Siglent SDG1000 (aka LeCroy WaveStation) firmware updates

[nixxon]

MasterOfNone  Thank you for the description of the workaround using FM.  It does have the advantage of allowing any "shape" (i.e. sweep curve) to be used, although I have to say it is clunky to implement and adjust on the fly.  Also there is the issue of output triggering at the beginning of each sweep pass, which is essential for my work plans. I would prefer that Siglent correct the improper curve of the built in log sweep.
nixxon  It would be interesting to see if you could create this decade sweep curve in a CSV file that fit the 16k point record length for the SDG1000 series arb files.  Haven't messed with Easywave to see what values are used for the levels (14 bit, plus/minus 8192 levels, or plus/minus 3 volts)?

I found an old csv-file i previously have worked on and believe I found the correct format of csv-files from my old file.

 Now I have converted the data from Excel columns A and C into a new csv-file. The content looks like this:

X,CH1,
Second,Volt,
0.00000e+00,1.84271e+00,
1.00000e-03,1.84396e+00,
2.00000e-03,1.84520e+00,
3.00000e-03,1.84643e+00,
4.00000e-03,1.84767e+00,
5.00000e-03,1.84891e+00,
6.00000e-03,1.85014e+00,
7.00000e-03,1.85137e+00,
8.00000e-03,1.85260e+00,
9.00000e-03,1.85383e+00,
1.00000e-02,1.85505e+00,
1.10000e-02,1.85628e+00,
1.20000e-02,1.85750e+00,
etc. etc.

I will try the file on my SDG1020 when I get home (if I get the time today).

It is a 2.001 second log sweep from 1 to 100 Hz with 2Vpp and +1V offset. (just like the graph in my above post (page 3)) It is based on a table with 1 mS increments. (2001 values).
(you should delete the very last line ("2.00000e+00,1.00000e+00,") if absolute correct timing is needed (2.000 seconds)  )

I enclose the csv-file. If anyone would like to try it, please feel free to do so. IIRC, it must be "played back" on the AWG at a frequency of 0.5 Hz to generate the intended frequency sweep over the 2 second sample time.

At 1 Hz "playback", the frequency span would be 2 - 200 Hz
At 10 Hz "playback", the frequency span would be 20 Hz - 2 kHz
At 100 Hz "playback", the frequency span would be 200 Hz - 20 kHz
At 1 kHz "playback", the frequency span would be 2 - 200 kHz
At 1 MHz "playback", the frequency span would be 2 - 200 MHz
enjoy!

Because .csv files are not allowed, I had to change the file type to .txt. Please change the file type back to .csv before importing into your AWG.

EDIT: File removed, it didn't work as expected. It shows up on the Siglent as a strange signal with an amplitude of 8.995 Vpp and Offset of 5.497 VDC. Enclosed is a screenshot of the csv-file played back @ 1 Hz. (the sweep time looks spot on 1000 mS)

[commongrounder]

rf-loop asked what issue I was having with triggering using the FM modulated method of generating a "log" (or any other type of) sweep.  The first time I tried this, the trigger output was syncing to the carrier frequency, when what I wanted was the modulation frequency.  I have discovered that I can get it to trigger on the modulation signal by being sure I set FM Dev. last in the order of setup.  So it turned out not to be a problem, as much as understanding the way the setup works.

I look forward to trying nixxons CSV file, when I get back to the shop.

[nixxon]

I am trying to figure out the correct csv format for the Siglent. I saved a csv and a bmp file from my triggered Rigol DS1102E, and that csv file looked like garbage when imported into the Siglent as well. Screenshot below shows the kind of wave that was saved as csv on the scope and imported into the Siglent AWG.

The csv file starts out like this:

X,CH1,
Second,Volt,
1.80000e-01,1.76e+00,
1.80400e-01,1.48e+00,
1.80800e-01,1.44e+00,
1.81200e-01,1.04e+00,
1.81600e-01,1.04e+00,
1.82000e-01,5.60e-01,
1.82400e-01,4.80e-01,
1.82800e-01,1.20e-01,
1.83200e-01,1.20e-01,
1.83600e-01,-4.00e-02,
1.84000e-01,-1.60e-01,
1.84400e-01,-4.00e-02,
1.84800e-01,-4.00e-02,
1.85200e-01,2.00e-01,
1.85600e-01,2.80e-01,

[nixxon]

I don't believe the Siglent is broken (yet). I loaded a home made test signal (csv-file named TEK_CAL3.csv) that I made a while back to generate a test pattern on my AWG to adjust the display geometry on some old Tektronix CROs. This file loads and runs like a charm on the Siglent AWG. Strange. I will have to study these files some more. I enclose the test file (with the file type changed temporarily from .csv to .txt), if anyone else would like to use it or troubleshoot with me.

It starts with a spike of 1.5 Vpp, followed by 9 spikes of 1.0 Vpp. The output from the Siglent of this file is perfect on both the X and Y scale. I will leave a Rigol screenshot for you to see as well.

The test file starts like this:

X,CH1,
Second,Volt,
0.00000e+00,1.50000e+00,
1.00000e-06,1.50000e+00,
2.00000e-06,0.00000e+00,
3.00000e-06,0.00000e+00,
4.00000e-06,0.00000e+00,
5.00000e-06,0.00000e+00,
6.00000e-06,0.00000e+00,
7.00000e-06,0.00000e+00,
8.00000e-06,0.00000e+00,
9.00000e-06,0.00000e+00,
1.00000e-05,0.00000e+00,
1.10000e-05,0.00000e+00,
1.20000e-05,0.00000e+00,
1.30000e-05,0.00000e+00,
1.40000e-05,0.00000e+00,
1.50000e-05,0.00000e+00,
1.60000e-05,0.00000e+00,

[commongrounder]

nixxon Did you try including the header information?  Adding a header with the 1000 point record length to your TEK3 file allowed it to open in Easywave.  If you can get it to open and display as expected there, then it should work in the generator.  Here is a header from a typical CSV file for the SDG1000 series (typos and all!):

data lenth,16384
frequency,1000.000000000
amp,6.000000000
offset,0.000000000
phase,0.000000000




xpos,value

The xpos and value statements were at the top of the x and y columns on all of the Siglent csvs I looked at.  Just change the "data lenth," to the number of points in your file.

[commongrounder]

I received a response from Siglent about the log sweep function:

Dear sir,
 
Sorry for the delayed reply.
We have confirmed the log sweep function with others singal generator.
Yes, we are different from them.  We decided fixing it in the next firmware.
 
I imagine it could be possible to have several types of sweeps available.
It would be even more exciting if one could create a custom sweep envelope just as arbitrary waveforms are created(this is quoted from my email).
 
Obviously, we will add more sweep mode in the future, but it will take some time.
 
Best Regards,
Jie

Needless to say, I am pleased.

[DONW]

Does anyone have a high-res scan of the top and bottom of the board out of a 1010 or a 1025?

I've checked my 1005 board thoroughly, and it doesn't look like there's an eeprom anywhere - and the instrument behaves like it has no nvram, after a power cycle, you end up back at 1mhz sine wave, with no channels on.

That makes me suspect that the model configuration is via 0-ohm jumpers, or perhaps an ADC reading the values of some resistors, most likely very close to the blackfin cpu.

So, if anyone has a scan (i've seen a few photos, but none with enough resolution around the cpu), I could compare to my 1005, and see if I'm onto something here.

Thanks!

[nctnico]

Every digitally controlled function generator starts with the outputs off and usually with default settings. If you want to keep the settings, you need to save them to memory and recall when needed.

[rf-loop]

Does anyone have a high-res scan of the top and bottom of the board out of a 1010 or a 1025?

I've checked my 1005 board thoroughly, and it doesn't look like there's an eeprom anywhere - and the instrument behaves like it has no nvram, after a power cycle, you end up back at 1mhz sine wave, with no channels on.

That makes me suspect that the model configuration is via 0-ohm jumpers, or perhaps an ADC reading the values of some resistors, most likely very close to the blackfin cpu.

So, if anyone has a scan (i've seen a few photos, but none with enough resolution around the cpu), I could compare to my 1005, and see if I'm onto something here.

Thanks!

In menu you can select if unit start from last state or factory default. But outputs need always  manually turn on after new start. 


If start up with last setting is selected, please wait short time after any settings changes before shut off. (it save settings periodically but I do not remember exactly this period time, perhaps 3 second or something like this)

Of course you can also save your own settings to  internal (or external) non volatile memory and call them as you want. (10 setups to internal memory and same for your own Arb waveforms)

There is well enough non volatile memory for keep settings and also your own waveforms and also self cal (and factory cal) data. 

If it is set for last state startup outputs starts off state independent of what was state when turn generator off. This is for safety. User is responsible what he connet to his external circuits.

Example, if you have forget what was last state or you have forget it to start with default but last time you used it for for test where maximum level is ecample 50mV and then come short power drop out. and after second power up. Now your circuit get 4V and after smoke you check what all you need repair. It is most safe to keep output off after power up until user turn output on.

You do not need find memories from circuit photograps or with your eyes from board. They can find in SDG menu system and also user manual may help some (but user manual is poor with these things. Some things there is well explained but some things just poor or totally lack of detailed information.

[DONW]

Guys, my intent here was to hack the model number, not to somehow store settings.  There's a number of discretes missing around the CPU of my instrument, and in the photos I've seen of the 1010 board here http://sigrok.org/wiki/Siglent_SDG1010, there seem to be components on those pads where mine has none.

I'm guessing that this may be how Siglent set the model number in the factory, as I doubt there are hardware differences between the 1005 and 1010.

[rf-loop]

Guys, my intent here was to hack the model number, not to somehow store settings.  There's a number of discretes missing around the CPU of my instrument, and in the photos I've seen of the 1010 board here http://sigrok.org/wiki/Siglent_SDG1010, there seem to be components on those pads where mine has none.

I'm guessing that this may be how Siglent set the model number in the factory, as I doubt there are hardware differences between the 1005 and 1010.

I've checked my 1005 board thoroughly, and it doesn't look like there's an eeprom anywhere - and the instrument behaves like it has no nvram, after a power cycle, you end up back at 1mhz sine wave, with no channels on.
 

Ok but now you know it looks like there is lot of non volatile memories what ever purpose and you can rethink your "suspect". 

[DONW]

OK, thanks for your constructive non-smartass reply there rf-loop!

[nctnico]

The serial number and model are probably in the same flash where the firmware resides. It may be possible the model is encoded through jumpers but there are probably other differences in hardware between the models. The versions with >10MHz bandwidth have a fan.

[commongrounder]

Just an update that new firmware for the SDG1000 series has been posted on the Siglent web site.  Version ***.31  dated 10/28/1013.  They fixed the "log" sweep problem in the sweep function menu.  It now behaves as it should.  As usual, they didn't publish a change log, so I am not sure yet what other changes/fixes have been implemented.

[nctnico]

Lecroy has the same version on their website. The release notes are here:
http://cdn.teledynelecroy.com/files/rn/wavestation_2000_rn_v1.01.02.31.pdf

Corrected spelling errors for Built-in Arbitrary Waveform list
Resolved file save error, which requried user to press save button twice

[commongrounder]

I am underwhelmed....    I would like to hear from Siglent directly what has been fixed, especially since I know they fixed the sweep problem.  There must be other things.

[commongrounder]

Siglent has posted a new firmware version for the sdg1000 series AWG. This is ver 1.01.01.36 here:
http://siglent.com/ENs/gjjrj-xq.aspx?id=970&tid=-1
They even list some of the fixes, which is very helpful.

[Fennec]

Thank you. Here it is attached.

[astraios]

By the way, Siglent's upgrade instructions (included in the compressed file) are somewhat wrong.
They state to insert the USB stick with the firmware and go to the "Firmware Upgrade" option.
However the option "Firmware Upgrade" in the utility menu doesn't exist (at least on my SDG1025).

In my case, it was "Update" (on the bottom of the last page, of the utility menu) and once I go there, the Store/Recall button lights up.
Then I had to select the firmware file using the file browser and press the Recall function key.
After 1-2 minutes, a message appears to inform the user the upgrade finished and to restart the generator.

[commongrounder]

Well... I just installed the firmware update (to .36), and the sweep function is now in worse shape than it was in earlier versions.  It now seems to have only one mode, no matter which sweep type or direction is chosen.  This mode is continuous up-down sweep in linear mode.  I haven't checked yet to see where the trigger out point is in the sweep range.  I tried several different frequency combinations and sweep times, with the same result.  I would be interested in having confirmation from other users.  I use sweep mode often and it is now useless for my purposes.  I highly recommend NOT upgrading to .36 if you need to generate sweeps.  My unit is an SDG1005.
On the plus side, they finally implemented the promised channel coupling mode, which appears to work well.  I have not discovered what other things were fixed/changed yet (except for the startup screen).

[nctnico]

I just tested the sweep function with version 36 but it seems to be screwed up in several ways. The sweep now goes up&down. Direction, lin/log and trigger seem to have no effect.

edit: typo

[ivan747]

I know it's been a month since that upgrade, but, do any of you know if that firmware version can be downgraded? I bought one of these generators and if it comes with that firmware, I'd like to downgrade it.

[MartyD]

@ivan747:
Siglent has released a .36R1 which fixes the sweep issue.

Marty

[Fennec]

Here it is

/edit

Pls unzip the file. DON'T remove the extention "zip" only

[ivan747]

Thank you very much