Rigol DS4000 option and bandwidth hack - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: mani9876
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: January 03, 2015, 04:50:05 pm
content: Hello,I want to know if it is possible to hack the bandwidth of the Rigol DS4000?I found something about hacking the Rigol to get all the options, but nothing about the bandwidth. So does anyone know something about that?Thanks,Manuel

author: dr.diesel
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 03, 2015, 10:15:53 pm
content: Yes, many examples around on the forum.

author: mani9876
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: January 04, 2015, 11:31:58 am
content: Thank you for your answer.I've found the option codes to hack the BW.But do you know if the MSO4000 could also be hacked? I haven't found anything about hacking the MSO Series.Thanks

author: dr.diesel
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 04, 2015, 11:33:16 am
content: Yes, also works for the MSO4000.

author: mani9876
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: January 04, 2015, 05:00:23 pm
content: Ok very nice, thank you!The Spektrum Analyser DSA815 doesn't have the possibility of a Bandwidth hack right? I got the extra options, but there is no BW hack?!

author: dr.diesel
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 04, 2015, 05:01:19 pm
content: Quote from: mani9876 on January 04, 2015, 05:00:23 pmCorrect, no BW hack.

author: mitslo76
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: February 04, 2015, 05:14:34 pm
content: Hi Guys,Can someone send me the codes/procedure for upgrading BW for DS4000. All that I was able to find is related to DS2000 Series.Thanks in advance.BR

author: nbritton
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 12, 2015, 06:42:44 am
content: Just to be clear, the MSO/DS4014 100 MHz version can be hacked to 500 MHz?

author: rcmit
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: June 12, 2016, 01:22:03 pm
content: I have a DS4014 and want to apply the BW hack. I have, however, located two pages with different hack codes. The pagehttp://www.gotroot.ca/rigol/ds4000_option_codes.pdflists one set of codes and the page for Riglol 1.03d, while it doesn't even list a hack code for BW, the codes it does list are different. For example, I successfully used the Rigol 1.03d code for RS232 decode (DSHB). However, the code as specified by ds4000_option_codes.pdf would be BAAB.I would like to apply the BW hack but I *really* don't want to brick my scope.Does anyone know why there would be different codes for the same scope? Neither code list specifies hardware/firmware version. Thanks!

author: H.O
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 12, 2016, 05:46:09 pm
content: I don't Think you need to worry about bricking the scope, I don't think there's been any reoports of that happening. The worst thing that can happen is the key is rejected and if it's rejected multiple times the key installer gets blocked for a number of hours then it's good to go again.I think the Riglol page hasn't been updated as more information surfaced over time. Use the .pdf and you'll be fine.

author: Andrew8086
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 13, 2016, 06:45:57 pm
content: You may want to useRS39with riglol_103d to unlock all options incl. 500 MHz BW.Also after uninstalling above 'all options' or instead of installing it,VSA9gives you the serial decoding options trial, repeated installation possible.Both codes (i.e. the resulting keys, of course) have been tested on my DS4014.Have fun!

author: Tank
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: November 10, 2017, 05:16:42 pm
content: Has anybody verified that the the DS400 bw +options hack as shown in the goroot pdf will still work on the newer machines/firmware?Thinking of purchasing a ds4014 and, er, upgrading it.Thanks

author: bozidarms
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 10, 2017, 05:32:50 pm
content: Hi,so far as i know, nothing has changed in hacking procedure, also despite of newer or older hardware, and all procedure is completely safe. This is thru for 100MHz 2Ch model too.Hope this help.

author: glarsson
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 10, 2017, 05:42:04 pm
content: Isn't delivering expensive 500MHz probes with a 100MHz oscilloscope an indication that Rigol expects and supports that the scope is upgraded?

author: bozidarms
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 10, 2017, 05:56:00 pm
content: I think you are absolutely right

author: maddy
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: November 11, 2017, 01:44:45 am
content: Can someone please confirm if the activated 500MHz bandwidth and other options still work on the 2.03.00.03 firmware?I want to know if there might be problems if I upgrade to the latest from 2.01 on the DS4014

author: Andrew8086
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 11, 2017, 02:29:20 pm
content: Still works as expected with FW 00.02.03.00.03. I'd suggestRBT9 for BW500 & all Decoders +I2SorRB39 for BW500 & all Decoders w. PA + I2S (formatting of "installed options" screen broken)

author: maddy
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: November 14, 2017, 12:40:14 pm
content: Thanks for the confirmation Andrew. I finally found some time to update and it went through without issues.I also see the problem you noted with the installed options screen when all options are enabled.There are several codes that work and based on an older thread I found that RS39 and RZ39 does the job as wellI wondered if that obscure option Power Analysis would make sense with this update. While its shown as activated has anyone found out what it does?

author: H.O
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 15, 2017, 04:41:40 pm
content: Here's a link to a document describing what the Power Analyzer is:http://int.rigol.com/File/TechDoc/20160617/UltraPowerAnalyzer_DataSheet_EN.pdfAnd here's a link to where the associated PC software can be downloaded:http://int.rigol.com/Support/SoftDownload/2I have not tried this myself so from here on you're on your own ;-)EDIT: BTW, does anyone have the release notes for 2.03.00.03 ?

author: Andrew8086
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 16, 2017, 11:47:41 am
content: Quote from: H.O on November 15, 2017, 04:41:40 pmSadly, the 'Power Analyzer' (- PC software) requires a separate license, the scope's PA and I2S options are meant as 'future options'.While the I2S protocol decoding may very well be implemented in one of the future FW releases I doubt that the PA 'application' will make it into the scope.Anyway, release notes for 00.02.03.00.03 (and prior versions) in the attachment.

author: H.O
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 16, 2017, 05:41:35 pm
content: In that case I stand corrected.So what you're saying is that the PA software is "stand alone" and does not need the PA option in the scope?I was under the assumption that the software IS the power analzer and basically used the attached scope as a "dongle", if the PA option installed the software is allowed to execute - simple as that but again, I'll stand corrected.Thank you for the release notes, I wonder why they don't just include them in the download...

author: Tank
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: November 17, 2017, 12:52:45 am
content: Hey guys, has anyone tested the rise times?...Does the DS4000 BW upgrade mod also decrease the rise time? As stated in the DS4000 spec sheet,DS401x has a calc'ed rise time of 3.5 nsDS402x = 1.8 nsDS403x = 1 nsDS4054 = 700 ps!There are other attributes that also have different capability levels between the 4000 model numbers, wonder if these are also upgraded with the BW mods?Still haven't switched the flip on that sweet 4014.Thanks

author: hendorog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 17, 2017, 01:19:21 am
content: The DS4k has a built in fast rise time test signal which can be used for that test.And yes my DS4014 measures its own cal signal in the 700-800ps range.

author: Andrew8086
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 17, 2017, 10:48:01 am
content: Quote from: H.O on November 16, 2017, 05:41:35 pmYes indeed.QuoteThat's what I originally thought also, but even though the PA softwaredoesuse the scope as "dongle"for the to-be-analyzed data you still need to purchase a license.This is regardless of whether the scope's 'PA option' is installed or not.You may want to try this - IIRC there is a 30 day trial period for the 'PA Analyzer' PC software.

author: H.O
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 17, 2017, 06:33:09 pm
content: Quote from: Tank on November 17, 2017, 12:52:45 amYes, that has been tested, verified and shown several times. UsingLeo Bodnars <50ps pulsermy unlocked/upgraded/hacked/patched/whatever DS4014 shows a risetime of 620ps. Two other users have reported similar numbers (620 and 650ps) in the50ps pulser thread.On an unlocked DS4014 the timebase goes down to 1ns/div and you'll get the additional bandwidth limit options 100 & 200MHz. I'm not aware of any other differences.The scope really does turn into a DS4054, people have speculated on Rigol performing "binning" on the units to determine which ones are worthy of the DS4054 sticker on the front but so far no evidence what so ever of such thing has been shown. An unlocked DS4000 has its -3db point well above 500MHz.

author: Tank
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: November 17, 2017, 06:58:05 pm
content: Thanks HO.Have the serial decode option bugs been solved in the last FW upgrade? Or is it still a dog and slow?

author: H.O
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 17, 2017, 09:24:10 pm
content: Could you elaborate, what bugs more specifically? Define "dog"....It's slow (very slow compared to the Megazoom based Agilent/Keysight scopes) yes, but that's not really a bug, it's more of a limitation - one that I don't think will get "fixed".(I'm one version behind, still on 02.02.05.02)

author: hendorog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 17, 2017, 11:31:29 pm
content: Yep what H.O said.If you just want a 4 channel scope then there are _now_ other options which should be considered.However if bandwidth is what you really want/need then a hacked DS4k is probably still a pretty good deal.

author: Tank
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: November 25, 2017, 01:29:47 pm
content: Yup, the ds4014 example arrived from Tequipment yesterday afternoon and I have been exploring it almost non-stop. Oh, the trouble I will get into now!

author: H.O
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 25, 2017, 02:27:50 pm
content: FWIW, I had access to a Tek TSG4106A (6GHz signal generator) for a short period so I connected it to my unlocked DS4000.Here's 100mV rms @10MHz (reference level):Here's 100mV rms @530MHz (which happens to be the -3db point roughly):Here's 100mV rms @900MHz (now we're roughly -13db):