Dongle power consumption

[Keith Conger]

Hi All,

I'm not sure this is a bug in software or a hardware limitation. After
running any rtl_* utility power draw of the dongle stays high. I'm
interested in power consumption since I'm using the dongle with an Android
device.

Here is what I'm seeing with current draw of the dongle (R820T):

Dongle plugged in (Have not run any rtl-sdr utilities yet): ~90mA
Actively running a rtl utility: >200mA
Quit rtl utility: >200mA
Unplug/Replug dongle: ~90mA

Is there any way to drop the consumption back down with having to remove
the dongle?

Thanks,

[Jared Clements]

While I understand that battery life is crucial on a mobile device, this
particular bug helps keep the dongle thermally stable, which helps offset
the frequency drift from the non-compensated crystal. Lucky side effect,
perhaps.

Sorry, I don't actually have a response to your question.

Jared

Post by Keith Conger
Hi All,
I'm not sure this is a bug in software or a hardware limitation. After
running any rtl_* utility power draw of the dongle stays high. I'm
interested in power consumption since I'm using the dongle with an Android
device.
Dongle plugged in (Have not run any rtl-sdr utilities yet): ~90mA
Actively running a rtl utility: >200mA
Quit rtl utility: >200mA
Unplug/Replug dongle: ~90mA
Is there any way to drop the consumption back down with having to remove
the dongle?
Thanks,
--
Keith Conger

[Oliver Jowett]

Post by Keith Conger
Quit rtl utility: >200mA

How are you quitting it?

(There appears to be code in rtlsdr_close() to power everything down -
but perhaps that is not having a chance to run)

Oliver

[Keith Conger]

I've tried Ctrl-C and kill with various signals.

Post by Oliver Jowett

Post by Keith Conger
Quit rtl utility: >200mA

How are you quitting it?
(There appears to be code in rtlsdr_close() to power everything down -
but perhaps that is not having a chance to run)
Oliver