Siglent SSA3000X and SSA3000X-Plus Spectrum Analyzers

[Martyy2k]

Thank you TV84! 

And a big thanks to members for their great time and patience for helping others. Your expertise is hugely appreciated!

Will let you all know when things have "Improved"!   

All the best to everyone.

Marty

Well folks, here is my update…..here is another lovely “Improved” ssa3021x plus that is 100%. I would like to thank everyone who has contributed to the forums, as there is much knowledge to learn from on here and some very passionate people who are always up to helping out others. Special thanks to Tautech for your great tips and guidance, really gave me confidence in moving on when ready and also a special thanks to TV84 for his great help, guidance and in making the magic happen for this great piece of equipment, all the best to you all!

Marty

[Randmental]

   Another successful upgrade and conversion to a SVA3032X from a new SSA3021X Plus V3.2.2.4.0

Thanks guys - using electr_peter's summary above, it runs through perfectly except for my VI editor mishaps.
Once those were fixed, all sailing!     

[msquared]

Hello Everyone,

Got a nice new shiny SSA3021X plus recently and decided to try to give it a boost. But now it's stuck somewhere between old and new. Hopefully someone can help me get it back into the original state or help it find a new life as an SVA.

Steps taken to attempt upgrade:
1. Successfully ran SSA3000X+_backup_11411.ADS and got a full backup.
2. Ran TV84's direct xflash SVA1032X_V3.2.2.4.0_11411.ADS, which seemed to work and rebooted.

However it's still an SSA3021X and the only change is I lost the TG option. Also the option names seem to have changed but I only looked at those briefly, just long enough to see the TG option was permanent before the "upgrade" so I may be wrong about the looking different.

Per the direct xflash instructions I tried it a second time but now it just runs for about a minute and returns to the file browser.

I was going to try to use electr_peter's steps to see if I could recover it or at least figure out what state is was in but I can't get telnet access.

1. Tried to run the telnet for the SSA3000 (SSA3000X+_telnet_11411.ADS) but this just says upgrading for about a minute then returns to the file browser and never opens telnet.
2. Tried to run the telnet for the  SVA1000 (SVA1000X_telnet_11410.ADS) but this just does the same as the SSA3000 version.
(Not knowing exactly what the TV84 direct update does I'm not sure what product ID is now in use so I tried both.)

I've tried all the above a few times and between attempts I've powered off the unit and I've even tried unplugging it so I know it's getting a complete power down.

Current state:
Model SSA3021X Plus

Versions:
SW1 3.2.2.4.0
SW2 20201220-1
SW3 000000D4
HW 00.00.00

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Took another shot after dinner....

I realized that xflash had probably gone fine, I checked what modes were available and VNA, DtoF and others were greyed out.

Of course.... I had to finish the process of Step 5 from electr_peter.

Tried the SVA1000 telnet again, and of course it worked. 

Quick run through of step 5 and all is good. 

Thanks to all that made this happen! TV84, electr_peter and others.

What a great community

Thanks!

[passedpawn]

Many thanks to all who contributed to this thread.   A couple of you blazed the trail through a bunch of experimentation, but special thanks to electr_peter who made it VERY easy for me to update my SA this morning.  One hour and two cups of coffee and it was done. 

• I had to go into Windows Programs and Features to enable/install telnet app. 
• If you use Windows telnet app in Powershell, you can easily copy from electr_peters instructions and paste into the telnet session by right-clicking.  For example, ctrl-c copies from his post, but ctrl-v does NOT do the paste; you need to right-click and that does it.  I never typed one thing in vi or telnet, all copy/paste from his instructions!  This was especially helpful in step V.4, where I was able to just copy/paste the entire contents of the config file into my vi editing session.
• It's been 25 years since I used vi, so I had to do a quick google to remember how to get from command to edit mode, how to save and close file, etc. 
• When you first do the firmware upgrade to SVA1032x, the system menu will still say SSA1021x.  No worries, it all sorts itself out by the end of step V. 

[Weston]

I recently got interested in getting a spectrum analyzer for some EMI stuff and have read the past ~15 pages of this thread. It seems that buying a SSA3021X Plus and crossflashing it to a SVA3032X is the best bang per buck. A big thanks to everyone who makes this possible!

Before I take the leap I was wondering if anyone could confirm two things:

The SVA1032X has the same hardware as the SSA3021X Plus and the unit will have the same specifications (except for one cable which may occasional be missing? People seem to not have reported that recently, so perhaps those units were a fluke?)

The latest firmware on the siglent website is V3.2.2.4.0 which people have successfully upgraded, so wherever I buy the the SSA3021X Plus from I should be able to upgrade?

[Bicurico]

While there are no guarantees that my statements are correct:

1) The units with one missing internal cable seemed to work just fine after fitting said cable.
2) There is no knowledge that current units are being shipped with some new, previously unpublished, FW.
3) Even if they would ship the units with a new FW, you could still access the serial console and carry out the hack (eventually with some help from the forum).

Regards,
Vitor

[mawyatt]

I recently got interested in getting a spectrum analyzer for some EMI stuff and have read the past ~15 pages of this thread. It seems that buying a SSA3021X Plus and crossflashing it to a SVA3032X is the best bang per buck. A big thanks to everyone who makes this possible!

Before I take the leap I was wondering if anyone could confirm two things:

The SVA3032X has the same hardware as the SSA3021X Plus and the unit will have the same specifications (except for one cable which may occasional be missing? People seem to not have reported that recently, so perhaps those units were a fluke?)

The latest firmware on the siglent website is V3.2.2.4.0 which people have successfully upgraded, so wherever I buy the the SSA3021X Plus from I should be able to upgrade?

We did just this awhile back and with the help of the great folks here ended up with a nice VNA as well as a nice SA. Ours had the cable installed I recall, but my memory isn't that good and can't remember the exact details for the "enhancement", but did work 

Good luck, I'm sure everything will turn out fine (you have a great resource here to help guide you thru, they certainly helped us!!)

Best,

[NukeEm]

I just received SSA3021X Plus with 3.2.2.4.0.  I have made backup with electr_peter step I.
I have established telenet access with step II, HOWEVER, when I execute the commands to backup main directories I receive the message "cp: can't create directory '/usr/bin/siglent/usr/mass_storage/U-disk0/SA-backup': Read-only file system" 

Could someone help me with what I am missing?

Thanks!

NukeEm

[gianluigi]

Thanks always for your contributions tv84.
Could You resend the link to download the file:

Marty,

I'll share this once again: https://files.fm/u/a3rnz873y

This allows a direct crossflashing from SSAX+ to SVA, assuming that the SSAX+ version is V3.2.2.4.0.

No previous modifications are required to the inside files!

If required, the after modifications are as usual (see point V in electr_peter's latest summary) .

PS: If it doesn't work 1st time, reboot and try a 2nd time...

Another question:
is it possible only on SSA3021X Plus or also on SSA3015X Plus?

Thank you

[Bicurico]

@gianluigi: SSA3021X-P/SSA3032X-P have a different hardware than SSA3015X-P. They use different FW.
@NukeEm: Your USB disk is probably not mounted. Try again with a FAT32 formatted USB disk, try with a different USB disk and make sure you insert it before switching the SSA on.

Regards,
Vitor

[gianluigi]

Thank you Victor
SSA3021X-P has the same hardware then SVA1032X?

[Bicurico]

Yes it has, which is why it is possible to perform a cross-flash. A single cable might be missing, at least some users reported this. The cable can be fitted and the device will be OK.

Regards,
Vitor

[gianluigi]

thank you
what do you mean for single cable?

[Bicurico]

Inside the device there are two connectors that need to be connected with a cable for the SVA functionality. This cable was missing on some SSA models, where the cable is not needed. By upgrading to SVA the cable is needed and can be fitted.

I don't have any pictures of this nor do I know what the cable looks like. I guess it is just a short cable with two SMA connectors but perhaps someone can share more insight.

[gianluigi]

Thank you.
Could anyone repost the link of file of tv84

"I'll share this once again: https://files.fm/u/a3rnz873y"

"This allows a direct crossflashing from SSAX+ to SVA, assuming that the SSAX+ version is V3.2.2.4.0."

[techneut]

For pictures of the (missing) cable see post 1105 and 1109

[passedpawn]

Inside the device there are two connectors that need to be connected with a cable for the SVA functionality. This cable was missing on some SSA models, where the cable is not needed. By upgrading to SVA the cable is needed and can be fitted.

I don't have any pictures of this nor do I know what the cable looks like. I guess it is just a short cable with two SMA connectors but perhaps someone can share more insight.

I believe it is the one circled in image below.  It carries the reflected signal from the TG back to the input ckts via a directional coupler.  But instead of disassembling the case and internal metal cage, which probably involves removing 1000 screws,  just see if the VNA works.  Put a 50-ohm terminator right no the TG port, NO CABLE, and see if you get something similar to below.  Make sure to change the plot type to Smith Real/Imag.  If you set the center frequency to 100MHz and span to zero you'll get a dot right in the middle of the smith chart.  Open port should give you a dot on right edge of circle, short ckt should give you a dot on left edge of circle. 

[passedpawn]

^^ note, that is an uncalibrated VNA.  After posting this, I did a 1-port cal and now my 50-ohm load looks more like a dot in the center. 

[Bicurico]

Thanks!

While I don't own an SSA+ or SVA, I do like to keep documentation of all hacks up to date.

Regards,
Vitor

[tv84]

Thank you.
Could anyone repost the link of file of tv84

"I'll share this once again: https://files.fm/u/a3rnz873y"

"This allows a direct crossflashing from SSAX+ to SVA, assuming that the SSAX+ version is V3.2.2.4.0."

Plan B

Take the SVA stock FW and do the changes in the attached picture.

[tv84]

Another question:
is it possible only on SSA3021X Plus or also on SSA3015X Plus?

Once a SSAX+ reaches V3.2.2.4.0, they all start using the same FW.

So, you can do a conversion to SVA1015X but you can't upgrade beyond that. Here.

[NukeEm]

Thanks Victor for the suggestion of mounting the USB drive.  That seems to be missing from electr_peter's very concise steps in reply 1624.  I followed his steps to the letter (with the addition of mounting the USB to do the backups to each time) and within an hour I am now another success story of converting SSA3021X Plus to SVA1032X.  Thanks SO MUCH to this group. 

[OldVolts]

Thanks to the group and my *nix rocket-science son I now have a brandie-new SVA1032X.
However . . .
The original SSA had several logged 606 ADC_Error messages in the log.  I cleared the log and nothing repeated - log remained clear.
After the conversion, while in VNA mode I get persistent 606 messages along with the annoying beep.
This is with the TG port open - unterminated.  With a 16 db termination it apparently stopped.
Upgraded from SSA to SVA 3.2.2.4.0.r1 - notice the lower case "r".  The most recent firmware on the siglent site is SVA1032X Firmware – V3.2.2.4.0 (Release Date 01.20.21 )
So - im going to assume the upgrade went right except for the mystery "r1" leaving the 606 error yet to solve despite a prior release having addressed the issue.
Help?

[Weston]

I just received my SSA3021X+ from TEquipment and have already upgraded it to a SVA1032X! The initial firmware was V3.2.2.4.0 and my unit is not missing the internal TG cable. Looking through the logs the unit had some 606 ADC_Error messages that seem to be from during factory calibration or something. I had one very brief 606 ADC_Error pop up when I was screwing in a SMA to the TG output, but no issues since then.

I used the instructions provided by tv84 here to modify the update file to allow direct cross flashing to a SVA1032X https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/siglent-ssa3000x-spectrum-analyzers/msg3582301/#msg3582301

Something I was confused about at first is that the modified firmware update only changes the product ID and has no visible changes. It basically brings you to the end of step IV(1) in the instructions provided by electr_peter here: https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/siglent-ssa3000x-spectrum-analyzers/msg3563577/#msg3563577

The only issues I had with following the rest of those instructions is that the flash drive is mounted as read only from the file system. To be able to backup my files I had to run mount -o remount,rw /usr/bin/siglent/usr/mass_storage/U-disk0 first.


A big thanks to everyone that did all the work to make this possible!

Edit: I actually realized that the ADC overload is related to the attenuator setting in the Amplitude menu when in VNA mode. Mine seemed to default to 15dB where there is no issues, but if I turn it the attenuator down it starts beeping and throwing ADC errors. I assume its some combination of attenuator setting and tracking generator output power that will cause errors because it overloads the ADC, I don't think its a fault or anything.

[aperture16]

Reading through the threads is a fun activity .

I noticed that SSA3000X+ tracking generator can't be used an independent CW generator. Is this a concern? According to the manual, there is a special mode to output CW, but probably the spectrum analyzer won't be able to scan anymore.
   

In Zero Span mode, the TG frequency will match the center frequency of the analyzer.