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+--- Thread: Does GPS work on a separate chip or is GPS built into the LTE modem? (/showthread.php?tid=15242)
Does GPS work on a separate chip or is GPS built into the LTE modem? - Mikoduso - 11-02-2021
Hi.
Pinephone.
Does GPS work on a separate chip or is GPS built into the LTE modem?
RE: Does GPS work on a separate chip or is GPS built into the LTE modem? - tllim - 11-02-2021
(11-02-2021, 09:58 AM)Mikoduso Wrote: Hi.
Pinephone.
Does GPS work on a separate chip or is GPS built into the LTE modem?
in the LTE modem module.
RE: Does GPS work on a separate chip or is GPS built into the LTE modem? - Mikoduso - 11-03-2021
(11-02-2021, 06:03 PM)tllim Wrote: in the LTE modem module.Thx.
Is Quectel firmware proprietary? Open firmware for Quectel modems does not exist?
(11-02-2021, 06:03 PM)tllim Wrote: in the LTE modem module.
RE: Does GPS work on a separate chip or is GPS built into the LTE modem? - some_pinephone_user - 11-07-2021
Yes. It exists. Look the Boktorgs firmware on github.
RE: Does GPS work on a separate chip or is GPS built into the LTE modem? - wibble - 11-08-2021
To clarify on the firmware a bit, the phone arrives with Quectel's proprietary firmware installed because that's required for regulatory approval. The open firmware replaces the supervisory part of the modem firmware, but still uses the Qualcomm binary firmware for the radio layer.
https://github.com/Biktorgj/pinephone_modem_sdk
RE: Does GPS work on a separate chip or is GPS built into the LTE modem? - Mikoduso - 11-19-2021
(11-08-2021, 03:08 AM)wibble Wrote: but still uses the Qualcomm binary firmware for the radio layerThanks.
Is it possible to replace the radio firmware?
(11-02-2021, 06:03 PM)tllim Wrote:(11-02-2021, 09:58 AM)Mikoduso Wrote: Hi.
Pinephone.
Does GPS work on a separate chip or is GPS built into the LTE modem?
in the LTE modem module.
Why was it decided to use the GNSS module as part of the LTE modem, and not separately?
Indeed, if the radio modem has a backdoor for remote connection and control, then the functionality of the GNSS module can be disrupted and the coordinates will not be correct.
RE: Does GPS work on a separate chip or is GPS built into the LTE modem? - wibble - 11-22-2021
(11-19-2021, 03:16 PM)Mikoduso Wrote:In theory a sufficiently well skilled, resourced and motivated team might be able to do it. In practice I'm not aware of anyone having done so - the skill and resource barriers are pretty high. The closest I'm aware of is OpenBTS.(11-08-2021, 03:08 AM)wibble Wrote: but still uses the Qualcomm binary firmware for the radio layerThanks.
Is it possible to replace the radio firmware?
(11-19-2021, 03:16 PM)Mikoduso Wrote:
(11-02-2021, 06:03 PM)tllim Wrote:(11-02-2021, 09:58 AM)Mikoduso Wrote: Hi.
Pinephone.
Does GPS work on a separate chip or is GPS built into the LTE modem?
in the LTE modem module.
Why was it decided to use the GNSS module as part of the LTE modem, and not separately?
Indeed, if the radio modem has a backdoor for remote connection and control, then the functionality of the GNSS module can be disrupted and the coordinates will not be correct.
Many (most?) LTE modems now have GNSS built in. Using a separate GNSS module means extra cost, board space and power usage. For most people that's a poor trade as their threat model just isn't that extreme. You still wouldn't know whether that GNSS module's firmware had a backdoor via one of its RF interfaces, so you might instead insist on a software defined radio implementation. Even that doesn't help when someone starts messing with the GNSS signals, as is apparently not uncommon in some parts of the world.
RE: Does GPS work on a separate chip or is GPS built into the LTE modem? - Mikoduso - 11-22-2021
(11-22-2021, 05:30 AM)wibble Wrote: In theory a sufficiently well skilled, resourced and motivated team might be able to do it. In practice I'm not aware of anyone having done so - the skill and resource barriers are pretty high. The closest I'm aware of is OpenBTS.I assume that all radio medems have a 100% backdoor programmed for special services
(11-22-2021, 05:30 AM)wibble Wrote: You still wouldn't know whether that GNSS module's firmware had a backdoor via one of its RF interfacesIntelligence agencies constantly abuse the control of phones and smartphones through the radio module