EEVblog 1382 - Keysight EDU34450A 5.5 digit Bench Multimeter TEARDOWN

[thm_w]

Given that the µC on the display side look quite powerful, it is really odd to have only a limited SCPI interface. Chances are this is taken over from the old version of the 34450 that also only supports the 1994 verion.
This meter is really not one build for performence. Many of the limitation may be from the DMM chip set - so it may be hard to change on some key paramters without a new design. Looks like the old 34450 is from around 2003 (at least thats the date of the EMC compilance tests - there may have been a predecessor), so it is a pretty old design. With most functions inside a special DMM chip more like a extended handheld than a cut down 6 digit meter.

I'm guessing they won't reuse this processor in other high end models, it is powerful enough to do more as you say, but not near say the DMM6500:
- MPC5125YVN400 + 256MB DDR2
- STM32H750 + 32MB SDRAM (edu34450)

Nothing odd, just business as usual:
We need an educational bench DMM for x bucks. Since it's 200 bucks less than our standard model it can't have the same features. Remove some! And don't make it too obvious! It should look like a new design.

yep, some companies are probably very strict about self competition.

[Fungus]

Given that the µC on the display side look quite powerful, it is really odd to have only a limited SCPI interface.

Not "odd", deliberately limited by the marketing department.

[SilverSolder]

Given that the µC on the display side look quite powerful, it is really odd to have only a limited SCPI interface.

Not "odd", deliberately limited by the marketing department.

A distant cousin of Planned Obsolescence?