Siglent SDG6000X Calibration - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: rdsi
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 08, 2024, 09:36:46 pm
content: So I bought a SDG6022X a while back in 2020 and hacked it into the SDG6052X version. I just noticed the amplitude setting are off about 5% which is very disappointing. Both channels have the same bias.I read somewhere that calibration could be affected when hacking these units. Is there any truth to this?I downloaded the service manual in hopes to perform a calibration procedure but it looks like it’s done through a NI VISA program. Is this software available or is the only solution to send it in?Thanks...

author: 2N3055
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 08, 2024, 09:43:35 pm
content: Quote from: rdsi on January 08, 2024, 09:36:46 pmHow do you know amplitude is off?Calibration is not affected with hacking. You heard wrong. Those that have that problem are Rigol AWG.

author: Martin72
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 08, 2024, 09:45:07 pm
content: Hi,QuoteI can´t find any calibration notes in the service manual..

author: rdsi
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 09, 2024, 03:50:11 am
content: Quote from: 2N3055 on January 08, 2024, 09:43:35 pmI measured it.Quote from: 2N3055 on January 08, 2024, 09:43:35 pmGood to know. Thanks...

author: rdsi
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 09, 2024, 04:30:33 am
content: Quote from: Martin72 on January 08, 2024, 09:45:07 pmYeah, version B of the service manual has now deleted any reference to calibration. My version A eludes to it saying it's done automatically using a NI VISA setup & some python scripts.The programming manual does not show any commands related to calibration so they must be undocumented. In my version A of the service manual I do see how to access an undocumented "SelfCal" menu. When viewing "System Info" input the password "123654" to access it. After performing the "SelfCal" function the the "DC Output Verification" test now passes but the "AC Amplitude Verification" tests are all a little high.So the question is how do you calibrate these things. Right now it looks like its a secret!

author: rf-loop
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 09, 2024, 06:42:02 am
content: Quote from: rdsi on January 09, 2024, 03:50:11 amHow and using what method you found this "I just noticed the amplitude setting are off about 5%..."What means around <0.45dB off... including measurement error.Also you did not tell how it is off... + or - and how it is off with different frequencies (or do you mean DC error).What was the actual reliability of the measurement accuracy?QuoteHow about DC Output Verification result (done as described in Service manual)?

author: rdsi
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 10, 2024, 01:05:46 am
content: Apparently there are only specifications given for the DC output and two single point “signal” conditions in data sheet.These are:DC Accuracy ±(1%+2mVpp) HiZ loadOutput Accuracy ±(1%+1mVpp) @ 10 kHz sine, 0 V offsetOutput Amplitude flatness -0.3 to +0.3 db @ 50Ω laod, 0.5Vpp, compare to 1MHz SineCritically, there is no spec for offset.The service manual “Performance Verification Test” adds more requirements for:DC OutputAC AmplitudeFrequency ResponseEach of these tests includes a range of amplitude values implying a more stringent requirement than the actual specifications, but again leaves many aspects not addressed such as offset. Also, since these are not published specs in the data sheet it’s unclear what there meaning implies but they are mentioned to be acceptance requirements upon receiving the unit.I’ve never really questioned the output amplitude accuracy assuming with a 16-bit DAC it was probably good enough. Well, the other day I finally did notice it’s not that good! For instance, while programming a 500mVpp square wave the actual output on channel A was 544mV with a 3.5m v offsetand channel B was 576mV with a 11mV offset.I thought this was high but was more concerned about the offset. I checked my old HP 33120A and it produced an output of 540mV with an offset < 1mV. Yeah, not that great either but at least the offset is close to 0V.So I decided to do the complete acceptance tests described in the service manual – many results were out of spec. It’s pretty bad when using the scope the waveform obviously show an offset when everything is set to 0.I attached my results below as a pdf file. The cal cert I got with the purchase only says it passed and has no results.Looks like I’ll have to give Siglent a call to see if they can cough-up some calibration procedures.

author: Martin72
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 10, 2024, 01:23:29 am
content: QuoteTry contacting siglentna, stating the serial number.The chances are good that they have the individual values of your generator in their database.This is how I got the values for my SDM3065X benchmeter (for a fee, but the little money was worth it to me).

author: 2N3055
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 10, 2024, 07:23:53 am
content: Quote from: rdsi on January 10, 2024, 01:05:46 amWhat firmware are you running?In latest firmware they added self cal function.Did you try it?

author: rdsi
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 10, 2024, 05:01:31 pm
content: Quote from: 2N3055 on January 10, 2024, 07:23:53 amThis is interesting… I thought I was running the latest firmware but that was for another Siglent instrument I have. Anyway I’m running V6.01.01.36R3 and see that V6.01.01.36R8 is available.The Revision History states:1. Optimize Self-calibration algorithm and open selfcalibration function in UI.2.Optimize the calibration accuracy problem. Upgrade the firmware version from 6.01.01.36 or 6.01.01.36R3 to V6.01.01.36R8, Please do a self-calibation (Path:Utility—page1/3--Test/Cal--SelfCal).So maybe the “Optimize the calibration accuracy problem” will help me out.However, the SelfCal is available in my R3 version using a hidden menu. I did perform that function & it improved things. There is also a “Default CalData” function that is available. I assume this gets you close and there is some way to generate a more accurate data set.Anyway, I’ll get the version R8 loaded & go back through it to see where I stand.

author: Martin72
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 10, 2024, 05:25:12 pm
content: QuoteI'm all ears...

author: coromonadalix
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 10, 2024, 05:41:37 pm
content: same here in pm ??

author: egonotto
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 11, 2024, 12:26:01 am
content: Quote from: Martin72 on January 10, 2024, 05:25:12 pmHello,rdsi wrote:"In my version A of the service manual I do see how to access an undocumented "SelfCal" menu. When viewing "System Info" input the password "123654" to access it. After performing the "SelfCal" function the the "DC Output Verification" test now passes but the "AC Amplitude Verification" tests are all a little high."Best regardsegonottoP.S. You should first make a feedback channel adjustment, but this requires a program called FeedbackAdjust.py. I don't know how to get this program.

author: coromonadalix
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 11, 2024, 12:58:29 am
content: remove dot txt extention, its a rar filefrom 2017 wayback machineand page 50https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/siglent-technical-support-join-in-eevblog/

author: rdsi
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 12, 2024, 06:38:59 pm
content: So I updated my firmware to V6.01.01.36R8, performed the self calibration and then the verification tests adding them to my previous results (file attached).The “DC Output Verification” tests now meets specifications but both the “AC Amplitude Verification” and the “Frequency Response Verification” still have failures – actually a little worse than before.My gut feeling is that the only way to address these are with a real calibration procedure which Siglent does not publish to the general consumer.Thanks to ‘coromonadalix’ for posting some Python scripts about the subject but these do not address the SDG6000X product. However it gives me some hope there are hidden commands that facilitate proper calibration. In these scripts I can see many undocumented commands that work with my instrument but without any documentation it’s pointless to try perform a manual procedure.

author: rdsi
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 12, 2024, 07:28:19 pm
content: I contacted Siglent & ask about calibration procedures and there response was:"I'm sorry, we don't publishcalibration procedures forour instruments."This totally sucks...

author: KungFuJosh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 12, 2024, 08:06:15 pm
content: Why not send it to Siglent for calibration?

author: Martin72
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 12, 2024, 08:56:29 pm
content: Quote from: egonotto on January 11, 2024, 12:26:01 amAh, NOW I got it....

author: Martin72
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 12, 2024, 08:58:57 pm
content: Quote from: KungFuJosh on January 12, 2024, 08:06:15 pmAs long as you don't have the means to calibrate, you should do just that.Anything else may do more harm than good.

author: rdsi
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 13, 2024, 02:08:00 am
content: Quote from: KungFuJosh on January 12, 2024, 08:06:15 pmSince I have the necessary equipment to do the calibration, and I'm retired, I would rather do it myself saving the costs. I did checkout some cal houses but none of them are up-to-speed with this model. Does Siglent provide a calibration service? I didn't find one on their website...The scripts provided 'coromonadalix' explains a lot but they are for the SDG800, SDG1000, SDG5000, SDF2000X and SGD1000X only. If I could find the scripts for the SDG6000X it would be a piece of cake.I have a feeling when I sent the unit into Siglent for repair - lightening took out the LAN port - they messed up the cal data. When it was returned the firmware was a previous version than I sent it in with. So I'm thinking the cal data got corrupted or the default cal data was loaded and I just now noticed how bad the cal is!

author: KungFuJosh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 13, 2024, 02:58:14 am
content: Quote from: rdsi on January 13, 2024, 02:08:00 amYou should contact them about it then. Let them know your concerns, and what you said there about things being off, and receiving an older firmware.Yes, they do calibrations. You need to contact your local office and inquire with them.