usbraspberry-pi4rtl-sdr

Airspy and RTLSDR on same Raspberry pi4 with USB SSD - I/O Error


This is my setup

The two RTLSDRs can run at the same time without issues. However, if I try to also run the Airspy Mini (that is, tune into a frequency) while the others are running (could happen as I don't realize if there is a satellite pass at the same time) then the raspi makes a weird high pitch noise and It basically freezes. I get I/O errors and I cannot do anything as no command is found: I guess the SSD just disconnects itself from the USB. Only way to fix it is to restart.

Is this related to the USB bandwidth? I thought the Raspi4 was capable of handling these simultaneous connections.


Solution

  • The problem was power-related. Once I introduced a powered USB Hub I never encountered this issue again.