Siglent SSA3000X and SSA3000X-Plus Spectrum Analyzers

[tautech]

Hello! I purchased SSA3021X Plus, I want to flash it, hack it to SSA3032X Plus.
But here they write that it is possible to hack better, to flash to SVA1032,
but I still can't figure out what is better or worse than SVA1032 compared to SSA3032X Plus..

Go study here:
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/hack-of-sigllent-spectrum-analyzer-ssa3021x/

[Martin72]

See my edited msg.

Already appealing, but again a little more expensive and you're right, from another team.

[Performa01]

If you're not thinking in going up to a FPC1500 (Rudi's opinion) which costs double, I think there is no other choice.

We should add, that Rudi talked about the unhacked SSA3000X, when he stated that he wanted a VNA (Vector Network Analyzer) which the FPC1500 is, whereas the unhacked SSA3000X is just an SA, which can be only turned into an SNA (Scalar Network Analyzer) by means of an additional bridge or directional coupler.

But if  an SSA3000X Plus is hacked to an SVA1000X, it obviously becomes a VNA as well and doesn't need any external devices to make S11 measurements.

[tautech]

If you're not thinking in going up to a FPC1500 (Rudi's opinion) which costs double, I think there is no other choice.

We should add, that Rudi talked about the unhacked SSA3000X, when he stated that he wanted a VNA (Vector Network Analyzer) which the FPC1500 is, whereas the unhacked SSA3000X is just an SA, which can be only turned into an SNA (Scalar Network Analyzer) by means of an additional bridge or directional coupler.

But if  an SSA3000X Plus is hacked to an SVA1000X, it obviously becomes a VNA as well and doesn't need any external devices to make S11 measurements.

And S21 measurements. 

[tv84]

The reason I stated FPC1500 was precisely to compare with the crossflashed SSA3000X+. If not, I would have stated just FPC1000. And, of course, the goal was just for an hands-on opinion about the FPC. The Siglent enchantment, Martin already knows by heart.

Martin wouldn't/won't stop at an unconverted SSA X+... 

[Martin72]

Exactly that.
The Rigol analyzer is already a VNA, so where's the fun in that...
All joking aside, in this case I would be unbiased because I haven't had an analyzer at home and at work I only know one from R&S.
But I tend to lean more towards siglent, because there's a bit more trust there.
I would have to buy an attenuator separately in both cases, right?

[tv84]

The Rigol analyzer is already a VNA, so where's the fun in that...

That suggested Rigol is realtime! A totally different beast.

[kj7e]

So I took this entire thread on yesterday and was able to crossflash my SSA3032X Plus which was running on 3.2.2.6R7 and now its identifying as an SVA1032 with all options and running 3.2.2.6R7.  Thanks all! 

[kj7e]

And now with the proper way with valid license keys.

[Martin72]

That suggested Rigol is realtime! A totally different beast.

And cost appx 600€ more, I want to stay under 2000 for my first SA/VNA.
Next month, wenn nothing will come inbetween, I think i´ll order one.

[kj7e]

Anyone successfully adjust the reference oscillator in a SSA3000x Plus?   I know there was a calib directory in the X (non Plus), but that does not appear to exist in the Plus version.

[hpw]

Anyone successfully adjust the reference oscillator in a SSA3000x Plus?   I know there was a calib directory in the X (non Plus), but that does not appear to exist in the Plus version.

May better to use a common 10MHz ref.... but at the end of the day the culprit is the internal jittery synthesizer

[MathWizard]

So the SSA3015X+, is that already at it's hardware limit and it's not upgradable ? It's a bit cheaper than the 3021X+ but I don't see any mention of a hack, maybe there's features that can still be unlocked like on the non-plus  versions ?

At RCCE electronics, where I got my gear, the 3015X+ is the cheapest bench SA they have.

I guess there are some much cheaper used options on ebay, stuff that looks like late 80's -90's, and 1/2 the price of the new stuff. But not as good overall, and they weigh a ton. I was thinking they are all over $1000US.

The price of some of those is not that much more than a NanoVNA. And I rather have a solid bench-top machine,even if I just keep it under a dust cover most of the time. Right but that's not the same thing.

I already have a good enough SA in my sds2204X+ for now, I'm looking for a VNA. Right


Ok and all the old boat anchor VNA's on ebay start around the price of the 3021Xplus, so yeah that's still the way to go for all in one, SA/VNA, new, and fast.

[tautech]

So the SSA3015X+, is that already at it's hardware limit and it's not upgradable ?

Not BW. 

[Andrey_Ak]

https://www.siglent.eu/product/1150679/siglent-f503me-4-5-ghz-n-male-type-vna-calibration-kit

I don't understand something, what is 339 Euros for?   
For one empty cap, for one short-circuit cap,
for one 50 ohm load, and for one N-type adapter, do they want 399 euros?
Is this some kind of joke?

[RoV]

https://www.siglent.eu/product/1150679/siglent-f503me-4-5-ghz-n-male-type-vna-calibration-kit

... do they want 399 euros? Is this some kind of joke?

Seems a good price.
Compare e.g. with this one, which is a good 6 GHz product https://coppermountaintech.com/calibration-kits/n612-calibration-kit/. And compare with Keysight 85032E, that sells online "starting at 1299 U$D".

[Andrey_Ak]

What exactly are the differences between SSA3032X Plus and SVA1032X?

- Do they have exactly the same interface, there are no significant differences in the interface?
- Is there just an SVA menu item added somewhere in the SVA1032X device?
- Are the capabilities of the conventional SSA3032X Plus spectrum analyzer definitely not curtailed in the SVA1032X device?

Comparison table SSA3032X, SSA3032X Plus, SVA1032X:
https://tis.kz/temp/Siglent/comparison_SSA_SVA.doc

[Andrey_Ak]

Seems a good price.

Here is a good adequate price.   
https://aliexpress.ru/item/1005006046277389.html

[DL4JY]

Seems a good price.

Here is a good adequate price.   
https://aliexpress.ru/item/1005006046277389.html

Most of these cheap sets are crap, just for the bin. The threads are bad, the resistor is with large inductivity and ...
The attached picture is a resistor out of one of these "high quality kits".


I see from your replies you have not dived into the topic of calibration standards etc. - you may want to look deeper into it ! You are comparing apples and pears.

[Andrey_Ak]

In general, is the VNA function needed only for testing antennas?
After all, you can use an RF Bridge for this?

I'm sorry, but I can't figure out what the advantages and differences of the SSA3032X Plus and SVA1032X are ...
Whether it's worth flashing the device as SVA or limiting it to SSA.

And what is the Refl option?
I noticed that it is on SSA, but it is no longer on SVA.
But DTF and VNA options have been added to SVA

[tautech]

In general, is the VNA function needed only for testing antennas?
After all, you can use an RF Bridge for this?

No you can do more with the SVA models.
An external bridge doesn't offer as good results and the internal bridge fitted in SSA Plus/SVA models.

I'm sorry, but I can't figure out what the advantages and differences of the SSA3032X Plus and SVA1032X are ...
Whether it's worth flashing the device as SVA or limiting it to SSA.

Your call, same HW.

And what is the Refl option?
I noticed that it is on SSA, but it is no longer on SVA.

Reflection measurements are standard in SVA models and enhanced to provide Smith charts, Mag Loss, SWR and Phase of which you can overlay all using the 4 traces available.

But DTF and VNA options have been added to SVA

These are standard in SVA models now whereas when SVA1015X was first released they were optional.
Siglent lifted the price a little while after release and made these options permanent for SVA models.

[ytterligare]

Hello, it looks like by joining several information throughout the board I was able to transition from a SSA3000X-Plus to a SVA1000X device...: a big thanks to TV84 and all the guys in the forum who contributed to gather all the info to help people achieve this goal.

Having said that, I have a question :

Before approaching the step where everybody must copy the calibration data into the SSA/VNA, most probably just before crossflashing the firmware with the patched one ( TV84's speed method ), I took a look at  /usr/bin/siglent/firmdata0/cali/  and noticed that the two files, with the same size of the soon-to-be-copied, were already there.

Hence, I did not copied the calibration files inside the device, I just thought that maybe, since my unit is rather new, Siglent at a certain point started to create and copy those files already inside the device, to shorten the process or getting ready to sell the VNA as an option with a license code.

Am I missing something....? Should I get back and copy those files ? All in all I read somewhere that they are for the initial setup of the VNA, and once you calibrate manually OSL, they are not used anymore in the session

Any idea ?

Tnx
Andrea

[tv84]

Any idea ?

If you already have the files, don't touch them. Continue with business as usual.

[ytterligare]

If you already have the files, don't touch them. Continue with business as usual.

That's what I thought....many thanks buddy !! 

Andrea

[St66666]

Which instructions did you follow if I may ask?