Throttling and under-voltage; is that an issue?

[Falco]

Hi all,

Recently I noticed my RPi with MoOde experiences throttling and under-voltage. Is that something I should be worried about and if so, how to fix?

I have a RPi3B+ connected via usb to a Peachtree audio Decco65 amplifier.

The RPi is fed by a iFi audio iPower (5V/2.5A) and there's an usb SSD connected which contains music.

Thanks in advance for your suggestions!

Code:

login as: pi
pi@192.168.1.131's password:
Access denied
pi@192.168.1.131's password:
Linux: 11.3 | 5.15.32-v8+ #1538 | aarch64 (64-bit)
Raspi: Pi-3B+ 1.3 1GB
Audio: Peachtree 24/192 USB X

                     ____     __      ___
         __ _  ___  / __ \___/ /__   ( _ )
        /  ' \/ _ \/ /_/ / _  / -_) / _  |
       /_/_/_/\___/\____/\_,_/\__/  \___/

                moOde audio player
             Release 8.2.1 2022-10-07
               (C) 2014 Tim Curtis


The programs included with moOde are free software; the
exact distribution terms for each program are described
in the individual files in /usr/share/doc/*/copyright or
in the moOde source files. moOde comes with absolutely
no warranties either expressed or implied, or any other
such guarantees.

To set a new password for the user 'pi' type 'passwd'.

pi@moode-woonkamer:~ $ vcgencmd get_throttled
throttled=0x50000
pi@moode-woonkamer:~ $ moodeutl -s
Gathering info...

S Y S T E M   P A R A M E T E R S

moOde release           = 8.2.1 2022-10-07
RaspiOS                 = 11.3
Linux kernel            = 5.15.32-v8+ #1538
Platform                = Pi-3B+ 1.3 1GB
Architecture            = aarch64 (64-bit)
System uptime           = up 1 day, 21 hours, 40 minutes
Timezone                = Europe/Amsterdam
Current time            = 2022-10-21 10:41:13

Host name               = moode-woonkamer
Ethernet address        = unassigned
Ethernet MAC            = b8:27:eb:27:b6:43
WLAN address            = 192.168.1.131
WLAN MAC                = b8:27:eb:72:e3:16
WLAN country            = NL
WLAN AP SSID            = Moode
WLAN AP chan            = 6
WLAN AP router          = Off

SoC identifier          = bcm2837
Core count              = 4
Kernel timer freq       = 250 Hz
SDCard freq             = 50 MHz
USB boot                = enabled
Warranty                = OK

Root size               = 30G
Root used               = 11%
Root available          = 26G
Root expand             = expanded
Memory total            = 931 MB
Memory free             = 681 MB
Memory used             = 250 MB
SoC temperature         = 45.1°C
Throttled bitmask       = 0x50005
Throttled text          = Under-voltage detected, Currently throttled, Under-voltage has occurred, Throttling has occurred

CPU governor            = ondemand
Onboard WiFi            = On
Onboard BT              = On
HDMI output             = On
LED state               = 0,0
IP addr timeout         = 90 (secs)
Ethernet check          = No
USB auto-mounter        = udisks-glue
SSH term server         = Off

SMB file sharing        = Off
NFS file sharing        = On
NFS access              =
NFS options             = rw,sync,no_subtree_check,no_root_squash

PHP-FPM version         = 7.4.28
NGINX version           = 1.18.0
SQLite3 version         = 3.34.1
Hostapd version         = 2.9
RPi.GPIO version        = 0.7.0

A U D I O   P A R A M E T E R S

Audio device            = Peachtree 24/192 USB X
Interface               = USB
Mixer name              = Peachtree 24/192 USB X
Hardware mixer          = Yes
Supported formats       = S32_LE
ALSA max volume         = 100
ALSA output mode        = Default (plughw)
ALSA loopback           = Off
MPD max volume          = 100
Volume step limit       = 10
Display dB volume       = Off
Audio source            = Local
Output device           = Local
Resume MPD              = No
Volume knob             = 0
Volume mute             = Unmuted
Saved MPD vol           = 0
Preamp volume           = 0
ALSA version            = 1.2.4-1.1+rpt2
SoX version             = 0.1.3-4

Bluetooth controller    = Off
Pairing agent           = Off
Airplay receiver        = Off
Spotify receiver        = On
Squeezelite             = Off
RoonBridge              = Not installed
UPnP client             = Off
DLNA server             = Off
GPIO button handler     = Off
Multiroom sender        = Off
Multiroom receiver      = Disabled

Auto-shuffle            = Off
Ashuffle mode           = Track
Ashuffle filter         = None
Autoplay                = Off
Rotary encoder          = Off
Encoder params          = 100 2 3 23 24
USB volume knob         = Off
Polarity inversion      = Off
Crossfeed               = Off
Crossfade               = Off
Parametric EQ           = Off
Graphic EQ              = Off
CamillaDSP              = off
MPD httpd               = Off
Ignore CUE files        = Yes

P R E F E R E N C E S

Appearance
----------------------
Theme                   = Default
Accent color            = Moss
Alpha blend             = 1.0
Adaptive background     = No
Background image        = No
Cover backdrop          = No
Cover blur              = 20px
Cover scale             = 1.25
Renderer backdrop       = No
Font size               = Normal
Native lazyload         = Yes

Playback
----------------------
Show Queue thumbs       = Yes
Show Now-playing icon   = Yes
Show CoverView playbar  = Yes
Show extra metadata     = album,genre,track,disc,date,composer,conductor,performer,encoded
Search site             = Google
Playback history log    = No

Library
----------------------
One touch album         = Show tracks
One touch radio         = Play
One touch playlist      = No action
Albumview sort order    = by Artist
Tagview sort order      = by Artist
Track play              = Track
Recently added          = 1 Month
Show sample rate        = No
Cover search pri        = Embedded cover
Pixel ratio             = 1
Thumbnail resolution    = Auto
Thumbnail columns       = 6/2 (Default)

Library (Advanced)
----------------------
Tag view genre          = Genres
Tag view artist         = Artist
Album key               = Album@Artist (Default)
Include comment tag     = No
Library filter          = full_lib
Library filter str      =
Ignore articles         = a,an,the
Show tagview genres     = Yes
Show tagview covers     = Yes
Ellipsis limited text   = No
UTF8 character filter   = No

CoverView
----------------------
Timed display   = Never
Automatic display       = -off
Backdrop style          = Gradient (Linear)
Display mode            = Cover
Layout          = Default
Extra metadata          = No

R A D I O   M A N A G E R   S E T T I N G S

Sort tag                = Name
Group method            = No grouping
Show moOde stations     = No action
Show other stations     = No action

P L A Y L I S T   M A N A G E R   S E T T I N G S

Sort tag                = Name
Group method            = No grouping

M P D   S E T T I N G S

Version                 = 0.23.5
Volume type             = none
SoX resampling          = disabled
Selective resampling    = disabled
SoX quality             = high
SoX multithreading      = off
DSD over PCM (DoP)      = no
Replaygain              = off
Replaygain preamp       = 0
Volume normalization    = no
Audio buffer            = 4 (MB)
Output buffer size      = 128 (MB)
Max playlist items      = 16384
Input cache             = Disabled

B L U E T O O T H   S E T T I N G S

Version                 = 5.55
Bluealsa                = v3.0.0
Pairing agent           = 1.0.0
Pi-Bluetooth            = 0.1.19
Speaker sharing         = No
Resume MPD              = No
PCM buffer time         = 500000 (μs)

A I R P L A Y   S E T T I N G S

Version                 = 4.1
Friendly name           = Moode Airplay
Interpolation           = soxr
Output bit depth        = S16
Output sample rate      = 44100
Session interruption    = no
Session timeout         = 120 (ms)
Latency offset          = 0.0 (secs)
Audio buffer            = 0.2 (secs)
Resume MPD              = No

S P O T I F Y   S E T T I N G S

Version                 = 0.4.2
Friendly name           = Moode Spotify woonkamer
Bitrate (kbps)          = 320
Format                  = S32
Dither                  = Automatic (Default)
Volume curve            = log
Volume range (dB)       = 60
Initial volume (%)      = 100
Volume normalization    = No
Method                  = dynamic
Gain type               = auto
Pregain (dB)            = 0
Threshold (dBFS)        = -2
Attack (ms)             = 5
Release (ms)            = 100
Knee                    = 1
Autoplay                = No
Resume MPD              = No

S Q U E E Z E L I T E   S E T T I N G S

Version                 = 1.9.8-1317 "DSD/SRC enabled"
Friendly name           = Moode
ALSA device             = hw:0
ALSA params             = 80:4::1
Output buffers          = 40000:100000
Task priority           = 45
Codec list              = flac,pcm,mp3,ogg,aac,alac,dsd
Other options           = -W -D 500 -R E -S /var/local
Resume MPD              = No

L O C A L   D I S P L A Y   S E T T I N G S

Local UI display        = Off
Mouse cursor            = On
Screen blank            = 600 Secs
Wake display on play    = Off
Brightness              = 255
Pixel aspect ratio      = Default
Rotate screen           = 0 Deg

M O O D E   S T A R T U P   L O G

20221019 130138 worker: --
20221019 130138 worker: -- Start moOde 8 series
20221019 130138 worker: --
20221019 130138 worker: Successfully daemonized
20221019 130142 worker: File check (OK)
20221019 130143 worker: Session vacuumed
20221019 130143 worker: Session loaded
20221019 130143 worker: Debug logging (OFF)
20221019 130143 worker: --
20221019 130143 worker: -- Audio debug
20221019 130143 worker: --
20221019 130143 worker: ALSA cards: (0:b1 | 1:Headphones | 2:X | 3:empty
20221019 130143 worker: MPD config: (2:Peachtree 24/192 USB X | mixer:(Peachtree 24/192 USB X) | card:2)
20221019 130143 worker: ALSA mixer actual (Peachtree 24/192 USB X)
20221019 130143 worker: ALSA Peachtree 24/192 USB X volume set to (0%)
20221019 130143 worker: --
20221019 130143 worker: -- System
20221019 130143 worker: --
20221019 130147 worker: Host      (moode-woonkamer)
20221019 130147 worker: moOde     (8.2.1 2022-10-07)
20221019 130147 worker: RaspiOS   (11.3)
20221019 130147 worker: Kernel    (5.15.32-v8+ #1538)
20221019 130147 worker: Platform  (Pi-3B+ 1.3 1GB)
20221019 130147 worker: ARM arch  (aarch64, 64-bit)
20221019 130147 worker: MPD ver   (0.23.5)
20221019 130147 worker: CPU gov   (ondemand)
20221019 130147 worker: USB boot  (enabled)
20221019 130147 worker: File sys  (expanded)
20221019 130147 worker: HDMI port (On)
20221019 130147 worker: Sys LED0  (Off)
20221019 130147 worker: Sys LED1  (Off)
20221019 130147 worker: --
20221019 130147 worker: -- Network
20221019 130147 worker: --
20221019 130147 worker: eth0 adapter exists
20221019 130147 worker: eth0 check for address (No)
20221019 130147 worker: eth0 address not assigned
20221019 130147 worker: wlan0 adapter exists
20221019 130147 worker: wlan0 country (NL)
20221019 130147 worker: wlan0 trying configured SSID (Termini_5GHz)
20221019 130147 worker: wlan0 connected SSID is (Termini_5GHz)
20221019 130148 worker: IP addr (192.168.1.131)
20221019 130148 worker: Netmask (255.255.255.0)
20221019 130148 worker: Gateway (192.168.1.1)
20221019 130148 worker: Pri DNS (192.168.1.1)
20221019 130148 worker: Domain  (lan)
20221019 130148 worker: wlan0 power save disabled
20221019 130148 worker: apd0 router mode (Off)
20221019 130148 worker: --
20221019 130148 worker: -- Software update
20221019 130148 worker: --
20221019 130148 worker: Automatic check (Off)
20221019 130148 worker: --
20221019 130148 worker: -- Audio config
20221019 130148 worker: --
20221019 130148 worker: MPD conf update skipped (USB device)
20221019 130148 worker: ALSA card number (2)
20221019 130148 worker: MPD audio output (Peachtree 24/192 USB X)
20221019 130149 worker: Audio formats (S32_LE)
20221019 130149 worker: ALSA mixer name (Peachtree 24/192 USB X)
20221019 130149 worker: MPD mixer type (fixed 0dB)
20221019 130149 worker: Hdwr volume controller exists
20221019 130149 worker: Max ALSA volume (100%)
20221019 130149 worker: ALSA output mode (Default: plughw)
20221019 130149 worker: ALSA loopback (Off)
20221019 130149 worker: Reset renderer active flags
20221019 130149 worker: CamillaDSP (off)
20221019 130149 worker: --
20221019 130149 worker: -- File sharing
20221019 130149 worker: --
20221019 130151 worker: SMB file sharing (Off)
20221019 130151 worker: NFS file sharing (On)
20221019 130151 worker: --
20221019 130151 worker: -- MPD startup
20221019 130151 worker: --
20221019 130152 worker: MPD started
20221019 130152 worker: MPD accepting connections
20221019 130152 worker: MPD output 1 ALSA Default (On)
20221019 130152 worker: MPD output 2 ALSA Bluetooth (Off)
20221019 130152 worker: MPD output 3 HTTP Server (Off)
20221019 130152 worker: MPD crossfade (off)
20221019 130152 worker: MPD ignore CUE files (yes)
20221019 130152 worker: --
20221019 130152 worker: -- Music sources
20221019 130152 worker: --
20221019 130152 worker: USB source (Muziek_flac)
20221019 130152 worker: NAS sources (none configured)
20221019 130152 worker: --
20221019 130152 worker: -- Feature availability
20221019 130152 worker: --
20221019 130152 worker: Source select (available)
20221019 130152 worker: Source select (source: MPD)
20221019 130152 worker: Source select (output: Peachtree 24/192 USB X)
20221019 130153 worker: Bluetooth (available)
20221019 130153 worker: Airplay renderer (available)
20221019 130153 worker: Spotify renderer (available: started)
20221019 130153 worker: Squeezelite (available)
20221019 130153 worker: RoonBridge renderer (not installed)
20221019 130153 worker: Multiroom sender (available)
20221019 130153 worker: Multiroom receiver (available)
20221019 130153 worker: UPnP renderer (available)
20221019 130153 worker: DLNA server (available)
20221019 130153 worker: GPIO button handler (available)
20221019 130153 worker: Stream recorder (n/a)
20221019 130153 worker: --
20221019 130153 worker: -- Other
20221019 130153 worker: --
20221019 130153 worker: USB volume knob (Off)
20221019 130153 worker: USB auto-mounter (udisks-glue)
20221019 130153 worker: Saved MPD vol level (0)
20221019 130153 worker: Preamp volume level (0)
20221019 130153 worker: MPD volume level (0) restored
20221019 130153 worker: ALSA Peachtree 24/192 USB X volume (100%)
20221019 130153 worker: Auto-play (Off)
20221019 130153 worker: CoverView toggle (-off)
20221019 130153 worker: Library scope (all)
20221019 130153 worker: Maintenance interval (360 minutes)
20221019 130153 worker: Screen saver activation (Never)
20221019 130153 worker: Session permissions (OK)
20221019 130153 worker: Mount monitor (Off)
20221019 130153 worker: Watchdog started
20221019 130153 worker: Ready
20221019 130748 worker: Job update_library
20221019 130748 mpdindex: Start
20221019 130748 mpdindex: Cmd (update)
20221019 130748 thumb-gen: Start
20221019 130748 thumb-gen: Priority: Embedded cover
20221019 130748 thumb-gen: Res,Qual: Auto
20221019 130748 thumb-gen: Px ratio: 3
20221019 130748 thumb-gen: Th width: 400
20221019 130748 thumb-gen: Thm qual: 50
20221019 130748 thumb-gen: Scanning: NAS, SDCARD, Muziek_flac
20221019 130751 thumb-gen: Done: 115 folders scanned, 0 thumbs created, 115 already in cache.
20221019 130821 mpdindex: Done: indexed 113 artists, 104 albums, 1508 songs
20221019 130821 worker: Job update_library done
pi@moode-woonkamer:~ $

[Tim Curtis]

A quick Google shows that the undervolt condition could be an issue with the external Power supply or it could be an issue with the Pi voltage regulation circuit.

moOde is just parsing the bit mask that the Raspberry Pi firmware maintains for the "Throttled" parameter. An easy way to print this is below.

Code:

moodeutl -s | grep "Throttled"

Maybe try swapping in a different power supply or swap in another Pi and see if the issue still occurs.

[TheOldPresbyope]

The empiricist in me would argue that if you aren’t noticing audio artifacts, then the throttling isn’t an issue

The technocrat in me would say the Undervolt condition shouldn’t be occurring.

In my early limited exploration of “audiophile” grade products I found myself dissatisfied with the iFi power supply at least for my use with Raspberry Pi’s and it’s now in a box somewhere in the garage. Maybe I was too quick to judge but official RPF power packs have served me well since.

Regards,
Kent

[Falco]

Thanks guys!

I did not have another power supply to test, however I do have a small powered usb hub. I used that to connect the usb SSD. Let's see if I now do not see the under voltage anymore.

[Falco]

So far so good

Code:

Raspi: Pi-3B+ 1.3 1GB
Audio: Peachtree 24/192 USB X

                     ____     __      ___
         __ _  ___  / __ \___/ /__   ( _ )
        /  ' \/ _ \/ /_/ / _  / -_) / _  |
       /_/_/_/\___/\____/\_,_/\__/  \___/

                moOde audio player
             Release 8.2.1 2022-10-07
               (C) 2014 Tim Curtis


The programs included with moOde are free software;
exact distribution terms for each program are descr
in the individual files in /usr/share/doc/*/copyrig
in the moOde source files. moOde comes with absolut
no warranties either expressed or implied, or any o
such guarantees.

To set a new password for the user 'pi' type 'passw

Last login: Fri Oct 21 17:33:07 2022 from 192.168.1
pi@moode-woonkamer:~ $ moodeutl -s | grep "Throttle
Throttled bitmask       = 0x0
Throttled text          = No throttling has occurre
pi@moode-woonkamer:~ $

[Tim Curtis]

Nice!

[Falco]

It's running nicely since yesterday, bit cooler as well.

Code:

Linux: 11.3 | 5.15.32-v8+ #1538 | aarch64 (64-bit)
Raspi: Pi-3B+ 1.3 1GB
Audio: Peachtree 24/192 USB X

                     ____     __      ___
         __ _  ___  / __ \___/ /__   ( _ )
        /  ' \/ _ \/ /_/ / _  / -_) / _  |
       /_/_/_/\___/\____/\_,_/\__/  \___/

                moOde audio player
             Release 8.2.1 2022-10-07
               (C) 2014 Tim Curtis


The programs included with moOde are free software; the
exact distribution terms for each program are described
in the individual files in /usr/share/doc/*/copyright or
in the moOde source files. moOde comes with absolutely
no warranties either expressed or implied, or any other
such guarantees.

To set a new password for the user 'pi' type 'passwd'.

pi@moode-woonkamer:~ $ moodeutl -s | grep "Throttled"
Throttled bitmask       = 0x0
Throttled text          = No throttling has occurred
pi@moode-woonkamer:~ $

[Bob_m_54]

One thing that can cause under voltage is the USB power supply lead, especially if your power supply is right on the 5V. Some work better than others, by having less voltage drop. I experimented with 4 different leads to give results from lots of under voltages, to my current lead which gives none at all. It's a very short (200mm?) rubbery insulated lead that cost about AU$12.00.

Use a short as possible lead that has thicker conductors for the best results. But generally it takes a bit of experimentation to find the right lead.

[TheOldPresbyope]

Note this section of the on-line Raspberry Pi documentation https://www.raspberrypi.com/documentatio...quirements

Power Supply Warnings

On all models of Raspberry Pi since the Raspberry Pi B+ (2014) except the Zero range, there is low-voltage detection circuitry that will detect if the supply voltage drops below 4.63V (+/- 5%). This will result in a warning icon being displayed on all attached displays and an entry being added to the kernel log.

If you are seeing warnings, you should improve the power supply and/or cable, as low power can cause problems with corruption of SD cards, or erratic behaviour of the Raspberry Pi itself; for example, unexplained crashes.

Voltages can drop for a variety of reasons, for example if the power supply itself is inadequate, the power supply cable is made of too thin wires, or you have plugged in high demand USB devices.

The "official and recommended"  (to use the language of the Raspberry Pi website) power supplies come with pre-attached USB leads. The supply specs are:

For microUSB-powered models

5.1V / 2.5A DC output
96-264Vac operating input range
Short circuit and overcurrent protection
1.5m 18AWG captive cable with micro USB output connector
Available in different variants to suit different international power sockets

For USB-C powered models, e.g., Pi 4 model B and Pi 400

5.1V / 3.0A DC output
96-264Vac operating input range
Short circuit, overcurrent and over temperature protection
1.5m 18 AWG captive cable with USB-C output connector
Available in four different models to suit different international power sockets

I use both supplies and they have served me well.

Regards,
Kent