Using smartphone for wilderness & off-the-grid applications

For some time since I've joined this board I've notice there are countless misconceptions regarding the use of smart phone as viable and reliable multi-purpose tool, moreover I also notice abundant numbers of members here simply doesn't have knowledge of how to fully utilize their smart phone, and the worst of all, is their understanding of smartphone usage came particularly from those silly Millennial & Zombie Snowflakes whose only usage of their phone is to either create social-media posting or casual chatting, all those contributing factor have somehow created the misleading perception that smart phone are merely tools for posting into social media and chatting.

In this post I will address not only the most common misconception regarding smart phone, but also a primer on using smart phone for wilderness & off-the-grid applications.

The scope of this post will include;

1. Introduction to Smart Phone
2. Typical Capabilities
3. Common Issues & Operational Limit
4. Best Practice

1. Introduction to SmartPhone

Contrary to popular believe and advertisement, A SmartPhone is basically a standalone computer in the form of a pocket size phone with capability to connect into cell phone services as mean of communication. For all purpose and intend a SmartPhone is not a phone in traditional sense at all. The use of “Smart Phone” nomenclature is merely for the purpose of advertisement to differentiate it from other consumer electronic such as tablet, laptop, etc.

The other common misconceptions is that smart phone could only operate within cell phone service coverage or relied on certain internet based company (such as Google) in order to operate properly. As I had stated before a smartphone is basically a standalone computer that will retain all capabilities regardless the presence of any cell phone service or internet connection. The only features that will not be functioning when going off-the-grid is anything that require internet or cell phone services.

All mobile phone including the so-called smartphone could be set to run in off-the-grid mode by activating "Airplane Mode"

As standalone computer, a smartphone came with variety of sensors that not normally available in other consumer electronic product such as tablet or laptop. Keep in mind that availability of sensors are varied from one type of phone to another, and as rule of thumbs a feature (flagship) smartphone typically has more sensors available to them compare to their cheaper siblings.(you get what you paid for).

Commonly available sensors / features ;

• High resolution Camera
• Tri-axis Accelerometer
• Gyroscope
• Tri-axis Magnetic field sensor
• GPS / GLONASS
• A-GPS / A-GLONASS (Assisted by cell phone tower to improve time-to-first-fix whenever cell phone service is available)
• EPO (Extended Prediction Orbit, this feature improve time-to-first-fix by downloading the entire GPS / GLONASS Ephemeris file to improve startup performance whenever A-GPS / A-GLONASS feature is NOT available)
• Ambient light sensor
• Ambient air thermometer
• Barometer

2. Typical Capabilities ;

• Entertainment
• FM radio receiver
• Flashlight
• Satellite navigation (position, course, geodetic elevation, ground speed)
• Navigational chart
• Pedometer
• Sighting Compass
• Clinometer
• Stadiametric rangefinding
• Short range communication (WiFi 802.11 draft-n)
• Barometric altimeter
• Whether forecast

3. Issues & Operational Limit ;

• Internal clock not as accurate compare to quartz watch
• Battery capacity and lifetime
• Screen size
• Limitation of OEM kernel & operating system
• Durability, and Ingress proofing
• Battery temperature may affect MEMS magnetic field sensor

4. Best Practice ;

• Check battery condition & lifetime
• Estimate the total power requirement for the excursion and always bring power bank with enough charged capacity
• Calibrating the magnetic field sensor to be used as sighting compass
• Calibrating the accelerometer to be used as pedometer
• Download fresh EPO data once a week or before going off-the-grid
• Routinely sync clock through NTP when within cell phone service coverage, or through GPS / GLONASS when already outside cell phone service coverage (off-the-grid)
• Always check if the phone already operating in "Airplane Mode"
• Calibrating the barometer to local calibrated elevation reading
• Adjust GPS/GLONASS vertical datum to local calibrated elevation reading
• Adjust compass declination

I intentionally doesn't mention any specific brand or application within this post, the main reason for it is because the purpose for this post is to educate on the use of smartphone for off-the-grid situation and I don't want to sound as I'm promoting / selling something.

Any question.. ?

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Using smartphone for wilderness & off-the-grid applications