[Q] Question Regarding Signal on AOSP vs Sense - Droid Incredible Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Maybe this is all in my head so I need a confirmation. Do Sense ROMs have better signal strength/data speeds? It doesn't make sense to me but I just seem to have much better reception and speeds when using a Sense based ROM, including EVO framework ones as opposed to CM and Ruby. Is there ay reason for this or am I just imagining it?

I've often wondered the same thing.
I think, however, that actual reception is tied to the PRL, the radio, the PRI, and some more uber-technical stuff - in other words, things well under the hood that aren't impacted/changed when a ROM is flashed.
That said, I suspect ROMs play differently with those things depending on how they are built, hence what appears (or may actually be) better signal.

It all comes down to the RIL and radio. A rom won't mess with those. They should be identical. Check the signal dBm's to compare roms.
Sent from my ADR6300 using XDA App

I figured it would be a radio thing but it always seemed it was changing from ROM to ROM. That being said, I switched from a Sense ROM to an AOSP one and the signal has not changed at all so thanks guys for answering the question. I knew it had to be in my head hehe

solarpolitiks said:
I figured it would be a radio thing but it always seemed it was changing from ROM to ROM. That being said, I switched from a Sense ROM to an AOSP one and the signal has not changed at all so thanks guys for answering the question. I knew it had to be in my head hehe
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
One thing you DO have control over is the firmware of the radio. There are currently 3 versions of radio firmware that you can flash. This has nothing to do with the ROM. Different people have different results in terms of link stability and speed depending on them. Look for the Radio thread to find the downloads and information.

I've actually had this issue on the EVO and can confirm after testing that the signal strength is less with an AOSP ROM (every one I've tried actually). Drives me crazy because I really want to use one.

oubravs2b said:
I've actually had this issue on the EVO and can confirm after testing that the signal strength is less with an AOSP ROM (every one I've tried actually). Drives me crazy because I really want to use one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How exactly did you test this? There are many variables that could influence signal.

Related

[Q] Wifi Signal on AOSP ROMS

I have TERRIBLE Wifi signal strength on any AOSP ROMs (yes, I tested and radios, etc. are up to date). Anyone have this same issue and have a fix?? Sense ROMs are fine for me. I really want to use a few of these, but can't get over the terrible Wifi service.
oubravs2b said:
I have TERRIBLE Wifi signal strength on any AOSP ROMs (yes, I tested and radios, etc. are up to date). Anyone have this same issue and have a fix?? Sense ROMs are fine for me. I really want to use a few of these, but can't get over the terrible Wifi service.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've been saying this for ages, hands down the aosp wifi sig can't compare to a sense rom. I believe the devs all know this and been aware. Question is, how come no one has done anything about it :-/. One of the main reasons I'm back to sense.
Sent from my Evo in your sisters closet using Tapatalk
Don't hate the devs they are the reason there is aosp roms
But I have not noticed this yet will try this
Sent from my gingerbread evo 4g
cesarcerros31 said:
Don't hate the devs they are the reason there is aosp roms
But I have not noticed this yet will try this
Sent from my gingerbread evo 4g
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Definitely not having on ANY devs if that's what it sounded like I apologize. But I believe many are aware of the ****ty wifi drivers with aosp roms that's all I was saying.
Sent from my Evo in your sisters closet using Tapatalk
I have this problem as well. My AOSP will show 2 bars when three is full, even when one foot away from my router. Same goes for cell signal. If i am sitting at home i get about 2 bars on Sense, 0 on AOSP. And its not the "AOSP tells you the true signal" bs. When on sense it operates just fine. Restore an AOSP rom, no signal, no calls. It sucks, but i bear with it cuz i love that CM7. With that said, I sure later versions will be even better, and will address the issue. It seems pretty widespread.
Bump... same issue here.
oubravs2b said:
I have TERRIBLE Wifi signal strength on any AOSP ROMs (yes, I tested and radios, etc. are up to date). Anyone have this same issue and have a fix?? Sense ROMs are fine for me. I really want to use a few of these, but can't get over the terrible Wifi service.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've noticed the same thing. I'm assuming the way Sense ROMS are woven into the framework of the phone is the reason for the difference in signal strength. I love AOSP roms but the signal quirks are just too much for me at this point to make the switch permanent.

[Q] Which rom has better wifi strength - CM7 or Sense based roms (eg. ARHD 5.x)?

Hello, I know there was a lot of questions like mine, but, I can't compare it in the same time (I mean, comparing wifi strength), I have only one DHD
Which rom has better wifi signal reception? I know that this is more related to radio, not to rom, but, I would like to know, what is your opinion and what are your experiences? I have CyanogenMod 7.0.3 and recommended radio 12.54.60.25P_26.09.04.11_M2, and I think that wifi is a little bit less powerful than on e.g. Android Revolution 5.x and with the same radio, I'm not talking about bars and other indicators, I'm talking about "dBm". Around my house (close to exit doors) I have wifi signal on ARHD, and it was stable signal, and on CM7 I have there signal too, but it's not as stable as on ARHD. What is your opinion about that? Regards
Ei! Logically they influence many variables here ... type of baseband, rom, power of the sign wifi, situation of the issuer and the recipient ... it is a diffuse enough question i think...
because What serves me can that it does not serve you...
it´s only my opinion
+1 on SERGL's answer there. the ROM's are going to be using different kernels and have different methods of distributign power to the wifi chipset. Also you may have noticed Wifi is a strage beast when it comes to signals, the oddest thing can affect it (qualified network technician, don't get me started on wireless algorithms), heck even being in the path of it can affect it.
To answer your Question though in my personal experience they have been very similar, some radios have given me better signal strength than other but at the cost of battery.
Suck it and see...
Hi vBB
Yea.. I agree with both SERGI.3210 and wbbigdave. However, from what I understand that questions like these are pretty subjective. It have tonnes of factors that is almost impossible to be listed here. Lol.
It might not be the ROM and/or Radio etc that caused it to be weak but the telco companies themselves that caused the problem.
superstick1 said:
Hi vBB
Yea.. I agree with both SERGI.3210 and wbbigdave. However, from what I understand that questions like these are pretty subjective. It have tonnes of factors that is almost impossible to be listed here. Lol.
It might not be the ROM and/or Radio etc that caused it to be weak but the telco companies themselves that caused the problem.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah mate..i´m with you. there are a lot of variables that make influence in the strenght signal
its a very subjective question, for example im living in a town and my house dates of 1910 more or less!!! The walls have 40 cm of thickness LOL this influences also enough

Service issues, what would you guys recommend?

Well I've been on AOSP ROMs for a couple of months now, and I love everything about them. The only thing I HATE is the service problems that come with them. So I switched back to the stock TW rom and updated my PRL and profile, my PRL went from 25012 to 25014 and my service at home (with an airave, mind you) was 3G and full bars. Thinking I had it all settled, I went back to AOSP and I'm still getting the service issues I had before: either I'm getting 1x + full bars, or 3G and 1-3 fluctuating bars, usually steady at 2 (again, this is on an airave, and my girlfriend with her iphone 5 has full 3G bars at my house). I've flashed every radio under the sun but they seem to make no noticeable difference.
Any ideas/suggestions? I'm not opposed to switching back to a TW rom...but I'd rather stay on AOSP. It seems to me that I have no choice though.
sevenpioverthree said:
Well I've been on AOSP ROMs for a couple of months now, and I love everything about them. The only thing I HATE is the service problems that come with them. So I switched back to the stock TW rom and updated my PRL and profile, my PRL went from 25012 to 25014 and my service at home (with an airave, mind you) was 3G and full bars. Thinking I had it all settled, I went back to AOSP and I'm still getting the service issues I had before: either I'm getting 1x + full bars, or 3G and 1-3 fluctuating bars, usually steady at 2 (again, this is on an airave, and my girlfriend with her iphone 5 has full 3G bars at my house). I've flashed every radio under the sun but they seem to make no noticeable difference.
Any ideas/suggestions? I'm not opposed to switching back to a TW rom...but I'd rather stay on AOSP. It seems to me that I have no choice though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you certain about the strength of your signal on TW? I know that the original stock TW does a little trick in making you think that you have higher signal than you actually do (showing 3G when you really only have 1x... showing 4 bars when you really don't have a strong signal). It's best to compare the actual signal strength in dB (under System Settings - About Phone - Status). I know some custom TW Roms fixed this so that it's consistent with AOSP, but I don't know which ones have and which haven't (and if it's not listed in their features, it's hard to tell without diving into some code). I'm not sure if the iPhone does the same trick as stock TW does, but I know my wife's iPhone 4S typically gets worse reception than my GS3, so anecdotally, it doesn't.
On the other hand, if you're experiencing considerably slower speeds on AOSP compared to TW, it might be cause to stick with TW. Now-a-days, TW is creeping closer to getting the features of AOSP, so it might be time to switch back.
topherk said:
Are you certain about the strength of your signal on TW? I know that the original stock TW does a little trick in making you think that you have higher signal than you actually do (showing 3G when you really only have 1x... showing 4 bars when you really don't have a strong signal). It's best to compare the actual signal strength in dB (under System Settings - About Phone - Status). I know some custom TW Roms fixed this so that it's consistent with AOSP, but I don't know which ones have and which haven't (and if it's not listed in their features, it's hard to tell without diving into some code). I'm not sure if the iPhone does the same trick as stock TW does, but I know my wife's iPhone 4S typically gets worse reception than my GS3, so anecdotally, it doesn't.
On the other hand, if you're experiencing considerably slower speeds on AOSP compared to TW, it might be cause to stick with TW. Now-a-days, TW is creeping closer to getting the features of AOSP, so it might be time to switch back.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I should've added that I did compare signals under status and my signal reading was true. But I suppose you're right, time to learn all about TW roms.
Sent from my SPH-L710
sevenpioverthree said:
I should've added that I did compare signals under status and my signal reading was true. But I suppose you're right, time to learn all about TW roms.
Sent from my SPH-L710
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is one thing you can try (obviously Nandroid up before trying it). There's a thread that talks about poor 3G speed and the things you can do to fix it (not limited to AOSP or TW Roms, if I recall correctly). Here's the thread. I personally wouldn't flash the zip in the thread without look through it (I think it replaces your build.prop), but I would follow the steps in the linked thread to see if those tweaks will work.
So should I try the tweaks first and then resort to the zip?
Sent from my SPH-L710
sevenpioverthree said:
So should I try the tweaks first and then resort to the zip?
Sent from my SPH-L710
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm wary of the zip because I'm not sure if it's for TW or AOSP roms (doesn't say in the thread). If I recall correctly, the zip is just a modified build.prop sysctl.conf which includes the tweaks from his linked thread. He just made the flashable zip so people won't have to mess around inside system files. But since I don't know if it's specifically for AOSP, I'd personally be a little wary of it.
Edit: Since it's not a build.prop and is instead a sysctl.conf file, it might be safe to flash. I haven't looked too much into this recently, but I'd less wary since it's not a build.prop file you're flashing.
topherk said:
I'm wary of the zip because I'm not sure if it's for TW or AOSP roms (doesn't say in the thread). If I recall correctly, the zip is just a modified build.prop which includes the tweaks from his linked thread. He just made the flashable zip so people won't have to mess around inside system files. But since I don't know if it's specifically for AOSP, I'd personally be a little wary of it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I see, well thanks a bunch topherk I'll do my research and see how it goes
Sent from my SPH-L710
Hey OP... I don't know how phone savy you are lol, but........ here ya go.
Scroll half way down and do those tweaks.
---------- Post added at 02:19 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:19 PM ----------
topherk said:
On the other hand, if you're experiencing considerably slower speeds on AOSP compared to TW, it might be cause to stick with TW. Now-a-days, TW is creeping closer to getting the features of AOSP, so it might be time to switch back.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Like which features?! I've yet to see that lol.
Joe0113 said:
Hey OP... I don't know how phone savy you are lol, but........ here ya go.
Scroll half way down and do those tweaks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm guessing I use the "signal tweaks"?
sevenpioverthree said:
I'm guessing I use the "signal tweaks"?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do this at your own risk and follow EVERY SINGLE STEP.. Read, read and read some more. And when you think you're done reading, just do it one more time! And yes, signal tweaks and you can even do NetSpeed Tweaks as well to increase data speeds.
You could use a tw ROM with morphology. I have that and the aosp launcher.
Sent from my SPH-L710 using xda app-developers app
WindroidApps said:
You could use a tw ROM with morphology. I have that and the aosp launcher.
Sent from my SPH-L710 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I might do that, and I did confirm that my TW rom isn't playing a trick on me, the readings are true. On AOSP I'm usually at 80-100 dbm and 2 asu, whereas on TW I was at 75 dbm and 8/16 asu. This makes me sad ): I tried every tweak mentioned in this thread but to no avail. Oh well, TW isn't so bad, I just really like AOSP.
sevenpioverthree said:
I might do that, and I did confirm that my TW rom isn't playing a trick on me, the readings are true. On AOSP I'm usually at 80-100 dbm and 2 asu, whereas on TW I was at 75 dbm and 8/16 asu. This makes me sad ): I tried every tweak mentioned in this thread but to no avail. Oh well, TW isn't so bad, I just really like AOSP.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
TW always tells you your 1X signal strength even under status in about phone. AOSP is telling you your 3G or LTE strength so that's why it seems different. Download SignalCheck from the Play store & it should tell you your actual signal strengths.

[Q] Same carrier, two different phones, difference reception

I have my Galaxy S3 and my coworker has an HTC Evo. Both of us have Sprint and yet his phone gets 3 bars of reception whereas mine only gets 1, 2 if I'm very, very lucky.
AFAIK, he's running stock, unrooted and I'm running rooted with latest LiquidSmooth 2.9 with the MD4 modem. No idea what modem he has.
What could be the reason why he's getting better reception? Better antenna build in the Evo?
Volknochi said:
I have my Galaxy S3 and my coworker has an HTC Evo. Both of us have Sprint and yet his phone gets 3 bars of reception whereas mine only gets 1, 2 if I'm very, very lucky.
AFAIK, he's running stock, unrooted and I'm running rooted with latest LiquidSmooth 2.9 with the MD4 modem. No idea what modem he has.
What could be the reason why he's getting better reception? Better antenna build in the Evo?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Some of it has to do with the rom. Some aosp roms show a more accurate bar reading...which is why your's is fewer. I wouldn't really get to worked up over it. They both probably get similar reception and data speeds on 3g
lvpre said:
Some of it has to do with the rom. Some aosp roms show a more accurate bar reading...which is why your's is fewer. I wouldn't really get to worked up over it. They both probably get similar reception and data speeds on 3g
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually, my data is absolute sh!te and it's a pain to load nearly anything. I get data transfer speeds in the very low kbps.
lvpre said:
Some of it has to do with the rom. Some aosp roms show a more accurate bar reading...which is why your's is fewer. I wouldn't really get to worked up over it. They both probably get similar reception and data speeds on 3g
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm going to agree Ivpre. I would not get worked up over it. Unless of course it is necessary for you to have more Bars showing then him :silly: . You do most likely get the same Data Speeds.
Volknochi said:
Actually, my data is absolute sh!te and it's a pain to load nearly anything. I get data transfer speeds in the very low kbps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would suggest Updating PRL / Profile. Maybe even trying a different Modem. Not everyone gets great reception on MD4. You may have to experiment to see which works better for you.
If you want to properly know if your device is getting less of a signal you need to flash a TW rom, preferably one which is close to stock update prl and profile. Then check your signal and data speeds compared to your friends. AOSP roms remember are built from leaks, and ported from other devices. There is no true aosp source for the Sprint S3. So there's lots of patches and coding which goes into getting the cdma radios working.
Sent from the future via Tapatalk 4
prboy1969 said:
I'm going to agree Ivpre. I would not get worked up over it. Unless of course it is necessary for you to have more Bars showing then him :silly: . You do most likely get the same Data Speeds.
I would suggest Updating PRL / Profile. Maybe even trying a different Modem. Not everyone gets great reception on MD4. You may have to experiment to see which works better for you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
We've actually done a Speedtest together and his had a higher data rate than mine. I've had different modem with the earlier builds of Liquid Smooth as well, but still low reception. I've also updated my PRL/Profile in the past in hopes that it'll help but sadly no.
I'll look into having a TouchWiz ROM versus this one. I just love how LiquidSmooth is, so hoping I can find a TW ROM that's just as fun.
EDIT: I don't even know how to find a TouchWiz ROM. I figured it would say "TW" along the subject line, the same way AOSP does, but alas I cannot find that. I have heard of Goodness, is that a TW ROM?
Volknochi said:
I have my Galaxy S3 and my coworker has an HTC Evo. Both of us have Sprint and yet his phone gets 3 bars of reception whereas mine only gets 1, 2 if I'm very, very lucky.
AFAIK, he's running stock, unrooted and I'm running rooted with latest LiquidSmooth 2.9 with the MD4 modem. No idea what modem he has.
What could be the reason why he's getting better reception? Better antenna build in the Evo?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Some devices just get better reception than others. Better internal antennae.
My mom's old photon always got better reception than my 3d & s3
Sent from my SPH-I710 using xda premium
Volknochi said:
I'll look into having a TouchWiz ROM versus this one. I just love how LiquidSmooth is, so hoping I can find a TW ROM that's just as fun.
EDIT: I don't even know how to find a TouchWiz ROM. I figured it would say "TW" along the subject line, the same way AOSP does, but alas I cannot find that. I have heard of Goodness, is that a TW ROM?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Most likely cause all the roms which do not say AOSP or CM or AOKP or something like that are TW roms. I would recommend MOAR or TPR The People's Rom.
Sent from the future via Tapatalk 4
OP,
Unless you're being very careful with your comparisons and using quantitative, and not qualitative, data like db, seeing more "signal bars" means nothing.
Sent from my buttered S3
You must also keep in mind, that even after you switch to a TW Rom. There is no guarantee that you will see better reception. IE more bars. There are quite a few variables involved. What you should concentrate on is making your device the best it can be for you. As CNexus stated. When comparing you have to compare Apples to Apples, and Oranges to Oranges.
TEAM MiK
MikROMs Since 3/13/11
Bananas to bananas
Sent from the future via Tapatalk 4

[Q] Suggestions for modem?

I live in the Baltimore, MD area and I'm using Boost Mobile. I'm running JellyBAM android 4.2.2 currently, and plan to switch to CM11 if/when data is working.
Any suggestions for best modem for 3g speed/reception?
BLuFeNiX said:
I live in the Baltimore, MD area and I'm using Boost Mobile. I'm running JellyBAM android 4.2.2 currently, and plan to switch to CM11 if/when data is working.
Any suggestions for best modem for 3g speed/reception?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just try different ones... make sure they are ICS modem's though or you won't have data.
Remember... just because we all have the same device... doesn't mean that they run the same. So what works best for you might not work best for another..
Good luck.
Gil81 said:
just because we all have the same device... doesn't mean that they run the same. So what works best for you might not work best for another..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've heard this before, and it doesn't make much sense. Yes, location matters, but two of the same phone in the same location will likely produce negligible differences in reception when using the same modem.
BLuFeNiX said:
I've heard this before, and it doesn't make much sense. Yes, location matters, but two of the same phone in the same location will likely produce negligible differences in reception when using the same modem.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You sound upset... that wasn't my intention buddy. But I can tell you that I have had two epic's and my first one hated JB modem's and my current one gets great signal on JB modem's... and yes it's the same area and no new towers.
Maybe it was the difference in ICS and JB, I'm not sure.
But fl24 is the newest ICS modem and that's what I get the best signal with when I'm running any cm/aosp/aokp based roms... and I've tried quite a few different modems. That was in the Chicago area and Springfield area... both in Illinois.
Also... this current epic runs aokp roms great.. where my first one wouldn't... all chips are not created equal or maybe I just didn't now what I was doing then...
Hope somebody in youre area jumps in with some info for you. Good luck..
Gil81 said:
You sound upset... that wasn't my intention buddy. But I can tell you that I have had two epic's and my first one hated JB modem's and my current one gets great signal on JB modem's... and yes it's the same area and no new towers.
Maybe it was the difference in ICS and JB, I'm not sure.
But fl24 is the newest ICS modem and that's what I get the best signal with when I'm running any cm/aosp/aokp based roms... and I've tried quite a few different modems. That was in the Chicago area and Springfield area... both in Illinois.
Also... this current epic runs aokp roms great.. where my first one wouldn't... all chips are not created equal or maybe I just didn't now what I was doing then...
Hope somebody in youre area jumps in with some info for you. Good luck..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, not upset. My apologies if I came off that way. I work with radios on embedded devices and my experience has been that they all perform within <1% difference of each other when running the same software. Now, it's quite possible to have bad chips, but then all sorts of things go wrong and no amount of software can adequately compensate.
My guess is that ICS vs JB did make the difference for you. And as for AOKP roms running better, maybe it was a different version of the ROM?
Thanks for the input about FL24. I'll try it out.
I have two Epic 4G Touchs in my possession
One of them I can't even get data working on Any AOSP ROMS even though I was using ICS and GB modems.
I now use it as a media device so it doesn't really matter.
My daily driver is the complete opposite.
I get the best reception using FC14 modem.
Unless someone lives in your area with the same phone, they can tell you which modem works best for said area.

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