Hack of Sigllent spectrum analyzer ssa3021X?

[GaelC]

Hello,

I'm trying to push this hack a little further... :-)

Has anybody already tested the effect of the "pro_mode" (should take TRUE or FALSE values)  and "reset_times" xml nodes ?

[dazz1]

Hi

Just working through some instructions I found.
The instructions include a mv command.  For non-Linux readers, this is a move (source) (destination) command.
In the instructions I found, the source/destination are reversed.  These errors are corrected in post 428.

Code: [Select]


*Make sure your USB stick is inserted.  This command saves a backup to a USB stick.
nanddump -f /usr/bin/siglent/usr/mass_storage/U-disk0/mtd7 /dev/mtd7

* change to the root directory.
cd /

*this command puts the storage into read/write mode.
mount -o remount,rw /dev/ubi2_0 /usr/bin/siglent/firmdata0 

cd /usr/bin/siglent/firmdata0

* make sure your USB stick is inserted.  This copies files and the directory to the USB stick as a backup
cp -r * /usr/bin/siglent/usr/mass_storage/U-disk0/


* the mv command renames files by adding a x to the file name.  Note only 3 files.
mv NSP_sn_bandwidth.xml NSP_sn_bandwidthx.xml 
mv NSP_trends_config_info.xml NSP_trends_config_infox.xml 
mv nsp_data_b nsp_data_bx 

cd /usr/bin/siglent/usr/backup 

mv NSP_sn_bandwidth.xml NSP_sn_bandwidthx.xml 
mv NSP_trends_config_info.xml NSP_trends_config_infox.xml 
mv nsp_data_b nsp_data_bx 

cd /

sync   

exit
* then switch off/on

If you get an error that looks like this:

Code: [Select]

can't rename 'NSP_sn_bandwidth.xml': Read-only file system
Just rerun the mount... command.

I decided to back out of this and I didn't get to the last part because I am wondering if there is an alternative way of doing this.

What about writing a small bash script saved in /etc/init.d that resets the timers on the options???
This would run each time the analyser was switched on and set the timer to 48h.
Normally such a script would go in rc.local, but thats not there.
Ideally the script would be rerun every 47hours but crontab is not installed.
This would preserve all of the factory settings.  It wouldn't expand the bandwidth though.

Just a thought.

[grants225]

Hi everyone,

while I managed to update/unlock some other devices (router, TV box etc)  , my scripting knowledge is close to zero  . This definitely will not stop me from trying to upgrade SSA3k I am awaiting to be delivered, but some help/advise would be very helpful, especially after reading some warning posts.

I has read all current thred and still have questions:
1) if I understand Gonzo_the_grate script on #428, it makes backup to usb stick and makes copies of xml files adding 'x'-es in firmdata0 and backup?

Code: [Select]

plug in FAT32 formatted USB memory stick (to take a backup).
telnet to SSA30xxX
root/ding1234

cd /   
cp -R /usr/bin/siglent/usr/backup /usr/bin/siglent/usr/mass_storage/U-disk0/SA-backup 
cp -R /usr/bin/siglent/firmdata0 /usr/bin/siglent/usr/mass_storage/U-disk0/SA-firmdata0 
mount -o remount,rw /dev/ubi2_0 /usr/bin/siglent/firmdata0
cd /usr/bin/siglent/firmdata0 
mv NSP_sn_bandwidth.xml NSP_sn_bandwidthx.xml 
mv NSP_trends_config_info.xml NSP_trends_config_infox.xml   
mv nsp_data_b nsp_data_bx   
cd /usr/bin/siglent/usr/backup   
mv NSP_sn_bandwidth.xml NSP_sn_bandwidthx.xml 
mv NSP_trends_config_info.xml NSP_trends_config_infox.xml 
mv nsp_data_b nsp_data_bx 
cd /
sync   
logout

reboot


2) where should be added this licence line? Is it xml file should be edited manually?:

Code: [Select]

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<nsp_system_info_root>
  <device>
    <system_information>
      <serial_number>
        <chip>SSA3XHAxxxxxxxxxxx</chip>
      </serial_number>
    <license><_3032>TRUE</_3032><_tTG>TRUE</_tTG><_tEMI>TRUE</_tEMI><_tMeas>TRUE</_tMeas><_tCAT>TRUE</_tCAT><_t1HZ>TRUE</_t1HZ><_t3M>TRUE</_t3M></license></system_information>
  </device>
</nsp_system_info_root>

[markus_jlrb]

Do not forget to dump all mtdX partitions on the external stick with sufficient space.

X in range [0..12] according to output of cat on /proc/mtd:

root@am335x-evm:~# cat /proc/mtd
dev:    size   erasesize  name
mtd0: 00020000 00020000 "SPL"
mtd1: 00020000 00020000 "SPL.backup1"
mtd2: 00020000 00020000 "SPL.backup2"
mtd3: 00020000 00020000 "SPL.backup3"
mtd4: 001e0000 00020000 "U-Boot"
mtd5: 00020000 00020000 "U-Boot Env"
mtd6: 00300000 00020000 "Manufacturedata"
mtd7: 02b00000 00020000 "File System"
mtd8: 00600000 00020000 "kerneldata"
mtd9: 00600000 00020000 "fpgadata"
mtd10: 03200000 00020000 "firmdata0"
mtd11: 03200000 00020000 "firmdata1"
mtd12: 05f80000 00020000 "datafs"

Dump command to use:

nanddump -f /usr/bin/siglent/usr/mass_storage/U-disk0/mtdX /dev/mtdX


Markus

[hendorog]

Hi

Just working through some instructions I found.
The instructions include a mv command.  For non-Linux readers, this is a move (source) (destination) command.
In the instructions I found, the source/destination are reversed.  These errors are corrected in post 428.

Code: [Select]


*Make sure your USB stick is inserted.  This command saves a backup to a USB stick.
nanddump -f /usr/bin/siglent/usr/mass_storage/U-disk0/mtd7 /dev/mtd7

* change to the root directory.
cd /

*this command puts the storage into read/write mode.
mount -o remount,rw /dev/ubi2_0 /usr/bin/siglent/firmdata0 

cd /usr/bin/siglent/firmdata0

* make sure your USB stick is inserted.  This copies files and the directory to the USB stick as a backup
cp -r * /usr/bin/siglent/usr/mass_storage/U-disk0/


* the mv command renames files by adding a x to the file name.  Note only 3 files.
mv NSP_sn_bandwidth.xml NSP_sn_bandwidthx.xml 
mv NSP_trends_config_info.xml NSP_trends_config_infox.xml 
mv nsp_data_b nsp_data_bx 

cd /usr/bin/siglent/usr/backup 

mv NSP_sn_bandwidth.xml NSP_sn_bandwidthx.xml 
mv NSP_trends_config_info.xml NSP_trends_config_infox.xml 
mv nsp_data_b nsp_data_bx 

cd /

sync   

exit
* then switch off/on

If you get an error that looks like this:

Code: [Select]

can't rename 'NSP_sn_bandwidth.xml': Read-only file system
Just rerun the mount... command.

I decided to back out of this and I didn't get to the last part because I am wondering if there is an alternative way of doing this.

What about writing a small bash script saved in /etc/init.d that resets the timers on the options???
This would run each time the analyser was switched on and set the timer to 48h.
Normally such a script would go in rc.local, but thats not there.
Ideally the script would be rerun every 47hours but crontab is not installed.
This would preserve all of the factory settings.  It wouldn't expand the bandwidth though.

Just a thought.

Another idea - make the .xml files readonly and see if you can prevent the OS from counting down the timeouts on the demo options?

[dazz1]

Another idea - make the .xml files readonly and see if you can prevent the OS from counting down the timeouts on the demo options?

I like that idea.

Dazz

[dazz1]

Hi
Currently exploring my SSA30xx. 
I saved some files of scans in the local:/ folder.  Copying these to a USB stick is painful.

Is there a simple way of transferring these by Telnet session or other means?
Where is the local:/ folder?

[tautech]

Hi
Currently exploring my SSA30xx. 
I saved some files of scans in the local:/ folder.  Copying these to a USB stick is painful.

Is there a simple way of transferring these by Telnet session or other means?
Where is the local:/ folder?

Actually its real easy to transfer files from the local drive to USB.

From the File menu browse to the local drive and select File browse mode, then use the Copy key.
Change back to Dir browse mode to select USB stick then select File browse again, then Operate key to get into another menu where you can Paste the Copy'ed file into the USB root or a folder.

Once you've done it a couple of times it becomes pretty straightforward.

[dazz1]

Hi
I tried that and quickly got frustrated. 
I did find that if I have a USB stick in the port, it automatically saves to the USB.    That is a better option.
It would still be useful to be able to remotely manage files.

[tautech]

Hi
I tried that and quickly got frustrated. 
I did find that if I have a USB stick in the port, it automatically saves to the USB.    That is a better option.
It would still be useful to be able to remotely manage files.

OK, we will look for a solution for you.

Anybody have a quick one for Dazz ?

[riccardo.pittini]

 Just for information of all

Patch works also on SSA3021X 1.2.9.1 (patch applied AFTER firmware upgrade)

if you are interested:
I looked into the xml files before the trial licenses expire. File: NSP_sn_bandwidth.xml For each trial license there is a field: <remain>1040</remain> where the "1040" is the remaining demo time.
I had still 18h of demo and the counter was 1080, then with 17h and 40min of demo the counter was 1060 (if I recall right by heart).
So this seems also another available path.

Cheers to everyone / Hope it helped!!!
 

[ironcurtain]

Is this applicable to new units bought recently? I might snatch one off Batronix....

[BillB]

Is this applicable to new units bought recently? I might snatch one off Batronix....

They are back-ordered for us in the US until August.   

[kerouanton]

Hi
Currently exploring my SSA30xx. 
I saved some files of scans in the local:/ folder.  Copying these to a USB stick is painful.

Is there a simple way of transferring these by Telnet session or other means?
Where is the local:/ folder?

Actually its real easy to transfer files from the local drive to USB.

From the File menu browse to the local drive and select File browse mode, then use the Copy key.
Change back to Dir browse mode to select USB stick then select File browse again, then Operate key to get into another menu where you can Paste the Copy'ed file into the USB root or a folder.

Once you've done it a couple of times it becomes pretty straightforward.

I've been doing this today... really painful if you have over 10 files.
I just HOPE Siglent will add a "select all" or something similar option for the move/copy function.

Btw, as I now have the full range of Siglent hardware, I'm very surprised to see that no 2 systems are similar in terms of UI. They must have separate teams that don't talk to each other... and they probably don't do ergonomic testing of their interfaces to see if in the field it is really usable. For example, this "copy file to USB" is just poorly implemented. And another example that really frustrates me is the SDG6022X. Great hardware, poor UI : Having to press up to 8 keys to select a waveform is just not practical, it could have been done much easier:
- Pressing "waveform" button twice to switch from page to page, instead of having to select "waveform" then "page 2".
- Leaving the waveform menubar to the current settings, instead to going back to the main menubar after a waveform selection.

In short: good hardware, UI can be improved. But that is quite common on most electronics companies, for reasons I still don't fully understand !

[colorado.rob]

Btw, as I now have the full range of Siglent hardware, I'm very surprised to see that no 2 systems are similar in terms of UI. They must have separate teams that don't talk to each other... and they probably don't do ergonomic testing of their interfaces to see if in the field it is really usable.

Similar problems exist with their SCPI command set.  Very different command languages for their products.  Even things like the AWG built into the SDS2000X has a different SCPI command set from the SDG2000X.

[tautech]

Hi
Currently exploring my SSA30xx. 
I saved some files of scans in the local:/ folder.  Copying these to a USB stick is painful.

Is there a simple way of transferring these by Telnet session or other means?
Where is the local:/ folder?

Actually its real easy to transfer files from the local drive to USB.

From the File menu browse to the local drive and select File browse mode, then use the Copy key.
Change back to Dir browse mode to select USB stick then select File browse again, then Operate key to get into another menu where you can Paste the Copy'ed file into the USB root or a folder.

Once you've done it a couple of times it becomes pretty straightforward.

I've been doing this today... really painful if you have over 10 files.
I just HOPE Siglent will add a "select all" or something similar option for the move/copy function.

Unfortunately at this time there is no simple solution to this.
We'll ask Siglent to implement UI changes and/or SCPI commands.

Btw, as I now have the full range of Siglent hardware, I'm very surprised to see that no 2 systems are similar in terms of UI. They must have separate teams that don't talk to each other... and they probably don't do ergonomic testing of their interfaces to see if in the field it is really usable. For example, this "copy file to USB" is just poorly implemented. And another example that really frustrates me is the SDG6022X. Great hardware, poor UI : Having to press up to 8 keys to select a waveform is just not practical, it could have been done much easier:
- Pressing "waveform" button twice to switch from page to page, instead of having to select "waveform" then "page 2".
- Leaving the waveform menubar to the current settings, instead to going back to the main menubar after a waveform selection.

In short: good hardware, UI can be improved. But that is quite common on most electronics companies, for reasons I still don't fully understand !

Thanks, good feedback. 

Really this should be in the SSA main thread not the one about hacks.
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/siglent-ssa3000x-spectrum-analyzers/

[alexvg]

Hi,

I’m recently bought a SSA3021X-TG (for free actually) for personnal and professionnal use.
But after using TG intensely, it does not work at all.
I looking for this problem and see the TG was in demo mode.
But there’s not any serial number in the package for the TG.

I was send multiple emails to Siglent via the web form without any response !!! It’s a mistake !

I’ve found the hack of the device and applying with success.*

My device is :
SW1 1.2.9.1
FW 07.03

I’ve corrected the procedure :

Part 1 - Backup files
1. Insert USB stick
2. Go in System => System info
3. Establish a telnet session with root/ding1234
4. "cp -R /usr/bin/siglent/usr/backup /usr/bin/siglent/usr/mass_storage/U-disk0/SA-backup"
5. "cp -R /usr/bin/siglent/firmdata0 /usr/bin/siglent/usr/mass_storage/U-disk0/SA-firmdata0"
6. "sync"
7. "cd /usr/bin/siglent/usr/backup" and "ls –l" (do a screen pic with a phone)
8. "cd /usr/bin/siglent/firmdata0" and "ls –l" (do a screen pic with a phone)
9. "logout"

Part 2 - Hack the device
1. Go in System => System info
2. Establish a telnet session with root/ding1234
3. "mount -o remount,rw /dev/ubi2_0 /usr/bin/siglent/firmdata0"
4. "cd /usr/bin/siglent/firmdata0"
5. "mv NSP_sn_bandwidth.xml NSP_sn_bandwidthx.xml"
6. "mv NSP_trends_config_info.xml NSP_trends_config_infox.xml"
7. "mv nsp_data_b nsp_data_bx"
8. "cd /usr/bin/siglent/usr/backup"
9. "mv NSP_sn_bandwidth.xml NSP_sn_bandwidthx.xml"
10. "mv NSP_trends_config_info.xml NSP_trends_config_infox.xml"
11. "mv nsp_data_b nsp_data_bx"
12. "sync"
13. "logout"
14. Soft power cycle (power off and power on with button "power")
15. Go in System => Pwr On/Preset => Reset & Clear => Enter
16. Soft power cycle (power off and power on with button "power")

My device works now with TG.


I’m really sad to use this kind of method in order to work… I had to hack my own Adobe licenses to use them properly.


Anybody know how to disable 3MHz RBW ?

[dazz1]

Hi,

I’m recently bought a SSA3021X-TG (for free actually) for personnal and professionnal use.
But after using TG intensely, it does not work at all.

You don't say how old the SA was before it was given to you.
Siglent probably expect you to buy a TG license.

I’ve corrected the procedure :

What did you correct??

Anybody know how to disable 3MHz RBW ?

Select another range of RBW.   There is no point in crippling your SA.

[tautech]

Hi,

I’m recently bought a SSA3021X-TG (for free actually) for personnal and professionnal use.
But after using TG intensely, it does not work at all.

You don't say how old the SA was before it was given to you.
Siglent probably expect you to buy a TG license.

It will have been old stock as they now come with the TG option for $0.

Dazz, for your one TG was included free.

[alexvg]

You don't say how old the SA was before it was given to you.
Siglent probably expect you to buy a TG license.

The SSA3021X was delivered 10 days ago (and ordered 2 weeks ago with marked "FREE TG LICENSE").

What did you correct??

I've added "reset & clear" and an additionnal power cycle.
Without doing these 2 interactions, the device does not work properly.

Anybody know how to disable 3MHz RBW ?

Select another range of RBW.   There is no point in crippling your SA.

In Auto mode, the 3MHz RBW is automatically selected (you always think about it...), I prefer max 1MHz RBW (like before the hack - but I always waiting for any Siglent answer to unhack the SSA...).

[tv84]

In Auto mode, the 3MHz RBW is automatically selected (you always think about it...), I prefer max 1MHz RBW (like before the hack - but I always waiting for any Siglent answer to unhack the SSA...).

So that all understand:

The hack that is advertised here activates the PRO_MODE in the SSA. The PRO_MODE overrides all the licensing that the equipment has and activates all its features.

It's not possible to have PRO_MODE active and some features disabled!

If you don't want 3MHz, undo the hack. It's as simple as that!

I’m recently bought a SSA3021X-TG (for free actually) for personnal and professionnal use.
But after using TG intensely, it does not work at all.
I looking for this problem and see the TG was in demo mode.
But there’s not any serial number in the package for the TG.

Go to the old file NSP_sn_bandwidth.xml and see what TG licenses you have there.

Do you have any _TG or _tTG ?
If you have only a _tTG then you never had a permanent license, and you only have an expired temporary license.

[rf-loop]

You don't say how old the SA was before it was given to you.
Siglent probably expect you to buy a TG license.

The SSA3021X was delivered 10 days ago (and ordered 2 weeks ago with marked "FREE TG LICENSE").

If seller did not already give "authorized" code you need contact this Siglent seller/distributor where did you buy it!
If still not,  then contact Siglent for get it.

After then you get TG Licence here, this is automatic system for get licence codes for options. Only now is suprice that seller did not deliver this authorization code to you. This is seller error!:

For automatic licence key generation using authorization code and SSA serial number:
http://service.siglenteu.com/easyweb/

If this all fails you sure get license code also from Siglent. You need your serial number and copy from purchase receipt.  Are you sure seller did not include authorization code for get license, example printed in receipt or package list etc.
There in activation side you can also get instructions sheet (pdf)  and there you find contacts: I think it is best you use Headquarter contact emal.
Just write subject: SSA3000X missing TG option license code
And then tell your serial number and tell that you did not get license for TG as Siglent offer is.
So there is hope that it go to right people for hadle it.

[ironcurtain]

I just upgraded my new out of the box unit to the latest FW, and noticed that the Spectrum Monitor is not available in the 3021X.
Can it be enabled through the hack or it is impossible to have it in this model? I assumed the hardware was the same between the two.

Where can I find the exact post with the latest confirmed procedure to do the hack?

EDIT: Unlocked the rig. This forum is awesome

Any caveat emptors?

[alexvg]

Hi,

I haven't got any licence paper... but 1560€ (incl VAT) from Siglent...

After sending new messages to Siglent, I still have no answer.
Where is the support? It does not seem to exist at Siglent! It's not professional.
That's enough ! I'm giving up. I will continue to use the hacked version.

Edit:
I've just received my TG licence after sending a complaint to the intermediary expeditor (this takes 4 hours !!!).
Thanks for all.

[analogRF]

I just upgraded my new out of the box unit to the latest FW, and noticed that the Spectrum Monitor is not available in the 3021X.
Can it be enabled through the hack or it is impossible to have it in this model? I assumed the hardware was the same between the two.

Where can I find the exact post with the latest confirmed procedure to do the hack?

EDIT: Unlocked the rig. This forum is awesome

Any caveat emptors?

did you use the gonzo_the_great script in post #428?