A-GPS XTRA file size to big for PLS8 | Telit Cinterion IoT Developer Community
May 13, 2020 - 12:55am, 3775 views
Hello,
We manufacture a tracking device using the PLS8 modem and A-GPS for improved GPS performance. It seems there has been a change to A-GPS file size on the http://xtrapath4.izatcloud.net/xtra2.bin server. The file length is now around 61832 bytes but the maximum allowed A-GPS file length for the PLS8 is 61440 bytes, resulting in an error. Strangely, in rare cases the file length is less than 61440 bytes and then A-GPS startup does work. Why the file size should change when downloading the same file from the same server within moments of the previous download seems very odd. Could you please let me know if you have any information on this issue and any possible solutions?
Thank you,
Ed Haslam
Integrated Tracking Technologies Inc.
Hello,
This is related to recent changes on Qualcomm side. And it is true that the maximum xtra file size on the module is currently 61440 bytes. Please also try other links:
http://xtrapath4.izatcloud.net/xtra2.bin
http://xtrapath5.izatcloud.net/xtra2.bin
http://xtrapath6.izatcloud.net/xtra2.bin
The file size may be slightly different for each of them.
The alternative could also be to use xtra.bin file (for GPS only) which is smaller. Please try if this link works for you: http://xtra4.gpsonextra.net/xtra.bin
Best regards,
Bartłomiej
Hi Bartłomiej,
Thanks very much for your reply and suggestions. Could you please let me know if there any plans to increase maximum file size in the PLS8 firmware?
All the best,
Ed
Hello,
At the moment I don't have an information how it's going to be solved. I suggest you contacting your Thales/Gemalto technical sales person with this question.
Best regards,
Bartłomiej
Hi Bartłomiej,
Attempting to start the GPS engine in the PLS8 with the xtra.bin file gives the error message, "AGPS: INTERNAL ERROR". Could you please let me know if there's a way to use this file with the PLS8 or is it only compatible with earlier devices?
Thank you,
Ed
Hello,
I have tested this with PLS8-E REVISION 04.004 A-REVISION 01.000.11 and also got error on an attempt to install xtra.bin file. As for the other links (xtra2.bin) at the moment of test http://xtrapath6.izatcloud.net/xtra2.bin file is a bit smaller than the other 2 and it is possible to install it. You'd need to observe these files for some time. From my experience they are always not of the same size. So one of them may always fit the module's limits.
This problem is being investigated, also with the chip manufacturer. However for the moment I don't have more information. Please contact your sales person - maybe they can offer you a better solution or workaround.
Regards,
Bartłomiej
Hi Bartłomiej,
I contacted the Gemalto/Thales sales office we've received tech support from in the past. After a week and a half, they have no additional information to offer. Presumably, this issue is now affecting a large number of devices in the field. If a solution cannot be reached, at some point Thales will need to revise the PLS8 data sheet and possibly those for other modules, removing reference to A-GPS, since it no longer operates reliably in those devices. That's a shame since it's a useful feature, particularly in size constrained embedded applications. Please let me know if you've heard anything further about this problem.
Thank you,
Ed
Hello,
The XTRA file issue is still ongoing. As the problem comes form the chip provider and is not located in our software it takes more time unfortunately. In the meantime you may need to verify all 3 links to get the suitable file. Please stay in touch with Thales sales.
Best regards,
Bartłomiej
Hi Bartłomiej,
We've been working with our local Gemalto/Thales sales office for about a month now on this problem. As you did, they also suggested using GPS only xtra.bin files for now with the PLS8 and we'd be totally fine with that. However, I pointed out to them that I found and subsequently you found, the PLS8's GPS engine does not start successfully using those files. They also tried using the command sequence in the PLS8 AT command set manual and found the xtra.bin files incompatible with the PLS8. Then they told me your Berlin division had been able to make the xtra.bin files work but they apparently cannot get a log file from the Berlin engineering team to see how this is possible. Do you think, since you're closer to Thales Europe, you might be able to get a log file of the successful method for starting GPS with xtra.bin files on the PLS8, please?
Thank you,
Ed
Hi Ed,
This issue is unfortunately not fully solved yet. The current workaround is to use xtra2.bin files from the new links where it might happen that the file is too big. Im not downloading these file regularily but according to my observations at least one should always be small enough. Please write if you have met the situation where all 3 were too big.
As for xtra.bin files according to my current knowledge it should work on some other older modules with chipsets from this provider but would unfortunately not work on PLS8 module. I think that this mught have been the reason why you got the information that it should work. But I'll try to ask somebody who is closer to the topic and write back here if there's anthing more.
Regards,
Bartłomiej