GPS FORUM

> Hi,
>
> I am looking for any working bluetooth scanner application
> to test signal quality of my bluetooth gps units
> and record data (number of satellites, signal level for each satellite
> + timestamp + geoposition)
> to let me make decision which one gps bt unit is best for my intended
> use.

> darius wrote, On 25/09/2007 22:50:
>
> > Hi,
>
> > I am looking for any working bluetooth scanner application
> > to test signal quality of my bluetooth gps units
> > and record data (number of satellites, signal level for each satellite
> > + timestamp + geoposition)
> > to let me make decision which one gps bt unit is best for my intended
> > use.
>
> Not sure about comparing BT signal strength, Ive not seen any software
> that can generate a quantitative strength value.
> As for comparing GPS signal strength, accuracy and data logging you
> could tryhttp://www.visualgps.net/VisualGPS/default.htm, it does all
> that and more.
>
> I doubt PDAs would be able to connect more that 1 or 2 devices at a
> time. PCs can connect multiple devices. If each BT device is attached to
> the computer separately and assigned a different com port number it
> should work OK. VisualGPS should run as multiple applications (although
> Ive not tried that), each version running on the PC would need to be
> looking at a different com port.
>
> David
>
> --
> DavidM newsNO@ SPAMdjmorgan.org.ukwww.djmorgan.org.uk

>From official webpage of VisualGPS:

> BlueSoleil bluetooth driver for XP Windows installs bluetooth dongle
> at port No. 7
> Setting VisualGPS for the same port hangs it on.
> Ok. Looking for virtual serial ports for my usb dongle I cant set a
> port number above 8 in VisualGPS settings window.
> It hangs on on any port set.
> Have you ever succeeded to connect bluetooth gps unit to VisualGPS ?

> Darius wrote, On 26/09/2007 18:02:
>
> > BlueSoleil bluetooth driver for XP Windows installs bluetooth dongle
> > at port No. 7
> > Setting VisualGPS for the same port hangs it on.
> > Ok. Looking for virtual serial ports for my usb dongle I cant set a
> > port number above 8 in VisualGPS settings window.
> > It hangs on on any port set.
> > Have you ever succeeded to connect bluetooth gps unit to VisualGPS ?
>
> I have got my Royaltek BT GPS to work with VirtualGPS, but remember now
> that I had the same problem as you. Windows put my BT GPS in com30. The
> work around that I used was to go into Windows device manager and find
> the GPS device, there should be a com port selector. I changed it to
> something that virtualGPS would like, probably 6. Windows bitches that
> changing com ports can cause errors, but I had no problems. VirtualGPS
> then worked OK. Ive not had any system hangs with VirtualGPS in Windows
> XP. I dont use any extra drivers, only Windows standard BT tools.
>
> In case your BT GPS is sirf based, have you tried
SiRFDemo?http://www.sirf.com/free demo.htmlit lets you play with all the
> settings and look at the data streams.
> SiRFDemo
> After installing on a Windows PC, SiRFDemo can be used to talk with
> SiRF-based GPS receivers and: see satellites being tracked, monitor
> their positions, and even measure signal strengths. If youre so
> inclined, you can even log data and change receiver settings.
>
> Dont enable static navigation like it did, it stopped all my software
> from seeing the device, easy to change back once I recalled my mistake.
> BT GPS devices always appear completely passive, but with this software
> you can get right inside them and really mess stuff up :)
>
> --
> DavidM newsNO@ SPAMdjmorgan.org.ukwww.djmorgan.org.uk

> What I mean about scanning bluettooth devices like gps is Kismet
> wireless scanner and other hotspot scan options in WiFi enabled
> devices (laptop, PDA ..).
> What I get is signal level and a name of a hotspot to select.
> I would like to scan some bluetooth gps units to see which one works
> better, gets fix faster and satellite signal is stronger.
> The problem is successful pairing on both sides to be able to read
> nmea messages.
> Maby there is a software option to switch bluetooth gps unit into
> brodcasting mode to give up manual pairing.
> I have to know how to read mac address of gps unit in discovering mode
> first.

> Darius wrote, On 26/09/2007 19:52:
>
>
>> What I mean about scanning bluettooth devices like gps is Kismet
>> wireless scanner and other hotspot scan options in WiFi enabled
>> devices (laptop, PDA ..).
>> What I get is signal level and a name of a hotspot to select.
>> I would like to scan some bluetooth gps units to see which one works
>> better, gets fix faster and satellite signal is stronger.
>> The problem is successful pairing on both sides to be able to read
>> nmea messages.
>> Maby there is a software option to switch bluetooth gps unit into
>> brodcasting mode to give up manual pairing.
>> I have to know how to read mac address of gps unit in discovering mode
>> first.