little Chinese DDS function/signal generator 4 pin header?

[dentaku]

I got one of these very inexpensive DDS function generators from Ebay just for fun.
http://www.mhinstek.com/product/html/?92.html

It's got a 4 pin header on the left edge that isn't documented in the .PDF.
Would this be what the manufacturer uses to program it? VCc_TxD_GND_RxD but no reset, just 4 pins

The Ebay seller has a screenshot of some software controlling it.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/5MHz-DDS-Function-Signal-Generator-Module-Sine-Triangle-Square-Wave-TTL-Output-/180970817621?ssPageName=ADME:L:OC:CA:3160
Have any of you ever used this software? How would you connect to software to this device through COM1 like in the screenshot? with that header?

The AMP pot is scratchy, the interface takes a while to get used to and I don't know why it's so hard to get the SWEEP function to run but for the price it's fun, especially since it has an input that lest you use it as a counter and measure frequencies so that's a bonus.

[nouserid]

That looks like a serial port to me. The user's manual (http://www.mhinstek.com/pdf/UDB100xS%20User%20Manual.pdf) marks it as "communication interface".

[dentaku]

That looks like a serial port to me. The user's manual (http://www.mhinstek.com/pdf/UDB100xS%20User%20Manual.pdf) marks it as "communication interface".

Hey, that .PDF is slightly different than the one I got from the Ebay seller.

[Rick Law]

Dentaku,

I use the two-channel version of this board.  I had a hard time getting that sweep working and I have a theory on why the Sweep function is hard to execute.

For the 2 channel version,(edit: stuck out incorrect statement) sweep only works on Channel B (a fact not documented)(edit:see below).  There were typographic/grammatical errors, wrong description, AND an example that doesn't make sense and doesn't work.    (After I figured it out, it is not bad at all.)

I think your menu is newer and is more correct.  In fact, a note I made as correction is close to the wording in your probably newer menu.  (My menu's original wording is "...start and end frequency must to be set [sic]  correctly, and fM1>fm2..."  I just noted it as "fm1 to fm2" as in your presumably newer menu. 

My theory: Judging from > and < sign swap and location of menu errors, I think they were trying to do some last minute fixes or something such as selectable Up or Down sweep but didn't quite managed - so last minute modification to the document and software prior to roll out.

I assume the RxTx is to the MCU managing the board and LCD.  If we can get our hands on the source, we can do some fun things there...

Rick

EDIT - 8/12/2014 After additional experimentation - Sweep works in both channels with independent settings but only one channel can sweep at a time.  Current frequency for that channel must be between f(M1) and f(M2)  (ie: between start and stop of sweep frequency) and f(M1)<f(M2).  Otherwise it will not start.

[dentaku]

Dentaku,

I use the two-channel version of this board.  I had a hard time getting that sweep working and I have a theory on why the Sweep function is hard to execute.

For the 2 channel version, sweep only works on Channel B (a fact not documented).  There were typographic/grammatical errors, wrong description, AND an example that doesn't make sense and doesn't work.    (After I figured it out, it is not bad at all.)

I think your menu is newer and is more correct.  In fact, a note I made as correction is close to the wording in your probably newer menu.  (My menu's original wording is "...start and end frequency must to be set [sic]  correctly, and fM1>fm2..."  I just noted it as "fm1 to fm2" as in your presumably newer menu. 

My theory: Judging from > and < sign swap and location of menu errors, I think they were trying to do some last minute fixes or something such as selectable Up or Down sweep but didn't quite managed - so last minute modification to the document and software prior to roll out.

I assume the RxTx is to the MCU managing the board and LCD.  If we can get our hands on the source, we can do some fun things there...

Rick

Yup, I read the instructions again after posting and it finally made sense to me.
"the start frequency of sweep function is defined at M1, the end frequency is defined at M2. If the sweep function need to be run, the start and end frequency must to be set correctly, and fM2>fM1." It works quite well now.

As for the header, I know it can be used to control the unit through software because there's a screenshot of it on the Ebay page.

The seller says...
"software will sent when email  sent to me"

I don't have an Ebay account myself and someone else ordered it for me so I can't e-mail the seller about the software.

I wonder what the wire for this header looks like. Is it one of those  USB To RS232 TTL UART things with female 0.1" header connections?

[dentaku]

I just used the VCC and the GND from that four pin header to power a little circuit on a breadboard to see if it would work.
It's just a CD4017BE, DECADE COUNTER DIVIDER (clocked by the TTL output of the function gen) and a


SN75468 Darlington Array blinking 7 LEDs in a sequence that accelerates as the SWEEP ramps up faster.

Is there any reason why I shouldn't use the 5V VCC pin to power little circuits like this?

[Rick Law]

Interesting...

I never saw that screen shot.  Getting RS232 to TTL is not the hard part.  The hard part is to find the command that controls it and how the command is formatted.

I think any typical USB RS232 break-out should work.  May be I will hook up one and see if I can see anything it sends out.  That may give me some clues.

I am going to try to have hook that up and have it talk to a terminal emulator...

Edit:

I just put the Rx/Tx to a scope and remember I looked at that once when I first got it.  I proceeded anyway and got the same thing I recalled.  Both Rx and Tx are flat lines at about 3.5V.

This time, I hook it to an FTDI ttl rs232 to usb, connect up the port (with typical N,8,1 at 1200,2400,9600, and 19200) hoping to see some power up info - none.

With my codes, I have a habit of sending nothing until I receive a command like ~cmd or ? for version info.  So, I set my transmit to ignore CTS and I sending it some key sequence (like ?, @, slash, backslash, dot, , return, help) in the hope that those will kick things on but nothing.

Unless we get our hands on at least some info, (baud and other parameter), it would be impossible (well, let say very very unlikely) to guess how to make it work.

[dentaku]

Interesting...

I never saw that screen shot.  Getting RS232 to TTL is not the hard part.  The hard part is to find the command that controls it and how the command is formatted.

I think any typical USB RS232 break-out should work.  May be I will hook up one and see if I can see anything it sends out.  That may give me some clues.

I am going to try to have hook that up and have it talk to a terminal emulator...

Edit:

I just put the Rx/Tx to a scope and remember I looked at that once when I first got it.  I proceeded anyway and got the same thing I recalled.  Both Rx and Tx are flat lines at about 3.5V.

This time, I hook it to an FTDI ttl rs232 to usb, connect up the port (with typical N,8,1 at 1200,2400,9600, and 19200) hoping to see some power up info - none.

With my codes, I have a habit of sending nothing until I receive a command like ~cmd or ? for version info.  So, I set my transmit to ignore CTS and I sending it some key sequence (like ?, @, slash, backslash, dot, , return, help) in the hope that those will kick things on but nothing.

Unless we get our hands on at least some info, (baud and other parameter), it would be impossible (well, let say very very unlikely) to guess how to make it work.

since I don't have a clue how to do it maybe you could e-mail the seller because like I said, the Ebay page says ""software will sent when email  sent to me".
If you can get this software it will probably give many more clues as to how it works.

[miguelvp]

Can you ask the person that ordered it for you to e-mail to request the code? after all it will show as a customer not some random ebayer.

[onlooker]

Is the software at,

http://www.mhinstek.com/down/html/?82.html
or
http://www.mhinstek.com/down/html/?88.html

not downloadable or not working?

[Rick Law]

Is the software at,

http://www.mhinstek.com/down/html/?82.html
or
http://www.mhinstek.com/down/html/?88.html

not downloadable or not working?

Wow!  How did you find that?  First, thanks!  I have done quite a number of googling when I first got that machine looking for manual and other info, and I didn't find these pages.

Much appreciated.  Downloading now, the speed it is coming, it could be a long while before that 120 mb file finish.

Rick

[dentaku]

I wonder why the download is that slow? 24KB/sec
I'll just let it download overnight anyway.

[onlooker]

The main web site was referenced at the 2nd line of the OP's 1st post. The rest is just to find out what may be downloaded there.

[dentaku]

The main web site was referenced at the 2nd line of the OP's 1st post. The rest is just to find out what may be downloaded there.

The site mostly not being in English makes finding stuff a little difficult I guess

[onlooker]

Yes, "google translate" is your friend, so to speak.

[dentaku]

Yes, "google translate" is your friend, so to speak.

Yup.
http://www.bing.com/translator/ works well too.

[Rick Law]

The main web site was referenced at the 2nd line of the OP's 1st post. The rest is just to find out what may be downloaded there.

The site mostly not being in English makes finding stuff a little difficult I guess

I was going to lay low and ride on that excuse.  Truth is, I was too lazy to explore that site first time around.  The site being so damn slow was part of the reason.

Seeing the screen print of the software, I was in too much of a hurry to try to hook it up to a USB/TTL breakout - then remember I tried that before.

When onlooker pasted the URL, then I notice there is more there than manuals...

[dentaku]

The main web site was referenced at the 2nd line of the OP's 1st post. The rest is just to find out what may be downloaded there.

The site mostly not being in English makes finding stuff a little difficult I guess

I was going to lay low and ride on that excuse.  Truth is, I was too lazy to explore that site first time around.  The site being so damn slow was part of the reason.

Seeing the screen print of the software, I was in too much of a hurry to try to hook it up to a USB/TTL breakout - then remember I tried that before.

When onlooker pasted the URL, then I notice there is more there than manuals...

I tried download the large files but they just stop at 99%.

This page explains more about this port and shows the optional USB to TTL adapter connected to it.
http://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/DDS-signal-source-UDB1000-series-signal-generator-with-60MHz-frequency-counter-module/511115_590602631.html

I just e-mailed the only real email address that was included with the paypal receipt email to see if I can get the software. If this doesn't work I'll get the guy who ordered it for me to send a message to the contact information on the ebay email message which I can't do because I don't have an Ebay account.

[dentaku]

OK, here's the UDB1100 software and documentation in English.
https://app.box.com/s/cszqmbbw52xpdjblzbcb

The filename and documentation all say UDB1100 but it's nearly identical to the UDB1000 series like I have except for the handy USB port that would probably mean that you don't need the USB to TTL adapter.

[Rick Law]

...
[This page explains more about this port and shows the optional USB to TTL adapter connected to it.
http://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/DDS-signal-source-UDB1000-series-signal-generator-with-60MHz-frequency-counter-module/511115_590602631.html
...

Dentaku,

The cable connection is the easy part.  The pins are properly labeled, so even before I downloaded these Chinese manuals, I arrived at exactly what the menu PDF file shown.

The real trouble is knowing the commands.

If this software works, great, we can use it and if necessary decode the commands so we can roll our own.

OK, here's the UDB1100 software and documentation in English.
https://app.box.com/s/cszqmbbw52xpdjblzbcb

The filename and documentation all say UDB1100 but it's nearly identical to the UDB1000 series like I have except for the handy USB port that would probably mean that you don't need the USB to TTL adapter.

Thanks, I will grab it after posting this.  I will keep trying to download those stuff.  I have the 13xx (dual channel) version, so I will give it a few more tries to get the 13xx one downloaded first so as to reduce complication during test.  Stay tune.  I will keep you posted.

Rick

[dentaku]

The website says UDB-1100?UDB1000 so I'm certain now that I have to correct version of the software for mine.

It comes with a folder containing drivers for the Silicon Labs CP210x USB to UART Bridge Driver, different versions of the Prolific PL-2303 USB/Serial adapter drivers and NI-VISA Run-Time Engine 5.4. That's what makes this download so big.

[dentaku]

Thanks, I will grab it after posting this.  I will keep trying to download those stuff.  I have the 13xx (dual channel) version, so I will give it a few more tries to get the 13xx one downloaded first so as to reduce complication during test.  Stay tune.  I will keep you posted.

Rick

I'm downloading the UDB13xx software right now http://www.mhinstek.com/down/html/?84.html . Maybe I'll have better luck downloading it. The UDB1100/UDB1000 software took three tries at 24KB/s.

[dentaku]

Stay tune.  I will keep you posted.

Rick

Here's the 13xx software.
https://app.box.com/s/nq85r6h05pcb2j3nok43

[Rick Law]

Stay tune.  I will keep you posted.

Rick

Here's the 13xx software.
https://app.box.com/s/nq85r6h05pcb2j3nok43

Mine appeared to download and I just finished trial-one just now - some results, but mission failed.

The RAR file unpacks into a exe with support files that acts like a typical install program.:
On the first two screen, it opens with buttons with unreadable names.    The button are in Chinese Big5 character set and not unicode.  Bottom line is, click first button on both screens and you get to load software.  Others are for:
- opening the PDF menu,
- PDF 1 page sales flyer like info sheet
- load the RS232 drivers for PL chipset (PH or PL I forgot, the pupular one)
- a demo of some sort

My FTDI RS232 driver is already loaded, so all I need was the software.  After starting that, it unpacks another installer from "National Instrument"

After installing "National Instrument VISA run time", you have no new EXE.  The NI-VISA appears to be some self contained environment that hosts other real programs - like the CAB and INF files for Microsoft's MSI-Install.

Trouble is, I can't start NI-VISA (via EXE) or find anything to RUN...  Nothing to double click to start and no EXE.

The software requires Win XP SP3 and server2003, those are the ones I checked, not sure about others.  I have only one machine that runs SP3 and it is busy.

So, I will resume trying after I set up an alternate Sp3 machine for testing.  Don't hold your breath.  It will be week or weeks.

Hope your test gives better results.

[dentaku]

Stay tune.  I will keep you posted.

Rick

Here's the 13xx software.
https://app.box.com/s/nq85r6h05pcb2j3nok43

Mine appeared to download and I just finished trial-one just now - some results, but mission failed.

The RAR file unpacks into a exe with support files that acts like a typical install program.:
On the first two screen, it opens with buttons with unreadable names.    The button are in Chinese Big5 character set and not unicode.  Bottom line is, click first button on both screens and you get to load software.  Others are for:
- opening the PDF menu,
- PDF 1 page sales flyer like info sheet
- load the RS232 drivers for PL chipset (PH or PL I forgot, the pupular one)
- a demo of some sort

My FTDI RS232 driver is already loaded, so all I need was the software.  After starting that, it unpacks another installer from "National Instrument"

After installing "National Instrument VISA run time", you have no new EXE.  The NI-VISA appears to be some self contained environment that hosts other real programs - like the CAB and INF files for Microsoft's MSI-Install.

Trouble is, I can't start NI-VISA (via EXE) or find anything to RUN...  Nothing to double click to start and no EXE.

The software requires Win XP SP3 and server2003, those are the ones I checked, not sure about others.  I have only one machine that runs SP3 and it is busy.

So, I will resume trying after I set up an alternate Sp3 machine for testing.  Don't hold your breath.  It will be week or weeks.

Hope your test gives better results.

I just got an e-mail from the eBay seller with links to the documentation and a slightly different software package. I guess I'll have to install it on my old test computer even though I don't have the USB TTL adapter.

You can get them here.
https://app.box.com/s/jui8rrz414c824jp4b6s
https://app.box.com/s/ki32w2d89mmm19of253o

[Rick Law]

Stay tune.  I will keep you posted.

Rick

Here's the 13xx software.
https://app.box.com/s/nq85r6h05pcb2j3nok43

Mine appeared to download and I just finished trial-one just now - some results, but mission failed.

The RAR file unpacks into a exe......
Trouble is, I can't start NI-VISA (via EXE) or find anything to RUN...  Nothing to double click to start and no EXE.

The software requires Win XP SP3 and server2003, those are the ones I checked, not sure about others.  I have only one machine that runs SP3 and it is busy.
.....

I just got an e-mail from the eBay seller with links to the documentation and a slightly different software package.
....
You can get them here.
https://app.box.com/s/jui8rrz414c824jp4b6s
https://app.box.com/s/ki32w2d89mmm19of253o

Dentaku,

Good Stuff!  No COM yet, but both 1300 and 1100 software (from your links) loaded and appears to run OK and they are indeed EN (English).

Save you some time here, you will need to hunt - it is 3 things that needs to be loaded, it is not obvious.

The 110x version loads direct (but need hunting for the NI-runtime, keep reading).  The 130x version loads NI-runtime and needs some hunting for 1300's exe intall.

Since both have the same structure, I am going to say 1x00 instead of 1100 and/or 1300.  Both 1x00 has a DOC folder where you have the 1x00 install exe, RS232 driver exe, and NI-run time install exe.  So better off going there, load both directly.  Both being (1) NI-runtime and (2) the 1x00.

The NI runtime needs SP3 for XP, 1x00 software doesn't care and will load on even SP1.  After loading both, I skipped the RS232 driver since it is for the Prolific TTL to RS232 USB and I use FTDI chipset for TTL to RS232.

After seeing the 1100 appears to run properly, I had to eliminate the 1100 version to load 1300 since that is the one I got (1300 has 2 channels otherwise same as 1100).  They both appears to work w/o COM) on a VM (using virtual machine to test loading), I will be switching to a real machine to use the USB.  On the virtual machine, the USB port works too slow to do anything.

So, making progress.  Next step is the load up my other laptop with XP-SP3, load the stuff as I did in my VM, plus FTDI RS323 driver... 

Stay tune, will keep you posted.

Rick

[Rick Law]

Dentaku,

Good Stuff!  No COM yet, but both 1300 and 1100 software (from your links) loaded and appears to run OK and they are indeed EN (English).
... ... ... ...
Stay tune, will keep you posted.

Rick

Laptop loaded and COM is working.  It is talking to to the UDB now.

Ok, good news first.  both the 1300 and 1100 software works (XP-SP3) and can co-exist.  But 1300 does everything 1100 version do, and added channel switching since 1300 has two channels.  It can control all the UDB's control function.

Bad news now, the software is rather disappointing.  The software can control the the UBD, but it does not know what UDB is doing.  It cannot read even rather basic info from the UDB so the display can be out of sync with what the UDB is doing rather quickly - if you use the buttons on the UDB, or recall settings from memory.

For external counter: It can get external frequency counter's count and frequency.  So that display info is fine but just 1 sample per second.  In fact, the RS232 interface reports in Hz and may give you an extra digit or two that the UDB doesn't display.
For wave generator: It can get current frequency and duty cycle.  It cannot get phase or wave type.  It does not attempt to sync any info - not even those it can get.

So, for example, if you do any change with the buttons on the UDB itself, the software doesn't know it.  If you load wave-setup from memory M0 to M9, the software knows the frequency and duty, but doesn't even use it all the time.  So the PC setting may say you are on SINE wave but in fact you are not.  The PC may say (after loading wave in M1 for example) you are still creating a 10Hz wave (as before the loading) but it is not.

I have tried mapping out their commands.  I think I have decoded all of them but have not found a way to get Phase/WaveType information.  (WaveType being Sine, Triangle, or Square).

The software does make certain operation easier since I can make specific changes to the wave (or save) directly without up/down/left/right 50 times to get to the right menu.  The software is clunky/slow/not easy to use.  With frequency counter on, when it get external count or frequency every second, it is every clunkier.

The software is so bad I found it actually easier for me to just use a terminal emulator and type in the commands diretcly.  The software doesn't try to get the other info (phase, waveType) so I am assuming the UDB doesn't have.   I am trying to guess a few more times to see if those commands are hiding (added post PC software release, I am hoping).  I will share the commands once I get my notes in better shape.

The best thing about the software is, it allowed me to map the commands.  However, if I am to write a "blind" program to control it, I know what I instructed the UDB to do, I just don't know if it is actually doing it.  (Per testing, It has a habit of dropping commands when it is busy doing things such as sweeping.  I cannot count on all commands being executed properly.)

Rick

By the way, I am using FDDI instead of Prolific for RS232.  Looking at how the software works, it is plain RS232.  So, you can get any TTL to RS232 and it should work, even if you use direct and real RS232 port (DB9) instead of USB, it should work nicely.

[dentaku]

Dentaku,

Good Stuff!  No COM yet, but both 1300 and 1100 software (from your links) loaded and appears to run OK and they are indeed EN (English).
... ... ... ...
Stay tune, will keep you posted.

Rick

Laptop loaded and COM is working.  It is talking to to the UDB now.

Ok, good news first.  both the 1300 and 1100 software works (XP-SP3) and can co-exist.  But 1300 does everything 1100 version do, and added channel switching since 1300 has two channels.  It can control all the UDB's control function.

Bad news now, the software is rather disappointing.  The software can control the the UBD, but it does not know what UDB is doing.  It cannot read even rather basic info from the UDB so the display can be out of sync with what the UDB is doing rather quickly - if you use the buttons on the UDB, or recall settings from memory.

For external counter: It can get external frequency counter's count and frequency.  So that display info is fine but just 1 sample per second.  In fact, the RS232 interface reports in Hz and may give you an extra digit or two that the UDB doesn't display.
For wave generator: It can get current frequency and duty cycle.  It cannot get phase or wave type.  It does not attempt to sync any info - not even those it can get.

So, for example, if you do any change with the buttons on the UDB itself, the software doesn't know it.  If you load wave-setup from memory M0 to M9, the software knows the frequency and duty, but doesn't even use it all the time.  So the PC setting may say you are on SINE wave but in fact you are not.  The PC may say (after loading wave in M1 for example) you are still creating a 10Hz wave (as before the loading) but it is not.

I have tried mapping out their commands.  I think I have decoded all of them but have not found a way to get Phase/WaveType information.  (WaveType being Sine, Triangle, or Square).

The software does make certain operation easier since I can make specific changes to the wave (or save) directly without up/down/left/right 50 times to get to the right menu.  The software is clunky/slow/not easy to use.  With frequency counter on, when it get external count or frequency every second, it is every clunkier.

The software is so bad I found it actually easier for me to just use a terminal emulator and type in the commands diretcly.  The software doesn't try to get the other info (phase, waveType) so I am assuming the UDB doesn't have.   I am trying to guess a few more times to see if those commands are hiding (added post PC software release, I am hoping).  I will share the commands once I get my notes in better shape.

The best thing about the software is, it allowed me to map the commands.  However, if I am to write a "blind" program to control it, I know what I instructed the UDB to do, I just don't know if it is actually doing it.  (Per testing, It has a habit of dropping commands when it is busy doing things such as sweeping.  I cannot count on all commands being executed properly.)

Rick

Wow, it's good to know it works and by the screenshot I could tell it was not terribly professional
I figured once I got the software someone would be able to analyse the serial port data.

The problem with the software not updating when you make changes with the hardware buttons reminds me of (but backwards) MIDI controllers that have no way of telling you if a virtual knob was turned in software so the position of the real hardware encoder doesn't match the value in the software anymore.

By the way, I am using FDDI instead of Prolific for RS232.  Looking at how the software works, it is plain RS232.  So, you can get any TTL to RS232 and it should work, even if you use direct and real RS232 port (DB9) instead of USB, it should work nicely.

OK, I've almost never used an RS232 port for anything other than an external modem and maybe a 9pin mouse and I'm very new to anything hardware related but you say "even if you use direct and real RS232 port (DB9) instead of USB, it should work nicely.". 
Doesn't the serial port on most PCs work with rather large voltages compared to this little 5V device?

[dentaku]

Completely unrelated to this software but still on the subject of the UDB1x00, my AMPL pot is quite scratchy at a certain point. It doesn't have any markings on it but buy measuring the resistance between to two outer connectors is seems to be a 102.

Does anyone who owns one of these have an AMPL pot with markings that can confirm this?
I'd like to replace it.

[Rick Law]

... ... ...

By the way, I am using FDDI instead of Prolific for RS232.  Looking at how the software works, it is plain RS232.  So, you can get any TTL to RS232 and it should work, even if you use direct and real RS232 port (DB9) instead of USB, it should work nicely.

OK, I've almost never used an RS232 port for anything other than an external modem and maybe a 9pin mouse and I'm very new to anything hardware related but you say "even if you use direct and real RS232 port (DB9) instead of USB, it should work nicely.". 
Doesn't the serial port on most PCs work with rather large voltages compared to this little 5V device?

re: Doesn't the serial port on most PCs work with rather large voltages compared to this little 5V device?

You cannot directly connect TTL to RS232.  You can however use a TTL-RS232 chip like the MAX232.  The MAX232 shifts voltage from TTL signal to and from RS232 levels.  MAX232 has 4 lines, 2 for each direction.  It is cheap - available from Tayda for merely 42cents US$.

It is very disappointing that the UDB doesn't reply back with wave phase and wave type.  I suppose being able to do control is still useful even while it must be done in the blind - better than nothing.

------------- By the way -------------
These experimentation brought me new understanding of the sweep.  Best to do a reboot before starting a sweep.  If not, it does seem to have problem starting.

Rick

[dentaku]

... ... ...

By the way, I am using FDDI instead of Prolific for RS232.  Looking at how the software works, it is plain RS232.  So, you can get any TTL to RS232 and it should work, even if you use direct and real RS232 port (DB9) instead of USB, it should work nicely.

OK, I've almost never used an RS232 port for anything other than an external modem and maybe a 9pin mouse and I'm very new to anything hardware related but you say "even if you use direct and real RS232 port (DB9) instead of USB, it should work nicely.". 
Doesn't the serial port on most PCs work with rather large voltages compared to this little 5V device?

re: Doesn't the serial port on most PCs work with rather large voltages compared to this little 5V device?

You cannot directly connect TTL to RS232.  You can however use a TTL-RS232 chip like the MAX232.  The MAX232 shifts voltage from TTL signal to and from RS232 levels.  MAX232 has 4 lines, 2 for each direction.  It is cheap - available from Tayda for merely 42cents US$.

It is very disappointing that the UDB doesn't reply back with wave phase and wave type.  I suppose being able to do control is still useful even while it must be done in the blind - better than nothing.

------------- By the way -------------
These experimentation brought me new understanding of the sweep.  Best to do a reboot before starting a sweep.  If not, it does seem to have problem starting.

Rick

For me, sweep just starts at whatever frequency it was the last time you stopped the sweep, unless you restart the device. That's the only strange thing I see about it.

[orion411]

Laptop loaded and COM is working.  It is talking to to the UDB now.

I have tried mapping out their commands.  I think I have decoded all of them but have not found a way to get Phase/WaveType information.  (WaveType being Sine, Triangle, or Square).

The software is so bad I found it actually easier for me to just use a terminal emulator and type in the commands directly.  The software doesn't try to get the other info (phase, waveType) so I am assuming the UDB doesn't have.   I am trying to guess a few more times to see if those commands are hiding (added post PC software release, I am hoping).  I will share the commands once I get my notes in better shape.

I'm trying to connect 9600 baud to my UDB-1105S.

Commands I found here aren't working.
https://sigrok.org/wiki/MHINSTEK_UDB1xxxS

I've tried sending command bf5000000, but the frequency doesn't change on the display screen or on my scope. I've had success with another signal generator.

What COM settings did you use?
What commands did you figure out?

[Rick Law]

Laptop loaded and COM is working.  It is talking to to the UDB now.

I have tried mapping out their commands.  I think I have decoded all of them but have not found a way to get Phase/WaveType information.  (WaveType being Sine, Triangle, or Square).

The software is so bad I found it actually easier for me to just use a terminal emulator and type in the commands directly.  The software doesn't try to get the other info (phase, waveType) so I am assuming the UDB doesn't have.   I am trying to guess a few more times to see if those commands are hiding (added post PC software release, I am hoping).  I will share the commands once I get my notes in better shape.

I'm trying to connect 9600 baud to my UDB-1105S.

Commands I found here aren't working.
https://sigrok.org/wiki/MHINSTEK_UDB1xxxS

I've tried sending command bf5000000, but the frequency doesn't change on the display screen or on my scope. I've had success with another signal generator.

What COM settings did you use?
What commands did you figure out?

(RL: I changed color on some words)

Orion411,

Re: comm speed

19200,n,8,1 works well for me but my UDB is a UDB1308S.  Your have a different model so what works for me may not work for you.


Two additional things in my own notes:

(1) In my notes, I noted "some other docs I have seen has 57600 being the default comm speed, probably firmware/version dependent"  So if 19200 is not friendly to you, see if 57600 applies to your model.

(2) Easiest to use the 'a' command first: that is lower case a followed by CR.  It should respond with model number.  That is the easiest way to ensure that communication working.

Re: what other command did I figured out

I tried all three, a,b, and c.  I tried most if not all the sub-commands but unclear in my notes which ones I positively tested.  I can tell you from my recollection that for command 'b', I probably tried wave-type, frequency, duty-cycle, channel switching and sweep time.  Along with the command 'c' register-read commands, they were features of interest to me at the time.  I would not have noted that RS232-interface works unless those worked.


The article you linked to is unclear about the command structure.  This may help you figure out the commands (assuming that the structure also apply to your model as well):

The commands are a,b, or c followed by a single letter command code. So 'a' is unit ID, 'b' is set, and 'c' is read.
  bfxxxxx is 'b' for set and 'f' for frequency (set to xxxxxx).
  cf is 'c' for read and 'f' for frequency.
Not all sub-commands are both set and read.  ce for example reads external-input frequency and of course it would be silly to think the frequency counter itself can/should set the external-input's frequency.

With single letter command, it is not too difficult to try 26 different ones that works for your model.

Hope this helps.  Keep us posted and Good luck
Rick

[orion411]

Re: comm speed

19200,n,8,1 works well for me but my UDB is a UDB1308S.  Your have a different model so what works for me may not work for you.

Two additional things in my own notes:

(1) In my notes, I noted "some other docs I have seen has 57600 being the default comm speed, probably firmware/version dependent"  So if 19200 is not friendly to you, see if 57600 applies to your model.

Thanks for the reply Rick!  I bought a UDB1308S and it works at 57600 baud, but not 19200. My UDB1105 still won't respond at 9600, 19200, or 57600.

Do you have a working link to the software? The Download button on their website doesn't do anything.

Thanks!

[Rick Law]

Re: comm speed

19200,n,8,1 works well for me but my UDB is a UDB1308S.  Your have a different model so what works for me may not work for you.

Two additional things in my own notes:

(1) In my notes, I noted "some other docs I have seen has 57600 being the default comm speed, probably firmware/version dependent"  So if 19200 is not friendly to you, see if 57600 applies to your model.

Thanks for the reply Rick!  I bought a UDB1308S and it works at 57600 baud, but not 19200. My UDB1105 still won't respond at 9600, 19200, or 57600.

Do you have a working link to the software? The Download button on their website doesn't do anything.

Thanks!

re: "won't respond at 9600, 19200, or 57600"
Try 38400!  That looks like the hole right there.

"...working link to the software..."
No, not anymore.

I did try an version XP version, then had to download a bunch of trial-version drivers from 3rd party to make it work.  For this DDS, the whole setup was very bloated to do very little.  It merely allows you to click the mouse instead of pressing the little button on the unit itself and NOTHING ELSE.  I didn't bother to save any of the downloaded stuff or the link.  So, I do not have any working version or links to one that I can share.

[orion411]

re: "won't respond at 9600, 19200, or 57600"
Try 38400!  That looks like the hole right there.

Tried  2400, 4800, 9600, 19200, 38400, 57600, 115200.
The UDB1105 didn't respond to any commands with any of these baud rates. The USB port inside the case only passes voltage and ground to the control board. I connected to RxTx the same way as my UDB1308S, which works at 57600, but the UDB1105 isn't responding. The Tx pin is sending a constant 50mV in what looks like a sloppy square wave in the megahertz range. It's weakly lighting up my Rx light solid. I don't think this unit actually supports any serial commands?

[Rick Law]

re: "won't respond at 9600, 19200, or 57600"
Try 38400!  That looks like the hole right there.

Tried  2400, 4800, 9600, 19200, 38400, 57600, 115200.
The UDB1105 didn't respond to any commands with any of these baud rates. The USB port inside the case only passes voltage and ground to the control board. I connected to RxTx the same way as my UDB1308S, which works at 57600, but the UDB1105 isn't responding. The Tx pin is sending a constant 50mV in what looks like a sloppy square wave in the megahertz range. It's weakly lighting up my Rx light solid. I don't think this unit actually supports any serial commands?

I use a digital power buck converter B3603 also design/made by MingHe - it has RXTX pins that as far as I can tell do absolutely nothing.  So, to me, it is not unusual they have RXTX soldered but without support for that feature.

They may be using the same PCB for different models.  Perhaps the UDB1105 doesn't have that feature.   Mine is the 1308s, anyone else with the UDB1105?

[cser]

Hello boys,

Is still anybody here?

I'm thinking of writing (adapting) a new  Bascom program for the AVR.

www.grote.net/bascom/msg17465.html

But does anybody know if there is an AVR in it or something else?

[Rick Law]

Hello boys,

Is still anybody here?

I'm thinking of writing (adapting) a new  Bascom program for the AVR.

www.grote.net/bascom/msg17465.html

But does anybody know if there is an AVR in it or something else?

Not sure about others, but I am here.

There is an MCU in that circuit, but I forgot what it was.  I will check in the next few days if it is an AVR or what kind it is.  Stay tune.

[Rick Law]

Hello boys,

Is still anybody here?

I'm thinking of writing (adapting) a new  Bascom program for the AVR.

www.grote.net/bascom/msg17465.html

But does anybody know if there is an AVR in it or something else?

Not sure about others, but I am here.

There is an MCU in that circuit, but I forgot what it was.  I will check in the next few days if it is an AVR or what kind it is.  Stay tune.

Okay, I checked that out for you.

The MCU is STM8S103 - not an AVR by Amtel
The CLPD doing the hard work is Altera MAX II

My model is the UDB1300 dual channel version, I would guess the MCU should be the same as the single channel version.

[Marian]

Hello,
I own an UDB1008S and an UDB1308S and I couldn't manage to make any of them work over serial. I've tried all bound rates available (bytesize=8, parity=N, stopbits=1) without success (Linux OS)
Does anyone have the software for UDB130XS series? I've tried the links from the threads above, but they're not valid anymore.
If the software will detect the board (on a Windows OS) I could know for sure that the serial communication is working.
Thank you!

[Rick Law]

Hello,
I own an UDB1008S and an UDB1308S and I couldn't manage to make any of them work over serial. I've tried all bound rates available (bytesize=8, parity=N, stopbits=1) without success (Linux OS)
Does anyone have the software for UDB130XS series? I've tried the links from the threads above, but they're not valid anymore.
If the software will detect the board (on a Windows OS) I could know for sure that the serial communication is working.
Thank you!

Marian,

You should have no problem serial connect to the UDB1308S if it is properly connected and both your PC and your UDB are in proper working order.  I don't know about the 1008S since I don't have one.

Take a look at my earlier replies in this thread.  Reply #26 and reply #32 are applicable to your question.  I gave my opinion of the software on reply 26.  It is rather worthless.  Reply 32 has details on how to connect the UDB1308s, the BAUD, the command structure, so on.

After you read reply 32, you can understand the command structure.  (In so far as I can tell) With commands being a single letter A-Z command, you can follow the structure and test all of them to see how they work.

The serial does very little and doesn't offer feedback.  So you do things blind - you issued the command but you don't know if the UDB is in the right mode to do it.  It doesn't tell you - you are in the blind.  Try it out and see if it works adequately well for you.

Rick

[bevangg]

The software works fine. Unless you confuse it by playing with the buttons. Here is a link for anybody who wants to try it:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/zyhvv4xymqjq691/ubd1000.zip?dl=0

Has to be run in windows 7 compatibility mode, to be safe run as administrator
Use a FDTI / USB serial adaptor with logic level jumper set at 3.3 volts and baud rate at 57600
If you do not like the chinese software interface you can easily make your own interface using serial commands which can get and set parameters. Run a serial monitor and note the commands when pressing buttons on the chinese software interface eg set wave is bw0 for sine, bw1 for triangle and bw2 for square. cf1 gets the current frequency, bs1 saves current settings to memory 1, bl1 loads settings from memory 1, bd05 sets duty cycle to 5%, cd gets current duty cycle setting etc.
This serial monitor works:
https://freeserialanalyzer.com/