My logbook. No warranties whatsoever, only proceed at your own risk. I found it is NOT for the faint of the heart.
Initial state: brand new SSA3021X Plus with firmare 3.2.2.5.0
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STEP 1: Backup the deviceDownload SSA3000X+_backup_NAND+mem+firmdata0_11411.zip from
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/siglent-ssa3000x-spectrum-analyzers/msg3559946/#msg3559946Format new USB disk as FAT32 with mkfs.vfat or similar, extract ADS file on disk.
Go to System menu, launch ADS file. Wait for system to reboot.
Once system is rebooted, delete ADS file from USB disk.
Compress all other files into a zip archive (I called mine initial_factory_as_delivered.zip), store in another secure location, and delete from USB drive.
USB drive should now be empty. You have successfully created a backup of your instrument.
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STEP 2: Enable telnetConnect the instrument to your home network (with DHCP) and find what IP it has (ask your router).
From
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/hack-of-sigllent-spectrum-analyzer-ssa3021x/msg4233178/#msg4233178 follow the specific instructions:
Enable telnet and login
- telnet to port 5024 (SCPI) and send the command 'DEBTTT' followed by enter on your keyboard (this should start a telnet server on port 23) and close this telnet session
- telnet to port 23 and log in as 'root', pw 'ding1234
Telnet to the instrument (telnet ip 23) and login
From this step onwards, you may have to repeat this STEP 2 as necessary to reenable telnet, as it may get disabled during various reboots and reflashes. If you get a connection refused on port 23, just redo the DEBTTT part.
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STEP 3: Do a manual backupReinsert the now empty FAT32 USB drive to the instrument
Do a backup (per
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/siglent-ssa3000x-spectrum-analyzers/msg3563577/#msg3563577) :
cd /
cp -R /usr/bin/siglent/usr/backup /usr/bin/siglent/usr/mass_storage/U-disk0/SA-backup
cp -R /usr/bin/siglent/usr/config /usr/bin/siglent/usr/mass_storage/U-disk0/SA-config
cp -R /usr/bin/siglent/usr/usr /usr/bin/siglent/usr/mass_storage/U-disk0/SA-usr
cp -R /usr/bin/siglent/usr/vnacalikitdata /usr/bin/siglent/usr/mass_storage/U-disk0/SA-vnacalikitdata
cp -R /usr/bin/siglent/firmdata0 /usr/bin/siglent/usr/mass_storage/U-disk0/SA-firmdata0
sync
umount /usr/bin/siglent/usr/mass_storage/U-disk0
Then immediately remove the USB drive, put it back to your computer, and do another ZIP file in a secure location (called mine initial_factory_as_delivered_manual.zip)
Then erase again the content of the USB drive.
You have now successfully performed a higher level, easier to access backup of the files in your instrument
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STEP 4: Flash latest firmwareThe current consensus is to flash the latest firmware before performing the hack. I would caution, before doing so, to check the latest posts in the various threads to make sure that the latest firmware, whatever it is, still allows the hack.
In my case, I flashed to
https://int.siglent.com/upload_file/zip/firmware/Spectrum_analyzer/SSA3000X%20Plus_V3.2.2.5.1R1_EN.zipFlash and wait for reboot. Check version, should be 3.2.2.5.1R1.
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STEP 5: Change product ID, to accept SVA firmware instead of SSARecently, for versions 2.2.4.0+, Siglent changed the product ID. It is no longer 11403, it is 11410, per
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/siglent-ads-firmware-file-format/msg1364981/#msg1364981Copied from
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/siglent-ssa3000x-spectrum-analyzers/msg3563577/#msg3563577 but updating the ID accordingly
1) Open telnet
telnet <SSA IP address> 10101 (for example, Windows terminal Win+R, CMD works)
2) edit /usr/bin/siglent/config/NSP_config_upgrade_info.xml to change ProductID:
replace
<upgrade_static_id>11411</upgrade_static_id>
with
<upgrade_static_id>11410</upgrade_static_id>
3) Finalise changes and reboot
sync && reboot
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STEP 6: Crossflash to SVAFlash unmodified, official SVA firmware
https://int.siglent.com/upload_file/zip/firmware/Spectrum_analyzer/SVA1000X_V3.2.2.5.1R1_EN.zipExtract ADS to the empty USB flash drive
Insert flash drive
Then flash and pray
If all goes well, unit will reboot. Check device info page, if all goes well you have a new option called "VNA" licensed "Permanent"
You can press the Mode hardkey and you should also have a Vector Network Analyzer option. Nice!
But the bandwidth is still limited to 2.1GHz...and your unit still thinks it is a SSA3021X Plus.
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STEP 7: Model edit and prepare bandwidth hackmount -o remount,rw /dev/ubi2_0 /usr/bin/siglent/firmdata0
cd /usr/bin/siglent/firmdata0
vi NSP_trends_config_info.xml
As below
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<nsp_trends_info_root>
<device>
<language>english</language>
<pid>0x1301</pid>
<vid>0xf4ec</vid>
<product_type_1>SVA1032X</product_type_1>
<manufacturer>Siglent</manufacturer>
<Support_Touch_Flag>1</Support_Touch_Flag>
<Support_VXI11_Flag>1</Support_VXI11_Flag>
<file_prefix>CP_</file_prefix>
</device>
</nsp_trends_info_root>
vi NSP_sn_bandwidth.xml
As below (make sure to put your serial number):
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<nsp_system_info_root>
<device>
<system_information>
<serial_number>
<chip>0123456789</chip>
</serial_number>
</system_information>
</device>
<serial_number>SSA3PCxxxxxxxx</serial_number>
</nsp_system_info_root>
sync&&reboot
Now you have a SVA1032X in the System info menu.
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STEP 8: Add options, liberate the bandwidthGo to System Info. Note Host ID. Put it into the script here
https://www.online-python.com/PX3v0J8nbsUncomment SVA1000X into the script.
Launch the script.
Add option 3032 using "Load Option" menu item. Unit will reboot and you will get 3.2GHz.
Add option ALL. Unit will reboot and you will get all other options.
Note that it takes several seconds, once you validate, to check the license. Be patient.
Also note that I just had trial for AMK EMI DMA AMA and permanent for VNA and TG. But now I have an extra option DTF that appeared, which is Time Domain Reflectometry.
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STEP 9: Install VNA calib dataExtract files in cali.zip from post
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/siglent-sva1015x-1-5ghz-spectrum-vector-network-analyzer-(coming)/msg3707803/#msg3707803 to the root of the USB disk
mount -o remount,rw /usr/bin/siglent/firmdata0/
cp /usr/bin/siglent/usr/mass_storage/U-disk0/na_?p /usr/bin/siglent/firmdata0/cali/
sync && reboot
WARNING: I don't know where these files come from. It is likely that the instrument won't be perfectly calibrated. If that is an issue, maybe you can find a proper calibration lab, and ask them to calibrate your unit as if it was SVA1032X, but make 100% sure they don't send your unit to Siglent...
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STEP 10: Verify that your unit has the VNA cable insideSet the instrument to VNA mode, Lin/Phase Smith chart.
Connect a 50 ohms load. Curve should move to the center of the screen, roughly.
Congratulations, enjoy your new VNA.
My recommendation is to keep ALL files, inluding the backups, on a microSD card in a small ESD-proof bag, that you tape on the side of the instrument. You will thank yourself (and me) in a few years.
Thank you Siglent, and those who made this possible. I would never do that in my lab at work. But for hobbyists... this is awesome.
I hope my post will help new users.