Difference between revisions of "FAQ"
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Here are a list of some frequently asked questions: | Here are a list of some frequently asked questions: | ||
==== Why do some countries have more than one option on the web site? Why do some providers have more than one option? ==== | ==== Why do some countries have more than one option on the web site? Why do some providers have more than one option? ==== <!--T:3--> | ||
There are many networks in different countries and multiple technologies they use within that network. The site allows you to dig into these in detail. The providers are selected by a country code (MCC) and network code (MNC). The MCC code to country mapping is defined by the International Telecommuncations Union, while the MNC is defined by each country on their own. | There are many networks in different countries and multiple technologies they use within that network. The site allows you to dig into these in detail. The providers are selected by a country code (MCC) and network code (MNC). The MCC code to country mapping is defined by the International Telecommuncations Union, while the MNC is defined by each country on their own. | ||
==== The tower location is way off/in the middle of the water/on top of a remote mountain ==== | ==== The tower location is way off/in the middle of the water/on top of a remote mountain ==== <!--T:4--> | ||
Tower locations are based purely on calculations. The reason that towers will show up over water is due to the fact that water usually doesn't contain any object that can block signals. | Tower locations are based purely on calculations. The reason that towers will show up over water is due to the fact that water usually doesn't contain any object that can block signals. | ||
So, to the algorithm, sitting in a building right beside a cell phone tower will appear to be the same as being 5 km away with direct line of sight. Hence, it will calculate an average of the two spots | So, to the algorithm, sitting in a building right beside a cell phone tower will appear to be the same as being 5 km away with direct line of sight. Hence, it will calculate an average of the two spots | ||
and display a marker there. | and display a marker there. | ||
The most ideal terrain to calculate a towers is a completely flat | The most ideal terrain to calculate a towers is a completely flat ground with tower spaced wide apart. | ||
That being said, even that will not guarantee the location is correct if the measurements provided by the phone were not correct. | That being said, even that will not guarantee the location is correct if the measurements provided by the phone were not correct. | ||
For a tower to be calculated properly, you will need to travel around the tower in at least 1/2 to 3/4 of a circle near the actual location in order to determine the exact location. | For a tower to be calculated properly, you will need to travel around the tower in at least 1/2 to 3/4 of a circle near the actual location in order to determine the exact location. | ||
Currently, LTE is the most accurately mapped technology due to using RSRP instead of RSSI. | |||
==== A single cell is stretching for 5/10/15 km or more! ==== | ==== A single cell is stretching for 5/10/15 km or more! ==== <!--T:5--> | ||
Unfortunately, not much can be done about this. Most phones will report the same Cell ID when a call is in progress. Likewise, some phones will get "stuck" to reporting a | Unfortunately, not much can be done about this. Most phones will report the same Cell ID when a call is in progress. Likewise, some phones will get "stuck" to reporting a | ||
single cell id for a certain length of time. Another possibility is that the GPS device is incorrectly reporting the position; and as a result the location may keep changing wildly before it settles | single cell id for a certain length of time. Another possibility is that the GPS device is incorrectly reporting the position; and as a result the location may keep changing wildly before it settles | ||
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While the app and site try to filter this bad data, there is not much that can be done to fix it. As more data is gathered, these errors will slowly decrease until the map becomes more and more accurate. | While the app and site try to filter this bad data, there is not much that can be done to fix it. As more data is gathered, these errors will slowly decrease until the map becomes more and more accurate. | ||
==== Why isn't the uplink/downlink frequency displayed when I map a region? ==== | ==== Why isn't the uplink/downlink frequency displayed when I map a region? ==== <!--T:6--> | ||
The frequency can only be retrieved with a BlackBerry device for certain. Certain Windows Mobile devices (Qualcomm based HTC devices) also support this. For Android, certain Motorola MotoBlur devices (Motorola Charm) support this; as well as | The frequency can only be retrieved with a BlackBerry device for certain. Certain Windows Mobile devices (Qualcomm based HTC devices) and all Windows Phone 10 device also support this. For Android, certain Motorola MotoBlur devices (Motorola Charm) support this; as well as most Android 7.0 or higher devices. | ||
==== How long does it take for my data to appear? ==== | ==== How long does it take for my data to appear? ==== <!--T:7--> | ||
It may take anywhere from a few minutes to a few days, and up to a week, for data to be generated. | |||
==== What are "low accuracy" towers? ==== | ==== What are "low accuracy" towers? ==== <!--T:8--> | ||
Low accuracy towers are towers whose location cannot be accurately predicted given the uploaded data. Therefore, they revert to a more simple algorithm of placing the tower | Low accuracy towers are towers whose location cannot be accurately predicted given the uploaded data. Therefore, they revert to a more simple algorithm of placing the tower | ||
closest to the location of the best signal strength. This will usually be significantly less accurate than the triangulation method normally used. Some towers that only have 1 or two cells, | closest to the location of the best signal strength. This will usually be significantly less accurate than the triangulation method normally used. Some towers that only have 1 or two cells, | ||
such as omnidirectional towers, will always be low accuracy. Likewise, any towers which were detected with weaker signals will also be low accuracy until stronger signal samples are uploaded. | such as omnidirectional towers, will always be low accuracy. Likewise, any towers which were detected with weaker signals will also be low accuracy until stronger signal samples are uploaded. | ||
==== What is "Estimated Frequency"? ==== | ==== What is "Estimated Frequency"? ==== <!--T:9--> | ||
Some networks have a known sector number to frequency band mapping. If it is known, it will be displayed on the site. If you know the mapping for a certain provider, please let us know so that we can include it. | Some networks have a known sector number to frequency band mapping. If it is known, it will be displayed on the site. If you know the mapping for a certain provider, please let us know so that we can include it. | ||
==== What is "Android 4.2 CellID Support? Why does it work on my devices? ==== | ==== What is "Android 4.2 CellID Support"? Why does it work on my devices? ==== <!--T:10--> | ||
In Android 4.2, the CellID API was re-written to ensure data is updated somewhat atomically to avoid bad data. Unforunately, some manufacturers, notably Samsung, have chosen not to implement this new API. You can see a list of known supported and unsupported devices on this page: [ | In Android 4.2, the CellID API was re-written to ensure data is updated somewhat atomically to avoid bad data. Unforunately, some manufacturers, notably Samsung, have chosen not to implement this new API. You can see a list of known supported and unsupported devices on this page: [https://www.cellmapper.net/Android_4.2_CellID_Support Android 4.2 CellID Support] or [https://www.cellmapper.net/Tested_Phones Tested Phones] | ||
==== | ==== When i have "Android 4.2 Cell ID API enabled, screen won't turn off? ==== <!--T:11--> | ||
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When you record CDMA network or have "keep screen turn on" feature, screen won't turn off. | |||
==== | ==== Does CellMapper support dual-SIM phones ==== <!--T:13--> | ||
Yes, it does support certain dual-SIM phones. See [https://www.cellmapper.net/Tested_Phones Tested Phones] for details. | |||
==== | ==== Why don't you have an iOS app? ==== <!--T:14--> | ||
Apple doesn't allow apps to use the network info API. | |||
==== | ==== Can you add feature X to the website or app? ==== <!--T:15--> | ||
Yes, please add it to [https://github.com/CellMapper/CellMapper-Android-App/issues App] or [https://github.com/CellMapper/Cellmapper-Site/issues Website] issue tracker or email us | |||
==== Why can't I register for the wiki? ==== | ==== Why can't I register for the wiki? ==== <!--T:17--> | ||
Unfortunately, due to heavy spam, you will need to ask someone for permission to register. | Unfortunately, due to heavy spam, you will need to ask someone for permission to register. | ||
==== Is there a manual available? ==== | ==== Is there a manual available? ==== <!--T:18--> | ||
Yes, please see [http://www.cellmapper.net/help/ this link] for a full manual. | Yes, please see [http://www.cellmapper.net/help/ this link] for a full manual. | ||
==== What phone is best to use CellMapper on? ==== <!--T:19--> | |||
Generally, generic Qualcomm based phones are best. See the [https://www.cellmapper.net/Tested_Phones Tested Phones] page for details. | |||
==== How does CellMapper work? ==== | |||
End Users upload from CellMapper App (on Android and Windows 10 Mobile) to our server. When uploaded, all data saved to Main DB. | |||
Our Data Calculator process uploaded data from Main DB and then move that to Cache DB. | |||
When you visit on CellMapper Map on website or app, you see all data what is calculated and saved to Cache DB. | |||
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Latest revision as of 19:16, 19 September 2018
FAQ
Here are a list of some frequently asked questions:
Why do some countries have more than one option on the web site? Why do some providers have more than one option?
There are many networks in different countries and multiple technologies they use within that network. The site allows you to dig into these in detail. The providers are selected by a country code (MCC) and network code (MNC). The MCC code to country mapping is defined by the International Telecommuncations Union, while the MNC is defined by each country on their own.
The tower location is way off/in the middle of the water/on top of a remote mountain
Tower locations are based purely on calculations. The reason that towers will show up over water is due to the fact that water usually doesn't contain any object that can block signals. So, to the algorithm, sitting in a building right beside a cell phone tower will appear to be the same as being 5 km away with direct line of sight. Hence, it will calculate an average of the two spots and display a marker there. The most ideal terrain to calculate a towers is a completely flat ground with tower spaced wide apart. That being said, even that will not guarantee the location is correct if the measurements provided by the phone were not correct. For a tower to be calculated properly, you will need to travel around the tower in at least 1/2 to 3/4 of a circle near the actual location in order to determine the exact location. Currently, LTE is the most accurately mapped technology due to using RSRP instead of RSSI.
A single cell is stretching for 5/10/15 km or more!
Unfortunately, not much can be done about this. Most phones will report the same Cell ID when a call is in progress. Likewise, some phones will get "stuck" to reporting a
single cell id for a certain length of time. Another possibility is that the GPS device is incorrectly reporting the position; and as a result the location may keep changing wildly before it settles
down to the right location.
While the app and site try to filter this bad data, there is not much that can be done to fix it. As more data is gathered, these errors will slowly decrease until the map becomes more and more accurate.
Why isn't the uplink/downlink frequency displayed when I map a region?
The frequency can only be retrieved with a BlackBerry device for certain. Certain Windows Mobile devices (Qualcomm based HTC devices) and all Windows Phone 10 device also support this. For Android, certain Motorola MotoBlur devices (Motorola Charm) support this; as well as most Android 7.0 or higher devices.
How long does it take for my data to appear?
It may take anywhere from a few minutes to a few days, and up to a week, for data to be generated.
What are "low accuracy" towers?
Low accuracy towers are towers whose location cannot be accurately predicted given the uploaded data. Therefore, they revert to a more simple algorithm of placing the tower closest to the location of the best signal strength. This will usually be significantly less accurate than the triangulation method normally used. Some towers that only have 1 or two cells, such as omnidirectional towers, will always be low accuracy. Likewise, any towers which were detected with weaker signals will also be low accuracy until stronger signal samples are uploaded.
What is "Estimated Frequency"?
Some networks have a known sector number to frequency band mapping. If it is known, it will be displayed on the site. If you know the mapping for a certain provider, please let us know so that we can include it.
What is "Android 4.2 CellID Support"? Why does it work on my devices?
In Android 4.2, the CellID API was re-written to ensure data is updated somewhat atomically to avoid bad data. Unforunately, some manufacturers, notably Samsung, have chosen not to implement this new API. You can see a list of known supported and unsupported devices on this page: Android 4.2 CellID Support or Tested Phones
When i have "Android 4.2 Cell ID API enabled, screen won't turn off?
When you record CDMA network or have "keep screen turn on" feature, screen won't turn off.
Does CellMapper support dual-SIM phones
Yes, it does support certain dual-SIM phones. See Tested Phones for details.
Why don't you have an iOS app?
Apple doesn't allow apps to use the network info API.
Can you add feature X to the website or app?
Yes, please add it to App or Website issue tracker or email us
Why can't I register for the wiki?
Unfortunately, due to heavy spam, you will need to ask someone for permission to register.
Is there a manual available?
Yes, please see this link for a full manual.
What phone is best to use CellMapper on?
Generally, generic Qualcomm based phones are best. See the Tested Phones page for details.
How does CellMapper work?
End Users upload from CellMapper App (on Android and Windows 10 Mobile) to our server. When uploaded, all data saved to Main DB.
Our Data Calculator process uploaded data from Main DB and then move that to Cache DB.
When you visit on CellMapper Map on website or app, you see all data what is calculated and saved to Cache DB.