Accessing barometer data from Lumia 1020

Question

Apparently the Lumia 1020 has a barometer. See the "Extra Features" section in the link below.

http://developer.nokia.com/Devices/Device_specifications/Lumia_1020/

I would like to know how to access elevation data directly from the barometer. Right now I have access to elevation data from the Geolocator object in the Windows.Devices.Geolocation namespace, but it's giving me back elevation from the GPS signal, not from the barometer. I know this because the Geolocator object's Altitude property varies by tens of meters while at constant elevation over a period of minutes while the phone is just sitting on the table. The barometer should vary on the order of centimeters.

Any ideas? Perhaps it will just be a matter of time before we can see an update in the Windows Phone SDK?

Johannisberger

I haven't used the 1020 nor tried a device with a barometer but have you set the Geolocator's DesiredAccuracy property to High? This might determine whether or not to use the Barometer for accuracy. – Tyrothricin

Good idea, but already tried that. – Johannisberger

@Johannisberger you have peeked my interest. I am looking into this. – Friede

The Galaxy Nexus has a barometer too, but it's only used to feed a known piece of data into the GPS to obtain a lock faster (one less variable to solve for). It is completely unavailable for any other use. I suspect that it's the same for this device. – Invertebrate

Answer 1

The Galaxy Nexus has a barometer too, but it's only used to feed a known piece of data into the GPS to obtain a lock faster (one less variable to solve for). It is completely unavailable for any other use. I suspect that it's the same for this device. Why would you need barometer altitude when you have GPS?

Here's a reference for the Nexus: http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/20/galaxy-nexus-barometer-explained-sam-champion-not-out-of-a-job/

Well... "It's there, why not make it available?" was my question when I learned of this.

Invertebrate

There are benefits in using the barometer please refer to this article. strava.zendesk.com/entries/20965883-Elevation-for-Your-Activity – Hypodermic

Answer 2

You can found information about barometer here but as I know the api available only in Visual Studio 2015 CTP 6. You can found example project on github

Preter

Answer 3

Seems like it can't be accessed by the Windows Phone 8 API and is apparently only used to feed the GPS data to speed up detection: http://social.msdn.microsoft.com/Forums/wpapps/en-US/510c700e-85a2-49e2-9861-1c35b4714403/how-to-access-barometer-sensor-of-lumia-1020?forum=wpdevelop

Here's a list of the supported sensors for Windows Phone 8 API: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windowsphone/develop/hh202968%28v=vs.105%29.aspx

Gaudette