Rigol's New Function Generator and DMM: DG800Pro / 900Pro / DM858

[Swake]

@Andy,
Could you split the SYNC signal from the AWG and feed it simultaneously to another channel in the scope and see if you can detect something related to that step down.
I wonder if it is an issue in the AWG, in the scope or in the combination of both.

[Kurt_!]

I have a different problem myself!
I downloaded the new Ultra Station software yesterday. (2.0)
I can't send a waveform with the SEND command. Enter IP address. "Failed to Connect"
Perhaps the program is still buggy?

[NE666]

Yes, I believe I can reproduce the 'step' during a sweep. It seems to make no difference whether or not I use button controls or the touch screen to move between Sweep and Continuous sine. I see the step at ~100Khz, plus I get a bonus peak at ~600Khz.

Apologies for the camera photo, the only USB key I have to hand right now doesn't want to work with my MSO5000

[Andy123]

Hi, NE666. After diagnosis step problem, my Dg822Pro has been returned to the selller and service simultaneously. Service said:
1) My DG822 PRO will be replaced to the new one (without "step") or money will be refunded.
2)  New firmware with correction of bad work of some Options in SETUP are planned next year.
Now I'm not sure to get another new DG822PRO or totally give up Rigol.

[Andy123]

Hi, Swake. SYNC signal looks super. No problem with it. To check quality of my osclloscope I connected my old AWG to it with exactly the same settings. Works perfectly. Iny opinion STEP of amplitude is big problem of Rigol AWG. In fact, this disqualifies him for many applications.

[NE666]

Hi Andy. I'll be hanging on to mine, as it was always a bit of a punt for me, given Rigol's reputation and what I'd already read in these and other threads. I was expecting to be disappointed, which I'll concede, is an odd purchasing proposition. However, IF Rigol eventually resolves the many issues that this product line currently has, then maybe something good will ultimately result, as has been the case historically with some of their now more well-respected products that took a while to 'get there'.

Plus, I've access to other generators for sweeps, if/when I need that capability. The square and pulse capabilities, whilst also missing some obvious features, are pretty good in general (as far I've seen up until now) and the primary requirement I have.

I do find the form factor and the touch GUI very appealing (I can even overlook the 'VFD font' and the number ring), compared to competing products from other manufacturers. If the functionality becomes properly finished and polished at some point in the future, it will be quite some value for money.

[Andy123]

Hi NE666. You are right but not fully.
From DG822 PRO data sheet:
Amplitude Flatness  <10 MHz: ±0.1 dB.

It means flatness should be about 1% max.
In my DG822 PRO it is 4-5%.

Let's just call the case by name. This is a cheating in providing parameters,
and not only in this one parameter of the generator.
It's a similar situation if you bought a car with a 100HP engine, and in fact it would only have 25HP.
Please remember that some terrible parameters cannot be improved without replacing the hardware.

To find this fatal feature I spent only 1 hour. After this time I've found 3 important troubles.
I don't know what problems I would find after testing, e.g. for 1 whole day.
I suppose there would be many, many more.

For now, I'm waiting for another completely functional copy of DG822PRO, if the service finds one.

[NE666]

Andy, you are correct. A published specification is a contract, and paying customers should not be used to perform the basic QA functions of the manufacturer. Unfortunately, the companies which most closely adhere to these principles tend to also charge significantly more, hence there will always be the temptation for hobbyists on a limited budget to compromise more than they perhaps should. I think it is clear to all that Rigol are well aware of this, and are exploiting it.

For the avoidance of doubt, I am not endorsing nor recommending the DG800 Pro. It is flawed in many areas and may always be so.

However, in my personal case, I don't require much more of it than decent square and pulse capability and it is, on the basis of my limited testing so far, quite good in that area at this price point. Still, there are some obvious omissions that should not exist, such as the inability to burst (N-cycle) the pulse waveform, but I was aware of that before I made the purchase. This is the type of area where I think it is reasonable to expect that future software updates, if forthcoming, could offer relief. Other areas, perhaps not.

[Frex]

Hello,

Does anyone tried to use WiFi dongle to connect it to network ?
I tried mine using the same tips as for HDO 1000 scope,
but the dongle seem to not be recognized and no available network appear...
(The same dongle work flawlessly on the DHO1000).
Regards

FRex

[NE666]

Does anyone tried to use WiFi dongle to connect it to network ?

Am I the only one wondering whether this carries the potential for introducing noise back into the generator? That there's maybe a reason that Rigol choses to spend the BOM budget on Ethernet magnetics on their generator and scopes, rather than a WiFi card?

[probe]

Hi @gbix,

Just sent you a DM reply. Many many thanks for your help.

[FrenGen]

Hi I am unable to pm you can you pm me?

[3x]

Hey @gbix, can you still help free the DG821 Pro?