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Coolwind
Moderator
Italy
8957 Posts |
 Posted - 11/03/2016 : 00:19:47
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I copy here what I wrote inside the manual, for people willing to use a Kobo. You may help to make this guide better before we release v6.
Formatting is not good after copy and paste, sorry.
KOBO SUPPORT
LK works on all Kobo devices, including the newest Glo HD .
These devices do not have a GPS inside, so you need to provide a GPS feed through either a serial port or through Wifi.
Serial ports requires internal hardware modification, or the use of a USB OTG cable and a usb to serial adapter. In this case, a special version of LK is required too, in order to provide USB OTG kernel capability. By default, this capability is not available in Kobo.
Otherwise, there is no sound in Kobo.
The grey-scale e-ink display has only 16 colors, and we cannot do miracles with dithered terrain rendering. However, we have tailored all colors for dithered greyscale on Kobo at the best possible result. The Kobo version is not a simple greyscale version of normal LK8000: it is custom made concerning colors.
Installing LK on Kobo
Connect the Kobo to PC with a USB cable, so that it appears as a USB disk drive.
On the USB drive just appeared, copy the folder named LK8000 in the distribution: inside there are other folders like _Airspaces _Configuration etc.
If you are using an upgrade distribution, first install full version. You can only install upgrade over an already existing full version.
Move the file KoboRoot.tgz found in the distribution inside the folder named .kobo
Unmount the Kobo from PC, and after restart LK8000 will be running.
To exit LK and enter the Nickel environment, use the startup Kobo button on LK.
Otherwise, after a normal exit from LK, the Kobo will go to sleep.
Feeding GPS signal to Kobo via WiFi on Android
edit 02.04.19 by AlphaLima:
meanwhile we have a dedicated Android App for GPS feeding and sound output:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.LK8000.lknet
Download from Play Store the app “GPS2NET” or something similar. This application is going to use the GPS inside the smartphone to transmit a gps feed over wifi.
From GPS2NET menu, select Settings, General, Start at boot OFF, GPS Interval 1 second.
Check that on the main GPS2NET page there is 6000 (the later port number).
On the smartphone enable Data Transmission, and enable Router WiFi
Important: you must be under 3G or 2G coverage to initially do the pairing with Kobo
From the Kobo welcome screen, choose Set up over Wi-Fi
Search for the smartphone in the network list, and select it. If the Router Wifi on smartphone
has a password you must enter it.
The smartphone in this phase must be under 2G or 3G coverage to give Kobo an internet connection, otherwise the Kobo will disconnect immediately saying no pairing.
If connection is established, in the pull down menu on the smartphone a new connected device will appear. Kobo is now connected to Android.
On Android GPS2NET click on START. From now on, the smartphone is sending the NMEA stream of the GPS on TCP/IP, to whatever network device connecting to the smartphone on port 6000. It will say “Waiting for connection”.
Switch off the Kobo with the proper hardware switch. Wait until it is off and then switch it on.
LK8000 will appear. Enter FLY mode.
Menu, Config 2/3, LK8000 Setup, Device Setup.
Device A: Generic
Port: TCPClient
IP: 192.168.43.1 Port: 6000
Exit configuration. On the screen, GPS: No ComPort initially.
After 30-60 seconds, GPS: NO VALID FIX or even better, already a valid fix, and the clock will start running. Your Kobo has a GPS!
Shutdown LK8000 and Wifi on Kobo
Terminating LK8000 with Exit will shutdown Kobo and Wifi automatically. On the smartphone no devices are connected. Enter GPS2NET and click on STOP. You can switch of Router Wifi too.
Normally restart LK8000 with Wifi
Of course you don't need to do the pairing and the above procedure after the first time.
Here is what you need to do in order to restart Kobo using the old Wifi connection to android gps.
You dont need Data transmission enabled, and you dont need an internet connection after pairing kobo-android is done the first time
Enable Router Wifi
Run GP2NET and click on START
Switch ON the Kobo, LK8000 is starting, enter FLY mode
Initially Kobo is not yet connected to Android. On the screen you read
GPS: No ComPort . Wait for 30-60 seconds , and you get GPS: NO VALID FIX or a good fix with the clock running.
Smartphone disconnected from Kobo?
Now that Kobo as a GPS connection to android, do the following test.
Check LK8000, gps is running, either with NO VALID FIX or with a valid fix.
On Android, switch off Router Wifi and/or stop GPS2NET, and/or switch off the phone.
ON LK8000, GPS: No ComPort
Even with no 3G or 2G connection, switch on the Router and start GPS2NET.
After a while, LK8000 will get the GPS feed.
So in case of smartphone problems during flight, you dont have to do anything on Kobo, just fix the smartphone.
How to find the correct IP address of your smartphone Router Wifi
If the connection does not work, there is a chance that the local IP address of the smartphone is not 192.168.43.1 . To find the correct address, download from Play Store an app like OS Monitor .
From OS Monitor select Connections and browse the list until you see GPS2NET.
You should see something like 192.168.1.43:6000
Search for 6000, not for other ports. The address on the left is the correct IP address to use inside LK8000. This will not change any more, since it is stable inside your Android every time you switch on Router Wifi.
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Edited by - AlphaLima on 02/04/2019 10:42:04 |
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AlphaLima
Moderator
Germany
1978 Posts |
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Coolwind
Moderator
Italy
8957 Posts |
Posted - 23/03/2016 : 21:25:06
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That is such a great work, Ulli! ESP8266 is very common and it is spreading around a lot.
Compliments! |
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AlphaLima
Moderator
Germany
1978 Posts |
Posted - 15/04/2016 : 21:47:40
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Just for information,
To connect a Kobo to Wifi, the Wifi source must have Internet connection to be recognized by the kobo. In case of the ESP8266 the Kobo does not properly establish the connection.
As workaround I made a smartphone access point (tethering) with the same SSID and password. Then I connected the kobo to the tethered smartphone. After successful connection I turned off the smartphone and turned on the ESP8266. Now the Kobo properly connect to the serial data of the ESP8266.
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Coolwind
Moderator
Italy
8957 Posts |
Posted - 15/04/2016 : 23:34:10
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As I wrote in the manual:
Important: you must be under 3G or 2G coverage to initially do the pairing with Kobo
Only initiallym though. |
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HG-Argo
Pulcino
23 Posts |
Posted - 25/05/2016 : 22:41:40
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Hi AlphaLima. I've started down the path of using ESP-LINK. Some questions if you don't mind? - Did you use a standard firmware compile?
- If standard, what settings did you use in the ESP-LINK Wifi setup?
- Did you let ESP-LINK go to STA mode, or force it stay as an AP somehow?
Cheers. |
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AlphaLima
Moderator
Germany
1978 Posts |
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HG-Argo
Pulcino
23 Posts |
Posted - 29/05/2016 : 12:20:46
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Thanks.
Operational now. Av ESP-8266 current = 75mA, range ~40m...very good.
Some patience (perhaps a minute maximum) needed to let the Kobo wifi connect and data flow, but once it does it all seems solid. Only bench tested so far. |
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freewing70
Pterodattilo
Italy
1268 Posts |
Posted - 12/12/2016 : 13:02:08
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Is it possible to simply link and external BT GPS to the Kobo?
Thanks a lot |
- enrico
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Edited by - freewing70 on 12/12/2016 13:02:26 |
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brunotl
Pterodattilo
France
1096 Posts |
Posted - 12/12/2016 : 14:03:19
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quote:
Originally posted by freewing70
Is it possible to simply link and external BT GPS to the Kobo?
Thanks a lot
no bluetooth on kobo, so not possible without adding hardware... |
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freewing70
Pterodattilo
Italy
1268 Posts |
Posted - 13/12/2016 : 16:22:18
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| Thanks Bruno |
- enrico
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ToninoTarsi
Falchetto
Italy
113 Posts |
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Med50
Pulcino
Italy
39 Posts |
Posted - 07/05/2018 : 21:09:35
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quote:
Originally posted by AlphaLima
Just for information,
To connect a Kobo to Wifi, the Wifi source must have Internet connection to be recognized by the kobo. In case of the ESP8266 the Kobo does not properly establish the connection.
As workaround I made a smartphone access point (tethering) with the same SSID and password. Then I connected the kobo to the tethered smartphone. After successful connection I turned off the smartphone and turned on the ESP8266. Now the Kobo properly connect to the serial data of the ESP8266.
Hi AlphaLima,
I'm trying to feed the Kobo with datas from FLARM via WiFi, what I use is a HiLink Serial to Wifi converter.
After a few tries, everything works perfectly with an Android smartphone, LK8000 receives data from Flarm and I can see real traffics on the display.
The problems come with the Kobo setup!
As you said, Kobo refuses to connect to this WiFi because there is no real internet connection!!
I've tried your workaround, Kobo properly connect to the tethering WiFi on the smartphone, but NOT to the "same" wifi of the converter
Can you help me? What i'm missing? |
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Med50
Pulcino
Italy
39 Posts |
Posted - 07/05/2018 : 21:13:57
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I've found something like a mod to the Koboroot.tzg on the web, this creates a "web server" on the device to let the kobo believe any wifi has an internet connection.
(I'm a total newbie to this world, so hope you can understand)
https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?p=3126196&styleid=17
My question is, if I apply this mod, can i still run LK8000 as usual?
If not, is it possible to "merge" both mods to the koboroot?
This would be the best solution in my opinion.
Thanks for you support! |
Edited by - Med50 on 07/05/2018 21:17:05 |
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AlphaLima
Moderator
Germany
1978 Posts |
Posted - 08/05/2018 : 21:39:55
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Make sure to turn off, the tethered smartphone before turning on your WiFi device. Wait for at least 30min.
All I can say, it worked with Kobos and ESP devices, I have no experience with the "HiLink" Serial to Wifi device.
Never heard about the mod you're talking about and I'm not able to test it.
Please report your experience.
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Med50
Pulcino
Italy
39 Posts |
Posted - 08/05/2018 : 22:15:03
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Thanks AlphaLima,
I've successfully installed this mod to let Kobo connect to any WiFi without a real internet connection.
This was easy even for a newbie as me!
Simply download the KoboRoot.tzg you can find in the link above, copy in the .kobo folder (same as installing LK8000)
Kobo will restart and upgrade. A new "webportal" will be visible in the kobo browser if you point to http://webportal
I don't really know what all this stuff is, but what I understood is that when Kobo connects to a new WiFi, it always looks for a website (http://www.msftncsi.com/ncsi.txt), and if not reachable, connection is considered useless and Kobo will disconnect.
What this "webportal" does is to create a "fake" http://www.msftncsi.com/ncsi.txt that is now located on the Kobo memory, so can be reached even without a real internet connection.
To activate this feature you have to "uncomment" a line in the .addons/.webportal/vhosts.conf configuration file, by opening with wordpad and removing the # symbol.
After reboot, Kobo will connect to ANY WiFi network
LK8000 still running fine after this mod, which is a good thing :D
In the weekend I'll test all the setup (I don't have a Flarm to test right now), but everything worked fine with an android smartphone. Hope the same with the Kobo now that wifi is connected!
Ciao
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Edited by - Med50 on 08/05/2018 22:16:54 |
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Topic |
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How to feed a GPS from Android to Kobo