Develop Bugs

How to limit HSDPA ramping

Hi all. I was wondering whether anyone had any tricks to stop the PDA from using HSDPA unnecessarily. I find if I'm logged onto MSN all day, with just UTMS the battery would last probably 12 hours or so, but if I enable HSDPA it would clean out the battery in less than 5 hours.
MSN can't possibly require that much bandwidth. Is it possible to limit the phone from changing to HSDPA unless the bandwidth is actually required (i.e. when I connect my laptop to if for internet)
I use a dopod d810 in Australia with optus.
Thanks.

viperx said:
Hi all. I was wondering whether anyone had any tricks to stop the PDA from using HSDPA unnecessarily. I find if I'm logged onto MSN all day, with just UTMS the battery would last probably 12 hours or so, but if I enable HSDPA it would clean out the battery in less than 5 hours.
MSN can't possibly require that much bandwidth. Is it possible to limit the phone from changing to HSDPA unless the bandwidth is actually required (i.e. when I connect my laptop to if for internet)
I use a dopod d810 in Australia with optus.
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you don't need 3G, switch the phone to GSM, which would use EDGE/GPRS, or use tools such as bandswitch etc. If you want to completely stopped data connecting by itself, try nodata.

viperx said:
Hi all. I was wondering whether anyone had any tricks to stop the PDA from using HSDPA unnecessarily. I find if I'm logged onto MSN all day, with just UTMS the battery would last probably 12 hours or so, but if I enable HSDPA it would clean out the battery in less than 5 hours.
MSN can't possibly require that much bandwidth. Is it possible to limit the phone from changing to HSDPA unless the bandwidth is actually required (i.e. when I connect my laptop to if for internet)
I use a dopod d810 in Australia with optus.
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Also, with some service provider, if the phone is connected to HSDPA, my incoming calls get sent to voicemail. If it is in normal 3G mode the call comes through. This has been a problem in many areas. As the last poster pointed out, Bandswitch can disable HSDPA so that 3G is the default mode. Since I don't have an unlimited data plan, I just change the band to GSM and use Edge unless I have to download big web pages or use the Video phone, then I switch to WCDMA mode.

Problem is, I use WCDMA all the time. I connect my laptop to the internet through my PDA. At these times the HSDPA is greatly valued. However, when I'm not and just want MSN messenger on my PDA, well, its a great battery drainer for no good reason.
At the moment I'm getting around this by turning HSDPA back on when I use the laptop and then off again when I don't so it just uses UTMS. However this is pretty annoying having to reset it every time.
Does bandswitching between GPRS and HSDPA require reset?

My carrier - 'MY MAXIS' is somewhat smart. They usually kick you out of HSDPA Network whenever you are not consuming large amount of bandwidth. The phone automatically switches to 3G , but then you are still connected. Then it will switch back to HSDPA whenever there is a sudden burst of data or so. Smart way of conserving HSDPA slots.
I don't think you can limit HSDPA bandwidth or so. Once its connected , its connected. It has nothing got to do with battery. Its just the power consumption. You have no choice but to disable the HSDPA module , so that it does not drain the battery a lot. Limiting bandwidth does not work. HSDPA/UMTS drains a lot of power.

Mine does that too... drop down from HSDPA to UTMS. But the difference between having HSDPA enabled and disabled in terms of battery life is like a third.

Its because if you enable it. It connects to HSDPA , hence it uses up more battery power. HSDPA loves to drain your battery life. This is why , you should switch to EDGE/GPRS whenever you are in mobile and switch it back to 3G whenever you wish to use it as a modem. You dont have any other choices ,mate !

[SOLVED] ALL 2.1 ROM BATTERY Life Problem FIX..(lots of trial results) +EXTRA OPTIONS

Check the thread pages to see results from other users who have had much better results than the ones I got.
This solution was discovered while I was checking out the CDMA Hero forum, so I don't take credit for discovering the method.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=651848&highlight=cell+standby
Goto dialer and dial *#*#4636#*#* (DO NOT press send) wait a second and you will get the test menu.
In the test menu choose 'Phone Information'
scroll down and choose on the first drop down - GSM auto (PRL) (for high speed data) or GSM only (You may get 3g if not use GSM auto (PRL))
Back out to test menu then back into 'Phone information' to see if it sticks (if not try again) then back all the way out.
You might want to reboot, but I found the settings worked straight away.
Edit 3 - I don't take any responsibility for step 6 - 6) Try other settings on the dropdown if you are brave as I don't know the consequencies of using settings like "EvDo only" and "unknown" as they may be better depending on the way your provider provides information.
Edit 4 - can't seem to select the other settings like EvDo and unkown anyway.
Edit 3 - TBH - GSM auto (PRL) is working for me with HSDPA and I will try
(PRL) instead of GSM auto (PRL) <- edit - previously it mistakenly said GSM only
the CDMA and WCDMA settings later to see what other effects there are.
This way I managed to get 5½ hrs and only lose 10% battery (GSM Only)! (Edit 3-) Slightly more drain with GSM auto (PRL) but still better than before.
Previous to this I lost 35% in the same amount of time with the same use (sometimes even more when I didn't even use the phone all night).
Hope the devs can make use of this (maybe mess with other settings in there to improve battery more.). I did notice that the GSM auto (PRL) uses a bit more battery than GSM only, but that is to be expected.
Edit: Actually you might need to set it on each reboot, not sure, the settings stayed when I rebooted
Edit 2: When you change roms (or re-install a rom) you will need to do this again, but should stay after a normal reboot as it does for me.
============================
Results:
Your results will vary depending on the rom, but it should improve battery performance - some have had better results than me using this.
GSM only <---- If you don't get 3g with this it is the same as 2g setting then use GSM auto (PRL) if you want faster than 2g (as some people are getting 3g on GSM only - I will investigate. (if you don't use internet or don't need fast internet)
5½ Hrs - lost 5% Battery - This one is same as running 2g as you don't get HSDPA, but using Opera browser makes browsing fast even using this. If you want Higher speed data use the one below.
GSM auto (PRL) <---- Recommended if you want High speed Internet and save battery
1:40am to 2:00pm (12hrs 20 mins) - lost 40% battery with moderate use a bit of surfing at HSDPA speeds, a few calls and messing with a few apps. Other people have had even better results than me though, so I might change my rom and try again. (I would usually about this amount of time I would have lost about 70-75% - and yes it was that ridiculous - I had to find something to stop this).
" WCDMA Only"
2:06pm to 11:37pm - (9hrs 31mins) lost 46% battery again moderate use and a reboot
This one might be useful if you live in a place that has low GSM signal like the chap in post #10 as it does give HSDPA - but this is only a suggestion as I cannot test it in Iceland. Anyway
" WCDMA preferred"
6:02am to 2:51pm - (8hr 49mins) lost 41% battery this time with less use that the WCDMA use and no reboots.
=============================
Conclusion: (For me anyway)
SO my preference is GSM auto (PRL) some people have got some excellent results with this. You may, however, require one of the other options depending on your service provider signals.
===========================================
EXTRA OPTIONS :
Other settings you can change: (You may have tried this already)
If you don't get GSM auto (PRL) then if you press the menu button on your phone in the 'phone information' page and select 'radio band', you may be able to change it to Automatic or one of the other settings and then you might get GSM auto (PRL).
Available Radio Bands * You may get others depending on the radio you have installed, but I haven't confirmed this*
Automatic
EURO Band
USA Band
JAPAN Band
AUS Band
AUS2 Band
There are other settings there that I haven't messed with, maybe someone with more knowledge may be able to help
Thanks to those who found out what PRL stood for, I will try to update this info in the instructions soon.
========================
I think the reason this works is because it prevents the phone from constanly looking a round for various networks types as it I did notice that the Cell standby time is always high and using this method the cell can standby without constantly searching for a signal thereby wasting power. ALso using this method my "Awake time" is a LOT LOT lower than my "Up time" - about 1200% less (is that right 12 times lower (Up 12hrs - Awake 1hr) ?) - before this the two times were most of the time the same and some times slightly lower. - I'm sure someone will let me know if this theory is incorrect - and I'm open to and welcome that.
This is my experience you can read other peoples who have achieved a lot better than me, and I'm glad I spotted this and let you guys know. (Those who are saying that you've known about this test menu thanks for letting me know that you knew about it before, but a lot of other people didn't know about it. ALso I don't think people have used this as a tool for increasing battery in the GSM section of the forum. As I mentioned at the top of this post I noticed it in the CDMA section as a way of increasing battery performance. - credits to them for thinking it up in the first place.) -
All I am saying though, is to test it out yourself.
.
.

Just tried this. If it works i'll kiss you.

petsasj said:
Just tried this. If it works i'll kiss you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well in that case I don't know whether I want it to work now, LOL, unless you're a fit babe.

I went back to 1.5 for battery problems, let me know if it works so i can go to 2.1 roms

This is just using 2g instead of 3g, isn't it?

xangma said:
This is just using 2g instead of 3g, isn't it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Like I said in the first post GSM (auto) PRL gives you 3g/hdspa but not as brilliant battery as GSM only, but is better than before.

I am now unplugged from fully charged. Will report back in the morning and throughout the day to let you know if this works.

About PRL, here's what some telecom website says:
The term PRL actually refers to file stored in your phone. This file directs the phone to find alternative networks to operate on when the primary operator cannot be reached. Updating the PRL will store in the phone which are the most up to date, current networks to operate on. In order to operate on another carrier’s network your primary service provider must have a roaming agreement with other carriers.
Almost all phone carriers, such as Oxygen, Locus, Cingular, Verizon, etc. have roaming agreements with other major service providers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So I guess it's useful?

Suppose so.

I am on a fairly small operator in Iceland and my phone started roaming when I did this.
I lost 3G connection and went over to Edge...
Switched back to the WCDMA Preferred.... My provider has a little limited coverage but has no roaming charges on the GSM network.
Any ideas what setting I should use for my phone other then WCDMA preferred

Yea mine is on Wcdma preferred when i go into it. Im on t-mobile uk. Ive left it for now as dont really know how long this battery is lasting. Going to give it a few days to see an average

skimminstones said:
Yea mine is on Wcdma preferred when i go into it. Im on t-mobile uk. Ive left it for now as dont really know how long this battery is lasting. Going to give it a few days to see an average
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm on T-Mobile UK and GSM auto (PRL) gives me 3g/H and GSM only gives me gprs. Like I said, both give me loads of battery time (GSM auto PRL is a bit less than GSM only though).

Interesting, I may have done this accidentally a few days ago...
I just checked and it was already on GSM auto PRL, I'd changed this in my build.prop last time i was fiddling:
ro.telephony.default_network = 0
I thought that would give me wcdma preferred but apparently not...

I'll have done your tutorial ... will wait till end of day what happens

Definitely helped battery life.
Thumbs up!

In fact i can be wrong, but this tip only disable 3G access... only GSM and Edga.. so it save some battery for sure.. but you will navigate slower if you have a real 3G or 3G+ access.. am i wrong ?
Ciao
Fred

Surely this does the same as the button in the options to just use 2G?

frederikk said:
In fact i can be wrong, but this tip only disable 3G access... only GSM and Edga.. so it save some battery for sure.. but you will navigate slower if you have a real 3G or 3G+ access.. am i wrong ?
Ciao
Fred
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Correct me if I am wrong, but isn't HSDPA faster than 3G?
source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-Speed_Downlink_Packet_Access
in which case you would get your faster browsing using GSM auto (PRL) - giving you HSDPA. I certainly get a H showing at the top of the screen while browsing and it isn't constantly connected when I'm not browsing, which it was doing (connecting and disconnecting all the time) before I chose this setting, and thereby my battery life was extended a lot.
Edit: Just try it - if it doesn't work just put it back to your original setting, it has worked for me - There are other settings in there but I have not tested them out yet.

btdag said:
Surely this does the same as the button in the options to just use 2G?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It may be, but not if you choose GSM auto (PRL) - also make sure you have the correct APN settings from your service provider. I did notice that the standard APN's on the phone have always been a little different from the ones on the T-Mobile UK website.

This is not a fix for the battery issues in 2.1 roms, althought it may help as 3g doesn't use the same amount of battery as 2g. But i think everyone knows that anyway. Much easier having the 2g/3g toggle on the home screen and changing it to 2g only when you are not using the web browser etc
ps: before people say other wise this menu has been known for ages and every rom I use is always on GSM.

How to enable EDGE data connection?

I just flashed new Froyo build from here (0726) http://sourceforge.net/projects/androidhtc/files/
And I noticed there is no EDGE data connection, only GPRS. If we can switch it to EDGE type, the data rate can be better!
Can somebody help?

Since the kaiser hardware supports EDGE it should be able to use it, just not sure if any android builds have EDGE support, of course I have been known to be wrong
You could have a careful mess about in the testing screen, ( open dialer, press *#*#4636#*#*, do not press dial), in phone information have a look at preferred network type, play with that, but take a note of the original settings before you do anything.
Be very careful, I spent all day without the ability to send sms, had to wait until i got home to get the correct settings before everything was normal again.

I have been using Edge to save my battery on my Tilt in both WM6.5 and Android 2.1g... Recently, I have bought several new batteries and none of them seem to hold a charge like the ones I bought last year. So that's crap...
Anyhow, to enable Edge in Android... I found the only way I could do it was to install WMLongLife in Windows Mobile. From there, I set all my connections to be 2G (only).
That saves battery in WM6.5.
In order to get Android to use Edge, you must have an Edge signal in Windows Mobile, as well as an Edge Data Connection started. So, start IE, sync your mail, refresh your weather...
Then start Haret and boot Android. If you have replaced WM with Android, I don't know how that works...
If you haven't started a data connection before booting, you will not attach to the network.
I found enabling "Slower Networks" in Android's Network Settings does nothing.
Battery life is better, but I still wish the new batteries had better capacity.
TTFN
Gregg

zenity said:
Since the kaiser hardware supports EDGE it should be able to use it, just not sure if any android builds have EDGE support, of course I have been known to be wrong
You could have a careful mess about in the testing screen, ( open dialer, press *#*#4636#*#*, do not press dial), in phone information have a look at preferred network type, play with that, but take a note of the original settings before you do anything.
Be very careful, I spent all day without the ability to send sms, had to wait until i got home to get the correct settings before everything was normal again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just played that phone information. Network type: unkown! And, I could not set the preferred network type setting. But, everytime I turn it to a type like GSM only, it just turns back to unknow immediately!
Actually, when I flashed a earlier build of Froyo from that sourceforge site, EDGE worked for my phone.

greggerca said:
I have been using Edge to save my battery on my Tilt in both WM6.5 and Android 2.1g... Recently, I have bought several new batteries and none of them seem to hold a charge like the ones I bought last year. So that's crap...
Anyhow, to enable Edge in Android... I found the only way I could do it was to install WMLongLife in Windows Mobile. From there, I set all my connections to be 2G (only).
That saves battery in WM6.5.
In order to get Android to use Edge, you must have an Edge signal in Windows Mobile, as well as an Edge Data Connection started. So, start IE, sync your mail, refresh your weather...
Then start Haret and boot Android. If you have replaced WM with Android, I don't know how that works...
If you haven't started a data connection before booting, you will not attach to the network.
I found enabling "Slower Networks" in Android's Network Settings does nothing.
Battery life is better, but I still wish the new batteries had better capacity.
TTFN
Gregg
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is a possible solution, but I have replaced WM with android...

ggoogle said:
I just played that phone information. Network type: unkown! And, I could not set the preferred network type setting. But, everytime I turn it to a type like GSM only, it just turns back to unknow immediately!
Actually, when I flashed a earlier build of Froyo from that sourceforge site, EDGE worked for my phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry, bad information, apparently the phone information screen does not work on kaiser, not sure what to try now....

Disable HSPA

Hey I just came from Galaxy S and there is a way to disable Hsdpa in there which improves battery life amazingly....
I was wondering if there is a way to do that in Desire? (for my city 3g speeds are faster than hspa for some reason)...
Also is there a way to select which band the phone is connecting by 850 vs 1900 ... or to see what it is using ?
any help would be appreciated

It's in the settings someone in network
There is also a widget to totally disable mobile internet which I use to save battery
Sent from my HTC Desire

Go to Settings > Wireless & Network Settings > Mobile Networks...
That's pretty much what you can do with the Desire as far as mobile networks are concerned. GSM phones normally switch to different frequency bands depending on where they are located and in the Desire I don't think you can select which one to go for (besides it's an unnecessary feature in my opinion)...it just does it on its own. Maybe there is an app around that let's you do this?...
As for viewing which band you are on....you can't do it on a standard ROM but there might be custom ROMs or an app that let's you do this.
Update: Some apps that might interest you => 4G, CDMA, GSM & Wifi Map Viewer from Sensorly.com
=> Open Signal Maps Beta from Staircase 3, Inc.
=> Antennas from mpoly
=> Quick Settings (maybe..)

mmm none of those do anything like it...
all those either just shut off data or turn it on... im not sure if anyone has used the galaxy s
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=837716
this is what im talking about... saves the phone a LOT of battery by just forcing it to use 3g instead of hspa ...
i think developers can prolly make more sense of it.. i mean if they have a way.. there has to be one in other devices ...no?

danial.aw said:
mmm none of those do anything like it...
all those either just shut off data or turn it on... im not sure if anyone has used the galaxy s
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=837716
this is what im talking about... saves the phone a LOT of battery by just forcing it to use 3g instead of hspa ...
i think developers can prolly make more sense of it.. i mean if they have a way.. there has to be one in other devices ...no?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah, so you have a Galaxy S.....unfortunately, this is a HTC Desire forum, so it would be better if you posted this in the Galaxy S forums. You may not find the answers you are looking for here as this forum mainly handles a different device to the Galaxy S.
What I said before is only applicable to the HTC DESIRE. I thought you switched to a Desire when you mentioned you came from a Galaxy S, but I was mistaken. The apps I mentioned as mainly for monitoring the 4G, 3.5G & 3G (i think 2G too) coverage. If you are looking to switch between them (i.e. turn HSDPA off and turn 2G on) I am sure there is a way to do so...on the Desire this can be done through the Mobile Networks settings...
And no, I'm not familiar with the Galaxy S....

no i had the galaxy s... (i posted that for reference as to how its done on that)...
and ya those apps just toggle just 2g vs 3g...
im looking for a umts vs hspa toggle... (3g vs 3.5g).... because umts takes way less battery than hspa does...
tried to mess around in the band setting screen but couldnt find anything

SOLUTION
what you need is to edit /system/build.prop file
here are my settings:
ro.ril.hsxpa=0
ro.ril.gprsclass=12
ro.ril.hsdpa.category=1
ro.ril.hsupa.category=1
after doing the and couple?... of restarts H icon changed to 3G and it really does save battery significantly and speed is pretty much enough for browsing or email

would have thought if battery life was vital then you'd disable data completely tbh

This is somewhat network dependent. Here in Sweden I know of one network that will have you at HSXPA (H) as soon as it is possible. My network on the other hand will set to 3G when WCDMA is detected and set to H only during data traffic.
And then G if only GSM is detected.
I disable data via widget if I want to save power even further. Not that it has that much impact. There is a setting under wireless and network > mobile network at the bottom : ativate mobile data (this is translated). This setting will force the data connection to be active even if unused. You have to experiment here what setting is best for your network. On my network, if I remove the tick here (data connection will let go if not used and reconnect when needed) my battery will drain quicker. Providers with other policies might give different result.

found something good http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=909458
apparently xda is very strict on my posting etc. my fourth try trying to post something to help out..

liquidribs said:
found something good http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=909458
apparently xda is very strict on my posting etc. my fourth try trying to post something to help out..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you! thank you! thank you! For bringing thing thread back from the grave.

heyjoe66 said:
SOLUTION
what you need is to edit /system/build.prop file
here are my settings:
ro.ril.hsxpa=0
ro.ril.gprsclass=12
ro.ril.hsdpa.category=1
ro.ril.hsupa.category=1
after doing the and couple?... of restarts H icon changed to 3G and it really does save battery significantly and speed is pretty much enough for browsing or email
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks! Very useful! For me it was only necessary to change the "ro.ril.hsxpa=0" line, then do a couple of restarts (to make it clear, a single restart wasn't enough, HSDPA was disabled only after the second restart for me).

[Q] weak coverage killing my battery Help?

I direct a summer camp in the summer and now that I've moved out to my summer location I have absolutely the worst data coverage at my camp. All throughout my campground my phone data switches from 4g to edge to no data depending on where I'm literally standing. I think that has been plummeting my battery life so I'm trying to find some best solutions. I'm currently running Intergalactic Rom which has giving me great battery life before I moved out here to camp.
1. Should I consider another rom such as a asop/aokp or does it matter?
2. I already tried locking my band selection to just edge but I can't receive phone calls when I do that. Is that a matter of having the right APN's? Right now my APN only shows the ATT Phone settings?
3. Does having the right combination of kernel settings, modems, etc.. make a difference too?
I would appreciate any help or feedback
Thanks

dmbrown81 said:
I direct a summer camp in the summer and now that I've moved out to my summer location I have absolutely the worst data coverage at my camp. All throughout my campground my phone data switches from 4g to edge to no data depending on where I'm literally standing. I think that has been plummeting my battery life so I'm trying to find some best solutions. I'm currently running Intergalactic Rom which has giving me great battery life before I moved out here to camp.
1. Should I consider another rom such as a asop/aokp or does it matter?
2. I already tried locking my band selection to just edge but I can't receive phone calls when I do that. Is that a matter of having the right APN's? Right now my APN only shows the ATT Phone settings?
3. Does having the right combination of kernel settings, modems, etc.. make a difference too?
I would appreciate any help or feedback
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Turn off your data and see if that makes a difference. There are several apps out there that will let you switch it on off through a widget. I think one was something like aon on off, just a toggle.

Gage_Hero said:
Turn off your data and see if that makes a difference. There are several apps out there that will let you switch it on off through a widget. I think one was something like aon on off, just a toggle.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
will this affect whether i receive text messages or not?

No. Phone calls and texts will not be affected. MMS require data, though.

My 2g speed or edge is pretty sufficient. But I tested it out and I was able to place phone calls but not receive them. Is that a matter of configuring the right apn's and if i do stay on edge does that affect test messaging or mms?
Thanks again