Reflashing or resetting a FeelTech FY6600 Signal Generator - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / repair

author: canyon
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 15, 2017, 10:03:30 pm
content: My FY6600 now has a scrambled display, see attached pics. Has anyone had any luck re-flashing the program or resetting it?Thanks,kenwa4mnt@gmail.com

author: Ebel0410
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 16, 2017, 10:18:03 pm
content: As far as I know there's no way to reflash the program memory in case of corrupted data.Return it to Feeltech for repairOn mine, the sine waveform is no more available, I must use a sine waveform I've stored in an arbitrary slot.The FY6600 is very sensitive to these sort of issues.Regards

author: cdev
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 17, 2017, 02:15:32 am
content: Wasn'tthis versionsupposed to be re-flashable with firmware upgrades? Somewhere I remember reading that they had promised it would be.

author: canyon
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 17, 2017, 02:56:56 am
content: Well, I'm all ears if you remember where you saw that.ken

author: beanflying
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 17, 2017, 07:12:01 am
content: From the factory early last week. Not user firmware upgradable, needs to go backThe thread in test equipment sees a few of us hacking around the edges on improving the performance but it seems no one has yet had a crack at a micro hack - hint to the hackers out there

author: cybermaus
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 19, 2017, 10:03:29 am
content: Quote from: cdev on November 17, 2017, 02:15:32 amThe exact phrase was"we repair and upgrade, but FY6600 after the product we will add online upgrade function"which I think is chinglish for: "the model after the FY6600 will have upgrade function"Anyway, you're bound to find the post, but I managed toread/write the eeprom.

author: janoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 19, 2017, 02:43:36 pm
content: Quote from: Ebel0410 on November 16, 2017, 10:18:03 pmAny idea what is causing these problems? That looks either like a design or manufacturing issue if such faults are widespread.I was considering this generator as an upgrade to the older model with the 2 line character LCD and only 25MHz capability, but I guess I will wait for the next model.

author: jleg
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 19, 2017, 05:06:54 pm
content: Quote from: Ebel0410 on November 16, 2017, 10:18:03 pmunfortunately, my FY6600 now also looks like the one from the thread starter. And it all started with not having the sine wave; some additional switch off/on sequences later, all wave forms having sine-like wave forms in the positive disappeared. And a few minutes later it was all gone, display scrambled.Good luck for your's not going the same path...Sending back to China for "warranty" for me is not really an option, shipping would be higher than i payed for this; but this i knew before buying.For me it looks like some sort of "memory corruption" - the logic itself still seems to run, buttons still do 'something', relays are clicking like before...Startup also shows some sort of humour, presenting "selfinspection completed"...[edit: just noticed that thread starter has exactly the same "scrambling" on startup screen like me, so it's not "random". And it's also version 3.0... ]

author: canyon
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 19, 2017, 07:54:36 pm
content: jleg,I don't know if you noticed, but the screen with our s/n. has the exact scrambled Model:canyon

author: canyon
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 19, 2017, 08:01:25 pm
content: Mine will be returned eventually when the seller has exhausted all efforts to get me to keep it. I am within the very short warranty period. I do want another one. Does anyone have any insight as to what is causing the failure. Would it be prudent to add extra capacitance to the power supply's three outputs, and maybe some transient suppression diodes on the outputs. I would not like to replace the whole power supply.

author: jleg
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 20, 2017, 10:17:12 am
content: Quote from: canyon on November 19, 2017, 07:54:36 pmYes, and also note the other scrambled screens - they are identical to the last pixel! For me this more looks like a "systematical" error, and not a "random" corruption of flash or so...

author: canyon
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 20, 2017, 12:41:06 pm
content: Well, it appears this is not random transient noise corruption. When mine happened, I was going through the various menus, looking at the different waveforms. It sounds like your experience too. This corruption is fault in firmware that is triggered by a specific sequence. This is no random occurrence that is unknown to the makers. The factory to date, has offered four different schemes not to refund my money. Replacement now is not an option I want to pursue. The firmware is the problem, and without a way to reflash, seems to doom the future for it. I wish this had turned up in the many reviews I researched.

author: janoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 20, 2017, 01:13:25 pm
content: Quote from: canyon on November 20, 2017, 12:41:06 pmIf this corruption appears even after power-cycling the device, it would mean the MCU has managed to overwrite its own flash somehow. Not impossible but that is one mighty oops there.

author: cybermaus
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 20, 2017, 03:30:37 pm
content: Quote from: canyon on November 20, 2017, 12:41:06 pmGuys, did you not read my post. We now can read and write one of the devices two flash locations. Not sure if it is the one responsible for your problems, but you can at least try.Link1andlink2.Do read your current flash before overwriting it.

author: Bashstreet
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 20, 2017, 03:49:02 pm
content: Actually bad lcd connection (Bad soldering joints loose ribbon etc can cause very similar errors)If your not going to send it back might be good idea to jiggle the connections and see if it effects the image. If not well then yeah Rom error most likely.

author: janoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 20, 2017, 04:49:49 pm
content: Quote from: Bashstreet on November 20, 2017, 03:49:02 pmGenerate pixel by pixel identical error on two different devices by a loose cable/solder joint? That would be one heck of a coincidence ...

author: Bashstreet
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 20, 2017, 05:02:08 pm
content: With unlimited amount of monkeys writing with unlimited amount of typewriters they would write all plays of Shakespeare.Any case memories are subjective and if you claim to have Eidetic memory i think i need a bit more evidence than your word

author: Rasz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 20, 2017, 08:21:37 pm
content: can you Feel Tech quality?I especially like how the main FU6600 thread was started by fake Chinese account(Amysmith) with zero posts and broken English, but registered to show US profile flag.https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/feeltech-fy6600-60mhz-2-ch-vco-function-arbitrary-waveform-signal-generator/"I looking very cheap""I will grateful for any suggestion from all"Seems legit.Quote from: canyon on November 20, 2017, 12:41:06 pmThere is a way, but Chinese are paranoid about letting go of the firmware, and not without reasons, there would be 5 clones within 2 weeks for this piece of sh..omethingbtw there are services that can dump STM32F103C8 firmware for couple hundred bucksSTM32F0 has laughable "protection"https://www.aisec.fraunhofer.de/en/FirmwareProtection.html

author: Bashstreet
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 21, 2017, 03:46:52 am
content: Yeah it seems like absolute piece ofbut i could be wrong.Maybe someone can do tear down and functionality video.Of course it is always relative if something is a bit of aHobbyist like me do not have interest or money to spend in best equipment and there is no point get snobbish about gear... if someone puts down someones gear they are always free to donate better if not .... its all

author: beanflying
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 21, 2017, 04:39:53 am
content: Far from being a piece of poo it certainly has short comings. The feature set included for the $$ is really good but obviously there are issues.The biggest single one is the lack of firmware support from Feeltech. Some of the other short comings are driven by the expectations of some of us users looking for a better thing while for most it wouldn't worry them.Sitting on the sidelines hanging it on a product you haven't used or seen in the flesh is

author: Bashstreet
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 21, 2017, 10:44:52 am
content: Yeah long as you get out of it what you need...Now that said it is good to share information if something is absolute turd so people wont spend their money in it and be disappointed.Especially people who do not have money to waste.

author: janoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 22, 2017, 02:30:42 pm
content: These are fairly good generators for the price - the cheapest "brand name" generator with ARB functionality is about $500 and even basic (non-ARB) generators that can go up to 20-60MHz are not below $200.I think nobody expects Agilent/Keysight or Rigol level of functionality and quality from a $100 device here. I have the older model with the character LCD and it works fine for what it is and if you are aware of its limitations (as with every instrument, finally). Having even the crappy ARB function is a boon for debugging of all sorts of stuff (capture a waveform using a scope and replay using the generator) and it helped me several times already. Certainly beats having to build a test fixture/simulator or hauling things out on site just to debug some stupid transient problem. However, I am not doing this often enough to justify the cost of the $500-$800 generators.On the other hand, if the thing bricks itself because of a firmware bug, that is certainly a rather fatal problem, even for a $100 device.

author: canyon
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 24, 2017, 07:47:47 pm
content: Has anyone heard of any similar issues with the 60 MHz Ruideng JDS-6600?Thanks....

author: rhb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 07, 2017, 02:51:31 am
content: Mine just borked itself. Display is *exactly* like the start of the the thread. Unfortunately I just finished adding a 3 wire grounded outlet and voided any warranty. After I finished the work it sat on my bench hooked up to a scope and frequency counter for about an hour. I shut it down and put it aside to look at the frequency counter more closely. When I hooked it back up, it was borked. Amazingly, it actually works but the display is screwed up making it very hard to set.

author: cybermaus
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 07, 2017, 06:12:54 am
content: What is (was) the firmware version?

author: feeltech
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 09, 2017, 12:40:03 am
content: Thank you for using our products, for your inconvenience to this problem, you can contact the dealer for processing, they will be free for you to repair, if the results are not satisfied you can send an email directly to: admin@feeltech.net

author: feeltech
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 09, 2017, 12:42:02 am
content: Quote from: jleg on November 19, 2017, 05:06:54 pmThank you for using our products, for your inconvenience to this problem, you can contact the dealer for processing, they will be free to repair for you, and does not charge shipping costs, if the results are not satisfied you can send an email directly to: admin @ feeltech.net

author: canyon
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 09, 2017, 11:03:17 pm
content: But do you "fix" the problem? What is the fix? Do we end up with a unit that bricks the next time it is used? Too many unknowns, and your dealer is much less than honest, and terrible to deal with. I have been offered 3 different dollar amounts to keep the unit by this dealer. I cannot envision ever buying your brand again for any reason or cost. Why would you introduce a product this bad, and not take it off the market.

author: rhb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 10, 2017, 03:50:10 pm
content: I should like to point out that I sent an email about the problem to FeelTech in which I referenced this and the other thread on their AWG. They responded immediately not only to me by email but in both threads and have promised to fix the bad units at no cost. They have also stated that they are going to modify the power cord to a 3 wire.The general assessment is that this is a bug in the V 3.0 FW which has been fixed in later versions. FeelTEch has asked to be contacted directly if the dealer doesn't provide a satisfactory result. The dealer is not the manufacturer, so their interests are not aligned with the manufacturers. The dealer I bought mine from has a warehouse in the US, but they sell everything from veterinary supplies to CNC machine tooling.I think you owe feeltech the courtesy of either PM or a direct email to resolve the matter. Keep in mind that they are on the other side of the planet, so there is a 12 hour delay built in. We all have to sleep.

author: canyon
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 10, 2017, 07:46:12 pm
content: I did contact the factory and was directed to the dealer twice. This was a four week exchange of e-mails. Three offers from the dealer to keep the bad unit in exchange for $25, then $30, and finally $35. If the factory admitted to faulty programming, they could have told me at that time. It would have been be nice if they had requested their dealers not to sell defective product and return the product. I'm very pleased you are satisfied, and had a successful experience with their products.

author: rhb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 11, 2017, 12:58:53 am
content: Good to know. My situation is not resolved yet. I hope they correct your problem and mine. We shall see. There is plenty of competition.

author: canyon
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 11, 2017, 08:41:47 pm
content: I've tried the factory again. I guess we'll see if they respond. Went to the P.O. and it will cost another $30 to get it in their hands, via slow boat. Right now it's useless. It's worth another $30 if they can repair it.

author: Rasz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 11, 2017, 09:43:14 pm
content: If FeelCrap had any clue they would simply offer sending everyone affected preprogrammed STM32

author: janoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 11, 2017, 11:42:31 pm
content: Quote from: Rasz on December 11, 2017, 09:43:14 pmPublishing a fixed hex/bin file to load in the existing one would be easier and plenty enough ...

author: rhb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 12, 2017, 12:22:00 am
content: An STM32 would be a huge PITA. A replacement front panel is the minimum FRPU that is practical. I was told by admin that FeelTech would cover the shipping costs. I've still not heard back from the seller, sportsgogo, who said they were contacting the supplier. Not sure if that's FeelTech or a 3rd party. It will get quite tedious if there is a distributor involved also. Loading a new FW image would also be a PITA as it would require a good bit of work.The shipping cost makes it not worth while for FeelTech to cover the cost of returning the front panel unless they have an agent in the US. They are best off just shipping a new front panel to affected owners. It seems that not very many units entered the supply chain before they discovered and fixed the problem. The count I saw was 3 or 4 in the other EEVblog thread.The bug almost certainly only affects the UI, so without a replacement from FeelTech I'd just buy a competing unit and use the remains of the FeelTech as a module. I bought an MSO so I could do things like reverse engineer the protocol on the 8 bit bus connecting the UI to the generator.I'll give FeelTech a week or so to sort things out. After that I just might try the Fraunhofer paper hack. I've got all the requisite stuff. Just need sufficient motivation. Not sure I want to fix an uncommented assembly language program dump though, so I might just post the recovered code for someone else to fix.Had I not modified my unit, I'd simply have complained to Paypal it was defective. I only buy things like passives direct from China. I got several defective modules from China and discovered very quickly that returns cost more than the device. So now I select "US only" when shopping on eBay.The JDS and Koolertron versions have better cosmetics. What looks like copying to us may simply be small companies with the facilities to manufacture boards, licensing designs and FW from someone like Hantek. That would make a great deal of sense in the low end T&M trade. It means they choose to compete on price rather than exclusivity. The R&D cost is what makes Keysight kit so expensive.I'm hoping FeelTech will carry though properly. I shall certainly give them a fair chance to do so. After that, well read my .sig

author: Rasz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 12, 2017, 05:01:28 am
content: Quote from: Rasz on December 11, 2017, 09:43:14 pmPublishing a fixed hex/bin file to load in the existing one would be easier and plenty enough ...As I mentioned earlier not going to happen, things get cloned in China in a matter of weeks if firmware is available.Quote from: rhb on December 12, 2017, 12:22:00 amYou bought cheap chinese toy, not Agilent/Lecroy instrument, You should feel very happy if you EVER get any service from this company(other than stalling and fractional refunds).Quote from: rhb on December 12, 2017, 12:22:00 amIm guessing every single one sold will die the same way, overwriting internal data with some logging garbage. Might even be an artifact from cloning competitor/reusing random code from pudn.com.

author: janoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 12, 2017, 09:36:48 am
content: Quote from: Rasz on December 12, 2017, 05:01:28 amThings do get cloned even if the firmware is not available, so this is a silly argument. There is also the hack available to bypass the firmware lock now, making the firmware extraction even easier. Moreover, there are several clones (rebrands?) of these devices available already (perhaps not this exact model, haven't looked closely). There isn't a whole lot of "smarts" in these devices to steal to begin with.So the cloners won't be hampered by this one bit, only the paying customers. It is up to Feeltech whether they prefer to screw their own clients (and get a major reputation hit in the process) or notThe worse problem is that the generators are not designed to be field-updatable for whatever reason, so reflashing the firmware means opening the box and potentially soldering on some wires to the SWD/USART pins unless there is a connector/programming pads available, with all the bad implications for warranty claims and what not. Still beats having to replace the entire MCU, though.

author: jleg
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 12, 2017, 09:51:36 am
content: Quote from: rhb on December 12, 2017, 12:22:00 amwhat i do not quite understand - you seem to be sure that this is a UI/front panel issue only; but the TO here stated that "he lost the sine output", and on mine, i lost practically all wave forms on the outputs.Yes, the UI has totally screwed up, while push buttons still seem to "do something" - but at least on mine i also have mostly garbage on the outputs as well...Btw, i also wrote to admin@feeltech - but did not get any response so far...

author: rhb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 12, 2017, 06:35:17 pm
content: Most of the waveforms on mine work correctly. The display is all screwed up and the frequency and voltages are set incorrectly at power up, but it works as shown on the display. If the UI doesn't send the correct command to the AWG board, it won't do what it should.The AWG module is a variable clock that dumps the memory contents to a DAC. There's just not a lot there. I should know a good bit about the commands for the AWG once I make a reliable way to connect my MSO LA probes to the bus.

author: SaabFAN
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 12, 2017, 06:39:16 pm
content: I'm guessing the waveforms are stored in the internal flash of the Micro. Most likely the same place that hold the data for the UI.Btw. I doubt reprogramming the Micro is an option. The Presentation by the Fraunhofer Institute about the STM32F0 flash-security states that RPD-Level 2 disables the SWD-Functionality permanently. I haven't done any further research, but I'm guessing that disabling the SWD-Interface also disables any possibility to program the chip with an ST-LINK programmer.If the chip is still programmable, I think the best way to get defective units working again, unless Feeltech is replacing whole front-panel assemblies, is to reverse engineer the system and reprogram the chip with free software.

author: DC1MC
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 12, 2017, 07:55:28 pm
content: Hello everybody, I'm now majorly pissed on some Chinese seller and I've decided to pay them a bit back, so I can assist you in reversing the original firmware if you manage to get and/or building an open source replacement, in the process also publishing the schematics, if major brands are publishing the detailed schematics of extraordinary expensive instruments, this guys should be doing it as well.I wanted such a cheap generator, but I wanted it to work reliably and probably I would have anyway reversed the communication protocol, but now I really want to do it.While my device it's on its way, could somebody tell the exact version of the STM chip used, and if it already hooked a debugger to verify the actual protection level.If it's level 1, then it's feasible to try to get the firmware image, if it's level 2, then the FP schematic has to be reversed and some new chip has to be soldered (if there isn't any way to fully erase it).But in the end, most likely a lot of these damaged devices will appear on fleabay so it is worth having a firmware ready.Please publish here or kindly PM me the draft schematics or any other information to get me started until my device arrives.Cheers,DC1MCQuote from: SaabFAN on December 12, 2017, 06:39:16 pm

author: jleg
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 12, 2017, 08:24:29 pm
content: Quote from: SaabFAN on December 12, 2017, 06:39:16 pmAccording tohttps://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/feeltech-fy6600-60mhz-2-ch-vco-function-arbitrary-waveform-signal-generator/msg1352448/#msg1352448waveforms are stored in the Winbond flash.

author: SaabFAN
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 12, 2017, 11:14:26 pm
content: Is the generator still working if you unplug the front-panel?It is possible that the Front-Panel really is just the UI and communicates via some sort of UART with the Cyclone IV FPGA on the mainboard.I've just watched a video with a teardown of this generator. The Micro in question is a STM32F103C8T6. Unfortunately I haven't seen any programming header on the front panel-board and the LCD seems to be connected directly to the micro. So it also has to be determined how the STM controls the LCD. Preferably with a still working modelFor an open Source alternative I've started a project some time ago that can be found here:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/oshw/open-source-hw-rf-signal-generator/

author: rhb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 13, 2017, 03:08:49 am
content: It's been reported that the FW is level 1 protected which makes the FW recoverable via the Fraunhofer attack. It has also been verified that the waveforms are in the Winbond flash. In any case, there is no way to protect the communication protocol between the front panel and the AWG board. So controlling it with an Arduino is not a major task.There is an unpopulated programming header on the front panel. There is an RS232 UART to the back panel. I did not see any activity on it when I connected my MSO, but that might be inexperience on my part. I've not yet tried connecting a terminal to the back panel. So far as I know there is no documentation of the "feature".The back panel BNCs make the FeelTEch more attractive to me than the JDS units. But that advantage disappears if it doesn't work.Like many others, I'm hoping that FeelTech recognizes that they can garner a very devoted user community by cooperating and providing documentation. There are companies that reverse engineer products and sell the schematics, BOM and very likely the FW images to anyone willing to pay. So secrecy is pretty silly. If you're going to invest in manufacturing a device, the cost of having someone do the level 2 Fraunhofer attack is minor. Especially if it's a multi-client job. And in the context of something as simple as the UI of the FeelTech, writing a UI for the hardware from scratch is not a big deal.I'm rather amazed that no one has called any of the Chinese T&M vendors on the GPL. I know that both Instek and Siglent are using embedded Linux in their gear. So in fact, open source T&M gear exists. The makers simply have not yet been compelled to provide the source. The UIs I've seen are so bad I'd start over once I had identified the device drivers. Those should be easy to extract from FW updates.I don't think FeelTech should be beat up for not providing a means of updating the FW in the field. It would add significantly to the cost. However, I *do* think they would benefit from opening up the FW if they can legally do that. It's a good bit of work to reverse engineer a product. I suspect that there is more licensing of production rights than is recognized in the West. But the quality of the AWG board is such that there would be a lot of enthusiasm for adding features to the UI at no cost to FeelTech. They couldn't prevent competitors from using it, but they *do* have more back panel options.

author: cybermaus
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 13, 2017, 03:26:05 am
content: For me too it was the back panel (specifically the VCO) but also the better sweep options (not just frequency, also PWM/Amp sweep) that made me choose the FY6600 over the JDS6600.But the fact the device can self-destruct at any moment with no recovery means I would not recommend it to anyone.Mostly it seems to affect 3.0 devices, but @ebel4010 had his Sine go bad on a V3.1 device. So not all firmware bugs were fixed. Of course the Sine (along with Square, CMOS and Pulse) are not stored waveforms, but calculated waveforms. You can change their shape with an extra parameter (pulse-width), so they are extra sensitive to errors in the UI & Control module.@chtech7010 hooked up a programmer to STM32https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/feeltech-fy6600-60mhz-2-ch-vco-function-arbitrary-waveform-signal-generator/msg1355639/#msg1355639I hooked up a STLink to STM32, but did not jot down notes, SorryAs noted above, I did study the Winbond. A better link to the flash structure:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/feeltech-fy6600-60mhz-2-ch-vco-function-arbitrary-waveform-signal-generator/msg1353950/#msg1353950https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/feeltech-fy6600-60mhz-2-ch-vco-function-arbitrary-waveform-signal-generator/msg1352448/#msg1352448

author: cybermaus
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 13, 2017, 06:14:04 pm
content: Not really useful, a little sad even, but misery loves company (gedeelde smart is halve smart):https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/new-function-generator-100352/

author: canyon
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 15, 2017, 07:04:36 pm
content: It's been another week since my last round of requests to return it to the factory, so they can replace the faulty v3.0 firmware. Still no directions or intentions to accept it for service. Does anyone have any other e-mail other than their catch all one at <admin@feeltech.net> ?

author: rhb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 15, 2017, 07:38:56 pm
content: I've not heard anything more from sportgogo, the seller, after a week. This is despite assurances "not to worry" which if I were to be uncharitable I should suspect is to let the Paypal guarantee period expire.If FeelTech does not respond in a useful fashion by sending out replacement front panels next week, I think we should post our correspondence with FeelTech and the sellers to a thread entitled "FeelTech FY-6600 Support Review" with an initial post stating the problem we have had and the response from FeelTech to date.That will ensure that if anyone does a search related to the instrument they will see the issue front and center. The only way for FeelTech to dig out of that hole is to address the problem by sending out front panels directly to the end users. I shall explain this to admin@feeltech.net in my email later today. I suspect that person is the only one conversant in English. Hopefully they won't dig themselves a deeper hole.I should certainly advise against shipping the unit back until a replacement had arrived at their expense along with a return shipping voucher if they want the old unit back.The Chinese are exploiting subsidized shipping to the West and hiding behind the cost of returns. That is why I won't buy if it ships from China unless it's just a couple of bucks.

author: rhb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 16, 2017, 11:27:25 pm
content: My email to FeelTech:Quote

author: DC1MC
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 27, 2017, 07:33:22 pm
content: Dear thread members, I'm resurrecting this thread to bump it up, because I want to let you know that soon I will start the analyzing the FY6600 with the purpose of determining the communication protocol between the front panel and the signal board, extracting and/or replacing the FP firmware.If you can contribute HW or your skills with KiCAD for drawing a schematic, or anything else related, please come on the other thread, and let me know.I will most likely create a separate thread for this project but for the moment the discussion is on thehttps://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/feeltech-fy6600-60mhz-2-ch-vco-function-arbitrary-waveform-signal-generatorKindly please excuse the cross-posting, but I hope that some of the posters here will benefit as well form this project.Thank you, DC1MC

author: Rasz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 28, 2017, 08:10:36 am
content: Quote from: DC1MC on December 27, 2017, 07:33:22 pm/https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/feeltech-fy6600-60mhz-2-ch-vco-function-arbitrary-waveform-signal-generator/

author: Malvineous
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 03, 2018, 07:41:20 am
content: So what was the verdict on this in the end? As far as I can make out from the other thread, versions up to 3.1 would suffer from corrupted displays but 3.1 fixed this, however 3.1 is still susceptible to loss of sine wave storage. 3.2 has been available in the wild for about a month now but nobody seems to have reported any failures with this version yet.Also not sure whether anyone has repaired a failed unit by reflashing a newer firmware version with a programmer.

author: DC1MC
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 03, 2018, 07:50:15 am
content: Quote from: Malvineous on February 03, 2018, 07:41:20 amThe trial it's still on, in the other thread the communication protocol is being decoded and a new firmware will eventually be made. The firmware 3.2 has no reported issues so far, the power supply still need to be grounded or replaced, changing some components on the signal board will give you some improvements, especially visible at high levels.The original firmware was not copied yet and it's doubtful that will ever be, the STM32 chip used there it's used in a lot of other projects, if the copy protection will be bypassed it will be yuuuuge.On the other side, the front panel board has the infrastructure needed to update the firmware, come in the other threads and contribute, at least with improvement ideas for the new FOSS firmware, better fonts will be guaranteed.Cheers,DC1MC

author: Malvineous
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 03, 2018, 12:05:59 pm
content: Thanks for the info! I might have to join the effort, I've always wanted to write my own firmware for something. I found the grounding issue this morning after getting a very mild shock, I measured 200VAC on the BNC shield and came looking to see how people solved it, then found that the units are prone to breakage... I have temporarily worked around the grounding issue by using the BNC to BNC cable that came with the unit to connect one of the rear inputs to an unused output on the back of my scope, because after reading the issues here I'm not ready to void the warranty by installing a proper mains connector just yet!