Calibration of DS1052E? not self cal - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 27, 2015, 02:39:55 am
content: So, I now have the DS1052E and the DS1054Z, both for a long time. The DS1054Z seems to be within spec for me, but the DS1052E is out quite a bit on at least frequency measurement. The self cal routine does nothing to fix this of course.Does anyone know how to do a full calibration of the DS1052E? Does this need to go to Rigol for a full re-cal? I know that their multimeters have to back to Rigol so I suspect this needs to go to them too.This might actually be one of Rigol's Achilles heals. If no one but them can do re-cals on their equipment because they won't release the information, then maybe it is time to reconsider buying anything from them.

author: Muxr
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 27, 2015, 03:00:16 am
content: According to the service manual:http://gotroot.ca/rigol/service%20manuals/Service_Guide_DS1000E.pdfAny calibration center that has a FLUKE 9500B calibration instrument should be able to do it.

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 27, 2015, 03:46:29 am
content: Yes I have the service manual. The manual only shows how to check, with some special software and a $20,000 piece of equipment, if the oscilloscope is in spec. There is no procedure stated nor program provided or listed to actually do the re-cal. They only say that if you have any problems to contact Rigol....

author: Neganur
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 27, 2015, 09:04:24 am
content: there's a difference between calibrating and adjusting, which is why you got the answer you got.I'd imagine that only Rigol can do the adjustment to get it back in spec if a self-cal is not successful. A calibration will tell you if if is in/out of spec, which is what you need the Fluke 9500B or similar for.But look up the specs of the frequency counter function first, maybe it's not supposed to be as accurate as you expect it to be.Regarding adjustment, I think you'll have to send it back for service. At least I have not seen any public information. Maybe Someone who is familiar with the firmware (e.g. Drieg) has more information.

author: dom0
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 27, 2015, 01:20:10 pm
content: If the 1052E doesn't have a hardware frequency counter then it's counting samples (or maybe even pixels) between zero crossings, which is bloody inaccurate. (But precise enough for most applications).

author: onlooker
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 27, 2015, 01:40:19 pm
content: I went through a DIY "factory" cal procedure for my Owon SDS7102. It may not be directly relevant, but hopfully, it may still serve as a reference and point to a possible direction to work on.The procedure relies on the findings by others (including this forum) for the steps to en/decrypt files and sending them from PC to the DSO.For cal purposes, the file to send is an ASCII configuration file (tx file) that contains all the cal constants (more than 100) and a switch setting to change the DSO between the normal and factory modes.Once, the DSO is set to the factory mode, some DSO buttons are functioning for adjusting different cal constants, and a DC volt source can be used to match the BNC input and the display.The hard part for me is to get an initial configuration file that is close enough to the correct one and to understand how each constant is used in what fomula based on its literal name. It was a guess work since my DSO was bricked and I do not know how to get files from the DSO to PC.

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 27, 2015, 04:00:57 pm
content: Quote from: Neganur on June 27, 2015, 09:04:24 amYes I know, I was using the colloquial meaning. I should have been more exact in my phrasing.