Custom GPS antenna for THL W8 Beyond

scunner · Oct 12, 2013

fix gps w8 beyond

veepe said:
Hey

I'd like to fix my crappy GPS antenna, can anyone here help me with that - I don't know how it looks like and don't know how to take the phone apart safely besides being careful not to yank the mic
Will only copper wire work?
Has anyone ever done this?
This device is notorious for it's bad GPS reception but there's not info on how to fix it and I'd sure appreciate any help.

Thanks in advance!

look here for fix works 100% I use my w8 with sygic and its excelent link = http://bbs.thl.com.cn/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=4447&highlight=gps

chenrp · Oct 12, 2013

scunner said:
look here for fix works 100% I use my w8 with sygic and its excelent link = http://bbs.thl.com.cn/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=4447&highlight=gps

does not help.

the problem is a software problem (probably kernel that uses the GPS module. )

scunner · Oct 12, 2013

w8 gps

chenrp said:
does not help.

the problem is a software problem (probably kernel that uses the GPS module. )

are you on a custom rom? if not you may have a hardware fault. the method I linked to works i was waiting upto 2 hours and only fixing on 2 satellites, after i applied the changes i get a average of 7 in seconds, first fix may take a couple of minutes
I hope this works for you

_ossie_ · Oct 12, 2013

The issue is not "speed to lock". I get a reasonable TTFF (time to first fix) when EPO data is current (20 seconds or so indoors near a window).
The problem is that after getting a "FIX" , it doesn't STAY fixed. Move a few metres and it's no longer fixed.
So GPS doesn't STAY accurate. It certainly WORKS (as evidenced by number of satellites in initial fix) but as soon as you try to use Navigation software, you will get the "Waiting for accurate location" problem.
(W8S)

chenrp · Oct 13, 2013

_ossie_ said:
The issue is not "speed to lock". I get a reasonable TTFF (time to first fix) when EPO data is current (20 seconds or so indoors near a window).
The problem is that after getting a "FIX" , it doesn't STAY fixed. Move a few metres and it's no longer fixed.
So GPS doesn't STAY accurate. It certainly WORKS (as evidenced by number of satellites in initial fix) but as soon as you try to use Navigation software, you will get the "Waiting for accurate location" problem.
(W8S)

exactly!
try using this:
http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2431933

if no go, try using IGO and SYGIC, and RUNKEEPER

_ossie_ · Oct 13, 2013

chenrp said:
exactly!
try using this:
http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2431933

if no go, try using IGO and SYGIC, and RUNKEEPER

I already have that line in my build.prop
I already use Sygic.
Haven't tried iGo yet.

chenrp · Oct 13, 2013

there is some guy in my local forum, that claims that we need to put some shield on the CPU on motherborad.
i will wait for him to show me how and post here.

cacan031 · Oct 14, 2013

And now, results with more precise cut of alu foil [in the car, during a drive]...

Please, post your results...

teddyking · Oct 14, 2013

Antenna mod works !

At first i tried with alu, now the copper. i feel like it fix faster and stronger with the copper.
THL w8s is good phone for its price. The weak point is poor GPS receiver.
Thanks to this mod. i love my w8s more.

Don't waste your time with software tweak. Find the copper strip and do this mod.

bryangb · Oct 17, 2013

teddyking said:
Antenna mod works !

At first i tried with alu, now the copper. i feel like it fix faster and stronger with the copper.
THL w8s is good phone for its price. The weak point is poor GPS receiver.
Thanks to this mod. i love my w8s more.

Don't waste your time with software tweak. Find the copper strip and do this mod.

This is just the copper, right? Did you modify the built-in aerial or add a connection to it, or is the copper not physically connected?

Thanks...

teddyking · Oct 17, 2013

bryangb said:
This is just the copper, right? Did you modify the built-in aerial or add a connection to it, or is the copper not physically connected?

Thanks...

Not physically connected.
No need to modify the phone, just attach it to that back cover.

Result confirm !! it's not a placebo effect. :laugh:

_ossie_ · Oct 17, 2013

teddyking said:
Not physically connected.
No need to modify the phone, just attach it to that back cover.

Result confirm !! it's not a placebo effect. :laugh:

Yes I was sceptical but it does actually improve performance. My SNR increased a few points with aluminium foil.
After a first fix, I can usually get a fix in around 12 seconds outdoors or near a window. But using GPS Test all my satellites have a SNR below 32.
The GPS locks, but it doesn't always stay locked as I move around.
Do you think copper would work better? I can't find anywhere to buy small quantities of copper foil or ribbon locally.
Maybe people can post the exact dimensions of their antennae and signal gain so we can work out what's optimum?

Bileterri · Oct 18, 2013

Sorry but these hardware changes you can do well on the model W8S?
Significantly improves satellite reception?
Improves the speed of the fix?

cacan031 · Oct 19, 2013

Bileterri said:
Sorry but these hardware changes you can do well on the model W8S?
Significantly improves satellite reception?
Improves the speed of the fix?

Yes, it works on W8S, actually - all my tests are for W8S.

_ossie_ · Oct 23, 2013

dxxx1988 said:
you just palced the strip and thats all? or you did some modifications on phone antena mounted outside? does it need a conection ? or over plastic is ok?
mightbe anyone can ame a full description? place your Rom version and if u make any changes in it what changes?

Yep. I cut a piece of aluminium foil 7cm long and 2mm wide (approx) and then stuck it to the inside of the plastic case with UHU as per the photo above. It does increase SNR by a few units and it does increase the number of satellites seen. I don't understand the physics but I guess the dimensions and material of the antenna might be important. I don't know where to get copper foil.

ROM changes don't seem to be necessary. They speed up inital fix, but nothing else. You can achieve the same manually by enabling AGPS and downloading a current EPO file. Maybe edit gps.conf to select a local NTP server but my W8S performed the same without ANY gps.conf so maybe the software ignores gps.conf?

chenrp · Nov 8, 2013

_ossie_ said:
The issue is not "speed to lock". I get a reasonable TTFF (time to first fix) when EPO data is current (20 seconds or so indoors near a window).
The problem is that after getting a "FIX" , it doesn't STAY fixed. Move a few metres and it's no longer fixed.
So GPS doesn't STAY accurate. It certainly WORKS (as evidenced by number of satellites in initial fix) but as soon as you try to use Navigation software, you will get the "Waiting for accurate location" problem.
(W8S)

Waze and google maps, still disconnecting from gps signal. Any fix for that?

Grantius · Nov 12, 2013

Guys, if you find the GPS is really inaccurate try disabling Dalvik JIT, it worked for me on ThL W8S

chenrp · Nov 12, 2013

Grantius said:
Guys, if you find the GPS is really inaccurate try disabling Dalvik JIT, it worked for me on ThL W8S

this is old news!
this solution works with endomondo but not with Google Maps and not with WAZE

Grantius · Nov 12, 2013

chenrp said:
this is old news!
this solution works with endomondo but not with Google Maps and not with WAZE

Sorry I know it is old news but if it helps somebody it still helps...

chenrp · Nov 17, 2013

i heard from THL that the new W8S(new = October) has a new improved GPS antenna!

can anyone post a picture of the phone (the back board) so we all can see how to fix ours?

thanks