first time fix?

[Didrik Rokhaug]

Hi.

It is not possible to run GPS at the same time as LTE on the nRF9160.

 

Currently, AFAIK, it only works while in PSM mode which makes it not really work as a real-time, high resolution tracker.

 We also support GPS while in eDRX (requires mfw > v1.1.0). And, we are working on improving it even more.

 

I wan't to keep one position every second and sending it to a server in real-time.

 Our Product specification lists a hot start acquisition time in good conditions as 1.3 seconds. Getting a fix every second is therefore not possible in most scenarios. We are working on improving the GPS performancs, but you might want to consider using an external GPS instead.

 

If, after gotten a fix, I disable the GPS for doing LTE-communication (or just saving power), it takes a long time to regain a new fix (it seems to always cold start at best). Will this be fixed in the future?

 How do you disable the GPS? And how long does it take to get a fix (after restarting)?

The GPS should hot start unless too much time has passed since last fix (< 30 min).

 

Is there / will there be support for (some kind of) aGPS for quicker first time fix?

 Yes there is:

https://developer.nordicsemi.com/nRF_Connect_SDK/doc/latest/nrf/samples/nrf9160/gps/README.html

https://developer.nordicsemi.com/nRF_Connect_SDK/doc/latest/nrf/include/supl_os_client.html#supl-client

Best regards,

Didrik