You can certainly run an Airspy Mini on a Pi 3B+. That said, it will be with some limitations due to the CPU limitations and what settings you use in the Airspy_ADSB software. The system will work well with a 1GB memory. The Airspy Mini is a nifty receiver and very capable, though it does need an Low Noise Amplifier (LNA) to show it’s full potential. And the Airspy with the additional CPU usage can likely add a few more messages and planes to your totals. Have fun with improving your systems.
Gene
You are wrong. None of the Raspberry Pi 3 Models has more than 1 GB of RAM. Only the 4 and 5 series are available with 2, 4 and 8 GB.
But RAM never is an issue with feeding. Using an Airspy requires CPU power. A 3B+ is the minimum. Mine is running constantly with > 60% CPU usage.
You’re correct, it’s 1GB. I think I was trying to decide between a 3B+ and a 4 at the time and must have misremembered.
1 Like
Not to worry! I bought a 4 with 8gig and I am running with 7.3g of unused memory!
Interesting - I’m running a 3B+ Rev 1.3, Flightaware Orange Rx, feeding FA, FR and ADSBExchange and never see above 16% utilisation. Airspy appears to be very CPU hungry??
The rtl-sdr dongle uses a sample rate of 2.4MHz, whereas the airspy mini uses 12 or 20 MHz, and the airspy R2 can use 24MHz. It takes quite a bit more cpu time to process that extra data.
2 Likes
Late to this, but Pi3B+ with 4GB.
Absolutely. I never got it running below 50% without a significant drop in performance.
RAM is not an issue, you don’t need > 1 GB. But CPU is important
1 Like
There is no 3B+ with > 1 GB of RAM.
But i am fine if somebody proof me wrong…
2 Likes
I have a 3B and running both blue and orange USBs, about 20-25% CPU usage and 45c in temp. Feeding FA and ADSBx.
Still looks very nice.
whoops. you’re right. mixing my Pi collection up in my head.
1 Like
Seem to be pretty normal, depends a bit on the traffic.
By using an Airspy mini, it can eat almost all CPU usage depending on the settings.
1 Like
I don’t know why anyone would run an ads-b feeder on anything above a zero 2w. If it’s not doing a ton of other stuff, that’s all you need. $15.
2 Likes
Read my previous comment. An Airspy cannot be operated with that low power device.
1 Like
No ethernet port is a show stopper for me.
4 Likes
Just for power? I run dc to everything, could always get a poe splitter if that was a goal. This is such a low resource project, I’ve got them on pi 02ws with a tiny dc buck converter and whatever wall warts I had around.
If your criteria is Planes per watt, the Pi Zero variations are likely the most efficient. If you want to see just how many planes you can receive, then the Airspy receivers with an Low Noise Amplifier (LNA), high gain antenna, low loss cables, possible filters, connectors, a Pi4, and such can be implemented. Such is every hobby and interest. The middle ground with a Pi3 or 4 allows you to run extra programs at the same time as your ADSB reception. It all depends on what you want to learn and accomplish. None of us will likely ever have a perfect system, but we all try to get the best results from our own situation. Keep tweaking and having fun.
Gene
4 Likes
Good work there. It is nice to see you have ADS-B running in containers, orchestrated by Portainer, with Grafana and Prometheus for monitoring. k8s or Docker?
1 Like
If you are operating an Airspy Stick or Airspy R2 the CPU is simply not powerful enough. It works on a Pi 3 with reduced performance, but the best option is a Pi4 where the full power of the stick can be used.
Beside that several users had issues using the wrong power supply (e.g. from a smartphone). They all got unpredictable side effects, even with the Flightaware stick.
So, even if it is a low resource project, it should be running with proper hardware. Otherwise the hobby got pretty fast part of the drawer where all useless stuff ends.
2 Likes