Siglent SDG2000X NEW Arbitary Generator

[SimonD]

The new kid in town .... ?

http://www.siglent.com/generator/SDG2000X

Fresh stuff !
Unfortunately only in chinese language until now.

[tautech]

Thanks for finding this, I heard there was a new AWG being developed, release date? 
40, 80 and 100 MHz 2 channel models.
Squarewave rise/fall max 9 ns @ 50 MHz

Datasheet:
http://www.siglentamerica.com/USA_website_2014/Documents/DataSheet/SDG2000X_DataSheet_DS0202X-E01A.pdf

Edit
Update Datasheet link

[Wuerstchenhund]

At the first glance the basic specs read quite good: bandwidths of 40/80/100MHz, 2 channels, 1.2GSa/s sampling rate, 16bit resolution. 8M per channel isn't really that great at 1.2GSa/s, though, and when considering that fast memory is dirt cheap they should have included at least 16M per channel (actually 32M or 64M would have been more appropriate).

And again USB and optional GPIB (via USB-to-GPIB) adapter are the only conectivity options, there's still no LAN. Really, Siglent? 

And it looks like their waveform editor (EasyWave) is the same crap as for their other AWGs. 

At the end of the day it's an SDG5000 with higher sample rate and larger sample memory, but still Siglent hasn't addressed some of the primary issues with all their AWGs which is connectivity (LAN is pretty much standard in AWGs these days aside from the entry level class) and the truly awful EasyWave software.

Plus, I'd expect a truck load of firmware bugs when this thing comes out, as it has been typical for Siglent.

[rf-loop]

At the first glance the basic specs read quite good: bandwidths of 40/80/100MHz, 2 channels, 1.2GSa/s sampling rate, 16bit resolution. 8M per channel isn't really that great at 1.2GSa/s, though, and when considering that fast memory is dirt cheap they should have included at least 16M per channel (actually 32M or 64M would have been more appropriate).

And again USB and optional GPIB (via USB-to-GPIB) adapter are the only conectivity options, there's still no LAN. Really, Siglent? 

And it looks like their waveform editor (EasyWave) is the same crap as for their other AWGs. 

At the end of the day it's an SDG5000 with higher sample rate and larger sample memory, but still Siglent hasn't addressed some of the primary issues with all their AWGs which is connectivity (LAN is pretty much standard in AWGs these days aside from the entry level class) and the truly awful EasyWave software.

Plus, I'd expect a truck load of firmware bugs when this thing comes out, as it has been typical for Siglent.

There is also manufacturer information available about SDG2000X connecdtivity.

Siglent:
USB Host, USB Device, USBTMC,  LAN VXI-11,  optional  GPIB

So, what is purpose of these disinformative opinions.

[SimonD]

Much will depend on the prices in euros and dollars ...

[Wuerstchenhund]

There is also manufacturer information available about SDG2000X connecdtivity.

Siglent:
USB Host, USB Device, USBTMC,  LAN VXI-11,  optional  GPIB

Care to provide some reference? Because LAN is surprisingly absent from the (admittedly Google translated, as I don't speak Chinese) website and pdf spec sheet.

And since you seem to know more about this device: even if LAN was listed, are we talking about a LAN port that's actually built-in this time, or again a promise of some "LAN option" that very likely will not materialize (as it happened with the SDG1000 and SDG5000)?

So, what is purpose of these disinformative opinions.

Opinions can hardly be 'disinformative', hence they are called 'opinions'.

[rf-loop]

Care to provide some reference? Because LAN is surprisingly absent from the (admittedly Google translated, as I don't speak Chinese) website and pdf spec sheet.

It is very clearly told in data sheet that LAN (VXI-11) is standard feature.
USB-GPIB is Option as stated in data sheet.
But I know only what data sheet claim.
There do not read "perhaps" or "possible" using hidden chinese laguage specialities.

[Wuerstchenhund]

Well, if this new AWG really does come with LAN then that would step forward (even though I'd wait until we actually see units in the wild, as Siglent has promised LAN before and then silently removed it).

And it still leaves the poor software and the somewhat small 8M sample memory, though.

[commongrounder]

From what I can see on the Chinese web page, it has a touch screen, and the cost is between approx $675.00 and $1000.00 USD, depending on model.  I wish they would give some serious attention to Easywave as well.  I find it frustrating to the point of uselessness.

[nctnico]

Maybe it is better to use an audio file editor and import that into the AWG. There are also software packages which specialise in creating waveforms for an AWG. IMHO there is not much reason to come up with a super-duper waveform edition because there are already other (commercial) packages out there which do a much better job than 'software which comes with an AWG' can ever do.

Regarding the LAN interface. The biggest question is if it works. My Siglent SDS2000 also has a LAN interface but it is not functional beyond pinging and sending *IDN.

[rf-loop]

EasyWave is poor, it is true. If people have good math head he, of course, can write math equation of waveform using EasyWave math equation draw and get what he want. Example something like this: 10*(sin(1.6*(sin(1.6*(sin(1.6*(sin(1.6*(sin(1.6*(sin(1.6*(sin(1.6*(sin(1.6*(sin(1.6*(sin(1.6*(sin(1.6*(sin(10*x))))))))))))))))))))))))

Hand drawing - editing is totally painful just if want go  over kids fun play level to level what professional need in his works. Some times it is more easy to write waveform using notepad (queye of time, value pairs) and then transfer this text file to SDG.

I do not know good(!) universal software for arbitrary waveforms what give out normal csv.
If there is some good third party software, then do not need touch EasyWave at all.

Waveform data need be like this (+ standard siglent header)
SDG can of course read this kind of file from USB stick also. Time (xpos) is not always nessessary, it can also be just row number instead of time. (for 16k arb memory just 0 - 16383)

<here header>
xpos,value
0.000000e+000,0.00000
6.103516e-008,0.03835
1.220703e-007,0.07670
1.831055e-007,0.11505
2.441406e-007,0.15339
3.051758e-007,0.19174
3.662109e-007,0.23008
4.272461e-007,0.26841
4.882813e-007,0.30675
.
.
.etc until memory end

[Hydrawerk]

Will this instrument be rebadged as LeCroy? 

[nctnico]

EasyWave is poor, it is true. If people have good math head he, of course, can write math equation of waveform using EasyWave math equation draw and get what he want. Example something like this: 10*(sin(1.6*(sin(1.6*(sin(1.6*(sin(1.6*(sin(1.6*(sin(1.6*(sin(1.6*(sin(1.6*(sin(1.6*(sin(1.6*(sin(1.6*(sin(10*x))))))))))))))))))))))))

Hand drawing - editing is totally painful just if want go  over kids fun play level to level what professional need in his works. Some times it is more easy to write waveform using notepad (queye of time, value pairs) and then transfer this text file to SDG.

I do not know good(!) universal software for arbitrary waveforms what give out normal csv.
If there is some good third party software, then do not need touch EasyWave at all.

You can use Sagemath to evaluate the math expression and then export to CSV:
http://ask.sagemath.org/question/9703/how-to-output-data-to-a-file/

[ornea]

Agreed ... touch screen adds no real value but adds to the cost.

Sample memory, sample rates and window functions .  I guess this should be obvious but I am not sure how these relate to a signal source.  To me they are terms I would associate with a scope or Spectrum Analyser. Back to the books.

When the term "converter" is used can I assume this refers to the DAC.

I have a scope that becomes annoyingly unresponsive in different modes.  I thought it was operator error. Comforting to discover it is poor design.

 

[Wuerstchenhund]

Sample memory, sample rates and window functions .  I guess this should be obvious but I am not sure how these relate to a signal source.  To me they are terms I would associate with a scope or Spectrum Analyser. Back to the books.

It's exactly the same as with scopes, just in the opposite direction  All the rules that valid for a scope (i.e. nyquist) equally apply to a generator.

I have a scope that becomes annoyingly unresponsive in different modes.  I thought it was operator error. Comforting to discover it is poor design.

What scope?

[tautech]

Sample memory, sample rates and window functions .  I guess this should be obvious but I am not sure how these relate to a signal source.  To me they are terms I would associate with a scope or Spectrum Analyser. Back to the books.

When the term "converter" is used can I assume this refers to the DAC.

See rf-loop's post in this thread:
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/blog/eevblog-805-siglent-sdg2122x-arb-generator-teardown/msg773673/#msg773673

[tautech]

Latest Vid overview:
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/blog/eevblog-806-siglent-sdg2000x-arb-function-generator-first-look/

[Siglent America]

Happy Friday.

I thought this update to the SDG2000X FW might interest some of you. #1 was from a customer request. They are doing some very complex signal generation with sweeping, phase offsets, etc.

1.      Added phase deviation option in channel tracking mode
2.      Optimized the User Interface, including save/recall, arb, etc.
3.      Supported long pressing the Output key to switch the load between 50ohm and HiZ
4.      Supported to autosave the imported binary file (*.bin).
5.      Fixed some bugs?
    a)      Unexpected change on Phase difference between channels in sweep mode when switching the style between linear and log
    b)      Channels not aligned when the frequency of one channel is integral multiple of another
    c)      Wrong sweep profile when using manual trigger
    d)      Unexpected reset on output when setting illegal parameters
    e)      Unstable waveform at the beginning of after enabling the output
    f)       Display error when switching between TrueArb and DDS in Arb mode
    g)      Frequency deviation display problem in Counter mode
    h)      Wrong project name in system information
    i)       When pressing the waveform button, the parameter button flashes
    j)       Unable to set variable load value without touch screen
    k)      Unexpected digit jumping when setting parameters with the knob
   i)        Set CH2 to invert and then do a system -> default, the option will return to “normal”, but the signal will stay inverted.

     http://www.siglentamerica.com/USA_website_2014/Firmware&Software/firmware/SDG2000X Update-16R2.rar

[gby]

Thanks Siglent for this new FW from the user who asked for item 1 new feature.  This new function worked pretty well in the beta version I tested so I look forward to testing the released version.

gby

[Siglent America]

Thanks Siglent for this new FW from the user who asked for item 1 new feature.  This new function worked pretty well in the beta version I tested so I look forward to testing the released version.

gby

You are very welcome!

[billfernandez]

Was just looking through the brochure for the Keysight Technologies 33500B Series Waveform Generators.  They look amazingly similar to the Siglent SDG2000X series.  Any idea if: (A) Siglent builds them for Keysight, or (B) Siglent modeled their units after the Keysight units?

[Wuerstchenhund]

Was just looking through the brochure for the Keysight Technologies 33500B Series Waveform Generators.  They look amazingly similar to the Siglent SDG2000X series.  Any idea if: (A) Siglent builds them for Keysight, or (B) Siglent modeled their units after the Keysight units?

The latter. Siglent seems to copy some of the design and UI aspects from keysight (although pretty poorly in terms of UI). Siglent doesn't build the 33500B Series (or anything else I'm aware of for Keysight, wo has some relationship with Rigol for bottom-of-the-barrel stuff).

I had the chance to play with a SDG2024X for a bit, and the difference in the overall feel of quality between the Siglent SDG and my 33522B is like day and night. And in hindsight, I'm glad I went with the Keysight.

[W7NGA]

Well ... let's get real.
I love my Agilent/Keysight equipment, however, for the tasks many of us would use an AWG for the Siglent is a really great purchase.
I just bought a SDG2082X for less than $500. When you consider the $3000 price difference between it and the Keysight,
I am happy to deal with a few quirks and adjust accordingly.
The specs aren't that different .. indeed, one could make a strong case for the Siglent.

W7NGA

[Wuerstchenhund]

I love my Agilent/Keysight equipment, however, for the tasks many of us would use an AWG for the Siglent is a really great purchase.
I just bought a SDG2082X for less than $500. When you consider the $3000 price difference between it and the Keysight,
I am happy to deal with a few quirks and adjust accordingly.

Fair enough. I however was just fed up with the quirks, and even more so with the crap software Siglent (and Rigol) provides for their AWGs.

I also paid a lot less than $3k for my (like new) Agilent 33522B (which came with almost all options) and including a 3yrs repair agreement (i.e. like a warranty). Plus three or so years down the line chances are good that it will still be worth a considerable amount of money.

[markone]

I also paid a lot less than $3k for my (like new) Agilent 33522B (which came with almost all options) and including a 3yrs repair agreement (i.e. like a warranty). Plus three or so years down the line chances are good that it will still be worth a considerable amount of money.

Dunno what you pay for it but it does not matter,  the normal street price for a new Agilent 33522B is well over 3000 USD, SIX times the SDG2042X ... LULZ !

PC software apart there is no way to justify such difference, especially looking on specs.

The truth is that if it was not for active chinese brand like Rigol and Siglent we'll still be here paying something like 3000 USD for a crappy Tek / Agilent 40Mhz 20kpt scope or 5 Mhz 200Ms/s arb. generators.

The game of easy profit in this sector is over, no more shameful multiplicative cost factor for china made equipment.

For the cost of your Agilent 33522B a hobbyist / prosumer / small factory can buy a full lab test equipment set, including 4 channel MSO, arb. generator, spectrum analyzer, desktop power supply, DMM, soldering station, always thank to Rigol & Siglent.

In contrast a big brand lab will consider your Agilent 33522B a backup instrument, at best.

I sit in front of a brand new SDG2042X, works like a charm a for the price is a steal, no matter what.

Many thanks Siglent !