Siglent SSA3000X and SSA3000X-Plus Spectrum Analyzers

[zkf0100007]

My SSA IP is 192.168.31.18
I can PING 192.168.31.18 successfully.
When I telnet 192.168.31.18 10101, it showed: unable to open host connection. on port:10101 connection failed.

[luudee]

My SSA IP is 192.168.31.18
I can PING 192.168.31.18 successfully.
When I telnet 192.168.31.18 10101, it showed: unable to open host connection. on port:10101 connection failed.

Did you try  "telnet 192.168.31.18"  without the port ?

[zkf0100007]

I tried 'telnet 192.168.31.18'
It showed: unable to open host connection. port23: connection failed

[zkf0100007]

Thank you.
Could anyone repost the link of file of tv84

"I'll share this once again: https://files.fm/u/a3rnz873y"

"This allows a direct crossflashing from SSAX+ to SVA, assuming that the SSAX+ version is V3.2.2.4.0."

Plan B

Take the SVA stock FW and do the changes in the attached picture.

Hi,tv84
It seems that you provide another metho to upgrade ssa to sva which different from  Reply #1624.
Can you give me more details about your method?
Thanks!

[ExaLab]

A simple question: the cross-flash SSA3021X-Plus to SVA1032X results in an uncalibrated spectrum analyzer in the 2.1 to 3.2GHz range... It's correct?

If so, this could be a big problem!

[steve1515]

A simple question: the cross-flash SSA3021X-Plus to SVA1032X results in an uncalibrated spectrum analyzer in the 2.1 to 3.2GHz range... It's correct?

If so, this could be a big problem!

I'm wondering the same thing myself. If the SSA3021X-Plus is "upgraded" does it need to be re-calibrated up to 3.2GHz? Does anyone know?

[RoV]

A simple question: the cross-flash SSA3021X-Plus to SVA1032X results in an uncalibrated spectrum analyzer in the 2.1 to 3.2GHz range... It's correct?

If so, this could be a big problem!

I'm wondering the same thing myself. If the SSA3021X-Plus is "upgraded" does it need to be re-calibrated up to 3.2GHz? Does anyone know?

I would say it is well calibrated, because it behaves very well in all tests. Besides, by looping with the TG, the response is flat.

[ExaLab]

I would say it is well calibrated, because it behaves very well in all tests. Besides, by looping with the TG, the response is flat.

The flat response when used in loop with TG is a "relative calibration". It is not indicative of the analyzer's absolute calibration status...

[Bicurico]

You won't get a propper answer to your question, which is pertinent: "If you upgrade a SSA3021X into a SSA3032X, will the extended frequency range be factory calibrated?".

I think the reason for the lack of straightforward answer is simple: those who purchased and hacked a SSA3021X probably don't have the required test gear to evaluate the performance in the frequency range from 2.1GHz to 3.2GHz.

You would need a calibrated signal source and propper cables and connectors to do the required measurements and those cost possibly more than the SSA3021X itself...

But otherwise, I would dare to say that the performance is as expected and the spectrum looks on spot. Does the measurements deviate within specs of a factory SSA3032X? I don't know.

Also, when you do require calibrated measurements, remember that calibration is mandatory in given intervals (depending on quality control, but normally every two years). An official calibration costs considerable money (probably uninteresting for hobby use), so if you can afford to keep your test equipement calibrated (because you use it professionally), then you don't need to hack it and should purchase the correct version/license.

Just my opinion.

Regards,
Vitor

[luudee]

So how about when you  *purchase* a bandwidth upgrade?

You don't need to send you SSA/DSO to the factory, you just get a key, right ?

So perhaps all units are properly calibrated to the max bandwidth they *can* support ?

EDIT: Also, I think calibrating the same HW to 3 different "stop" frequencies, would add
additional manufacturing cost. They make the same HW and calibrate it all to the same
peak stop frequency, that's my guess.

What do you guys think ?

rudi

[Bicurico]

I don't think that you can purchase the key for frequency extension.

There are two reasonings:

1) all devices are fully calibrated as this lowers the production cost
2) those devices that fail calibration on higher frequencies are sold with reduced bandwidth

I don't know if case 2 is true or not.

Regards,
Vitor

[RoV]

I would say it is well calibrated, because it behaves very well in all tests. Besides, by looping with the TG, the response is flat.

The flat response when used in loop with TG is a "relative calibration". It is not indicative of the analyzer's absolute calibration status...

Perfectly agree, in fact I said "I would say it is well calibrated...".
However, the fact that the response with TG looping is flat is a clear indication that a calibration procedure was indeed applied in that frequency range, otherwise there would be a serious deviation from flatness: keep in mind that this is close to the hardware limits of the instrument, where correction is most needed. As a further proof I will add that the noise figure of the instrument with preamp is very curvy instead in that zone, indicating significant gain corrections (I measured NF with a calibrated noise head).
One thing perhaps not clear is that the instrument calibration is fully done in software: as can be seen in the videos, there are no trimming points onboard. Given this, it is certainly automated and it doesn't make sense to stop it at a lower frequency, because it is very likely done well before deciding that the unit is a 3021 or 3032.

[ExaLab]

It is a pity that no one has any certainty about the calibration status of the instrument once ... "expanded".
Personally, I think that a measuring instrument without the necessary guarantees regarding its accuracy has very little value (even for those who make use of it as a hobby ...)

Therefore, before proceeding with the purchase of the instrument (and its subsequent "upgrade" ...) I will wait patiently for someone to clarify with reasonable certainty the doubts regarding this fundamental topic.

Tanks a lot to everyone!

[RoV]

It is a pity that no one has any certainty about the calibration status of the instrument once ... "expanded".
Personally, I think that a measuring instrument without the necessary guarantees regarding its accuracy has very little value (even for those who make use of it as a hobby ...)

You are a bit difficult to convince, or perhaps you didn't understand my previous explanation. One thing is certain: YOU WON'T receive with the instrument a calibration certificate going above 2.1 GHz unless you pay for a 3032X+, you have to accept this.
But perhaps I have another proof that may satisfy you: some time ago I measured the output of an hp 33002a comb generator driven at 100 MHz and followed by a 18 GHz 10 dB attenuator (Weinschel). The comb is good up to 18 GHz according to the datasheet and drops slowly of level. This is a plot from my upgraded 3021X+:

[antenna]

I bought the SVA1032x from TEquipment and I don't remember seeing a calibration certificate.  Perhaps I missed it and it is buried deep in the file cabinet.  I am, however, confused about this now with how concerned people seem about it. At the time, I also bought the F503ME cal kit from Siglent.  Does the "calibration certificate" refer to something done inside the unit (other than the obvious reference oscillator alignment) that I need to worry about, or should I be content with my OSL kit?

[RoV]

I bought the SVA1032x from TEquipment and I don't remember seeing a calibration certificate.  Perhaps I missed it and it is buried deep in the file cabinet.  I am, however, confused about this now with how concerned people seem about it. At the time, I also bought the F503ME cal kit from Siglent.

You should have a calibration certificate similar to the one in photo for the analyzer and another for the cal kit.
Companies are very concerned about certificates and their validity, because quality assurance require them. It's a chain: as you see, Siglent uses calibrated instruments of a superior class to guarantee that this one satisfies specs.
If you are an hobbist, you can probably live with expired certificates.

[tv84]

@kermet,

See if this helps.

[antenna]

I bought the SVA1032x from TEquipment and I don't remember seeing a calibration certificate.  Perhaps I missed it and it is buried deep in the file cabinet.  I am, however, confused about this now with how concerned people seem about it. At the time, I also bought the F503ME cal kit from Siglent.

You should have a calibration certificate similar to the one in photo for the analyzer and another for the cal kit.
Companies are very concerned about certificates and their validity, because quality assurance require them. It's a chain: as you see, Siglent uses calibrated instruments of a superior class to guarantee that this one satisfies specs.
If you are an hobbist, you can probably live with expired certificates.

I found it.  Yep, I'm just a hobbyist. If I can tune some UHF antennas with it 10 years from now, I'll be happy.  I got it so I could make wifi antennas and passive cellular repeaters when the nano wasn't getting the job done.  I never intended on doing test work with it for other people, I just worried that it will drift into uselessness over time with the widespread concern over lab calibrations.  I want to believe, for my uses, I should never have to worry about it.

[DL4JY]

Hi,
it seems that the SVA1032 upgraded from a SSA1021x plus is calibrated - at least the one on my table.
How did I check - I have a proofed good old HP431c Powermeter with a thermister head. With this I checked the output power of the tracking generator e.g. at 0 dBm from 10MHz to 3.2GHz in zero span mode just by moving the jog dial. The readings are from 1.2 mW at 25Mhz to 1.0 mW +/- 10% from 200MHz to 3.2GHz.
 When using the shortest coax cable I have to connect the output to input, it shows that the measered level from the SA part of the Siglent is well in the area of +/- 1dB, without applying any calibration.
Please see attached picture, you will see above 100MHz the frequency response of the cable, under 100MHz the "overshoot" of the tracking generator.

My conclusion is that the tracking generator is working very precisely and the SA, too.

Greets,

Juergen

[eloso]

Nand Backup

I have a Nand Backup which includes mtd1 through mtd11 and memdump.

Two questions for those that know:

1.   What is the nandwrite command to restore the mtd backups ?

2.  Likewise, how to restore the memdump ?


This is not from a bricked system. Linux commands should be ok.   I just want to have the facility to return to my entirely original machine.

Thanks


Eloso

[probe]

Hi all, long term listener, first time caller.

Today I took delivery of a brand new SSA3021X Plus and with the help of the guideline was able to liberate it to a SVA1032X.

Only difference compared to the guideline was that I had to remount the USB drive to be able to backup the files and had to remount the internal drive a few times as I got a few “unable to save changes, file is read only” errors in Vi. Perhaps indeed a cron job got in the way.

Anyway, a very big thank you for all the guys who made this possible. The last thing left to do is to find out how to restore the serial number, I believe with a  SCPI incantation…

[Bicurico]

If you restore the serial number, you will loose the factory mode and all options it enabled.

If everything is working fine, stop messing around with it!

[npatrick]

Hi folks,

Trying this process with a SSA3021X+ on 3.2.2.4.0. I can't get telnet access to the unit.

Unit is up and pingable on my local LAN. Both "SSA3000X+_telnet_11403" and "SSA3000X_Plus_telnet_port_10101" fail to give telnet access on ports 11403 and 10101 respectively. For both of those files, the upgrade process _does_ terminate after a couple minutes, which leads me to believe that they are not working properly, perhaps due to the 3.2.2.4.0 firmware.

Any thoughts, especially @tv84? Note that this firmware was from the factory, and the release notes state "This version can not be rolled back". I did try a rollback, and of course it did not work.

Thanks in advance for the help.

[tubularnut]

The 11403 in the telnet script name is the Product ID number, and this changes depending on firmware version and if you have cross flashed the unit.

11403 is for an SVA3021X (for those who cross flashed)

11411 is for an SSA3000X+ with your firmware.

The telnet script checks for the product number, and aborts if it does not match.

So you need the correct telnet script 

The telnet port is always 10101

[npatrick]

Extremely helpful. I'm now off to the races -- thank you!