Author Topic: Fnirsi SG-003A & SG-004A Signal Generators  (Read 17003 times)

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Offline black6host

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Re: Fnirsi SG-003A & SG-004A Signal Generators
« Reply #25 on: June 20, 2024, 03:07:53 pm »
@Phil1977

That's what I thought, industrial control.  Not having worked in that environment I'm not familiar with it.  The youtube video in reply #12 was great for showing what it did and accuracy but not what it might be used for.  Thank you for answering!  Cheers!
 

Offline LastManStanding

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Re: Fnirsi SG-003A & SG-004A Signal Generators
« Reply #26 on: June 22, 2024, 03:28:46 pm »
Is it this behavior?
(Attachment Link)
(Attachment Link)

I never cared to much about this. Around 4mV P2P at 5V output voltage is less than 0.1% relative and less than 0.02% over the output voltage range.

No, I don't mean noise. It's a slow voltage drop of 2mV (within ~23 seconds) followed by a rapid increase of 2mV (1 second). This results in a sawtooth profile in the recording. Additionally, the device heats up quite quickly, causing an additional deviation of +1.5mV/+1°C. This makes it hardly usable as a reference, and the values are outside the specifications (0.02% +0.003). The manufacturer did not respond to my inquiries, which is unfortunately the usual approach for many Far Eastern manufacturers. Produce, sell, forget... But this is also a reason for the low prices.

I returned the device and received a refund. I assumed that this phenomenon was a defect in my SG-004a. For that reason, the money wasn't worth it to me.
 

Offline Phil1977

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Re: Fnirsi SG-003A & SG-004A Signal Generators
« Reply #27 on: June 22, 2024, 03:41:29 pm »
I think I know this "feature": Once I tried to calibrate the SG04 itself - as far as I remember in current mode. The current was slowly *increasing* and then jumped back a few uA. I think the SG04 is drifting quite a lot with temperature but it has an internal compensation based on its NTC. It seems like the readout of the NTC isn't smooth, so that the temperature compensation is done in steps and leads to this "sawtooth" profile.

In my case this behaviour was still in the tolerance range. Anyhow, such a €100,- device should never be seen as a rock stable absolute reference. For precise calibrations I´d always additionally connect a trustable DMM. But for checking what happens if e.g. if a sensor runs away the SG04 is really nice.
 

Offline gigotpendu

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Re: Fnirsi SG-003A & SG-004A Signal Generators
« Reply #28 on: September 14, 2024, 08:12:27 pm »
Kind of new to the boards use so I pre-apologize for any infractions.

Have a FNIRSI SG-004A that I got as a present. Started playing with it and rather liked what I saw. As I do with new gear I generally update firmware to make sure I'm up to speed on discussions. Big mistake as I seemed to have bricked it. I followed the FNIRSI directions from their web which is actually a JPG file...waited what I thought was a reasonable time and nothing... nada. Tried re-jacking into system several attempts...but nothing. I let it set for a few days jacked back in and actually got connected.. retried with same file and failed again. When it fails there's no immediate second reconnect... almost like power must run down... havent tried 3rd attempt ill let it run down a while... again. Opened the unit and don't see alternate programming port like the TinySA Ultra's.

I have helped others unbrick other Chinese produced products, like the TinySA Ultra, using the processors utility STM. Does anyone have any idea on unbricking this pretty good piece of gear? Appreciate any ideas... pre thanks   
 

Offline Phil1977

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Re: Fnirsi SG-003A & SG-004A Signal Generators
« Reply #29 on: September 15, 2024, 06:48:02 am »
I really have no idea if it´s a repeatable solution - but look into the following thread:

https://www.eevblog.com/forum/microcontrollers/can-i-program-a-w25q80dv-in-circuit

In summary: I also bricked my SG04 by a firmware update. Then I disassembled it to try to connect to the UART-interface. After removing the display from the PCB I connected battery and USB and surprise: The USB-Flashdrive appeared again and I could flash it with the .bin file. Since then everything is working again.
 

Offline Phil1977

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Re: Fnirsi SG-003A & SG-004A Signal Generators
« Reply #30 on: September 17, 2024, 07:58:37 am »
Just FYI: I´ve just got feedback from a passive forum member that flashing the SG04 from V2.7 directly to V2.11 seems to brick the device.

His solution was also to make the flashdrive reappear by some disassembly and then flashing to V2.9 before going to V2.11

Version V2.9 is available at the following link provided by FNIRSI: https://www.mediafire.com/file/2p27blzirvvnvce/SG-004A_V2.9%25281%2529.bin/file
 

Offline gigotpendu

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Re: Fnirsi SG-003A & SG-004A Signal Generators
« Reply #31 on: September 23, 2024, 02:14:22 am »
Thanks for the info and it LIVES AGAIN. Whe I first bricked it I fiddled with it for a while and then, throwing up my hands, left it for a few days. When I reconnected to PC in 48-72 hours and waited maybe 15 minutes I got the ding-dong and boot loader folder. I then put in a new copy of 2.11... bricked again. With your help and anothers, I got the headsup on the migration path you cant go right to 2.11 if you have FW below 2.9 which apparently I do. BTW how the heck can you find the FW on the screens... haven't came across that yet.

What ever the brick does, it drains the battery and re-powering the HW must wait the battery upcharge unless you disconnect the battery. I did both. Whether the battery dsisconnect was needed is unknown.

My fix and maybe its "THE" Fix

IF your FW is below 2.9 load 2.9 then the latest greatest which at this time is 2.11.

Thanks all
 

Offline gigotpendu

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Re: Fnirsi SG-003A & SG-004A Signal Generators
« Reply #32 on: September 23, 2024, 02:42:53 am »
Phil, thanks for the heads up on the 2.9 first that did it.
 

Offline Mike1233

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Re: Fnirsi SG-003A & SG-004A Signal Generators
« Reply #33 on: September 24, 2024, 08:10:58 pm »
I also installed V 2.9 and then 2.11.
Did not have any problems.
 

Online Aldo22

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Re: Fnirsi SG-003A & SG-004A Signal Generators
« Reply #34 on: November 13, 2024, 03:28:24 pm »
Does the SG-003A have any (general) use for a hobbyist who already has an AWG, a DPS-150 PSU and relatively accurate DMMs?
I've seen all the videos on it, but I still don't get it.
Yes, you can convert voltages to frequencies, for example, but for what purpose do I need that?
Does anyone have a scenario that justifies the purchase of this device for non-professionals?

It's cheap, it's kind of tempting, but I should recognize some purpose for myself before I order it.

Thank you.
« Last Edit: November 13, 2024, 03:30:56 pm by Aldo22 »
 

Online DaneLawTopic starter

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Re: Fnirsi SG-003A & SG-004A Signal Generators
« Reply #35 on: November 15, 2024, 03:27:55 am »
Does the SG-003A have any (general) use for a hobbyist who already has an AWG, a DPS-150 PSU and relatively accurate DMMs?
I've seen all the videos on it, but I still don't get it.
Yes, you can convert voltages to frequencies, for example, but for what purpose do I need that?
Does anyone have a scenario that justifies the purchase of this device for non-professionals?

It's cheap, it's kind of tempting, but I should recognize some purpose for myself before I order it.

Thank you.
I like mine, to the point that I wondered about also getting the SG004A (0.02%) Do value having volt, mA, and various aspects of frequency control in a small handheld form factor and you can use it to calibrate or check low-count devices, and you can set up crude programs.. its surprisingly feature-rich for a "process meter".
But It ain't living up to its tolerances, throughout its full span..
The conversion factor is just a linear relationship, where you can lock fx a given input to create the other.

I use SG003A for many things, not least crude high powered lasers.. where many run on analog or pwm controlled drivers, and the programs, and stepping are useful with fx 20W RGB laser module,
but even just playing around with fx current clamp to check minute single-digit mA current values.. works well to see how accurate a given meter is.. even though SG003A got a far from a so-called "clean output".
The last +2 years.. surprised me how much I use it, do value having a current/voltage, frequency-source in such a small handheld battery form-factor.,
9mA into an LED

with clamp.


but if you don't have any specific use cases.. save your money, as there will always come new items and there are limits to what kind of accuracy you gonna get, at these prices..
Its not a new item, I got mine in summer 2022 and the prices today haven't gone down, vs what they cost in mid-2022, that today seems higher.
The YT channel "three phase" have many good videos about these handheld signal calibrators and also examples industrial usecases.
When I compare my SG003A to other handheld process calibrators.. that can go down to single digit uV and gives granular 1uV control, there is a quite a difference, but that goes without saying, as the prices are also in another ballpark... worth noting the SG003A doesn't have resistance..
« Last Edit: November 15, 2024, 10:30:43 am by DaneLaw »
 
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Online Aldo22

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Re: Fnirsi SG-003A & SG-004A Signal Generators
« Reply #36 on: November 15, 2024, 10:23:19 am »
@DaneLaw
Thanks for the detailed answer!  :-+

The decision would be easier for me if I didn't already have the DP-150 as a small, portable V/A PSU.
Although it doesn't get into the lower mV/μA ranges, it sems more accurate in the mV range.
I found this list to compare.

In the attached picture you can see that the DP-150 is more accurate from e.g. 50mV to 250 mV (up to almost 1V, after that the SG-003A is also accurate).

Well, maybe accuracy is not the main purpose of the SG-003A.
I still find it hard to say: “Yes, I need it”.  ;)

P.S. Did you get anywhere with MODBUS?
« Last Edit: November 15, 2024, 10:56:52 am by Aldo22 »
 

Online Aldo22

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Re: Fnirsi SG-003A & SG-004A Signal Generators
« Reply #37 on: November 15, 2024, 03:44:50 pm »
Any resistance was futile. I ordered it for 33 GBP.  :palm:
Maybe I'll find a use for it.
A German proverb says: “Der Appetit kommt beim Essen”  ;)
 

Offline HLMBDD

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Re: Fnirsi SG-003A & SG-004A Signal Generators
« Reply #38 on: November 25, 2024, 09:33:57 pm »
Hi,

i update my SG-003A to V4.3 and it stops booting, can you please help me to fix this problem
and if you could to share previous firmware versions prior than V4.3

when i connect it to laptop i steal can see the bootloader folder i tried to reload the bin file again and i get Errapp.txt file created in the bootloader folder
thanks.
 

Online Aldo22

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Re: Fnirsi SG-003A & SG-004A Signal Generators
« Reply #39 on: December 01, 2024, 01:46:03 pm »
Has anyone gained any deeper insights into the remote control of this device (Modbus)?
I'm struggling to understand the documentation.
 

Offline ozkarah

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Re: Fnirsi SG-003A & SG-004A Signal Generators
« Reply #40 on: December 07, 2024, 12:54:27 am »
Has anyone gained any deeper insights into the remote control of this device (Modbus)?
I'm struggling to understand the documentation.

I managed to do it using serial connection from PC
 

Online Aldo22

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Re: Fnirsi SG-003A & SG-004A Signal Generators
« Reply #41 on: December 07, 2024, 07:46:01 am »
I managed to do it using serial connection from PC

Great!
Can you share some code with us or explain how you managed the communication?
How do you set/read values? V and mA would be enough for me.
 

Online Aldo22

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Re: Fnirsi SG-003A & SG-004A Signal Generators
« Reply #42 on: December 10, 2024, 05:36:12 pm »
I just found out that it is better to calibrate the SG-003A on a lower range than the specified 6mA.
That way you get remarkable accuracy.
Attached is a picture with 5µA, i.e. up to nA accuracy.
« Last Edit: December 10, 2024, 08:51:00 pm by Aldo22 »
 


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