Siglent SVA1015X and SVA1032X 1.5, 3.2GHz Spectrum & Vector Network Analyzers

[tautech]

Anyone have pictures of the SVA1032x apart?  I just noticed the VNA port on mine is slightly loose and I need to know how to disassemble it to get them tightened. Normally, I'd just tear into it, but I got as far as cutting the warranty seal and realized its a bit too expensive to tear apart before seeing if anyone has advice on the topic.  Anyone do this before?

The only images I’ve seen are here on the blog and it seems there’s just 2 fixings in the N type socket. 
Dave shows the TG/Port 1 PCB here:
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/siglent-sva1015x-1-5ghz-spectrum-vector-network-analyzer-(coming)/msg1648241/#msg1648241

[RoV]

Anyone have pictures of the SVA1032x apart?

Here it's examined and it's very interesting, but there is little or nothing about the disassembly procedure.
You will see the N connectors, that are flange type, screwed to the PCB and certainly to the board shielding box. I don't understand how they could become loose.

[antenna]

I don't understand how they could become loose.

I believe it is my fault. When I ordered it, I immediately went on RFParts and got some nice port savers for it (that added some torque sticking out an inch and a half) and then I mistakenly ordered RG-142 instead of RG-400 for my test cables, which are stiffer than most test cables. I am sure I have applied a bit more stress on the ports than I should have. It is just the tiniest amount of play, barely noticeable. There will be some lock-tite going on those screws and the two they omitted will also go in to make it 4 fasteners total.

[tautech]

There maybe additional fixing with the shield fasteners but not sure. Let us know what you find.

[antenna]

There maybe additional fixing with the shield fasteners but not sure. Let us know what you find.

I have not tore into it yet, but I just found Dave's video which covers the disassembly a bit more than signal path did. It looks like the other two holes do get used with the shielding.

Thanks Dave and everyone here!!!

[antenna]

Managed to tighten it. Although the shielding does utilize the unused holes in the N connector, it does not tighten down on the actual connector. There is enough gap between the machined aluminum shield and the N connector such that tightening the screws that pass through it merely apply additional force holding the aluminum to the board but not any to hold the connector to the board. Only two of the 4 screws secure the N connector to the board.

The screws in the shield were tight, but when I got to the two on the N connector, they were finger loose. I wonder if they forgot to tighten them..

[Billy33]

Hi, could someone please post a hint how to connect to the device and how to add the two missing calibration files, thanks.
SSA3021X+ already crossflashed to SVA, current FW is 3.2.2.3.3R1.

C:\>ftp 192.168.1.151
Verbindung mit 192.168.1.151 wurde hergestellt.
220 (vsFTPd 2.3.4)
Benutzer (192.168.1.151:(none)): ftp
230 Login successful.
ftp> ls
200 PORT command successful. Consider using PASV.
150 Here comes the directory listing.
SMA.cal
lna.csv
lna.png
226 Directory send OK.
FTP: 27 Bytes empfangen in 0,03Sekunden 0,82KB/s
ftp> ls -l
200 PORT command successful. Consider using PASV.
150 Here comes the directory listing.
-rw-r--r--    1 ftp      ftp        132925 Sep 05  2020 SMA.cal
-rwxr-xr-x    1 ftp      ftp         81544 Sep 06  2020 lna.csv
-rw-r--r--    1 ftp      ftp         70088 Sep 06  2020 lna.png
226 Directory send OK.
FTP: 195 Bytes empfangen in 0,02Sekunden 10,83KB/s
ftp>

directory is /local/ as seen in the instruments File menu. Files are old user data.

how to proceed? WinSCP does not connect. Thanks....

[TK]

These are the FTP commands for uploading files:

CD target directory <-- change directory in target system (SVA)
BIN <-- binary file transfer mode.  Default can be text and it will mess up your file
PUT filename <-- send file from your PC/laptop to the target system (SVA)

You might not have write permission with the "ftp" user, I have not transferred to the SVA using FTP yet.  Maybe others can confirm if login as root is needed

[Billy33]

thanks: there is no user root, reply then is:
530 This FTP server is anonymous only.

[tv84]

One easy solution: go in via telnet and copy the files from USB disk.

[Billy33]

how can i find the U-disk0/ source and the firmdata0/calib directory, i can't locate it in the sub directories:
/ # ls -l
total 13
drwxrwxrwx    1 1000     232           4604 Jan  1  1970 bin
drwxr-xr-x    6 root     root          3640 Oct  1 21:16 dev
drwxrwxrwx    1 1000     232            464 Jan  1  1970 etc
lrwxrwxrwx    1 1000     232             11 Jan  1  1970 init -> bin/busybox
drwxrwxrwx    1 1000     232           1720 Jan  1  1970 lib
lrwxrwxrwx    1 1000     232             11 Jan  1  1970 linuxrc -> bin/busybox
drwxrwxrwx    1 1000     232             16 Jan  1  1970 mnt
drwxrwxrwx    1 1000     232             20 Jan  1  1970 opencv
drwxrwxrwx    1 1000     232             36 Jan  1  1970 opt
dr-xr-xr-x   68 root     root             0 Jan  1  1970 proc
drwxrwxrwx    1 1000     232           2544 Jan  1  1970 sbin
dr-xr-xr-x   12 root     root             0 Oct  1 20:54 sys
drwxrwxrwt    3 root     root           100 Oct  1 20:54 tmp
drwxrwxrwx    1 1000     232             88 Jan  1  1970 usr

here it is:
/usr/bin/siglent/firmdata0/cali # ls -l
total 164
-rw-r--r--    1 root     root           324 Oct  1 21:38 atts_cfg
-rw-r--r--    1 root     root           164 Oct  1 21:38 fr_fp_cfg
-rw-r--r--    1 root     root           260 Oct  1 21:38 if
-rw-r--r--    1 root     root             8 Oct  1 21:38 inn_10
-rw-r--r--    1 root     root            24 Oct  1 21:38 inn_40
-rw-r--r--    1 root     root         36109 Oct  1 21:38 na_1p
-rw-r--r--    1 root     root         12060 Oct  1 21:38 na_2p
-rw-r--r--    1 root     root          3240 Oct  1 21:38 pa_cali
-rw-r--r--    1 root     root         84244 Oct  1 21:38 rf_atts
-rw-r--r--    1 root     root          1284 Oct  1 21:38 tg_cali
-rw-r--r--    1 root     root            36 Oct  1 21:38 tg_fr_cfg
/usr/bin/siglent/firmdata0/cali #

All files of today; i did not apply any changes and did not copy anything; i also did not locate the USB drive.


...not so easy

[Bicurico]

You better not mess withe filesystem if you don't know what you are doing.

Also, to copy those files, the partition has to be made writeable.

Please read on how to do that and how to sync the drive afterwards.

This is explained in the hacking threads of the SSA3000X.

Regards,
Vítor

[tubularnut]

how can i find the U-disk0/ source and the firmdata0/calib directory, i can't locate it in the sub directories:

As well as the good advice from Vitor, if you run the df command, it will show which filesystems are mounted, and one of them will be your USB device, including the file path (assuming you have it plugged in).

[Billy33]

ah yes, here it is:
/usr/bin/siglent/firmdata0/cali # df
Filesystem           1K-blocks      Used Available Use% Mounted on
/dev/root                63180     63180         0 100% /
devtmpfs                 69852         0     69852   0% /dev
none                     78140         4     78136   0% /tmp
ubi1_0                   30388     21828      8560  72% /usr/bin/siglent
ubi2_0                    5848       864      4984  15% /usr/bin/siglent/firmdata0
ubi3_0                    5848        24      5824   0% /usr/bin/siglent/log
ubi0_0                   84752      8548     76204  10% /usr/bin/siglent/usr
/dev/sda1              3917864   1819736   2098128  46% /usr/bin/siglent/usr/mass_storage/U-disk0
/usr/bin/siglent/firmdata0/cali #

I do not copy anything, because all the files seems to be here anyway. Its was just to check.
Crossflashing was done according the postings you mentioned and was done without problems.

[TK]

My crossflashed unit also has the factory calibration files na_1p and na_2p

[nike75]

Week after adding the factory calibration files for vna and intensive work in VNA mode, the issue of random not completing the calibration process did not appear. 

Another thing I notice but I'm not entirely sure about is an improvement in the performance of the "port extension". I remember that before without the factory calibration files the use of the port extension did not work properly, but now it is very precise (although calib files are not exactly for this hardware). But this suspicion must be checked.

Regards,
Nikola

[luudee]

Hi !

so I upgraded my SSA3032X+ to SVA1032X.

But now my calibration after power on is always really messed up ...

Reading through the set, it is not clear to me, should I copy the calibration files in firmdata0/cali from my SSA backup to the newly upgraded SVA ?

Also, I feel like I'll have to get a calibration kit to get any meaning result. The crap I have from NanoVNA, is, well, crap ...

I am thinking of the Siglent F603ME (most of the interfaces I deal with will be SMA based, so I'm thinking that would be the best choice.
Or am I wrong ?  Should I get the N-Style ?

Is it ok to ask here if anybody knows af the cheapest source for these kits ?

Many Thanks Guys & Gals !

rudi

[luudee]

Do you wanna stay with N-N type ?
Siglents 6 GHz rated N type cables are reasonably priced:
https://siglentna.com/product/cable-male-n-to-male-n-0-7-m-length/

They also do N-SMA cables for the same cost:
https://siglentna.com/product/cable-male-n-to-male-sma-0-7-m-length/

Unless you wanna go right OTT and get their new 18 GHz cables 

What do you guys think of these cables:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/33005451291.html
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/932099952.html

LMR195 and LMR300 cables have some impressive specs, and the price at AlieExpress seems quire reasonable ?


Thanks,
rudi

[tautech]

Also, I feel like I'll have to get a calibration kit to get any meaning result. The crap I have from NanoVNA, is, well, crap ...

I am thinking of the Siglent F603ME (most of the interfaces I deal with will be SMA based, so I'm thinking that would be the best choice.
Or am I wrong ?  Should I get the N-Style ?

Is it ok to ask here if anybody knows of the cheapest source for these kits ?
rudi

F603ME is what I ended up getting as certainly you mostly want to work with SMA however you can cobble together workable Cal standards that will give reasonable results however you must have a known Cal to start with and only quite reasonable Cal kits with give good results over the entire frequency sweep.

You also need decide it you will work with N-SMA adapters so to minimize the wear on the N type inputs and if you do and so use plain SMA cables the ongoing costs and those of getting set up is reduced although if you need predicable accuracy down in the tenths of dB you have to shell out for good cabling.....but will you use it often is what I've asked myself so have a selection of lower and higher cost cabling and adapters now.

Some previous forum posts on these matters:
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/siglent-sva1015x-1-5ghz-spectrum-vector-network-analyzer-(coming)/msg3089298/#msg3089298
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/rf-microwave/diy-short-open-and-load-for-vna-calibration/

[luudee]

F603ME is what I ended up getting as certainly you mostly want to work with SMA however you can cobble together workable Cal standards that will give reasonable results however you must have a known Cal to start with and only quite reasonable Cal kits with give good results over the entire frequency sweep.

You also need decide it you will work with N-SMA adapters so to minimize the wear on the N type inputs and if you do and so use plain SMA cables the ongoing costs and those of getting set up is reduced although if you need predicable accuracy down in the tenths of dB you have to shell out for good cabling.....but will you use it often is what I've asked myself so have a selection of lower and higher cost cabling and adapters now.

Some previous forum posts on these matters:
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/siglent-sva1015x-1-5ghz-spectrum-vector-network-analyzer-(coming)/msg3089298/#msg3089298
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/rf-microwave/diy-short-open-and-load-for-vna-calibration/

Thank you for your reply, TauTech!

Yeah I need to find a reseller with a good price for that cal kit

Most of the cables I have is RG316, which I think is not recommended above 1ghz.

I ordered two sets of N to SMA cables, one using LMR195 and the other LMR300 cables. These are rated up to 6 GHz and have very low loss.
See my post above ...

Cheers,
rudi

[tautech]

LOL Rudi, be careful of the rabbit hole you are now peering into ! 



As some example:
https://siglentna.com/product/nm-smam-cable100cm18-ghz/

These are very nice cables and they'd want to be for the price however they are made by Rosenberger for Siglent.

[luudee]

Hi everyone,

I bought an SVA1032X as my first VNA. I have a concern about it though. After a fresh calibration using the "enhanced response" cal, looking into the instrument and measuring the S11 it doesn't seem to be very well matched. Any chance anyone else can confirm this with their unit? The VNAs I've used at work don't have this kind of response so I'm curious as to why mine looks like this.

First picture (Attachment Link) is what I'm concerned about, second picture (Attachment Link) is the test setup.

Thanks!

Not sure if this was answered yet or not ...

Looks like in your setup, you are using RG316 cables. These are only good to about 1GHz.

Reduce your stop frequency to 1 GHz, and you should be closer to a "dot".

rudi

[luudee]

LOL Rudi, be careful of the rabbit hole you are now peering into ! 



As some example:
https://siglentna.com/product/nm-smam-cable100cm18-ghz/

These are very nice cables and they'd want to be for the price however they are made by Rosenberger for Siglent.

Sorry Buddy, not sure what you mean. 

Something wrong with those cable choices ?

rudi

[ExaLab]

I am seriously interested in purchasing a SVA1032X.
Is there any owner, based on his experience with the instrument, able to briefly present the pros and cons of the spectrum analyzer and the VNA section respectively?

The various software options available (Advance Measurement Kit, Distance to Fault, EMI, Digital and Analog Modulation Analysis) are very interesting but out of my budget. Anyway, I seem to understand that all these options are available in demo mode (i.e. limited time).
If so, is there any trick to extend their durability over time?

Thank you very much to those who want to help me decide whether or not to proceed with the purchase.

[tautech]

I am seriously interested in purchasing a SVA1032X.
Is there any owner, based on his experience with the instrument, able to briefly present the pros and cons of the spectrum analyzer and the VNA section respectively?

Only that it's just a single port VNA therefore measurements are limited to S11 and S21 types as all stimulus comes from Port 1 (TG) yet for antenna (S11) and one directional tests of filters etc (S21)) it's still very useful.
For DUT's that need testing/measuring in both directions they must be flipped to poke them from either end.