Mixed Signal Oscilloscope from Tekway - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: tinhead
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 15, 2012, 06:20:53 pm
content: i had some luck and got (for test purpose) new MSO from Tekway about 2 months ago.It was at that time still chinese-only firmware version, so i had to translate the language file first.The firmware was also very beta (but not that bad for preview). In the meantime i got a much better(but still chinese version, hehe, however not a big deal at all as i already translated menu before) firmware,almost stable one (see below details).Yesterday i got message that in a week or so the final production firmware (multilang or at least english)will be released, so i think it's time to talk public about this MSO.Tekway have not yet released any information on their english website (tekway.net), however on the chinesewebsite some pictures and informations are already available since months:http://www.tekwayins.com/product.asp?ArticleID=273 weeks days ago Hantek announced their "own" (yeah, nothing else than re-branded Tekway) version of this MSO platform:http://www.hantek.com/english/news_list.asp?unid=38and posted some informations as well:http://www.hantek.com/english/produce_list.asp?unid=154There was already funny side story - someone on ebay already tried to make some business and listed these MSOs:http://www.ebay.com/itm/170799589982which is funny because Hantek told me "we still far from ready". So i'm dubble happy having original Tekway hereThe hardware (DSO mainboard) is nothing else than the already good known Tekway DSO2.0 platform (hw1007):https://www.eevblog.com/forum/general-chat/hantek-tekway-dso-hack-get-200mhz-bw-for-free/The MSO part is basicaly only one small multilayer PCB mounted into the DSO i/o port, and of course new firmwarewith slightly changed UI (MSO features), carrying out intercommunication between DSO and LA PCBs.I've attached some user manual pages (translated to english, with my own pictures) describing all the functions.The basic specs are more than just ok, LA can sample up to 500M, with up to 512k depth pro channel, trigger canbe TTL/CMOS/ECL or user defined (-8V to +8V in 10mV steps). The analog bandwidth is by 100MHz and i can indeed capture100MHz signals with no issues at all. The depth/sampling rate is automaticaly synched to DSO sampling rate, so no needto do anything manually. I like all the trigger functions, DSO edge and pulse trigger can be also used on all 16 digitalchannels, additionaly 4 LA-only triggers are available: pattern, queued, repeated and continues (see attached "user maual").Only "time" cursor is available for digital inputs, but with parallel hex and binary decode.So far everything works as described in the manual, maybe here and there menu could be better,but that's all. Sure, the current (still not final) firmware have few minor bugs:- track cursor not disabled for LA inputs, this is causing crash when cursor position will be changed- swapped H and L icons in menus (i've fixed it already with hex editor ...)- alt trigger blocking LA triggers when DSO memory higher than 4k (simple to fix, set first trigger type then DSO depth)- FFT not disabled when LA is enabled (LA is trying to paint something over FFT pictureand afaik only one major bug:- while 512k memory is enabled DSO is freezing (crashing) randomly.For a still pre-release fw/device already very good results, the very first fw was crashing every 5 mins.All these bugs are already known and on the to-do list, so enough to do for Tekway engineers for this week.The PC software has been already changed as well to allow LA control, however until now only LA control and notLA data read-back is possible. I'm waiting right now for answer when this will be available. Inside the firmwareitself i can see some data shifted to the "PC communication thread", but i wasn't able yet to get anything.There is no SDK for this part availabe yet, which make sense because they still working on final firmware.Decoder for IIC/SPI/UART is not available, however i've asked Tekway to develop it as extra addon(i'm sure most people would buy it as well). As soon i know more (i wish "availability and price") i will let you know.The LA hardware itself is very nice, Altera EP3C5 FPGA, a 12bit DAC for threshold, IS61LPS51236A-200TQLI SRAM,some opamps and of course DC/DC converter (for threshold as well). On the pictures you can see some componentsnot yet populated, they belong to Ethernet option (DM9000 and magnetics missing). This is very cool, this LA PCB canbe then used as well to add Ethernet to existing DSOs.It seems that on the newest LA PCB even an extra i/o port for wiznet wiz610 has been added. I personaly don'tlike WLAN in a DSO, but for sure there will be people wishing to use that port.As the MSO is only LA PCB and different firmware i thought it would be cool, as owner of Tekway/Hantek DSO,to buy such LA PCB and pimp my DSO to MSO (yeah, i will have to send back this test device soon)Well, i've asked Tekway and they told me "sure, when you buy 200 pcs we can produce them for you" .. yeah,my first thought was "that's a lot". On the other side there are lot of ppl havingTekway DSO1062B, 1102B, 1202B,or Hantek DSO5062B, DSO5102B, DSO5202B or Voltcraft DSO-3062C.All these models (as long hw is 1007) canbe pimped from DSO to MSO!Based on these number (there are already 2000+ Voltcraft DSO-3062C out there) i started "collective order" thread inanother forum and got already lot of pre-orders. However, i'm no planing to do such orders on regulairy basis, so when youthink you can spend some money to get your DSO pimped to MSO, don't hesitate to PM me asap. Sorry that i haven't postedany information about this collective order earlier, but honestly i was too busy with other things.The price (without shippment) will be 115EUR (EU price), the PCB is not that big so i think i can send it everywhere.On the other side shippment "over the ocean" costs lot of money, so please think twice before you decide.In the MSO-kit which i will provide there will be LA PCB included, special firmware from Tekway and all small parts (screws,cables and so on to mount the PCB). I will not include any hooks. In principle i could order some, but on the other side noteverybody need SMD hooks, some ppl would use only 4-5 of them, other maybe all 16, and so on.If someone wish to order such LA/MSO kit please send me a PM, i will then send back official invoice (with all my company data).I will provide 12 months warranty as well, i don't think that this will be even necessary, but yeah, it's better to get one.I will have to send the PO to Tekway on Sep 25rd latest, there are already some ppl who paid upfront and i don't want letthem wait too long.

author: tlu
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 02, 2012, 12:33:38 am
content: Hi Tinhead,What is the asking price for this conversion and how easy is it to make the conversion on the Hantek 5000 series?Thanks,Tim