New Rigol 16-bit function generators DG800/900 series

[eTobey]

I have a problem with the DG812:
When i set up a low limit of 0V and a high limit of 3V, then still after choosing harmonics waveform, the limits are exceeded by far.
Is there something i can do here? I tried many values. But when setting up a square, and choosing harmonics (which will happen by accident sooner or later) again, the level is again exceeding the limits.

[Njk]

Yes it does because the limiter is still an "experimental feature". Set up a petition at change.org

[luigiser]

For anyone may be interested, i bougth this USB 2.0 to ethernet 10/100 Mbit adapter on aliexpress
https://it.aliexpress.com/item/1005004673939120.html
I confirm it works correctly with my DG811 function generator

Luigi

[bigboss59]

I read the thread but to clarify regarding the calibration:
- DG811 and the calibration is okay up to 30Mhz
- DG952 and the calibration should be okay up to 100Mhz ?

[TurboTom]

DG800 series is (probably) calibrated to 30MHz but after a hack stays within spec up to approx 70~80MHz, level-wise. See an SA screenshot of a sweep at three different output levels.

[Tiamat]

First, please allow me to express my gratitude to all of the contributors to this topic!

My upgrade story...
I saw a DG822 for cheap at an electronics surplus sale. The state was described as "unknown". I found this topic beforehand, read a few pages and decided to give it a shot anyway.
Once I got the DG822 it was plugged in and to my dismay it got stuck during the boot process (last step before starting the UI). The up-/downgrade procedures via USB drive seemed to work, however the boot process never went past the last step.


Luckily I found this post from maxwell3e10: https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/new-rigol-16-bit-function-generators-dg800900-series/msg3331998/#msg3331998
The solution to the boot problem was: Press the Align button several times while booting (reset to default settings?).
I heard a relay click and the DG822 booted to the UI.

Next I checked the firmware installed... 2.06.00.01
I followed the update process described by Vtech which is commonly referred to throughout the posts.
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/new-rigol-16-bit-function-generators-dg800900-series/msg3157600/#msg3157600
However, (I thought) I got stuck at Step 1. The downgrade to FW 1.08 worked well but unlike everyone else stated, my model was not changed to DG992 and my SN was not reset. I tried Step 2 and 3 anyway but nothing seemed to work. This made me suspicious and led me down the wrong path (many hours wasted on up-/downgrade attempts).

Since it might be of help to anyone, here is how the upgrade worked for my device:

0. Initial situation:

• DG822 with official FW 2.06.00.01
• PC with Windows 10
• VM with Linux Mint
• Performed backup of calibration data
• Performed NAND backup

1. Downgrade to FW 1.08 using the .GEL file provided in Vtech's post (see link above).
I formatted an old 1GB USB drive with FAT32/4096 bytes (on Win10) and loaded the FW1.08 downgradable SardineUpdate.GEL, provided by Vtech, onto it. With the DG822 switched off, I plugged in the USB drive. The device was switched on and I repeatedly pressed the HELP/LOCAL button before the RIGOL logo appeared, to start the boot process from the USB drive. After the installation and an automatic reboot, the DG822 had FW 1.08 with the model still showing DG822 and the SN still being correct.

2. Create a "magic USB".
Note: As stated in other posts, it doesn't work with every USB drive! In my case, the 1GB drive from Step 1 didn't work and I had to try others. Finally an old 4GB USB drive did the job.
First I formatted the USB drive with FAT/default allocation size (on Win10). Note that I used FAT and not FAT32! (FAT32 magic USB didn't work). Then I used the original method from tv84 to create the "magic USB" using Linux Mint on a VM. https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/new-rigol-16-bit-function-generators-dg800900-series/msg2420391/#msg2420391
The USB drive was plugged into the freshly booted DG822, the "Waiting circle animation" appeared and I waited till it was gone.

3. Change model to DG992 using RIGOL Ultra Sigma software (v1.06.01).
The DG822 was attached to the PC using the USB-B connector. The RIGOL Ultra Sigma software detected it immediately as a DG822 device. Within the SCPI panel control window I sent :PROJ:MODE DG992 using the Send Command button. Following that, I sent the command *IDN? using the Send & Read button to verify the model change. The response string stated, that the model is now DG992! (FW 1.08, SN was still present, UI style was still blue not red). I disconnected the device, rebooted it and was finally greeted with the red UI. A check of the System Info revealed, that it now is a DG992.

4. Update to latest FW 2.06.
Since I couldn't find the official 2.05 firmware, it was not possible to follow the 1.08->2.04->2.05->2.06 update pattern mentioned in other posts. Thus I just put the official FW 2.06 update .GEL on a USB drive and applied the update (see Step 1 for instructions). After the automatic reboot I had a DG992 with FW 2.06.00.01! SUCCESS!