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    [Merged] Power Saver feature

    Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved Ideas and Development
    emulationstatiotestingpowersaver
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    • HexH
      Hex
      last edited by Hex

      @meleu In ES there is a loop that receives key presses/events. The most cpu intensive is a infinite while loop. I have modified it to wait for events rather than checking for event every cycle. It dynamically switches between polling and waiting for a great feature. The rest of the commit is just for wrapping and interfacing.

      For the exact location of this feature : https://github.com/RetroPie/EmulationStation/pull/172/files#diff-0d7037121f70d0897714deabb3ea71e1R302

      Sent from 20,000 leagues under the sea.

      Powersaver Emulation station : https://github.com/hex007/EmulationStation
      ES dev script : https://github.com/hex007/es-dev/blob/master/es-tests.sh

      meleuM cyperghostC Z 3 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 1
      • meleuM
        meleu @Hex
        last edited by meleu

        @Hex Looks like the most elegant approach than the infinite while loop. Is there any disadvantage in making PS enabled by default?

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        • HexH
          Hex
          last edited by

          No there isnt and disadvantage but it is currently in testing so I have added a switch to enable and disable it. When it is ready after testing then I can enable it by default.

          Sent from 20,000 leagues under the sea.

          Powersaver Emulation station : https://github.com/hex007/EmulationStation
          ES dev script : https://github.com/hex007/es-dev/blob/master/es-tests.sh

          meleuM 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 2
          • meleuM
            meleu @Hex
            last edited by

            @Hex it somehow reminded me the Observer Pattern when I was studying Design Patterns back in 2009. :-)

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            • cyperghostC
              cyperghost @Hex
              last edited by cyperghost

              @Hex I like your build very much.

              In ES there is a loop that receives key presses/events.

              I guessed that... I already told @pjft and you (??) in this thread. Why is there a loop wating for key events? Triggers to interrupts are a good way avoiding this. So you hunted that nasty workaround down :D

              I have a "wish" to the Music Player.... Would it not be better to use mpg123 instead OMX Player? Just for background? The intention is following. OMXPlayer is already used for video playback and video preview. To have an independent process use an independent software just for background. MPG123 gots only 2% CPU usage. The control is just easy and you don't need a python backend.

              STOP/PLAY ... even restart can be done by script (or if you develop ES in C++ there are much more options I guess)

              Start/Stop Toogle, Start if mpg123 isn't started.sh

              #!/bin/bash 
              #Toggle MPG123 Music Player to mute/unmute condition
              #Simple by checking running PID and sent -STOP or -CONT term
              #Is no PID of MPG123 is available it will be launched
              
              
              command="mpg123"
              
              pids="$( pgrep "$command" )"
              
              if [[ -z "$pids" ]]; then
                  "$command" -Z /media/usb0/BGM/*.mp3 >/dev/null 2>&1 &
                  exit 0
              fi
              
              for pid in $pids; do
                  state="$( ps -ostate= -p "$pid" )"
              
                  stopped=0
              
                  case "$state" in
                      *T*)    stopped=1 ;;
                  esac
              
                  if (( stopped )); then
                      kill -s CONT "$pid" >/dev/null 2>&1
              #        printf '"%s" (%d) has been unpaused\n' "$command" "$pid"
                  else
                      kill -s STOP "$pid" >/dev/null 2>&1
              #        printf '"%s" (%d) has been paused\n' "$command" "$pid"
                  fi
              done
              

              The Next Track command is simply
              It kills mpg123 and restart it again in random mode ... so you randomly got BGM music. Hey... It's a decent ( @Hex - what the hell is your background song?) background music and not your sisters beloved POP album :D

              #!/bin/bash
              #This changes track by killing musicplayer
              #and reloading it
              
              pkill mpg123 >/dev/null 2>&1
              sleep 1
              mpg123 -Z /media/usb0/BGM/*.mp3 >/dev/null 2>&1 &
              

              STOP

              #!/bin/bash
              #This STOPs musicplayer
              
              pkill -STOP mpg123
              

              CONTINUE

              #!/bin/bash
              #This STOPs musicplayer
              
              pkill -CONT mpg123
              

              Even we can using BGM in gameplay via User Menu

              #!/bin/bash
              #This STOPs musicplayer
              
              pkill -CONT mpg123; exit 2
              
              1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
              • Z
                Zigurana @Hex
                last edited by

                @Hex Hi, did you do any power consumption profiling with PS enabled/disabled?
                I am wondering how much this actually saves in terms of power consumption.

                I think one way to do it would be through one of those usb-power consumption doodaa's, but they might not be precise enough.
                In any case, this is very relevant to my interests, with the RaspiBoy coming up soon!

                If tetris has thought me anything, it's that errors pile up and that accomplishments dissappear.

                cyperghostC 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                • cyperghostC
                  cyperghost @Zigurana
                  last edited by

                  @Zigurana May you test out please?

                  The CPU usages are triggered in this thread
                  https://retropie.org.uk/forum/topic/11178/emulationstation-cpu-usage

                  It's a the STANDARD ES for RetroPie 4.2
                  We ( @Sano and me) used top for CPU usage measurement

                  SanoS 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                  • SanoS
                    Sano @cyperghost
                    last edited by Sano

                    @cyperghost
                    I also used pidstat (part of sysstat package) that monitors the CPU usage of a single PID :)
                    @Zigurana
                    you may try powerstat or powertop

                    1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                    • HexH
                      Hex
                      last edited by

                      @cyperghost I wrote the server in 2012 when Raspberry pi 1 was released. I had the source code and it was well designed enough that it didnt take long for me to write an interface. The best feature is that all control requests silently fail if backend is not running. The Music player is very advanced with a websockets server support already coded into the backend thus if a day comes to incorporate a full fledged MusicPlayer it would be a breeze.

                      Sent from 20,000 leagues under the sea.

                      Powersaver Emulation station : https://github.com/hex007/EmulationStation
                      ES dev script : https://github.com/hex007/es-dev/blob/master/es-tests.sh

                      cyperghostC 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                      • HexH
                        Hex
                        last edited by

                        @Zigurana I dont have the USB doctor device so I cannot test it. Someone else can if they have one.

                        Sent from 20,000 leagues under the sea.

                        Powersaver Emulation station : https://github.com/hex007/EmulationStation
                        ES dev script : https://github.com/hex007/es-dev/blob/master/es-tests.sh

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                        • cyperghostC
                          cyperghost @Hex
                          last edited by cyperghost

                          @Hex Sorry I missed your post!
                          Yes the phython backend works surely fine but it is a script that has to be configurated. That's my main misgiving or may I am wrong? I think easy access can be givento users by a standarized playlist location and in this playlist all songs from different locations can be stored...

                          Sorry for being inconvinient :)

                          About your PR... can you give us a compiles binary please?

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                          • HexH
                            Hex
                            last edited by

                            @cyperghost I shall provide binaries for Pi 1/Zero only. Pi3 is fast enough to compile in 10 mins and I dont have an sdcard for it :(

                            There is no configuration needed. Plays audio from all files including videos downloaded from youtube. It can be controlled from android app too if needed (needs extended version).
                            On the backend it uses Aplay and avconv which are both available on the raspbian/retropie

                            Sent from 20,000 leagues under the sea.

                            Powersaver Emulation station : https://github.com/hex007/EmulationStation
                            ES dev script : https://github.com/hex007/es-dev/blob/master/es-tests.sh

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                            • HexH
                              Hex
                              last edited by

                              Pi zero/1 binary is now available. It has two modifications done to the main branch.

                              • Power saver mod
                              • Wide menu mod (for my 3.5inch display)

                              The wide menu mod should not interfere with any other functionality.

                              Sent from 20,000 leagues under the sea.

                              Powersaver Emulation station : https://github.com/hex007/EmulationStation
                              ES dev script : https://github.com/hex007/es-dev/blob/master/es-tests.sh

                              1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                              • cyperghostC
                                cyperghost
                                last edited by cyperghost

                                That was quick my results are following.
                                0. I used top

                                1. The mod seems to work
                                2. I tested on a fresh 4.2 RPi0/1 image
                                3. Non overclocked RPi0 attached with 1 WLAN Stick LogiLink, 1 Controller
                                4. HDMI output

                                My outfindings:

                                Action                  ES branch       CPU usage
                                --------------------------------------------------
                                Reboot                  2.1.5RP         30-35%
                                Select NES 12 Roms      2.1.5RP         65%
                                Start Rom, back to ES   2.1.5RP         65%
                                Screensaver DIM 1min    2.1.5RP         10-15%
                                
                                Reboot                  2.3.2RP PS off  40%
                                Select NES 12 Roms      2.3.2RP PS off  67%
                                
                                Reboot                  2.3.2RP PS on   5-10%
                                Select NES 12 Roms      2.3.2RP PS on   45%
                                Select NES 12 Roms 5sec 2.3.2RP PS on   5-10%
                                Start Rom, back to ES   2.3.2RP PS on   65%
                                Start Rom, back ES 5sec 2.3.2RP PS on   5-10%
                                

                                Bugs

                                Screensaver seem to be disabled in this mod ... but this is already told in "Info note"

                                meleuM 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                                • meleuM
                                  meleu @cyperghost
                                  last edited by meleu

                                  @cyperghost said in Testers needed :: Power Saver features :: PR #172:

                                  Screensaver seem to be disabled in this mod ...

                                  The OP says:

                                  • Dim and blank screensavers aren't triggered if PS enaled

                                  Then it isn't a bug.

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                                  • cyperghostC
                                    cyperghost @meleu
                                    last edited by cyperghost

                                    @meleu oh man ... why you are so quick... I just edited that :)
                                    Have a nice sunday brother :D
                                    I'm getting out of here :D Thank you

                                    cyperghostC 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                                    • cyperghostC
                                      cyperghost @cyperghost
                                      last edited by cyperghost

                                      @Hex
                                      All in all your mod seems to work.
                                      The CPU instantly raises if I disable Power Savings.
                                      Nice solution :) The effect on a RPI2/3 wouldn't be so massive but the 0 and 1 do profit from this!

                                      The 2.1.5 version of ES let's the CPU raise (for ex. NES selection list) and does not drop. Your branch let also the CPU raise but then there is a drop from 60% to 5-10% within a few seconds! Results for 2.3.5RP vs 2.3.2RP PowerSaving listed are listed here

                                      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 2
                                      • TMNTturtlguyT
                                        TMNTturtlguy
                                        last edited by

                                        @hex this look really cool! What are the advantages when running a pi 3? As you know I run video screensaver and video preview all of the time, will my build recieve any benefits?

                                        Thanks for the hard work and cool features!

                                        cyperghostC 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                        • HexH
                                          Hex
                                          last edited by Hex

                                          @TMNTturtlguy
                                          Briefly : If Video Screensaver is enabled PS is disabled by force.

                                          Video Screensaver works because PS is hardcoded to not work when VS is enabled.

                                          If I were to remove that requirement then VS will not be triggered just like Dim and Blank. All screensavers can be manually triggered though.

                                          PS accounts for Video snaps if the display is set to Automatic. It is enforced if set to Detailed. It is disabled if set to Video.

                                          So if you have video previews and set it to Automatic then PS is disabled when you are on a gamelist which has videos. When you are on a gamelist without videos it is enabled again. It is always enabled on System/Carousel, unless you have disabled PS from settings or you have VS enabled

                                          Sent from 20,000 leagues under the sea.

                                          Powersaver Emulation station : https://github.com/hex007/EmulationStation
                                          ES dev script : https://github.com/hex007/es-dev/blob/master/es-tests.sh

                                          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 2
                                          • cyperghostC
                                            cyperghost @TMNTturtlguy
                                            last edited by cyperghost

                                            @TMNTturtlguy The advantages even on a PI3 are clear. The CPU usage is now between 15-20% in idle mode. If Screensaver is activated then trigger buttons are disabeld and the CPU get down to 3-5%. If you use video preview then it may be useless but not every user gots the preview on :)

                                            With PS enabeld it will always be 3-5% (I guess from!) that saves some energy. The effect is not as strong as for the PI1/0 but will be noticable on PI2/3. So I think the branch of "Power Saving mode" makes sense.

                                            I'm still not sure why there are Loops installed that waits for key evenst! @hex Can you explain please? Are you using interrupts?

                                            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
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