Siglent SDS804X HD - Same 'Upgrade' Scripts?

[TomKatt]

Just ordered an SDS804X HD scope and researching what is needed to 'Upgrade' it for more memory.  If I understand correctly, the SDS800X series uses the same hacking script that worked for the SDS1104X-E scopes.  What is not clear to me after searching the forums is whether the options listed in the keygen code script are the same for the new SDS800X HD series and if the 50M -> 100M memory upgrade is it's own option or is simply related to the upper models...  So modifying the BW to 200MHz would result in the scope identifying as an SDS824X HD with 100M memory.  I did not observe any memory option code in the script.

Does the Python script require any modification for SDS800X specific options or does the script work exactly the same way?  I don't necessarily need the full 200MHz BW, but would like the ability to have more memory.  Of course if the two features are related it's not a bad thing to get both lol.

TIA

Edit - what are people entering for the model #?  "SDS800X-HD" ?

# Enter here the basic model
# You get this by running "MD5_PR?" at the SCIP prompt
# A sample: You have the SDS1104X-E than enter "SDS1000X-E"
# Some more basic models: "SDS1000X-E", "SDS2000X-E", "SDS2000X+", "SDS5000X", "ZODIAC-"
Model = 'SDS1000X-E'

[astromeier]

Hi TomKatt!

If I understand correctly, the SDS800X series uses the same hacking script that worked for the SDS1104X-E scopes.

Yes
I used this:
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/siglent-sds-sdg-hack-script

These lines I changed to:
Model = 'SDS800X-HD'
...
bwopt = ('70M', '100M', '200M')
...
otheropt = ('AWG', 'MSO', 'PWA')

I got my scope already improved to 200M, but compared the retrieved (command "MCBD?") key for the 200M option with the result of the script - bingo!

Coming from a 804 I would improve stepwise: 70M > 100M, Reset to factory default, 100M > 200M, Reset to factory default, self calibration, enjoy

My scope identifies as "SDS824X HD"

HTH Thomas

edit: otheropt

[TomKatt]

Got my SDS804X HD today...  The upgrade script worked perfectly!  Out of precaution I did upgrade it in steps 70 -> 100 -> 200 and then ran a calibration.  My scope now identifies as an SDS824X HD.   I have my own LA and AWG gear so have no need to enable those features in the scope.

Note to future owners - the serial number string is case sensitive.  I originally entered the serial number using all caps but noted that the calculated code for 70Mhz did not match the code returned by the MCBD? query - knowing it needed to be the same code I then pasted my serial number as displayed on the SCPI Home screen and ran the script again.  When the script code for 70MHz matched my scope's code I then proceeded to upgrade.

Thanks again!

[tautech]

Got my SDS804X HD today...    I have my own LA and AWG gear so have no need to enable those features in the scope.

Which needs its firmware updating to work correctly with SDS800X HD models:
https://int.siglent.com/download/firmwares/?ProId=74

[TomKatt]

I should have clarified - I have my own dedicated LA and AWG gear - not Siglent scope modules.

But thanks for the information.

[awakephd]

Well, that turned out to be easy. Just followed the script to get the scope id, serial number, and model number and edit those into the script. I did as others suggested and upgraded from 70M - 100M, default to factory, then 100M to 200M, default to factory. It now identifies as an 824 rather than an 804. Currently it is running the self-calibration.

One thing that I noticed - in the Acquire menu, I could still only choose 50M as the maximum memory depth (single channel), but when I adjust the horizontal timebase, I see that it is going up to 100M points.

On edit: after rebooting and doing a self-calibration, it is now showing 100M as the maximum option under Acquire - Menu - Max Memory Depth. Interestingly, it no longer shows 50M as an option in this list (when single channel is enabled - of course it drops to 50M when two channels are enabled).

Very cool that this is so straightforward to do. Thanks to those who put together the script and gave instructions!

[TomKatt]

I have no way to test this, but I find it very interesting that upgrading to 200Mhz apparently also increases waveform capture rate by 50% (80K -> 120K wfm/s) in addition to doubling the memory from 50M -> 100M...  Is there some correlation between memory and capture rate or do the <200MHz models have some software performance constraint?

[tautech]

I have no way to test this, but I find it very interesting that upgrading to 200Mhz apparently also increases waveform capture rate by 50% (80K -> 120K wfm/s) in addition to doubling the memory from 50M -> 100M...  Is there some correlation between memory and capture rate or do the <200MHz models have some software performance constraint?

See P2 of the datasheet:
https://int.siglent.com/u_file/download/24_03_27/SDS800X%20HD_Datasheet_EN01C.pdf

[TomKatt]

See P2 of the datasheet:
https://int.siglent.com/u_file/download/24_03_27/SDS800X%20HD_Datasheet_EN01C.pdf

Yes - that's where I obtained the specs.  But I'm still amazed (confused) that in addition to bandwidth, the performance is also increased simply by software.  My question is if the additional memory allows the capture rate to increase as well?

Edit - I guess that bandwidth itself could be considered a performance measurement, and other products have been similarly constrained to differentiate model capabilities...

[KungFuJosh]

constrained to differentiate model capabilities...

That's how it generally works. Cheaper to make all the hardware the same, and charge extra for licensing and/or front panel stickers.

[electr_peter]

Note letter case carefully in settings:

Code: [Select]

SCOPEID = '0123450abcd12345'
SN = 'SDS00ABCD01234'
Model = 'SDS800X-HD'
These options codes do not work:

Code: [Select]

otheropt_not_working = ('FG', '16LA', 'PA')Use these codes instead:

Code: [Select]

otheropt = ('AWG', 'MSO', 'PWA')

[astromeier]

Thanks for testing
Edited my post ...

[tttonyyy]

I've got an SDS 1202X-E which is their genuine 200MHz scope and just bought a SDS804X HD.

Successfully re-licensed the latter to 200MHz, though I went directly to the 200MHz key without any factory resets between, in fact if you stick a 200MHz signal in you can see the amplitude change live between pasting the SCIP MCBD keys, I switched between 70, 100 and 200 and back-and-forth on the fly without any issues.

Comparing the SDS1202X-E measurements with the re-licensed SDS804X HD using the same PP215 probe, all looks good. 

Mine came with 1.1.36 firmware and I updated to 1.1.38 for the latest UI changes.

Even with the supplied PB470 70MHz probes it's possible to spot a 400MHz carrier using the FFT, I'm pretty happy with it.





As above but with with interpolation off: