Siglent SSA3000X and SSA3000X-Plus Spectrum Analyzers

[Johnny B Good]

The Siglent SSA3032X-R 3.2GHz Real Time spectrum analyzer is the base model you're thinking of. The 3050X-R and 3075X-R models are just pre 'liberated' 3032X-R versions.

 IOW, it'll cost you a lot more than an SSA3021X+ to upgrade to a 7.5GHz BW SSA.

[dindondee]

The question reminds me what car should I buy.
Volkswagen Beetle or Aston Martin ? What do you need ??

If you look at Tautechs Info, I would go for the SSA3021x plus - technical educated folks can modify it to behave as a native SVA 1032x (my knowledge today - by experience - no legal obligations)

Probably without talking about your needs, nobody will answer to your question, I would suggest a Ford Mach E - go for it !!

Truth be told, I do want a VNA but if I can hack a SA into one to save money, why not? I am familiar with the technical details (did the Rigol hack for my scope), I just need a pointer to a good source of information and I can figure out the rest and ask questions where I get stuck...

The Siglent SSA3032X-R 3.2GHz Real Time spectrum analyzer is the base model you're thinking of. The 3050X-R and 3075X-R models are just pre 'liberated' 3032X-R versions.

 IOW, it'll cost you a lot more than an SSA3021X+ to upgrade to a 7.5GHz BW SSA.

Thanks for the clarification. I am willing to step up to purchase the SVA1032X if I can hack it to get up to 7.5GHz... Like in the link I just posted below, I keep getting confused on what's possible beyond the 3032X-R.

https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/siglent-ssa3000x-spectrum-analyzers/msg3384812/#msg3384812

DL4JY and Johnny B Good, thank you for the information!

[Bicurico]

SSA3015X - can be hacked to activate all options
SSA3021X - can be hacked to activate all options and increase bandwidth to 3.2GHz
SSA3021X-P - can be crossgraded to SVA1032 with all options and 3.2GHz bandwidth
SSA3032X-R - can be hacked to activate all options nd increase bandwidth to 7.5GHz

Conclusion:
- Don't bother to buy any of the xx15 models, they cannot be bandwidth upgraded (at least in the past, it seems they might now with the new HW platform)
- If you are a hobbyist, you wouldn't buy any SVA model, nor any xx32 (or greater) model, except you are in business for the SSA3032X-R.

I guess this summs up all options.

[dindondee]

SSA3015X - can be hacked to activate all options
SSA3021X - can be hacked to activate all options and increase bandwidth to 3.2GHz
SSA3021X-P - can be crossgraded to SVA1032 with all options and 3.2GHz bandwidth
SSA3032X-R - can be hacked to activate all options nd increase bandwidth to 7.5GHz

Conclusion:
- Don't bother to buy any of the xx15 models, they cannot be bandwidth upgraded (at least in the past, it seems they might now with the new HW platform)
- If you are a hobbyist, you wouldn't buy any SVA model, nor any xx32 (or greater) model, except you are in business for the SSA3032X-R.

I guess this summs up all options.

Thank you Bicurio. Since the the SSA3021X-P is the only one you mentioned that can be crossgraded to a VNA; I am curious- can the SVA1032 be hacked to a SVA1075X? I am trying to figure out if I can make some sacrifices to get the SSA3032X-R and hack it to 7.5GHz and then the SVA1032 and hack it to operate up to 7.5GHz... Or else, I'll just spring for the SSA3021X-P. Thank you again for the clarification!

[tv84]

I am curious- can the SVA1032 be hacked to a SVA1075X?

No, read his words carefully.

It's all there what's possible and what's not.

BTW, a -R will get you the VNA features. You don't need to buy an extra VNA.

[dindondee]

I am curious- can the SVA1032 be hacked to a SVA1075X?

No, read his words carefully.

It's all there what's possible and what's not.

BTW, a -R will get you the VNA features. You don't need to buy an extra VNA.

Haa.. tv84 the legend himself!   
Thank you!
So I can get a 7.5Ghz VNA (hacked) specifically with the SSA3032X-R? I am excited for Christmas already if I can...

[xottal]

Hi, guys!!

Should the Real Time SA (RTSA) work on SVA1032X?
I have this option in Mode (as well as VNA and so on). 
Everything else is working fine, but not RTSA. Just nothing on screen in every mode of RTSA.
I can't even make a PrintScreen of this mode.
I have next hacked options:

[Bicurico]

RTSA requires a whole hardware board, which is not fitted in SSA, SSA+ and SVA models.

[trp806mo]

Concerning a SSA3021X-P enhanced to SVA, do we need an external diectional coupler for the VNA function or the input stage is really the same as a SVA ?

[Bicurico]

The SSA-P and the SVA are hardware-wise identical with exception regarding the printed label.

[tautech]

Concerning a SSA3021X-P enhanced to SVA, do we need an external diectional coupler for the VNA function or the input stage is really the same as a SVA ?

SVA in VNA mode is a single port VNA with its Stimulus originating from Port 1, the TG port behind which is the directional coupler to direct the reflection measurements (S11) and DUT through measurements (S21) enter the instrument in Port 2, the RF In port.
VNA mode largely negates the need for a coupler for reflection and through measurements.

[zkf0100007]

Does anyone know the username and password of SSA 3021X PLUS?
I have connected SSA 3021X PLUS and PC via UART.
I can see boot print message on putty

[Grad12]

Hi all,

I just ordered the ssa3021x+ to replace my bricked DSA815 (no TG calibration anymore)  and I'm collecting all the data needed to perform the full sva1032x migration.
I think that I have the picture complete except that there should be a way to install licenses the clean way with serial number. I also found a post mentioning script/tool that should do this but that one is removed. But later on that clean method is still mentioned as a viable option. Meanwhile I already have searched all these 84 pages a couple of times but I can't find it.
Do I look at the wrong places? Can anyone give a short hint?

Thanks!

[Bicurico]

I think the Crossgrade might be unnecessary now that the keygen is public...

[Grad12]

Ok, that sounds good. But in which corner do I have to search for that keygen?

P.s. If there is a school in the Neherlands which can use my old DSA815, you can pm me.

[DL4JY]

Hi all,

I just ordered the ssa3021x+ to replace my bricked DSA815 (no TG calibration anymore)  and I'm collecting all the data needed to perform the full sva1032x migration.
I think that I have the picture complete except that there should be a way to install licenses the clean way with serial number. I also found a post mentioning script/tool that should do this but that one is removed. But later on that clean method is still mentioned as a viable option. Meanwhile I already have searched all these 84 pages a couple of times but I can't find it.
Do I look at the wrong places? Can anyone give a short hint?

Thanks!

Reply #1968

I think the Crossgrade might be unnecessary now that the keygen is public...

hm what would be the way to transform to a SVA1000x + then, other than taking TV84's Hex mod and crossflash the SSA to a SVA?
The other way would be changing the Prod_ID and flash a stock SVA firmware.

Just enabling the VNA option doesn't work.

[Bicurico]

I thought it would work if you enabled VNA. I don't own the device so I could not test myself.

In that case, yes, tv84's instructions are the way to go.

[xugmu]

Hello, I have two questions regarding the SSA3000

The first is general, I am used to using  tv analyzers and they all bring spectrum analyzers. Normally the noise floor is usually around 20db. Nowadays almost all the signals are digital, for example, a COFDM signal With 8mhz of bandwidth, that type of signal, in a spectrum analyzer like the one that television analyzers bring, would logically begin to be seen from 20db. The  question would be: From what lower level would you start to know that there is such a signal in an SSA3000? We could add the variable of the amplifier but in any case it would be a question of knowing what advantage in terms of weak signals an SSA3000 has over a spectrum analyzer of a normal TV analyzer.

The second question would be to know the dynamic range of these analyzers

Best  Regards

[ganevson]

Hello
Can someone tell me how to reduce the brightness of the display on SSA 3021XP?
There is a grid only brightness setting.

[Bicurico]

Hello, I have two questions regarding the SSA3000

The first is general, I am used to using  tv analyzers and they all bring spectrum analyzers. Normally the noise floor is usually around 20db. Nowadays almost all the signals are digital, for example, a COFDM signal With 8mhz of bandwidth, that type of signal, in a spectrum analyzer like the one that television analyzers bring, would logically begin to be seen from 20db. The  question would be: From what lower level would you start? know that there is such a signal in an SSA3000? We could add the variable of the amplifier but in any case it would be a question of knowing what advantage in terms of weak signals an SSA3000 has over a spectrum analyzer of a normal TV analyzer.

The second question would be to know the dynamic range of these analyzers

Best  Regards

I own many TV field meter from almost all respectable brands and I own spectrum analyser as well, including the SSA3021X.

For TV, CATV and SAT there is little advantage in using a spectrum analyser over a proper TV field meter.

Please look around in by blog, the link is in my signature. If you have any question, let me know

[tautech]

Hello
Can someone tell me how to reduce the brightness of the display on SSA 3021XP?
There is a grid only brightness setting.

There is the functionality for the screen to go into power saving mode.
See the manual in 8.2.4 Power Saving. P137
https://int.siglent.com/u_file/download/22_08_24/UserManual_UG0703P_E02D.pdf

[tautech]

Hello, I have two questions regarding the SSA3000

The first is general, I am used to using  tv analyzers and they all bring spectrum analyzers. Normally the noise floor is usually around 20db. Nowadays almost all the signals are digital, for example, a COFDM signal With 8mhz of bandwidth, that type of signal, in a spectrum analyzer like the one that television analyzers bring, would logically begin to be seen from 20db. The  question would be: From what lower level would you start to know that there is such a signal in an SSA3000? We could add the variable of the amplifier but in any case it would be a question of knowing what advantage in terms of weak signals an SSA3000 has over a spectrum analyzer of a normal TV analyzer.

The second question would be to know the dynamic range of these analyzers

Best  Regards

Refer to P10 of the datasheet:
https://int.siglent.com/u_file/download/22_08_23/SSA3000X%20Plus_DataSheet_DS0703P_E04C.pdf

Range is RBW setting and Preamp dependant in that we need the Preamp ON to obtain best sensitivity and RBW at a low value too but the penalty for selecting all sensitivity possible is much increased sweep times.

[ganevson]

Thanks. But this is energy saving.
I am looking for how to reduce the brightness of the display while working.

[EmBlocks]

Hello, I have a question about EMI module.
I'm struggling for hours now to load those predefined limits but nothing is shown. Is this still under construction?
Also, when I'm going to menu meter1->limit and turn this on the e.g. "limit1 to value" is enabled but pressing it throws an error "unknown error!".

ssa3032x-r with latest firmware

update:
Those limit files are useless. I think that those files are for other machines, they are way off. If I put a ref offset of 50db I get some limits insight. 167db(uv) where it should be in the 80 db(uv) range.
FCC files are not visible at all.

[tautech]

Hello, I have a question about EMI module.
I'm struggling for hours now to load those predefined limits but nothing is shown. Is this still under construction?
Also, when I'm going to menu meter1->limit and turn this on the e.g. "limit1 to value" is enabled but pressing it throws an error "unknown error!".

ssa3032x-r with latest firmware

update:
Those limit files are useless. I think that those files are for other machines, they are way off. If I put a ref offset of 50db I get some limits insight. 167db(uv) where it should be in the 80 db(uv) range.
FCC files are not visible at all.

Can I offer some guidance from the NA website, EU should have these too but I didn't look.
https://siglentna.com/application-note/electromagnetic-compliance-pre-compliance-test-basics/
https://siglentna.com/application-note/electromagnetic-compliance-pre-compliance-conducted-emissions-testing/
https://siglentna.com/application-note/pre-compliance-basics-analyzer-configuration-settings-and-protection/