Products > Test Equipment
Flashing Updated Firmware to Preproduction Tektronix TDS-210
(1/1)
Feath3rblade:
I recently got my hands on a preproduction Tektronix TDS-210 and was looking to update it's firmware from 0.03031 to something more modern, since the preproduction firmware is missing quite a few features. Does anyone here know what the latest firmware that this might support is?

Interestingly, rather than the OTP EPROM chips that I've read that production units have for the firmware, this comes with a 29F040 flash memory chip in the same socket. I do want to keep the old firmware around if only as a novelty, so I'm planning on getting another flash chip that I can put the newer firmware onto, but these chips seem to be out of production. I've found some listings on Ebay, but I was also curious if anyone knew any fully compatible modern alternatives. The firmware also reports itself as a TDS-220 rather than a 210, but I'm not sure if that's just due to the firmware not having that check in place yet, or if the scope is actually a 220 with a 210 faceplate. I haven't had the chance to test and see what the actual bandwidth of this thing is yet, so we'll see.

If anyone has any other tips or just wants to ask questions about the old firmware on this thing, go ahead!
TERRA Operative:
Would a 27C040 in the plcc32 package (like a 27C040-70JU) work? I can't remember what I used to reflash firmware in my scopes, it was a while ago..

If you have a reflashable chip, why not copy out the firmware, verify it a few times then flash in the later firmware?
I have put a few versions up on tekwiki. Just flash the latest to the newest until you find one that works. (TDS210 and TDS220 firmware is the same)

https://w140.com/tekwiki/wiki/TDS220

As for the TDS210/TDS220 thing, all of these scopes are capable of TDS-220 performance. What differs is the sticker on the front and how it was programmed and calibrated.
It is possible to upgrade a scope by sending the following GPIB commands:

--- Code: ---PASSWORD PITBULL
MODEL TDS220

--- End code ---

Followed by a full calibration to turn a TDS210 into a TDS220 and make the change stick.
(You can also downgrade if you wanted for some reason too)
If cal fails, the scope will revert to its previous model, so the entire proces will need to be repeated.

I'm not surprised that a preproduction unit would be configured as a TDS220 to allow for more complete testing.



Also, do you mind taking some nice photos of the unit inside and out? Including the main PCB?
I'm interested in seeing how it is different...
Feath3rblade:

--- Quote from: TERRA Operative on October 21, 2024, 05:38:30 am ---Would a 27C040 in the plcc32 package (like a 27C040-70JU) work? I can't remember what I used to reflash firmware in my scopes, it was a while ago..

--- End quote ---

Pretty sure that those are what the production scopes used, I might see what it'd cost to grab a few of those to test with, but I might just stick with the current flash chip and dump the current firmware too.

Interesting that the 210 and 220 are the exact same hardware. Can't say that I'm too surprised, but I still maybe would've expected something to be different, even just down to the amount of memory or some random IC. Good to know that I can get this running as a 220 on production firmware.

Took a bunch of photos, the exterior photos are with the handle and stand taken off, since it makes it easier to quickly get in and out, but those were on the scope when I got it, link below due to file size limitations:
https://imgur.com/a/L2KdKOl

TERRA Operative:
Interesting. It looks like a pretty late in the testing cycle, just a couple bodge wires there. :D
That firmware has diagnostic stuff I've never seen before too.

I say go for it, copy out the existing firmware and then stick v1.19 in and see what happens.  :-/O :-BROKE
Nothing a flash back to original and factory reset can't fix.  ;D
Feath3rblade:
TL866 just arrived and I tried flashing both 1.06 and 1.19, sadly neither worked. Scope didn't boot, with just random noise patterns showing up on the LCD. Flashed it back to 0.03031 for the time being. If you have any other ideas that'd be great, but there might be some other changes under the hood that aren't playing nicely with the production firmware.

I'll also leave the bin file I dumped of the preproduction firmware too if anyone wants to play around with it or upload it somewhere else.
Navigation
Message Index
There was an error while thanking
Thanking...

Go to full version
Powered by SMFPacks Advanced Attachments Uploader Mod