Full GNSS measurements in developer mode – what is it and why is it needed?
What is the Full GNSS Measurements feature in Developer Mode? Why is it needed and how can ordinary smartphone users help?
The option “Full GNSS measurements” or “Enable all GNSS measurements” (“Force full GNSS measurements”) can be forced to be enabled by any user in the activated developer mode. She is responsible for a more detailed location of the phone on the map using satellite navigation.
The fact is that the location of a person on the phone is not continuously determined. Although on the map its marker will move without delay (if there is no interference with the operation of the GPS module), in fact, GNSS operation consists of constant on-off cycles. In simple terms, GNSS equipment is activated, locates, and deactivates – over and over again. As a result, the data is updated approximately once per second.
Such work is necessary to save the battery level on the phone. By default, this location update mode is activated. However, it can be changed by enabling the Full GNSS Measurements option. Typically, this feature is needed by people who conduct, for example, geodetic surveys – real-time kinematic positioning for the application. It requires constant updating of data without gaps.
Increasing the accuracy of the location measurement can also be useful for other users who are not application developers. This feature will help, for example, when running. Many people on a run are faced with the fact that the accuracy of GPS during a workout at the stadium begins to “limp” – the corners are cut off, which makes it impossible to correctly calculate the number of calories and distance.
Enable Full GNSS Measurements in Developer Mode to improve location accuracy while running. However, the battery of the phone may start to decline much faster than usual.
How to enable full GNSS measurements?
To activate the “Enable all GNSS measurements” function, you need to follow a simple instruction:
- Open mobile device settings.
- Go to the “About phone” section.
- Click on the line “Build number” 5-7 times. Wait for a notification that the user has switched to developer mode.
- Find the “For Developer” section in the settings .
- Activate the slider next to the option “Full GNSS measurements” or “Force full GNSS measurements”.
The option can be disabled in the same way at any time without negative consequences. Other useful developer mode options can be found in a separate article.