Siglent SDS800X HD 12 bit DSO's

[2N3055]

THANK YOU!!!

This thing looks to be incredible.  I already like the increased real estate on the screen and the option to use a mouse.

I am likely too ignorant to us iteven half its potential, but the UI is very intuitive for me.

FWIW, the "controversy" about the clock is a non issue for me.  It syncs to USNO on each startup.

A feature that is easy to overlook, tap or click any alpha or numeric field input box to get the qwerty or numeric virtual keypad to pop up.

BTW, what is USNO ?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Naval_Observatory ?

Yep.

USNO Master Clock. The DoD common time reference is the U.S. Naval Observatory Master Clock.

I would like to point out that NTP behaviour was a bit optimized to more reliably get time after boot.

[watchmaker]

THANK YOU!!!

This thing looks to be incredible.  I already like the increased real estate on the screen and the option to use a mouse.

I am likely too ignorant to us iteven half its potential, but the UI is very intuitive for me.

FWIW, the "controversy" about the clock is a non issue for me.  It syncs to USNO on each startup.

A feature that is easy to overlook, tap or click any alpha or numeric field input box to get the qwerty or numeric virtual keypad to pop up.

BTW, what is USNO ?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Naval_Observatory ?

First, that mouse option is POWERFUL!  Control the instrument when it is out of arm (or harm?) reach.  And a wireless mouse means no extra cables.  Very thoughtful design.

Yes, United States Naval Observatory.  Home of rubidium fountains, gps, the old voice telephone voice announcement thing, source of railroad time.  Not to mention the Vice President residence and the place where all instruments for the US Navy were certified before issue.

I believe they still have one of the 12 inch Clark refractors still in service.

The physicist running the foutains told me 5 years ago they have been fending off intrusions from China for 10 years at that point.

[unmaker]

I'm overall very happy with my SDS804X. This is my first time ever really using a scope and I'm finding it intuitive to use. I haven't even found the need to refer to the manual for the measurements I've taken, though admittedly they were basic.

I do find one thing a bit annoying and I'm hoping someone can explain this to me. Why did Siglent move the Average and Eres from Acquisition Mode options over to the Math section? This seems like a downgrade to me when compared with the SDS1000X-E where they're Acquisition Mode options. I've noticed the SDS2000X HD series don't have these as Acquisition Mode options either. They remain as Acquisition Mode options in the SDS3000X HD series. The new Rigol DHO scopes have these as Acquisition Mode options and the older Rigol DS1054Z does as well. 

Am I the only one who finds this annoying?

[2N3055]

I've noticed the SDS2000X HD series don't have these as Acquisition Mode options either.

Not accurate. SDS 2000XHD has both average and ERES as acquisition modes.
ERES and average work just as fine as math.
Hence not a big deal.

[unmaker]

I've noticed the SDS2000X HD series don't have these as Acquisition Mode options either.

Not accurate. SDS 2000XHD has both average and ERES as acquisition modes.
ERES and average work just as fine as math.
Hence not a big deal.

Sorry my mistake. I meant to say the SDS 1000X HD series. The SDS 2000X HD and SDS 3000X HD series do have them as acquisition modes.

[2N3055]

I've noticed the SDS2000X HD series don't have these as Acquisition Mode options either.

Not accurate. SDS 2000XHD has both average and ERES as acquisition modes.
ERES and average work just as fine as math.
Hence not a big deal.

Sorry my mistake. I meant to say the SDS 1000X HD series. The SDS 2000X HD and SDS 3000X HD series do have them as acquisition modes.

As I said, there is a benefit to use ERES as math, because you have original capture and you can change ERES settings later.
So even on scopes that have it as acquisition mode I mostly use it as math.
Make note that on Siglents you can use complex math so you are not loosing math channels because of it...

[awakephd]

The latest FW removes/makes FG/AWG and MSO licenses permanent and now invisible.

The HW for these options has been increased in price though but now can be used on any model or model series that supports them.

Rob, just to make sure I am understanding this: when the latest firmware is installed, it will act as if one had previously bought and installed the AWG and MSO licenses - is that correct?

Is the AWG license (or latest firmware) require to use a stand-alone Siglent AWG?

[tautech]

The latest FW removes/makes FG/AWG and MSO licenses permanent and now invisible.

The HW for these options has been increased in price though but now can be used on any model or model series that supports them.

Rob, just to make sure I am understanding this: when the latest firmware is installed, it will act as if one had previously bought and installed the AWG and MSO licenses - is that correct?

Exactly.

Is the AWG license (or latest firmware) require to use a stand-alone Siglent AWG?

Unknown.
For Bode plot/FRA use any FG/AWG license has never been required.

[tautech]

Initial setup guidance based on our preferred Pre Delivery process to configure the scope to IMO the most convenient settings for the new user.
Our recommendations:

Power ON the scope taking note of approximate time < reasons become clear later on.
Unpack all probes and assign the colored rings to each.

Connect LAN if available and mouse or make use of the touch display.
Access the Display menu and ensure Hide Menu is set to OFF < a new to this DSO does not need menus to auto-hide.



Now we have menus fixed not to disappear and confuse the new user we get on with the other preferred settings.
Now enter Utility and access System Settings / Reference Pos and change Horizontal Ref to Position.





Configuring LAN if available.
Accessible via Utility I/O or clicking/touching the blank/vacant tab showing LAN connection status.

Either enter your known/preferred IP for the scope along with LAN subnet and gateway or let the scope find it for you by selecting Automatic and OK.
Now the scope is discoverable from any local browser webpage and has a active LAN connection for NTP time which we will configure next.



Setting the Time.
Access the menu via System Settings or clicking/touching the blank/vacant tab showing LAN connection status.
In the Time menu use the vertical scroll bar to select time display status as shown or not.
Set time format.



Set Time Zone to your location.
Click/touch Modify Time Zone.



NTP time.
For this to be accurate you need your local NTP servers IP address that can easily be found with a web search and entered into the IP address box using a connected keyboard or the virtual keyboard.
For NTP to be active and updated at boot, a LAN connection is required and NTP as the time type to be set.
Incorrect settings or no LAN connection will only display Linux time which however will keep clocking while the scope is ON but resets at next boot.



Configuring probes.
Now with the most convenient user settings made the probes can be assigned to their channels and compensated for a nice and clean square wave from the probe compensation terminal.
Here I like to check the 1x/10x probe switch for proper operation and set them to 10x and also assign correct/matching input attenuation.



Checking firmware.
Utility/System Info will display the currently installed version however if we need to update it we need use the Maintenance menu Upgrade and Browse for the file, select it and Recall it.



The process takes just a minute or 2 and the scope will reboot the the selected version.
SDS800X HD updates are available here:
https://int.siglent.com/download/firmwares/?ProId=74

Self Cal.
We set up for this right from first power ON which if we have been efficient in all that precedes this last step is ~20mins run time so the scope should be well up to temp however we only do a Self Cal after new firmware has been installed.
Self Cal is in the Utility/Maintenance menu
After any firmware update it is necessary to run the Self Cal and strictly follow the onscreen prompts to disconnect all inputs, USB, LAN and probes.

Last steps are to check timebase is 500us/div and all channels are 1V/div.
Company sticker is attached and everything is refitted to the OEM box ready to be shipped to our customer where we know this scope is completely ready for work.

Enjoy these great little DSO's !

[Furna]

I just noticed the font size is not saved to the "Default Key"; other parameters in the Display menu are saved but this one not.
Worth to mention in the bugs thread?

[Furna]

A mouse is not recognized at boot if it is connected to the rear USB port 
This is really annoying 

[ebastler]

A mouse is not recognized at boot if it is connected to the rear USB port 

That is not generally true, I think. I use a simple wireless mouse and have its radio dongle plugged into the rear USB port; it has always been recognized reliably. I just tried with a cheap no-name wired USB mouse, and it also works. Scope firmware 1.1.3.6.

Edit: Which reminds me that I was behind the curve, firmware-wise. But I am happy to report that the mouse in the rear USB port is still detected nicely after upgrading the scope to 1.1.3.8.

[Furna]

A mouse is not recognized at boot if it is connected to the rear USB port 

That is not generally true, I think. I use a simple wireless mouse and have its radio dongle plugged into the rear USB port; it has always been recognized reliably. I just tried with a cheap no-name wired USB mouse, and it also works. Scope firmware 1.1.3.6.

Firmware 1.1.3.8
When I posted my complain, I tried with2 different mouses (both Lenovo ThinkPad), and both have the same behaviour: perfectly functional attached to the front USB port but not working at boot if attached to the rear USB port.
After reading your comment, I tried with a 3rd mouse from HP and got the very same behaviour ... but the 4th mouse from MSI is working as expected also at boot.
All the 4 mouses are USB wired and use optical technology.

I cannot/want to use the MSI mouse (it's my main mouse and anyway it's too big for the desk where the scope sits) and I am not sure I want to use a bluetooth dongle ... I am of the old school "do not put on air what can stay on cables".
Anyone want to try to convince me I should buy a bluetooth mouse? 

[ebastler]

I might just have gotten lucky, but found another wired USB mouse -- an old Microsoft "Basic Optical Mouse" with red LED -- and it also works. So I don't think you need to switch to wireless if you prefer not to; buying/borrowing/trading yet another wired mouse should have a decent chance of success.

Anyone want to try to convince me I should buy a bluetooth mouse? 

Edit: Oh, and whatever you prefer -- don't buy a Bluetooth mouse. The scope firmware does not include Bluetooth drivers. To my knowledge, you can only use wireless mice which come with a dedicated (proprietary) wireless dongle.

[watchmaker]

I am using a wireless mouse thru a splitter on the rear USB port with no issues.  I avoid as many loose cables as possible.

[Furna]

I might just have gotten lucky, but found another wired USB mouse -- an old Microsoft "Basic Optical Mouse" with red LED -- and it also works. So I don't think you need to switch to wireless if you prefer not to; buying/borrowing/trading yet another wired mouse should have a decent chance of success.

Indeed 6,99€ unbranded mouse is working fine on the rear USB port too.

I am using a wireless mouse thru a splitter on the rear USB port with no issues.  I avoid as many loose cables as possible.

I see your point with loose cables ... I might get to the point where my desk is too crowded anyway at the moment it is not yet.

[Zucca]

okay I saw this



and read this thread so I have now to pull the trigger on the SDS8y4X HD.

Fuuuu you all I do not need one but I can't resist.

[Fungus]

and read this thread so I have now to pull the trigger on the SDS8y4X HD.

Good luck finding one to buy... 

Fuuuu you all I do not need one but I can't resist.

Oh, no... now you've done it. You told everybody an animation feature on EEVBLOG.

[nanopico]

Firmware 1.1.3.8
Just to be sure of the success of the operation...
After upgrading from 1.1.3.6 to 1.1.3.8, Uboot-OS and FPGA Version are unchanged compared to the previous firmware.
Uboot-OS Version 2.8.12
FPGA Version 2024-04-11
It is the same in your case?

[ebastler]

It is the same in your case?

Yes, exactly the same details in my scope. A firmware update can, but does not necessarily have to include a new FPGA configuration. I am actually not sure whether it could bring a new UBoot, but 1.1.3.8 did not.

[KungFuJosh]

It is the same in your case?

Yes, exactly the same details in my scope. A firmware update can, but does not necessarily have to include a new FPGA configuration. I am actually not sure whether it could bring a new UBoot, but 1.1.3.8 did not.

I know for previous scopes they had a separate update for the OS (UBoot). For my SDS2504X+ I had to do a recovery to update the UBoot because they didn't have it available separately.

[Furna]

I know for previous scopes they had a separate update for the OS (UBoot).

UBoot is not an OS ... it is a bootloader that in turn loads the OS
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Das_U-Boot

[KungFuJosh]

I know for previous scopes they had a separate update for the OS (UBoot).

UBoot is not an OS ... it is a bootloader that in turn loads the OS
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Das_U-Boot

Doesn't the UBoot version coincide with the OS version on the Siglent scope? I could be wrong, I was assuming. 🤷

[Furna]

I know for previous scopes they had a separate update for the OS (UBoot).

UBoot is not an OS ... it is a bootloader that in turn loads the OS
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Das_U-Boot

Doesn't the UBoot version coincide with the OS version on the Siglent scope? I could be wrong, I was assuming. 🤷

[ebastler]

Oops -- why is your UBoot at 3.8.12 rather than 2.8.12? What exact scope model do you have? (I assume the anti-aliased font is just due to switching to large font size?)