RTL-SDR – V1/2/3 – USBpwr

Introduction

In many applications, where ac power is not available, equipment must be operated off battery/solar systems. In these case, knowing your power requirements are critical. Recently, small inline USB power meters have become available and they can give you an immediate answer to this question (Ref.1).

RTL-SDR – V1/2/3 Power Measurements

I did a test of the various versions of the RTL-SDR and the associated USB DC power draw. Table 1 summarizes these results.

RTL-SDR ConfigurationUSB Power 5VDC @___mA
Version 1 (plastic)/mcx conn.324mA
Version 2 (metal)/sma conn.319mA
Version 2 + NanoUpConvrtr.392mA
Version 3 (metal)/sma conn.187mA
Table 1 RTL-SDR Versions & DC Power Requirements
Fig.1 RTL-SDR V1 Rx FM104.5MHz SDR#
Fig.2 RTL-SDR V2 Rx FM104.5MHz SDR#
Fig.3 RTL-SDR V2+NanoUpcnvrtr Rx 9.3MHz SDR#
Fig.4 RTL-SDR V3 Rx 9.3MHz SDR#
Fig.5 YouTube Video RTL-SDR – V1/2/3 – USBpower

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References

#1. – “MakerHawk USB Power Meters”
https://www.makerhawk.com/

#2. – “RTL-SDR for AIS Shortcut”
https://jeremyclark.ca/wp/telecom/rtl-sdr-for-ais-shortcut/

#3. – “RTL-SDR for ShortwaveRadiogram”
https://jeremyclark.ca/wp/telecom/rtl-sdr-for-shortwave-radiogram/

#4. – “RTL-SDR Front End Scicos Simulation”
https://jeremyclark.ca/wp/telecom/rtl-sdr-front-end-scicos-simulation/

#5. “RTL-SDR Antennas & Connectors”,
https://jeremyclark.ca/wp/telecom/rtl-sdr-antennas-connectors/

#6. -“RTL-SDR for VHF Air & Marine Bands”,
https://jeremyclark.ca/wp/telecom/rtl-sdr-for-vhf-air-marine-bands/

#7. – “RTL-SDR for EPIRB”,
https://jeremyclark.ca/wp/telecom/rtl-sdr-for-epirb/

#8. – “RTL-SDR for LF Beacon”,
https://jeremyclark.ca/wp/telecom/rtl-sdr-for-lf-beacons/

#9. – “RTL-SDR for HF 0-30MHz”,
https://jeremyclark.ca/wp/telecom/rtl-sdr-for-hf-0-30mhz/

#10. – “RTL-SDR for Marine HF Weather Fax”,
https://jeremyclark.ca/wp/telecom/rtl-sdr-for-marine-hf-weather-fax/

#11. – “RTL-SDR for AIS”,
https://jeremyclark.ca/wp/nav/rtl-sdr-for-ais-2/

By Jeremy Clark

Jeremy Clark is a Senior Telecommunications Engineer and Advanced Amateur Radio Operator VE3PKC. He is the author of E-Books on Telecommunications, Navigation & Electronics.