1) How to download and install Aspicore GSM Tracker?
Download the trial SIS file into your computer from Aspicore's server or e.g. from www.handango.com or softwaremarket.nokia.com. Install it into your Series 60 phone with e.g. Nokia PC Suite or Bluetooth file transfer.
Alternatively, if you have your phone correctly configured for WAP browsing, you can download the sis file directly into your phone from wap.my-symbian.com -> Series 60 Section -> Series 60 Downloads -> Search "Aspicore" -> Aspicore GSM Tracker.
The file with the extension .sis is a standard Symbian installation file.
It is an installation package including all the necessary executables and other files needed to install into the Symbian device. The file contains also instructions for the Symbian Installation System, how the application is installed.
The .sis files can be installed either from a PC or directly from a Series 60 device.
If you have a Nokia phone, your computer recognizes .sis extension, if you install the Nokia PC Suite software from the CD-ROM disk, which should have been delivered with your phone. You can also download the Nokia PC Suite from Nokia web site. Other Symbian OS phone may have other installer software, which make the computer able to handle .sis files.
3) How to install the .sis file from a PC?
- Either use Nokia PC Suite or other installer tool to process the .sis file in the PC side and tranfer the required components to your Series 60 device
- or transfer the entire .sis file into the Series 60 device and let the device to process the file and extract the required components. Bluetooth file transfer is a very handy way to transfer the .sis file. (Right click the file in Windows explorer and choose "Send To"/"Bluetooth"/<Your Phone BT Name>).
4) How to install the .sis file with Nokia PC Suite?
Once you have installed PC Suite and connected it to your phone, just double-click the .sis file and the PC Suite starts installing the application into your phone.
5) How to install with Bluetooth file transfer?
Right click the file in Windows explorer and choose "Send To"/"Bluetooth"/<Your Phone BT Name>. The .sis file should soon appear into the Inbox of your phone's Messaging application and when you open the message in your phone, the installation starts automatically. (If you get error, see error copying file and installation security error.)
Note for Series 80 users: (Nokia 9300 and 9500 users:) Start the file transfer from Windows explorer as told above. However note, that in Series 80 devices the SIS file does not go into the Messaging application, but it goes into the "Communicator/My files" folder. Use the "File manager" in your device to find acgsmtrckr80.SIS. Open acgsmtrckr80.SIS. Now the installation program should start. Delete the file acgsmtrckr80.SIS, when the installation has finished.
6) Installation error: The device Nokia has been disconnected
Question: I have installed Nokia PC Suite for Nokia 3650 into my computer. When I double-click the file AcGsmTrckr.SIS, nothing seems to happen first. After a while a message box appears with title "Installation Error" and message "The device Nokia has been disconnected"
Answer: It sounds that the mRouter program, which is part of "PC Suite for Nokia 3650", is not activated. In other words, there is not an active connection from mRouter to your phone.
When the connection is valid, you see the icon
in the Windows taskbar. On the other hand, the icon
shows that the phone is disconnected and double-clicking a .sis file does not work!.
It is indeed quite tricky, to get mRouter connected via Bluetooth to a Nokia phone. See some hints below.
Alternative, perhaps easier, ways to install Aspicore GSM Tracker, are either using a WAP connection (see above) or Bluetooth File Transfer.
7) How to configure PC Suite and mRouter and connect to phone via BT?
N.B. These instructions are created based on the experience with Nokia 3650 phone. Other Nokia models and other PC Suite versions may be different and thus all hints below are not necessarily appropriate. E.g. PC Suite for Nokia 7610 seem not using Bluetooth Serial Ports at all and so the mRouter stuff below is not relevant to Nokia 7610 users. We have successfully used inexpensive Belkin Bluetooth USB Adapters, which are probably not officially supported by Nokia and this may reflect in the complicated PC Suite installation.
This PC Suite installation is quite complicated and the order of the instructions below may not be optimal. We ourselves had to do many trials and errors with our Bluetooth USB Adapter, Nokia phone and Nokia PC Suite software, before concluding into this procedure. If you find any inconsistencies in these instructions, we would be happy to hear about them at support@aspicore.com.
First of all, you must have a Bluetooth adapter (Bluetooth version 1.1 or newer) and its drivers installed into your PC. Refer to your Bluetooth adapter's documentation.
Now you can install PC Suite from the Nokia CD-ROM or downloaded from Nokia's web site.
Then you should search for your Nokia device from Windows from "My Bluetooth Places" / "Entire Bluetooth Neighborhood". How to do this, depend on your BT adapter and Windows versions. Make sure the setting "Bluetooth" is "On" and the setting "My device's visibility" is "Shown to all" in your phone. Look for "Find Bluetooth Devices" icon or menu option from your PC.
When you have added your phone into the Bluetooth Neighborhood, you may first right-click the phone icon and choose "Pair Device". You need to enter an arbitrary PIN code, same code from the PC keyboard and from your phone. Add also your PC into your phone's "Paired devices" list, scroll to your PC name in the paired devices list and choose "Options" -> "Set as authorised".
When you have added your phone into the Bluetooth Neighborhood, you may right-click the phone icon and choose "Discover Available Services".
You need "Bluetooth Serial Port" service in the phone for mRouter. Refer to PC Suite documentation for further details.
According to our trials with Nokia 3650, you have to connect to your phone's Bluetooth Serial Port from Windows, make a note of the virtual COM port number, make sure that you have activated "Bluetooth Serial Port" service in your PC to be connected from external BT devices (and set to accept connection requests at least from your phone), make note of that COM port number from "My Bluetooth Places" / "My Device" / "My Bluetooth Serial Port" / "Properties" and then check BOTH virtual COM port numbers in mRouter. The trick is, that you need to check two (2) check-boxes in mRouter and you need to know which two.
BTW, you can access mRouter by double-clicking the
Now, once you have checked the correct COM port check-boxes in the mRouter, you should see its icon changed to
If you have troubles in creating the mRouter connections, try the following:
- Uncheck the COM port checkboxes from mRouter
- Make sure that Bluetooth is turned on in your phone and it is in the idle state. You should see a steady indicator
below the battery level indicator at the top-right area of your phone's display in the standby mode.
- In mRouter, check the two checkboxes of the virtual COM ports Windows has assigned
1) to your PC's own Bluetooth Serial Port and
2) to your phone's Bluetooth Serial Port.
According to our experience, it is better to check the checkboxes in this order!- Soon indicator
should start blinking in your phone. This means that mRoutes tries to make connection to the phone.
- If the handshaking succeeds, the indicator
- If you still have problems, uncheck the checkboxes from mRouter, try right-clicking the Nokia icon in Windows Explorer "My Bluetooth Places" / "Entire Bluetooth Neighborhood", choose the popup menu option "Connect Bluetooth Serial Port". Soon you may get "Bluetooth Connection Successful" message near the BT icon
in the Windows taskbar. Now you can try again to check the mRouter checkboxes!
8) Do I have to install some additional software or drivers into phone?
No. Aspicore GSM Tracker does not need any additional software in a Series 60 phone.
To be able to send location data from the phone, you have to have a working data service from your operator. We recommend GPRS, because it is cheaper than GSM data. Normally GPRS is included even without an explicit agreement in the services offered to camera phones, because sending and receiving MMS messages requires GPRS. Refer to http://www.aspicore.com/gsmtrackerhelp/v100/gprs.htm#GPRS for configuring the GPRS.
9) Do I need some additional hardware?
No. Aspicore GSM Tracker does not need any additional hardware in addition to a Series 60 phone.
You may have an optional Bluetooth GPS receiver (strongly recommended) to be able to get more accurate and informative position data than with network cell based tracking only.
10) How can I use Aspicore GSM Tracker abroad?
You must make sure from your operator, that they have working GPRS roaming contracts in the countries you are going to travel.
11) I want to make my own server database. How I can set up a similar system to your test database?
You should write a program, which is listening an UDP/IP socket on some port number. In our test database we are using port number 1002, but you can use any port suitable to you. Our GSM Tracker program sends datagrams in plain ASCII. You will see the message format once you set up a listening program and send data to your IP address. GPS data is in NMEA-0183 format (more specific: $GPRMC sentences). In addition, you must open that UDP port number from your possible firewall and your computer must have an IP, which is accessible from the public Internet.
Unfortunately we cannot give more detailed information in a general level without going into programming language specific details. Look for the keywords "UDP", "User Datagram Protocol", "socket programming" and "sockets" in your programming language documentation.
Our program does not use http protocols to send data, so your programming language must be able to handle raw UDP messages. One advantage of UDP compared to http is that UDP messages are more compact and generate considerably less GPRS traffic.
We provide some sample Perl scripts for your free use. They show how you can process the UDP datagrams at the receiving end. See also the sample Java code.
Http data can be processed as shown in our PHP and ASP samples.
BTW, if you wish, we can give you an offer about the server software running under Windows and storing the Aspicore GSM Tracker data into MSSQL or MySQL database. Please refer to Aspicore UDP Server for more details.
Windows Explorer may say Error copying file after you have tried the pop-up menu command Send To -> Bluetooth -> <your phone>.
It seems that you cannot transfer a file, if there already exists a file with same name in the Inbox of your phone's Messaging app. So it is best to always remember delete the message containing the SIS file from the Inbox after the application has been installed. Otherwise installing newer versions with BT FTP fail.
Sometimes Error copying file happens for no apparent reason. For example, copying from one of our Windows 2000 computer to our Nokia 7610 device does not work for some strange reason. Copying to other phones works. And also copying from a Windows XP computer to the Nokia 7610 works. We are using Belkin Bluetooth USB dongles. Perhaps the problem is in the Belkin W2k drivers or in Windows 2000. So if you have an opportunity to try installing from another PC, that may help.
You can also try pairing your PC with your phone: Go to Bluetooth app in you phone menu. Click right to enable the Paired devices tab. Make sure that your PC is listed there. Otherwise execute Options/New paired device. Make also sure that there is a lock symbol next to your PC name. This means that your PC has been set as "authorised" and your phone trusts your PC.
13) Other ways to install the .sis file: e-mail, MMS, IR, USB data cable, memory card reader
Preferred installation methods are given in the beginning of this page.
You can also try sending the SIS file to your phone via e-mail or MMS. Or via IR, although that may be problematic especially with older Windows versions like Windows 2000. If you have a USB data cable and Nokia PC Suite, that is one installation possibility.
If your phone takes memory cards and your PC has got a MMC memory card reader / writer, you can use the MMC card reader to copy the SIS file from your PC directly to the the phone's memory card and then insert the MMC card into your handset. You'll need to execute the SIS file with a file manager to start the Installer. If you have not got a real file manager on your phone, you can try putting the SIS file into \System\install directory on the MMC card and try using are using phone's "Manager" from the Tools menu to install the SIS file. (If you haven't got a file manager, we recommend FExplorer from http://www.newlc.com/).
14) Increasing location upload frequency
Q: Is there anyway to increase the frequency at which the location information is uploaded via GPS or GSM. The current once per minute is a little limited can it be change to say once per second?
A: The highest time based location upload frequency in the current version of Aspicore GSM Tracker is once per minute. There is no technical reason, why the location information could not be uploaded more frequently (up to some limit set by the smartphone CPU speed). We just wanted to keep our configuration settings simple and so we standardized the time period granularity to whole minutes only.
In addition to the time based upload frequency, you can also turn the distance trigger on and set the threshold distance to e.g. 100 meters. This makes the upload to happen approximately every 5 seconds, when you are driving at the speed of 50 mph. When you do not move so fast, the distance based upload occurs less frequently. We think this is a very useful feature especially when your service provider charges you for each tranferred byte. Usually it makes no sense to upload location information once per a few seconds, when you are stopped for a long time.
We believed that these settings would be flexible enough for majority of our potentional location tracking customers.
15) Data format description (UDP and TCP)
Here is a file udpdata.txt with sample datagrams sent by Aspicore GSM Tracker. (Some linefeeds are added between the datagrams to make the file easier to read.)
The specification of the UDP datagram is as follows:
- The datagram consists of ASCII lines, each line terminated with control characters CR LF (decimal codes 13 and 10).
- The first line starts with characters IMEI, followed by the IMEI code of the phone.
- The second line starts with characters $GPRMC, if the GPS receiver is connected. This line contains the $GPRMC sentence in its original form as sent by the GPS receiver. In other words, the line contains all the GPS data, which is stored to the server. The GPS data format conforms to the NMEA-0183 standard.
- If the GPS receiver is not connected, the $GPRMC line is replaced by a line "No GPS info".
- The GPS data row may be followed by one or two lines starting with words "OutCell" and "In Cell". These lines contain the GSM network cell information.
- There may be a line starting with word "Label". This line contains label for current location entered by the mobile user.
- The last line in the datagram starts with a star (*), followed by a 32-bit CRC code. The CRC is calculated from the start of the datagram to the * character excluding the * character.
The data flow is one way only. The receiving program just accepts the received datagrams. It does not respond in any way. In other words, the receiving program does not need to send any acknowledgment or anything else back to the Aspicore GSM Tracker. The TCP/IP message format is similar unless GpsGate protocol has been selected.
16) Sending current location even when GPS receiver has no fixed location
Q: Is there an option to keep sending the current location in intervals even if it is invalid?
A: Aspicore GSM Tracker sends GPS data to the server every minute, if you have enabled the time trigger in the settings and set the time period to 1 minute. This time triggered sending happens irrespective of whether the GPS receiver has fixed the location or not. The requirement is, that the GPS receiver sends $GPRMC sentences. Our application forwards the $GPRMC sentence to the server, if the set time period has elapsed since last transmission. Some GPS receiver models do not seem to send $GPRMC sentences, if they have no fixed location.
Alternative way of triggering the send action in our application is to use a distance based trigger. The distance calculation for this trigger works only, when the GPS receiver has fixed the location properly.
So referring to your question, the answer is yes. It is possible to keep sending the current location in intervals even if it is invalid, if the GPS receiver sends $GPRMC sentences during this time. You see the UTC time changing in the main screen, when the GPS receiver sends $GPRMC sentences.
17) Connection protocols compared (UDP / TCP / HTTP)
UDP was the only protocol supported by Aspicore GSM Tracker 1.xx.
UDP advantages
The UDP protocol is fast, we have found the connection sufficiently reliable, the response time is quick and it is cost-effective to use. A robust and efficient server end to handle multiple simultaneous clients is easier to implement with UDP than with TCP. UDP is in fact quite suitable for frequent one-way transmission of real-time location data. (Each datagram is timestamped, so ordering them in the receive end is not a problem. If some datagram sometimes happen to disappear, it is not normally a problem.)
UDP disadvantages
When you are using UDP in GSM Tracker, the application does not actually know, if the connection is valid end-to-end. Even if the icon shows the data connection is open, it does not guarantee that the UDP datagrams reach the destination. The application only knows, that it has got an IP connection to your service provider. The application does not have a clue, what happens to the sent datagrams. The service provider may ignore the datagrams without forwarding them anywhere.
TCP
TCP is an error-correcting protocol. TCP (with or without HTTP) is an option in Aspicore GSM Tracker version 3.13 and later.
TCP advantages
If the TCP connection is open, you know that you have an "open pipe" from end to end and you can trust that the messages reach the destination as long as the connection stays open.
The biggest advantage of TCP is that the mobile client gets notified immediately, when the connection is broken and it is possible to use the connection for two-way communication.
TCP diadvantages
Creating a TCP connection through a cellular data network is a bit slower than just sending an UDP datagram. Maintaining a TCP connections at the server end requires more CPU and network resources than receiving connectionless UDP datagrams. The connection maintenance makes the traffic costs (money and time) somewhat bigger than with UDP.
HTTP
Aspicore GSM Tracker v2.xx and v3.xx support HTTP as an alternative for a raw UDP/IP connection.
HTTP advantages
The server end is easy to implement with any standard web server.
Some service providers offer a functioning HTTP service by default, but for custom TCP or UDP connections you may need a separate data plan.
The price of the bandwidth usage may be different for HTTP traffic and for other kind of data traffic.
HTTP disadvantages
HTTP causes several times more network traffic than UDP or a plain TCP connection. The bigger bandwidth usage makes the communication slower and can be more expensive (but not always).
18) Sending both the CellID and the Lat and Long simultaneously to the server?
You can send cell change information together with GPS coordinates with the following settings:
- make sure, that the Bluetooth GPS connection is on (you see the coordinates on the phone screen)
- turn the settings item "cell trigger" on (Options/Settings)
- make sure, that all the icons on the main screen are in the "enabled" state (without red "forbidden" signs)
Now the device sends cell info together with GPS coordinates to the server every time the current network cell changes (or when you stop and start "cell tracking" from the Options/GSM menu).
19) I cannot enter the registration code
You can enter the code as follows:
- start the application "Aspicore GSM Tracker" in your phone
- activate the application menu by pressing the leftmost soft key labelled "Options", scroll down, highlight the option "Registration" and press the first soft key labelled "Select"
- now the display should show "GSM Tracker is unregistered. Please register at www.handango.com."
- press the second soft key labelled "Set Code"
- enter the code into the dialog window
- press the first soft key labelled "OK"
The phone should now display a message "Registration code valid".
If the application does not accept the code, it shows message "Registration code invalid, please re-enter".
If the application accepts the code, exit the application and start it again. You should not see the trial mode message anymore.
If you still see the trial mode message, the application has not been able to write the registration code into your phone's flash memory: your phone's internal flash disk is probably too full. Make more room in the flash disk by removing some applications or data, switch off and restart your phone and try again.
If the application does not accept the code and you know the code is correct for your phone's serial number (IMEI), try uninstalling the application completely from your phone (with the "App. manager" tool), switch off and restart your phone, reinstall the application and try again.
20) GSM Tracker hangs the phone
If it happens, that your phone completely freezes after you have started Aspicore GSM Tracker, do as follows:
If the phone does not respond to the power off button, you have to remove the battery to shut down the phone. Reconnect the battery and turn the power on again.
Some versions cause the phone hang during application start, if the option "On startup GPS" is on and the option "Store GPS BT name" is off or the BT device has not been already chosen. (The Bluetooth selection dialog stays invisible in the background and blocks the whole user interface. There is a trick to get the dialog into foreground: press the menu key shortly after starting GSM Tracker.)
The problem of hidden BT selection dialog has been fixed in version 2.19. In the fixed version, the application ignores the settings option "On startup GPS", if the option "Store GPS BT name" is off or if the BT GPS device is not known. If you have an older version 2.xx, we recommend you to upgrade it for free by downloading the latest version from www.aspicore.com or from www.handango.com. You can install the new version on top of the older 2.xx version. The settings are preserved.
21) GPS disconnection problem, Bluetooth connection fails
Symptoms:
Your Bluetooth GPS connection has worked before, but now Aspicore GSM Tracker is not able to make the connection. If you have the setting "On startup GPS" switched on, then the the log view shows repeatedly something like: "Timed out", "Releasing GPS connection", "GPS Disconnection complete", "Connecting GPS", GPS name, ...
Cure:
First, make sure that the Bluetooth has been switched on in your mobile device. If this does not solve your problem, read on.
Switch the settings "Store GPS BT name" and "On startup GPS" temporarily off.
Wait 5 minutes to make sure Aspicore GSM Tracker releases the BT resources. (The log view should show something like: "Timed out", ..., "GPS Disconnection complete", at least in our example problem case it did.)
Verify, that your GPS receiver device is working normally. If you are not sure, try to reboot the GPS device.
Do the Bluetooth pairing again between your phone and the BT GPS device. Some BT GPS devices tend to lose the pairing information as time passes.
Try the command "Options" -> "Connect GPS". If you now get the GPS connection working, the problem was with the pairing. Now you can restore the settings "Store GPS BT name" and "On startup GPS" back on.
If the above steps did not help, try rebooting your phone. This resets the Bluetooth stack of your phone and is sometimes required.
22) Nokia N70 Bluetooth problem
Symptoms: After connecting to Bluetooth GPS receiver the "log" tab shows (after a while):
- 6. Lost GPS connection (Unknown) - 6305 12:27:06
- 7. Releasing GPS connection 12:27:06
- 8. Failed to disconnect GPS-2 12:27:06
If in Settings I check the "On startup GPS" On then the above lines (in Log) may appear from time to time but the connection is restored automatically by Aspicore GSM Tracker.
Explanation:
This random BT disconnection is a known issue with Aspicore GSM Tracker and some Nokia N70 devices. (We don't know the cause yet, it may have something to do with the upgraded Bluetooth version, i.e. 2.0 in N70 vs. 1.x in earlier Nokia models.)
You may try to update the phone firmware at a Nokia service center and see if it helps.
According to the customer feedback we have received, the problem only causes a few seconds break in the GPS connection, but the application is still usable. Only remember to set the "On startup GPS" setting "On".
23) How to uninstall Aspicore GSM Tracker?
Q: How can I delete Aspicore GSM Tracker from my phone?
A:
In the newest phones uninstallation is simple:
- Highlight "GSM Trckr" icon in the application menu. (The icon is probably in the "Applications" / "My Own" or "Installed" folder.)
- Press the C key. The following query dialog should appear: "'AcGsmTrckr3' will be removed from phone. Continue?"
- Press the left softkey "Yes" to accept uninstallation.
If the above method does not work, do as follows:
- Press the menu key to open the application menu
- Find the icon for application manager. Open the application manager. (Depending how the icons are arranged in your phone, the application manager may be in the Tools folder, icon with title "Manager")
- Highlight the row AcGsmTrckr in the App. manager list. Choose Options/Remove. Confirm removal. (In case of GSM Tracker v2.xx, it is titled as AcGsmTrckr2 in the list.)
- Now the Aspicore GSM Tracker should be removed from your phone.
If you want to verify, that all the files have been removed, use a 3rd party file manager (FExplorer or similar) to check that there are no files in directories \system\Apps\AcGsmTrckr (or \system\Apps\AcGsmTrckr2) in either the internal Flash drive (C) or in the MMC card (E).
24) Installation Security error
Problem:
I have been trying to install the Aspicore acgsmtrckr2_v216 to my Nokia N70 phone. I have been able to transfer to file to the device but it comes up with the following error: Installation Security error unable to install. When I check the certificate it tells me: Problem unable to locate root certificate Issuer VeriSign
Background information
The current installation package acgsmtrckr2_v216.SIS is not officially Symbian Signed. The certificate always tells "Problem unable to locate root certificate Issuer VeriSign". You don't need to be worried about that.
VeriSign certificate is not a guarantee for Symbian OS, that the application can be trusted. (The VeriSign root certificate is either missing from the phone's cert list in "Settings" / "Security" / "Certificate Management" / "Authority" or the cert's trust setting "Symbian installation" is set to "No") ( More info )
With most of the current phones, this does not prevent the installation. Usually you see warning "Application is untrusted and may have problems. Install only if you trust provider." YES/NO. If you press YES, the installation continues.
Resolution:
On your phone, go to Tools > Manager. Click Options, Settings and turn "Software installation" to "On" (instead of "Signed only").
25) The program exits by itself
Q: It seems that the program spontaneously quits without leaving a trace. Sometimes it will run for hours, other times for minutes.
A: Symbian OS closes down background applications, if it runs out of memory. The system attribute in the settings may help for this. Make sure you have turned on the setting "System attribute" in Aspicore GSM Tracker settings. Restart the program after changes. This flag prevents the OS memory management of closing this app down, when the other applications need more memory.
There may be a side effect of turning on the system attribute: The application cannot be closed down by pressing the C key in the task list. If this happens, you have to use the exit option in the application itself to close it down.
26) The Nokia N73 Bluetooth connection does not stay on
Q: Aspicore GSM Tracker loses the Bluetooth connection to the GPS device. The connection stays alive only a few minutes at a time.
A: That problem is a known issue with Nokia N73 firmware version 2.0628.0.0.1. (The version 2.0628.0.0.3 may work a bit better.) Check, that you have at least the firmware version 3.0638.0.0.1 in your device. (You can check the firmware version by entering *#0000# on the idle screen.)
27) The Nokia N Series devices firmware version check
If you have an S60 3rd Ed. Platform N Series device with Bluetooth 2.0, we recommend you to check that the firmware of the device is late Sep-2006 or newer. E.g. with N73, you need firmware 3.0638.0.0.1 or newer.
28) HTTP data upload querystring parameters
Q: My web server script is iterating over received querystring parameters. There are a few querysting items I'm un-sure about. Could you explain key/value pairs?
A: Explanation of some non-obvious key/value pairs:
querystring key querystring key value (example) description status A The possible values are 'A' and 'V'. These values come directly from the GPS receiver. The letter A shows that the coordinates are valid. The letter V means, that there were too few satellites visible to make an accurate position fix. course 28.14 The value is 'course over ground' from the GPS receiver in degrees, possible values are from 0 to 359.99 Zero means that the GPS receiver is moving to the north, 90 is to the east, 180 to the south and 270 to the west. The value is not accurate when the target is stationary. hdop 4.2 'Horizontal dilution of precision' from the GPS. This describes the reliability of the position fix. The smaller the number the better the accuracy is. Can be used to estimate the horizontal precision of the location fix. HDOP value changes when the satellite positions or visible satellites change. lac 3260 The location area code of the currently serving network cell. mcc 238 Mobile Country or Geographical Area Codes of the currently serving cellular network. mnc 20 Mobile Network Code (MNC) of the currently serving cellular network. mode 2 Mode of the cellular network. 2 = GSM/GPRS or DCS1800 network, 6 = WCDMA ssi 75 The signal strength of the currently serving cell.
Q: I want to store NMEA data to Nokia N95 flash disk. Unfortunately, I am unable to collect NMEA logs locally on the device (either in the memory flash card or on the handset). I can see the NMEA sentences in the INFO window and I am getting GPS fixes okay.
A: The contents of log file is written from RAM to the flash disk only when the application is closed or when the day changes (related to UTC time). (In v3.13 and later, the file is written every 5 minutes.)
To use the log file for GPS data, you need:
- capture file 'On'
- capture file path a valid path name, e.g. C:\Data\Others\
- offline capture only 'Off'
- GPS connection on
- some triggers defined to choose the data collection frequency, e.g. time trigger on, time period 1 minute.
To force a log entry even if the satellite visibility is poor: Options -> Current position -> Send to Internet.
In versions 3.12 and earlier, the log file is flushed to the disk only on exit or day change. So you must exit the application before you can examine the result with N95 File manager.
In version 3.13 and later, the log file is flushed to the disk every 5 minutes, so that should be the maximum data loss period, if the battery is unexpectly removed.
30) How much free memory is required to install?
If you choose to install to phone memory, you need to have at least 1500 kB free phone memory before transferring the installation file into the phone.
If you choose to install to memory card, you need to have at least 500 kB free phone memory and 900 kB free memory on the card. In this case the phone memory is required mainly temporarily for the installation program.
(The memory requirements above have been measured with version 3.12 of Aspicore GSM Tracker.)
31) Memory full error from the browser
Q: I have a Nokia N80 and Nokia GPS. When I am in GSM Tracker and sending over the Internet, I tried to enter the browse position on the handset. Each time it pulls up the Google map, it bombs out and says memory full error. How much memory do I need?
A: Have you got the latest N80 firmware?
You can also try some other map than Google maps. Google maps is not optimized for Nokia cellphone browser, it uses lots of memory and scripts. You can choose the online map provider by changing the configuration setting "Map page URL" as shown in our help.
32) How do I adjust the frequency at which automatic messages are sent?
The simplest way to determine the frequency is to use time based triggering as follows:
Choose Options -> Settings from the menu. Go to Trig1 tab. (Use the arrow right key / joystick).
- Set time trigger ON.
- Set "Time period, min" to 1
- and "Time period, sec" to 0,
as an example. The values must be integers. These time period fields are added together, so 1 and 30 gives one minute and 30 seconds.
It is also possible to use travelled distance based automatic sending, or you can send an automatic "waypoint" every time the movement direction changes (the vehicle is turning).
33) How it works? Do I have to set up a server myself?
Q: I am interested in purchasing Aspicore GSM Tracker, but I'm not sure I understand how it works.
Do I have to set up a server myself, which will receive the GPS data and tell me where the phone is located or is there on already set up for us to use? So for an example put the software on the phone then when I want to know where is located I log into a website and it tells me.
Or is it more complicated than that?
Also I have a Nokia N95 which has a builtin GPS receiver. Can I use this with your software or does it have to be a separate Bluetooth one?
A: You do not need to set up a server yourself, if you are using e.g. the free gpsgate.com service to see your phone's location on Google Maps. You can also use Google Earth together with the free service from our test server, www.toimii.com/gps .
Aspicore GSM Tracker can utilize the internal GPS of N95, no external Bluetooth GPS is required with N95.
34) How to record a journey and view the full trip when I eventually return?
Q: I am planning to travel some of the the world, and I want to record/log the GPS co-ordinates of my journey, so I can view the full trip on Google maps when I eventually return.
I have the Nokia N73 (Symbian S60v3) and the Navicore Slim SiRF III Bluetooth GPS Receiver. Would your application be a viable option for me?
A: Yes, I think Aspicore GSM Tracker running on a Nokia N73 is a feasible option for you.
You can record GPS data on the phone's flash memory and transfer it later into your computer or you can send live data to a server via the cellular network (for this you need GPRS/3G roaming).
There are many ways to implement the Google Maps / Google Earth side yourself, if you want to set up your own server and you have some GPS and programming skills.
There are also ready-to-use free online location tracking and sharing services on the web and more are coming. You are also free to use our test server to store your data and utilize it later. The test server (www.toimii.com/gps) has been very reliable, but we do not guarantee its 100% availability.
If you choose to store tracks locally in the phone and process them later, you can use e.g. gpsbabel for GPS data processing and conversion.
Battery time is one critical parameter. The battery times vary a lot between different devices and also the cellular data connection power consumption may vary depending on the network.
Our application, Aspicore GSM Tracker, is very configurable and it may take some time to understand all the settings, so I recommend you to get familiar with it before your actual travel starts. When the settings are once optimized, the usage is very easy.
35) I want to show my location to friends and family on a web page
Q: I am leaving for a trip soon that will take quite some time and span over many countries.
I was curious to know if your service could track my location across different countries and show my location to friends and family on a web page.
Is your product capable of doing these things?
A: Yes, it is possible.
Your cell phone operator need to have Internet packet data service roaming contract (GPRS or 3G data) in the countries you are travelling.
You can use our test server for tracking (www.toimii.com/gps) or some of our partner's free services (World Tracker or gpsgate.com). Or you can set up your own server.
36) GSM Tracker HTTP protocol specification
Q: We are interested in supporting the Aspicores's http protocol. Do you have some specifications?
A: Below you can see an example of an HTTP GET request issued by Aspicore GSM Tracker. This http request is used to periodically upload the most recent location coordinates from the cell phone to a web server. The web server can reply with a short textual response. GSM Tracker shows the response string in its Info tab.
http://www.toimii.com/gps/storesql.asp?imei=123456789012345&lat=60.172740&lon=24.761930&status=A&speed=000.0&course=189.8&time=081055.668&date=250907
All the GPS related URL arguments are unconverted strings directly extracted from the NMEA line. Exception: Latitude and longitude are in a fixed point decimal degree format.
Some additional querystring description.
For a sample PHP implementation, have a look at script storesql.php at Aspicore GSM Tracker http protocol server side implementation with PHP
For a sample Microsoft ASP implementation, have a look at script storesql.asp at Aspicore GSM Tracker http protocol server side implementation with Microsoft IIS / ASP
More sample HTTP data can be provided on request.
37) GSM Tracker icons not showing on Nokia E90 or N95
Problem:
The GSM Tracker application icon is missing and also the status icons on the application main view do not show up. When GSM Tracker is running, also the icons of the other concurrently running applications are messed up in the task list.
This problem appears with Aspicore GSM Tracker v3.12 and Nokia E90 firmware 7.40.1.2 and Nokia N95 firmware 20.0.015.
Resolution:
The issue has to do with SVG compression. Try installing version 3.13 or later. The new version uses compressed icons for S60 3rd FP1 devices.
38) Access point is not working properly. General: System error(-20)
Problem:
When GSM Tracker running on Nokia 6110 Navigator tries to connect the IAP, it beeps and shows the message "General: System error(-20) Error code: -20"
This problem appears with Aspicore GSM Tracker v3.12 and Nokia 6110 Navigator firmware 03.51.
Resolution:
The issue may be related to a deleted access point in phone's connection settings. Make sure the GSM Tracker setting "Net"/"Store Access Point" is OFF. Exit GSM Tracker. Add a new access point to phone's connection settings. Restart GSM Tracker. When making a connection, choose a working access point from the list, when prompted. When the connection works again, you can switch the GSM Tracker setting "Net"/"Store Access Point" back to ON.
39) Internet connection does not work
Problem:
1) GSM Tracker does not manage to connect to the Internet or
2) The data sent from GSM Tracker does not reach the server in the Internet.
Resolution:
The issue may appear because GSM Tracker does not find a suitable Internet access point.
If in doubt, ask your operator how to get correct access point settings into your phone.
In GSM Tracker, you must use an Internet access point. WAP or MMS access point may not work.
More information here .
40) Changing to a different Bluetooth GPS device.
Q: I've discovered problem with the change from one BT GPS (Rikaline 6033) to another one (Wintec WBT-201). GSM Tracker isn't able to establish connection with a new device. I've switched the settings like "Store GPS BT name" and "On startup GPS" off. I've rebooted the phone (Nokia E50) too. Still no effect. It seems like the software still wants to connect to the previous device.
A: I assume you have the "Location API" setting in GSM Tracker switched on. The Nokia Location Acquisition API has its own internal logic to choose the Bluetooth GPS device. GSM Tracker ignores the "Store GPS BT name" setting, when "Location API" is turned ON. Try deleting all BT device names from the paired devices list in the phone's Bluetooth settings. Then you need to do the pairing again for your new BT GPS device.
41) Installing trial version into Nokia 6110 Navigator.
Q:
How can I install a trial version of Aspicore GSM Tracker into my Nokia 6110 Navigator?
A:
1) Download the installation package (sis file) to your PC.
For Nokia 6110 Navigator you need Aspicore GSM Tracker v3.12 or newer.
You can get the sis file from www.aspicore.com
2) Install the package into your Nokia 6110 Navigator with an USB cable and "Nokia PC Suite" software.
3) Start GSM Tracker from you phone menu from folder: "Applications" / "My own"
42) Step by step installation into Nokia 6110 Navigator with Nokia PC Suite.
Q:
I downloaded the installation file into my PC, but I can't open this file.
Do I need some special software?
A:
You need to install software "Nokia PC Suite" to your PC from Nokia 6110 Navigator CD-ROM.
You also need the USB cable from the Nokia 6110 Navigator sales box.
Installation with Nokia PC Suite step-by-step:
- Start Nokia PC Suite from your PC.
- Connect your PC and Nokia with the USB cable.
- Choose "PC Suite" from the "Select mode" enquiry appearing on your phone screen.
- PC Suite window should say "Nokia 6110 Navigator connected via USB" at the bottom of Nokia PC Suite main window.
- Click "Install applications" icon on PC Suite.
- Browse to the downloaded SIGNED_AcGsmTrckr3_S60_3_0_v_3_12_802.sis file on the left hand side (titled "My Computer") and select the file name.
- Click the green right arrow in the middle of the window to install the file into the phone.
- Answer to the questions appearing on the phone screen.
- After installation, exit Nokia PC Suite and remove the USB cable.
43) Changing trial version into full version.
Q:
We have Nokia 6110 Navigator and tried Aspicore GSM Tracker 3rd edition trial version.
If we buy full version on the internet, how can I get the system? To our computer ?
And how long do we need to use the system? We can use soon after buying on the internet ?
A:
You can change the trial version into a full version by purchasing a registration key (5 digit number) from our e-shop and entering the registration code into your phone.
If you buy it from Aspicore e-shop or www.handango.com, you get the registration key immediately. If you buy it from Nokia Softwaremarket or Nokia Download service, you normally get the registration code within 24 hours.
During purchase you will be asked for a Symbian Device ID (IMEI). This can be displayed by entering *#06# into the phone keypad in the phone standby mode. Once this serial number is entered, a registration code will be generated. This can be entered into Aspicore GSM Tracker application by selecting Options -> Registration and pressing the soft key Set Code.
Q:
I have been evaluating your GSM tracking software for the Symbian Series 60 3rd edition, Nokia 6110 Navigator.
The application works perfectly however, I would like it to start when the phone is turned on and run in the background.
Can this be done?
A:
Aspicore GSM Tracker starts up automatically, when you do as follows:
- When installing, leave the "Autostart possible" option enabled. (Checkbox selected in the installation options)
- Go to Aspicore GSM Tracker menu "Options" -> "Settings". Activate the "Misc" tab. Make sure, that the "Autostart" option is "On".
- Exit GSM Tracker.
Now Aspicore GSM Tracker starts automatically into the background, when you turn the phone on next time.
One tip: When you switch the phone on, wait for at least 4 minutes before rebooting the phone. Also when GSM Tracker has autostarted, let it run for a few minutes before trying to reboot again.
Background: There was a feature in the Symbian OS Start-on-Boot registration API, which interpreted a reboot as a software failure, if it was done within a few minutes since an application had been autostarted. This may not concern Nokia 6110 Navigator, but anyway it is safest to be not too hasty when testing autostart.
45) Menu does not work after autostart
Q:
I have it set to start in the background when the phone starts. I can see the little black satellite in the bar on the desktop so I know it is going. When I go into the application after it has started, the menu doesnt work, it pops up but you cannot scroll through the items. I then exit the application and start it again. I can then go through the menu.
A:
There are cases, where GSM Tracker shows a confirmation query (a modal dialog) after startup. If the application starts in the background and shows there a query dialog, the dialog does not seem to come to the foreground when you bring the application to the foreground through the task list. The result is that the application menu is not usable, because there is still a modal dialog running in the background.
You can prevent this of happening as follows. Before turning the autostart option on in the GSM Tracker settings, configure the other settings so that the application starts without showing any confirmation queries.
Such queries are e.g. "Unregistered trial" dialog, "Privacy statement" dialog, "Billable event" dialog and "Select access point" dialog.
Test the settings by starting GSM Tracker manually, let it run for one minute and see that no dialogs appear. If necessary, adjust the settings and try again.
Then turn the autostart option on in the settings, exit the application and reboot the phone. See that everything works as expected.
46) Export log file into Google Earth format (KML)
First, enable GSM Tracker capture file as instructed in 29) NMEA logging. The tracks are stored locally in the phone.
Later, transfer the log file into your computer and use e.g. gpsbabel to convert the logged NMEA 0183 sentences into Google Earth format (KML, Keyhole Markup Language).
The same way you can export logged tracks into GPX XML format.
47) What does Error: -34 mean?
Q:
I can successfully do an Options -> Packet data -> Connect to Internet, and select my access point. But as soon as I try to send a send a message, any message, in the log I get something like this:
- Connecting http... 23:38:46
- Error: -34 23:38:48
What the -34 error is?
I suspect I have my APN set up wrong.
A:
Error -34 means simply "Failed to connect".
It really seems that your APN set up is wrong. GSM Tracker uses direct TCP/IP (or UDP/IP) connection to the Internet.
Some carriers' WAP or MMS access point does not support direct TCP/IP connections to the Internet. Try to ask your carrier, if possible.
See also 38) Access point is not working properly. General: System error(-20) and 39) Internet connection does not work.
48) The battery is draining very fast
Q:
My phone is a Nokia 6110 Navigator. The battery is draining very fast, probably 6 hours and its flat.
A:
The GPS chip consumes considerably power, when it is active. If your phone has an integrated GPS and you want to run Aspicore GSM Tracker long time without charger, do as follows: Upgrade GSM Tracker to version 3.14, if needed. Configure power saving settings as instructed at Extended battery operation with internal GPS
49) How to prevent field workers accidentally switching the tracking off?
Turn on the settings items "Misc / Password on exit" and "Misc / System attribute"
Then enter the initial password as instructed at: Settings password...
With these settings you can prevent the field workers turning the application off.
50) BT GPS connects for a few seconds and then drops out
In the version 3.14 there is the new setting: GPS / "Powersave after fix".
This must be OFF to keep GPS continuously connected. Otherwise the application drops the Bluetooth connection straight, when it has received the first valid GPS position from the GPS receiver (unless the power adapter is connected).
51) Storing signal strength of the cell
Q:
I need, if possible, add a parameter to storesql.asp of "signal decibel" of the cell.
A:
Aspicore GSM Tracker is able to send the signal strength value of the currently serving cell to the server via HTTP.
You need to switch on the setting "Send cell every time" in GSM Tracker, you must use HTTP protocol and you must use a time based trigger to initiate the location data sending. ("Time trigger" On, "Time period, min" 1, for example.) The signal strength parameter is named as 'ssi'.
Still you need to modify the storesql.asp and database structure to store the 'ssi' value into the database.
For more information, please look at the topic "Send cell every time" on the help page
Figure 1. Storesql.asp response with GPS on. The original script ignores many of the arguments, but still it echoes them back.
Figure 2. Storesql.asp response with GPS off.If your GSM Tracker does not send the ssi parameter although the settings are as described above, make sure the active profile is something else than Offline and try restarting GSM Tracker.
You can also use the command Options -> Cell phone -> Show cell info to see the latest timestamp of the signal strength value received from the system. It is labelled "Signal time". (Scroll to the end of the list.)
Figure 3. Options -> Cell phone -> Show cell info showing Signal Strength and the time the value was received from the system.
52) Nokia N95 and GPS time to first fix
If you feel that it takes long time for your Nokia N95 to get the GPS fix even if there is a good satellite visibility, check your firmware version.
Tools / Settings / General / Positioning / Positioning methods must be "Assisted GPS" or "Integrated GPS with assistance data" or something similar.
Check also that "Positioning server" / "Server address" is supl.nokia.com
At least firmware V 10.0.021 29-09-07 contains the AGPS option but V 10.0.018 15-03-07 does not have it.
If you do not have the AGPS option, it really is worth the trouble to upgrade the firmware.
Check also that the GPS antenna within the phone gets good satellite signal from the sky. Keep the N95 sliding cover open as the GPS antenna is below the keypad. Metallic foil in a car windscreen weakens the signal. The GPS signal is strongest outdoors. Inside buildings it may be too weak.
53) GpsGate shows the RED symbol instead of the GREEN
Q:
When I log in to GPSGate I'm showing the RED symbol - "not sending' when it should be GREEN.
A:
GPSGate requires a valid GPS fix, before it accepts the GPS position. GPSGate must have a fresh and valid GPS position before it shows the green icon.
To get a good GPS fix your Bluetooth GPS receiver must have a good visibility to the sky. As wide sky as possible. Some cars have a heat insulating foil in the windscreen, which also weakens GPS signals. If that is your case, try the rear window. It is easier and quicker to get the initial fix, if the GPS is not moving when you power it up. In Aspicore GSM Tracker you should have the leftmost icon visible without a question mark or red circle on top of it. This indicated a good GPS signal. Also the number of visible satellites shoud be at least 3. (Aspicore GSM Tracker shows "03 sats" or more.)
When you have a good satellite connection and your Aspicore GSM Tracker is connected to the GPSGate service (the middle icon in GSM Tracker is active, without the red circle), choose menu command Options -> Current position -> Send to Internet . This forces the current position to be sent to GPS Gate.
Now log in to gpsgate with your computer browser. See the icon there. After a while the icon should be green with a fresh timestamp.
If the gpsgate icon is always red after trying the above steps a couple of times, then recheck your GPSGate connection setup in GSM Tracker and GPSGate preferences (protocol, address, possibly username and password, possibly IMEI number) and have a look at this forum post: http://franson.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=6394
54) How to connect my own GpsGate Server?
Q:
I'd like to try Aspicore GSM Tracker with GpsGate. As I'm using my own server and not the hosted service, I need setup instructions for this scenario. Could you point me to the right document, please?
A:
Please have a look at these steps and forum threads. Part of the info concerns gpsgate.com online service, but can be adjusted for your own GpsGate Server installation.
TCP/IP (This is probably the connection type you want to use).
TCP port 30175
1) Create gpsgate.com account
2) Run the settings wizard for GpsGate.com
3) Check that in addition to TCP/IP, the setting "GpsGate protocol" is turned on.
4) Redirect data to your own server as instructed at http://franson.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=7901
Alternative connection methods:
UDP/IP (gpsgate.com online service, adapt these for your own server)
UDP port 30176
1) Set the optional hostname to smartpipe.gpsgate.com
2) Set the server port to 30176
3) Add the IMEI number of your device in preferences on gpsgate.com
Additional info from these discussion forum threads:
http://franson.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=5986 (basic info)
smartpipe.gpsgate.com documentation (background info)
http://franson.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=6759 (troubleshooting)
HTTP
It is currently quite hard to use HTTP between GSM Tracker and GpsGate, because the HTTP parameter naming is different between the two systems. The following forum topics show how they possibly can be integrated by mapping the parameters in a web server and redirecting the page request.
http://www.aspicore-asp.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=492 (MS VBScript / ASP)
and
http://franson.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=7414 (PHP)
55) Can I define the addresses that messages go to?
Q:
When I choose options “send current position”, “enter and send label”, “keep sending label”, “send test message” under packet data, or choose “send to internet”, “enter and send label”, “send sms” under current position it looks like the command went through….
Where am I sending these messages to?
Can I define the addresses that these messages go to?
How?
A:
The messages go to a server in the Internet.
You can change the server address and the messaging protocol.
Sorry if this answer sounds complicated, but I try to explain it short and clear:
If you are using TCP/IP protocol (like the gpsgate.com protocol) or UDP/IP protocol, then you can define the server address either
- When issuing the menu command "Packet data" -> "Connect to Internet", a dialog page appears shortly after the command
- or when using automatic connection mechanism, address is given beforehand with
- "Settings" -> "Net" -> "Server IP address" (numeric IP address)
- or alternatively "Settings" -> "Net" -> "Optional hostname" (alphanumeric DNS name)
If you are using the HTTP protocol to send GPS data to the server, then the server address is defined by the setting
- "Settings" -> "Http" -> "Internet page URL"
"Send SMS" sends the position as a text message to a number, which is set beforehand by "Settings" -> "SMS" -> "Recipient number".
PS. gpsgate.com does not support the label feature of GSM Tracker.
56) I do not see myself on gpsgate.com browser
Q:
If I choose "show in browser" under current position, I am directed to gpsgate.com. However, I do not see myself on that browser.
I have gone to gpsgate.com and created an account and registered my IMEI with that account, but I still do not see myself.
How do I correct this?
A:
You must join your gpsgate.com account with the public group named "GpsGate.com".
(Go to "Groups" page in your gpsgate.com account, browse to group GpsGate.com and click the "Join Group" button.)