Partner bought me one of these for christmas as im currently trying to self teach my self electronics (have been for the past 20+ years) and looks to be ok for the beginner, was just wondering to myself today if there is any firmware updates for this, and a few seconds on google brings me this . anyway, really interesting reading this thread and to all those that are helping to get to the bottom of this keep up the good work.
steve
Hi Steve and welcome to our merry gang
, be yourself the change in the firmware, and if you want to train yourself in electronics (the practical side) now it's an excellent change to do it, select from the plate of goodies:
- Look higher in thread, practical examples on how to make the device electrical safe for other devices, replacing the power connector with a grounded one, changing the cabling and modifying the back pannel.
Skills needed: basic craftsmanship with a Dremmel tool and a file, some basic soldering skill, ability to follow simple instructions and pictures.
- Capture the schematic of the Power Supply (low skill), Front Panel (average skill) and Signal Board (advanced skill).
Skills needed: The ability to disassemble non-destructively an equipment, recognizing components, using a multimeter with a continuity beeper, using a schematic capture CAD program ( KiCAD, Circuit MAker, pirated version of Altium).
- Replace the miserable 16V electrolytic capacitors on +/- 12V rails in preparation for changing the power supply to a better one delivering stabilized +/- 15V.
Skills needed: Basic desoldering/soldering skill, a good soldering station and eventually a desoldering tool.
- Help the effort of decoding the communication protocol between the FB and SB, to be able to control the device with another software or board, for example an RPi. Also if the FW craps out, to get your calibration constants in a safe place.
Skills needed: Ability to work with a scope and logic analyzer, connecting over the signal cable in a movie hacke way
. Tools needed: a GOOD logic analyzer and a reasonable scope (this will be needed later).
- Help build a new, improved firmware for the front panel or for other MCU with a LCD, alternatively for a tablet, Android or IPAD
Skills needed: understanding the hardware and the control protocol, advanced programming capabilities for iOS or Android.
- Improve the Signal Board and signal quality, replace the power supply with a better one with stabilized outputs, eventually a linear one instead of the switching mode one, replace the output operational amplifiers, recalibrate the whole system while system while doing many measurements for at least 1024 calibration points, enter in flame fests about the spectrum analyzer settings and rubidium controlled reference clocks.
Skills needed: master analogue and digital hacker skills. Tools needed: Highly advanced Spectrum analyzer, GPS synchronized frequency reference, complex power meters with precise probes, highly advanced scope to measure the phase shift.
- Rebuild the FPGA programming based on the above acquired knowledge, discover neat trick to move the frequency for non sinus waveforms, shame the FeelTech Chinese programmers and become a forum luminary and mentor. Avoid and be anoyed about all the recruiters begging to hire you.
Skills needed: alpha level hacker in mixed mode devices. Serious deep theoretical and practical knowledge of the whole matter. Tools needed: cheap USB Blaster-2 and Quartus software over what you've aleady collected.
So you see that starting with this humble cheap generator can improve your electronics skill and advance you professionally a lot. You just have to start
, so go get'em