Skip to content

Conversation

fifieldt
Copy link
Member

@fifieldt fifieldt commented Aug 1, 2025

This patch makes two major changes to address the current complexity of GPS Configuration.

GPS Profile

GpsProfile, a new enum in PositionConfig we will use to configure a pre-tuned selection of GPS settings. The aim is to replace the current 5 configuration options with a single user-friendly label that is tailored to real-world Meshtastic use cases.

Based on a users selection of pedestrian, vehicle, or fixed position, we will apply different settings to GPS Update Interval, Position Broadcast Interval, Smart Broadcast Min Interval, Smart Broadcast Min Distance, and Position Flags in firmware. This should allow the apps to drastically simplify the position configuration shown to users.

The profile will also allow us to support new features in firmware to improve the accuracy of our position information. For example, taking advantage of advanced features in GPS hardware specific to each case. We should also be able to discard some erroneous positions based on physically impossible movement.

ENUM 0 corresponds to no profile, which should mean an easier transition, and also support the 'manual' use case for people like cynfab/gpsfan, and balloons/aircraft/boats.

More information about the selections anticipated for each use case is available in this google sheet

PositionFlags

This patch deprecates PositionFlags, which will now be selected in firmware based on the GPS Profile.

PositionFlags has long been seen as a complicated and confusing burden in the apps. We determined that very few users use them, with the majority happy with the default set, and some of the 'advanced' flags don't even work.

Checklist before merging

  • All top level messages commented
  • All enum members have unique descriptions

Copy link

github-actions bot commented Aug 1, 2025

The latest Buf updates on your PR. Results from workflow pull-request / build (pull_request).

BuildFormatLintBreakingUpdated (UTC)
✅ passed✅ passed✅ passed✅ passedAug 1, 2025, 1:04 AM

This patch makes two major changes to address the current complexity of GPS Configuration.

GpsProfile, a new enum in PositionConfig we will use to configure a pre-tuned selection of GPS settings. The aim is to replace the current 5 configuration options with a single user-friendly label that is tailored to real-world Meshtastic use cases.

Based on a users selection of pedestrian, vehicle, or fixed position, we will apply different settings to GPS Update Interval, Position Broadcast Interval, Smart Broadcast Min Interval, Smart Broadcast Min Distance, and Position Flags in firmware. This should allow the apps to drastically simplify the position configuration shown to users.

The profile will also allow us to support new features in firmware to improve the accuracy of our position information. For example,  taking advantage of advanced features in GPS hardware specific to each case. We should also be able to discard some erroneous positions based on physically impossible movement.

ENUM 0 corresponds to no profile, which should mean an easier transition, and also support the 'manual' use case for people like cynfab/gpsfan, and balloons/aircraft/boats.

More information about the selections anticipated for each use case is available in this [google sheet](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1-f9z5zx2VCYqE6ivYXm-XqtLeVZSGMKpC3G3wma6-vw/edit?gid=633840990#gid=633840990):

This patch deprecates PositionFlags, which will now be selected in firmware based on the GPS Profile.

PositionFlags has long been seen as a complicated and confusing burden in the apps. We determined that very few users use them, with the majority happy with the default set, and some of the 'advanced' flags don't even work.
* Cars, motorbikes.
*/
VEHICLE = 3;
}
Copy link
Member

Choose a reason for hiding this comment

The reason will be displayed to describe this comment to others. Learn more.

Can we add airborn? People are experimenting with Drones, Kites and Ballons a lot.

Copy link
Member Author

Choose a reason for hiding this comment

The reason will be displayed to describe this comment to others. Learn more.

I agree and think that's a good idea, and have settings for it, but Ben preferred to keep it simple when we were talking in discord :) Perhaps you both can chat?

Sign up for free to join this conversation on GitHub. Already have an account? Sign in to comment
Labels
None yet
Projects
None yet
Development

Successfully merging this pull request may close these issues.

2 participants