Siglent SDS804X HD does Self Cal by itself?

[TheWaterbug]

I've owned this unit for a couple of weeks, and haven't had too much opportunity to play with it, but during that time I've had it trigger its own Self Cal routine, un-requested by me, all by itself, twice.

Both times I had signals connected, which obviously screws up the self cal tremendously.

Software 1.1.6.5, U-Boot 4.8.12, FGPA 2024-11-26, which I'll update after I unlock.

But has anyone seen this bizarre symptom?

[tautech]

At that time was it connected to a LAN ?

[TheWaterbug]

Ah, Claude error. I have a script grab the CAL date, and it was sending:

CAL_DATE_CMDS = ("*CAL? DATE", "CAL:DATE?")

where the ? causes it to self-cal. I just had Claude remove that from the script.

Carry on . . . .

[TheWaterbug]

This was driving me nuts because I'd run my "get scope info" dozens of times before while debugging other stuff, and never saw this symptom.

And then I thought I'd be clever and also fetch the cal date, and didn't realize that I was triggering this unwanted behavior.

[tautech]

This was driving me nuts because I'd run my "get scope info" dozens of times before while debugging other stuff, and never saw this symptom.

And then I thought I'd be clever and also fetch the cal date, and didn't realize that I was triggering this unwanted behavior.

So you did that yourself ! 
I just had that tiny nag thinking someone was mucking with your scope remotely but no...now solved. 

[TheWaterbug]

And then I thought I'd be clever and also fetch the cal date, and didn't realize that I was triggering this unwanted behavior.

And this scope doesn't even return the CAL date. 

[KungFuJosh]

And this scope doesn't even return the CAL date. 

Are you using the correct command? Or does it not support that function at all?

[TheWaterbug]

Actually, I'm not sure! Claude told me it didn't return the cal date, so I just assumed it was correct. That might be completely incorrect!!

[KungFuJosh]

There's a delicate balance of what AI stands for. Sometimes it's Artificial Intelligence, other times it's Artificial Idiocy. Sometimes it just lies. 🤷

When in doubt, read the manual.

[tautech]

Actually, I'm not sure! Claude told me it didn't return the cal date, so I just assumed it was correct. That might be completely incorrect!!

Initial Cal was done by Siglent at production and a Cal cert issued that comes with the instrument.
This initial Cal lines up with the start of the 3yr warranty when it's based on production date.

At one time we could register our Siglent instruments which would indicate if they were still in warranty and therefore also indicate production/Cal date.
Only Siglent branches can perform instrument Calibration/adjustment whereas most Cal labs have the gear to perform a Performance Verification where the info needed is gleaned form the instruments datasheet and the Service manual.

[Conrad Hoffman]

And FWIW, I think most instrument calibration interval requirements/suggestions were written for old stuff that drifted a lot. My experience is that modern equipment remains stable for many years and should just be given a quick check by the user every year or two. Generally, if it's not out-and-out broken, it's accurate.

[rusoaie]

There's a delicate balance of what AI stands for. Sometimes it's Artificial Intelligence, other times it's Artificial Idiocy. Sometimes it just lies. 🤷

When in doubt, read the manual.

At least the manual is still written by a human... Oh, wait. 

[tautech]

I've owned this unit for a couple of weeks, and haven't had too much opportunity to play with it, but during that time I've had it trigger its own Self Cal routine, un-requested by me, all by itself, twice.

Both times I had signals connected, which obviously screws up the self cal tremendously.

Software 1.1.6.5, U-Boot 4.8.12, FGPA 2024-11-26, which I'll update after I unlock.

But has anyone seen this bizarre symptom?

There are 2 Self Cal modes, one you initiate from the Utility/Maintenance menu and the other an optional AutoCal feature that when set to ON runs occasionally while the scope warms up.

Attached are screenshots from the Help menu explaining each of these features.