New Scope Demoboard from Batronix

[pdenisowski]

But where the Batronix board clearly "wins" is the documentation.
Without any doubt.

Now that I've had time to read through the entire manual, I have to say that the documentation is really excellent. 

And I say that as someone whose job involves producing presentations / videos on many of these same topics (e.g. UART, SPI, I2C, Triggering, XY mode, etc.) for the same audience and as someone who has run large, in-person hands-on oscilloscope training events.  Very impressive work by Batronix.

[pascal_sweden]

Can you provide some more info on those demo boards that are not for sale?

[Martin72]

- All customers who have already received a demo board without printed documentation will receive the printed version as soon as it is available.

Until then, I'll be content with my tablet....

- @Martin72: You were really fast, but not the first or only orderer. But you get the bronze medal as third orderer! ;-)

Damn...

[pdenisowski]

Can you provide some more info on those demo boards that are not for sale?

The R&S demo boards?  We do have some documentation on them but I'm not sure it's publicly sharable .... I'll check. 

That said, I'm 99% sure that we won't ever be selling those boards to customers.  We do sell some education kits for some other product categories, (e.g. spec ans) but not for oscilloscopes.

[pascal_sweden]

Very nice oscilloscope setup! Jealous!

[Martin72]

I borrowed the SDS1104X-E from work...

[Martin72]

First switching on, had too less time today for more..
Filtered/non-filtered output is interesting, I´ve played with the two selector switches to see the different signals the board got(I wonder how long the switches will last).
Like the GND areas on both sides of the board for the probes.
Tomorrow more time for it.

[KungFuJosh]

Those look interesting, but I can't bring myself to pay 40 Euros for shipping lol.

[Martin72]

Hehe...
I would be happy if I had to pay only 40 euro for shipping from the States to Germany.

[KungFuJosh]

Hehe...
I would be happy if I had to pay only 40 euro for shipping from the States to Germany.

I guess that depends what you're shipping. 😉

These test boards are all so expensive. They sound like they'd be fun for a couple hours, but then what? I should look on ebay or something. TE sells the Siglent ones used for full price. 🙄

EDIT: lol - nope. Just TE selling them used for full price on ebay also.

[Martin72]

I guess that depends what you're shipping.

Yep, a current probe from tek for example, 100 bucks.
A scope up to 300 bucks.
Maybe in the 40 euro you´ve mentioned tax is included - I´ve payed a few less than 199 all incl.

They sound like they'd be fun for a couple hours, but then what?

A few years ago I bought the Siglent board.
I played around with it for a few hours, then it was on the shelf, so far so true.
But if I just want to compare something between two scopes, this is faster to hand with the selectable signals.
But yes, it only makes sense if you do that more often, no question.

[EEVblog]

These test boards are all so expensive. They sound like they'd be fun for a couple hours, but then what? I should look on ebay or something. TE sells the Siglent ones used for full price. 🙄

They can be useful for setting up complex triggers and the like, making sure your scope will do what you want before you use it on your circuit.
And for educational situtations. This is why modern scopes use their AWG to produce "training signals".
But of course they are mostly used for demos and of course for scope comparison for reviewers like myself. Or even if you are evaluating a new high end scope and you want to easily test the functionality.

[KungFuJosh]

They can be useful for setting up complex triggers and the like, making sure your scope will do what you want before you use it on your circuit.
And for educational situtations. This is why modern scopes use their AWG to produce "training signals".
But of course they are mostly used for demos and of course for scope comparison for reviewers like myself. Or even if you are evaluating a new high end scope and you want to easily test the functionality.

That's why I like the idea of it. I want to learn about more complex triggering, and I like the hands-on approach. Sometimes I need to test something, and a friend of mine has to tell me how to setup the trigger. I'd like to be better at figuring that out on my own.

[Martin72]

It is a combination between a demoboard and it´s manual.
This one from batronix is good for (self-)education, here an example (translated with deepl):

2.4.3 Pulse width trigger (pulse width trigger)
The Pulse-Width-Trigger triggers on positive or negative pulses, which are shorter or
longer than an adjustable time. This can be used, for example, to trigger on periodic or
repeating patterns.
Depending on the manufacturer, this trigger is also called just Pulse or Width trigger.
Please perform the following steps:
- Set Select 1 to "7" and Select 2 to "B" (burst with 12 pulses).
- Measure the "DAC-FLT" signal (J5) with a probe or connect it with a BNC cable to an oscilloscope.
BNC cable to an oscilloscope channel.
- Set the vertical scaling to 500 mV/div and the horizontal scaling to
500 μs/div
- If you trigger with the "Edge" trigger on this signal, different pulses will
trigger and you will see a changing non-stationary display.
- Now use the "Pulse Width" trigger and trigger on the pause between the pulses.
the pulses. Set the trigger level a little bit below the "pause voltage",
e.g. to 0.8 V and the polarity of the trigger to positive. The pause time is approx.
800 μs, therefore set the trigger to e.g. > 400 μs.

[mwb1100]

Those look interesting, but I can't bring myself to pay 40 Euros for shipping lol.

The 20% intro discount (good though October) works out to free shipping to the USA.  I agree that 200 EUR (shipped) is still a bit much, but I'm pretty sure I'll be pulling the trigger by the time the intro deal is expired.  I expect to benefit not only from educational aspects, but also for the benefit Dave mentioned, "setting up complex triggers and the like, making sure your scope will do what you want before you use it on your circuit".

[pascal_sweden]

It would be interesting to find out more about the authors of the manual for the new scope demoboard from Batronix.

Are they working for Batronix itself, or do they work for another company?

Do they work for a test & measurement company or are they working for an electronics manufacturer?

What is their background and industry experience?

[egonotto]

Hello,

all is done with R&S MXO 4 or RTA4004; 1335.7700K04; 101141 (01.700 2021-11-11).

Best regards
egonotto

[Njk]

The crocodile area. The size is just right. It must be very convenient. I like it. No need to solder a short thick wire for that purpose. Is it typical of such boards or it's a patented Batronix feature?

[Martin72]

No, siglent doesn´t have this but I´m pretty sure it´s not patented..

My post with the Pulse-Trigger description:
Did it today, here a little video:

https://youtu.be/BcaGYK38wfs

Edit : Runt Trigger Demo:

https://youtu.be/zZSPzrX-KMk

[Andre77]

It would be interesting to find out more about the authors of the manual for the new scope demoboard from Batronix.
Are they working for Batronix itself, or do they work for another company?
Do they work for a test & measurement company or are they working for an electronics manufacturer?
What is their background and industry experience?

The demo board and the firmware were completely developed at Batronix and the manual was also created "in-house".

Nowadays, we are mainly known as a distributor for various T&M manufacturers, but we have been developing and distributing our own products for 23 years.

Therefore, I can say that we have very skilled people here. Not only the colleagues involved in demoboard development, but also in the other areas. This sounds a lot like advertising, but it is primarily intended as a big thank you to all the colleagues at Batronix who are also watching this thread very closely...

[pdenisowski]

Martin72 beat me to it, but hoping I'm the first on this side of the pond    I think Batronix shipped it less than an hour after I placed my order.

I'll work through the examples over the next few weeks and report back - initial impression is very positive.

[Martin72]

Yeah ! 

I'll work through the examples over the next few weeks and report back

Then we can compare things between the siglent HD and the MX04..

[pdenisowski]

Then we can compare things between the siglent HD and the MX04..

Sounds good.  I think I have an unfair advantage since the manual uses the MXO4 in most of its examples  

[2N3055]

Yeah ! 

I'll work through the examples over the next few weeks and report back

Then we can compare things between the siglent HD and the MX04..

Damn you, Martin, you are typhoid Mary of demo boards...
Darn thing is coming my way too... Just ordered. I blame you.. 100% NOT my fault...

@pdenisowski,  I call your MXO4 and raise you SDS6104 H12 Pro, just to make it a bit more even... 

Truth is, I always wanted a nice demoboard as a trusted reference. This one is starting to be popular, so we can share notes...

[Martin72]

Oh yeah, it´s getting more and more better..

I think I have an unfair advantage since the manual uses the MXO4 in most of its examples

Pulsewidth trigger (2.4.3):
As seen on my video I get a stable trigger on the signal, but only when I trigger on the pulsewidth (appx 50µs) itself, not on the "pause" between the pulses, like the manual mentioned.