Rohde & Schwarz Signal Gerator SML-01, (FIXED) - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / repair

author: HighVoltage
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 16, 2016, 01:54:19 pm
content: I bought another instrument very cheap because it is broken and does not work.This is aRohde & Schwarz Signal Generator SML-01(9 kHz to 1.1 GHz)Besides a few HAMEG / R&S instruments, this is my first real Rohde & Schwarz gear.Anyone here having experience in repair of Rohde & Schwarz signal generators?The specs are:9 kHz to 1.1 GHz/2.2 GHz/3.3 GHzSSB phase noise: <?122 dBc (1 Hz) (at f = 1 GHz, ?f = 20 kHz)Setting times <10 msHigh level accuracy (deviation <0.5 dB at levels >?120 dBm)High reliability through electronic attenuatorDigital frequency and level sweepAM/FM/?MOptional pulse modulator with integrated pulse generator3-year calibration cycleThe problem:No display, does not work at all.I will start checking the power supply.Here are some pictures:

author: HighVoltage
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 16, 2016, 01:58:03 pm
content: and some more pictures of the inside. It looks all very nice and high quality, as expected from R&S.Enclosed is also the brochure for this instrument as a PDF.

author: PA0PBZ
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 16, 2016, 03:16:03 pm
content: Interesting to see the translation for attenuator to be eichleitung, in Dutch it is more like attenuator: "verzwakker"

author: IconicPCB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 17, 2016, 07:12:46 pm
content: I have one of these. Will check the owners manual to see if there is anything in it which might help.

author: JacobPilsen
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 20, 2016, 11:28:07 pm
content: It is equiped with RS-232-C. Does it communicate???User manual:SML_SMV__e_gl.pdf.Maybe is it Lead-Free.Does it contain any BGA ?

author: Theboel
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 20, 2016, 11:37:18 pm
content: I think You need to check this area

author: wilhe_jo
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 27, 2016, 06:32:26 pm
content: Hi there!Also just got my hands on a unit with quite similar damage...Anyone has schematics for this? Should be 1090.3700.01.... owners and maintenance manulas are already down the line73

author: IconicPCB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 28, 2016, 06:23:20 am
content: Just checked my manual..it is only a user manual.I was HORRIFIED to see the instrument has an internal battery which stores parameters... a bit like PC back up battery with a 5 year life expectancy...I have had the instrument in storage for seven years...Will be talking to R&S tomorrow.. but the user manual suggests service centre replaceable battery ...thats a service trip Brissy Sydney Brissy/Why do they make it so flaming hard to love them.

author: mikerj
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 28, 2016, 08:21:26 am
content: Quote from: IconicPCB on January 28, 2016, 06:23:20 amThe backup battery is clearly visible in the OP's pictures, a lithium coin cell mounted on the main PCB. It appears to be fitted into a holder rather than being soldered in so it should be very simple to change. I think the part code is CR2477 (which is easily available), though there's not quite enough detail to be 100% certain.

author: Performa01
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 28, 2016, 09:47:07 am
content: Quote from: PA0PBZ on January 16, 2016, 03:16:03 pmThe common German translation of 'attenuator' would be 'Abschwächer'.'Eichleitung' is a rather ancient term, which I would translate as 'calibrated step attenuator'.EDIT: The word by word translation of 'Eichleitung' would be something like 'calibration line'

author: dave_k
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 28, 2016, 11:04:54 am
content: Quote from: IconicPCB on January 28, 2016, 06:23:20 amIn many ways R&S is like Apple - everything is confined to their closed universe (ie: no user servicing allowed!)

author: wilhe_jo
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 02, 2016, 08:52:21 pm
content: Any progress???I spotted the -15V Rail of the LCD to be only -10 if connected.... -13.5 without LCD...datasheet for the LCD :https://static.davandisplay.com/document/spec_sheet/LMG7380QHFC-SPECS.pdfMy unit has traffic on the LCD so, everything else should be Ok....---update-10V might be fine...R/W lines are toggling.. so the unit is running.The Chip-Enable is a bit suspicious since it never gets low...73

author: IconicPCB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 03, 2016, 09:47:58 pm
content: Had a chat with the service department.Equipment is now obsolete.. NO SERVICE MANUAL... in any case repair is by replacement of suspect modules and the entire instrument has only a few modules.That gives You a clue as to how to repair it. Sell it on ebay.As for my issues with the battery.. Service centre has a flat "survey" fee of a few hundred dollars.I may choose to have the battery replaced by the service centre ordo it myself.On the question of what exactly does the back up battery back up.. a few clues .. but the major clue is .. equipment has a self cal capability.

author: wilhe_jo
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 04, 2016, 07:09:29 am
content: you can get the service manual via google... but not the schematics73

author: HighVoltage
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 06, 2016, 05:37:28 pm
content: Quote from: Theboel on January 20, 2016, 11:37:18 pmThat was right on!Plus the caps is the PSU.After fixing the electrolytic caps, in the PSU, the 3.3V rail was dead because of a bad regulator.It turned ON right away and seems to be working perfectly.I still have to check all settings and see if the modulation even works but I am getting a perfect 100 MHZ signal out of.Measured by the just repaired and calibrated Agilent 53132A counter.Looks like another great addition to the lab.Thanks for all your suggestions and links to documentation.

author: Edvic
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: February 19, 2018, 11:39:56 pm
content: Good Day.Thanks for all your valuable information.I have 2 units R&S SML 01.But, 1 unit has a faulty Front Display, meaning LCD Back Light is switched on in Blue Color however, the LCD Information is missing.I have tried all of the above but the alphanumeric display is missing.Kindly advise.Best Regards.

author: HighVoltage
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 12, 2018, 10:29:47 pm
content: Quote from: Edvic on February 19, 2018, 11:39:56 pmDid you find out the problem of your SML 01?

author: Edvic
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: March 19, 2018, 11:06:45 pm
content: Good Day Sir.Thanks for all your kind response.The SML01 Front Display is simply Blank!.I have tried all of the above but the alphanumeric display is missing.Kindly advise urgently.Best Regards.

author: HighVoltage
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 20, 2018, 12:06:59 pm
content: Always start with the power supply to the display.

author: Edvic
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: March 20, 2018, 10:16:20 pm
content: Good Day Sir.Can you kindly point specifically which area at the power supply circuit to exactly check.Appreciate it.

author: IconicPCB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 03, 2018, 01:52:38 am
content: Need to use the sig genny again.It's been sitting on the shelf gathering dust and aging the back up battery.I got a replacement cell ( RENATA CR2477N ) in preparation for the replacement effort.R&S were helpful with their instructions and so the deed is done.It took four screws at the back of the casing to remove the four retaining feet at the very back of the enclosure.The outside skin slides off the back of the box and a very clean almost spartan interior is exposed to the gaze.The battery sits in a holder on the main motherboard.The usual careful prying with a plastic tool and the battery was out.The unit was purchased sometime prior to 2007 and this is the first time I have had to open it.First ( original ) battery measured 3.02volts. Probably still OK for some time to come.A new battery ( @3.27V ) was inserted , box reconstituted and unit switched on.After some . to me new and unfamiliar blinking of the screen it woke up and announced itself as having some errors.It invited me to reinitialise the RAM by pressing a button which was duly done and then it told me it had a bunch of errors.OK ... I was ready for that; the good people at R&S told me to be ready to recal it.Recalibration is part of Utilities sub menu and it is clearly explained in the user manual.Relevant pages from manual attached.I am waiting for the unit to warm up so that the autocal can commence.I hope I don't come back gushing tears and gnashing teeth.Replacement of battery causes loss of time date information all other calibration constants are retained according to R&S advice.I suspect auto call is there to account for possible module level repairs where the autocal tells the SML01 a bit about the options.

author: IconicPCB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 03, 2018, 01:54:56 am
content: Read this page first and follow instructions on SIG GEN PAGE 4_31 to enable changes made during autocal routune

author: IconicPCB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 03, 2018, 04:12:55 am
content: Auto call completed. Specan and Sig Genny doing well.EDIT just checked the original purchase date February 11, 2003. Original battery guaranteed for five years...replaced today fifteen years later

author: HighVoltage
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 04, 2018, 03:11:12 pm
content: IconicPCBGood to know!Thanks for sharing your experience.This seems to be a very good and stable signal generator, very well built by R&S.Highly recommended for anyone, looking for such an instrument.

author: BravoV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 09, 2019, 10:33:30 am
content: Quote from: IconicPCB on July 03, 2018, 04:12:55 amJust found this valuable thread, thanks to HighVoltage and IconicPCB on sharing the process of replacing the internal RAM backup battery.Just scored few days ago an used SML03, and so far from the preliminary status screens looks it should be fine, am I right ? (Photo attached below) Also briefly tested it on my scope, the signal looks pretty good up to near my scope limit (analog 400MHz).Questions for IconicPCB :1. Just want to be sure, so by replacing the button cell battery as you did, popping out the old one, then static RAM will be cut off from power and loose of it's content, then install the new one, and do the internal calibration on ALL items as photo below, then I'm done ?Reason I ask this is, as I'm just an enthusiast, loosing the cal and sending it to calibration service is out of question, as it might be far more expensive than my purchase price.Cal screen on "ALL" items :Also did you get similar error message (highlighted) below right after you replaced the battery ? This quote is from the instruction document for upgrading the firmware to 2.51.15.2. Did anyone upgrade the firmware to the latest 2.51.15 downloaded from the R&S ? Any notes & precautions maybe ? As mine is still on version 2.50.6, dated back Feb 23 2006. (attached status screen below)Few shots of the diagnostic results and the unit, came without the rear blue feet and also without the 4 bottom feet as it was installed in a tightly cramped 19" rack full of equipments. Put 6 neoprene pads at the bottom as emergency feet while searching for better alternative, any one got spare R&S SML feet ?Diagnostic screens :Physical unit :

author: IconicPCB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 09, 2019, 10:54:12 pm
content: I have listed the procedure i had followed.Note the belated instruction to "...read this page first..."I cant comment on Your sig genny.I would imagine being in the same vein as mine the firmware structure ought to be similar.In any case do check the the screen for auto cal before changing the battery so that You are at least familiar with the user interface.On issue of upgrading firmware....Is there a compelling reason to upgrade or is it just going from functioninig version to one whihc may be marginally different?

author: BravoV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 12, 2019, 06:59:17 am
content: Quote from: IconicPCB on April 09, 2019, 10:54:12 pmNoted, thanks.

author: volvo_nut_v70
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 20, 2019, 01:58:01 am
content: Service manual with schematics Marconi/IFR/Aeroflex/R&S 2023 2024 2025 posted to BAMA and KO4bb

author: Spirex
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 23, 2019, 04:20:54 pm
content: Hello!Who knows the passwords for levels 3 and 4?

author: Spirex
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 24, 2019, 12:02:31 am
content: By breaking the dump, I calculated the passwords for the third and fourth levels.LEVEL 1 Password: 123456LEVEL 2 Password: 261339LEVEL 3 Password: 710845LEVEL 4 Password: 593748

author: BravoV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 24, 2019, 01:51:10 am
content: Quote from: Spirex on October 24, 2019, 12:02:31 amThank you.

author: Mark S
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: November 04, 2019, 12:23:51 pm
content: L3 - 4 passwords great .... I had the first 2 ae a bonus...I am on the search for the Holy Grail or is it the hens teeth? Any one have a copy of the SML-Z2 software or know where I can procure a copy?RegardsMark=

author: HighVoltage
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 05, 2019, 05:12:07 pm
content: Quote from: Mark S on November 04, 2019, 12:23:51 pmI tried to find this but was not successful !

author: 1498ts
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: November 11, 2020, 12:46:57 pm
content: Hi !Is Anyone can have the password for level 2 & level 3 ?

author: mankan
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 11, 2020, 05:20:48 pm
content: I found the SMP passwords athttps://groups.io/g/Rohde-and-Schwarz, maybe they are the same.LEVEL1: 123456LEVEL2: 520805LEVEL3 490727Also unlocking thru GPIB, according to what I've found unlocks all levels.

author: vberk
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: August 27, 2021, 09:41:31 am
content: Hello to everyone!I have the SML01 that does not respond to keyboard but responds to the rotary knob. The keyboard matrix is working as I see it transmits pulses to PERIF2 chip. I suppose it is a problem with flash firmware.I see no way to update firmware through RS-232 as there is need to press key "5" before update process but there is no response to keypress.Does anyone have the flash dumps from SML-01-02-03 or SMV-03?I would appreciate for help.

author: Spirex
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 27, 2021, 10:02:09 am
content: SML-01 Dump firmware for programmer chip. Archive password 12345https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-EHZLpTz7vT7UJbwZslaBt0m7b7XmC5k/view?usp=sharingEEPROM 24645AM29LV160DT 1AM29LV160DT 2

author: vberk
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: August 27, 2021, 10:35:54 am
content: Hi, Spirex!Thanks a lot for dumps!What programmer did You use for that?Were there nuances with reading/writing the chips?Is 24645 also from this SML-01?

author: Spirex
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 27, 2021, 10:41:29 am
content: Hi!Programmer TL866A with programming panels tsop-48.There were no programming problems.I just do not remember where installed on the board EEPROM X24645PIf the keyboard does not work, I think you need to enter the programming mode through the digital interface on the back of the generator using the control commands described in the service manual.

author: vberk
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: August 27, 2021, 01:29:24 pm
content: Ok. I was thinking about it to enter the programming mode through the GPIB. But have not GPIB adpter yet.Thanks.

author: charlyd
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 31, 2022, 11:35:18 am
content: Great SML topic this is.I am looking for the SML-Z2 utilty (1090.5203.02) for calibrating my SML generator.Does anyone have this utility and is willing to share it here?is there already a sort of "standard walkthrough" path for a not booting units related/refers to display problems?

author: EEngo
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 02, 2023, 10:45:32 am
content: does someone know where to find the firmware and/or the update utility? My SML has an EEPROM checksum failure, I'd like to fix thatThanks!

author: Martin72
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 11, 2023, 09:29:59 pm
content: Hi...A few days ago I used the sweep function of my SML01 for the first time, from 1Mhz to 1Ghz.I noticed that between 1Mhz and just over 5Mhz the set 0dBm level is higher, after that it is exactly the same.Is this a calibration problem or a defect or is it normal?

author: Spirex
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 12, 2023, 08:58:55 am
content: At some sweep switching time, this effect exists.

author: Spirex
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 08, 2024, 05:21:55 pm
content: I'll duplicate the link. The archive contains dumps from microcircuits, and software from the manufacturer for programming the generator.https://drive.google.com/file/d/1En2RaBFdwcJvHx7VV3AnrDAZthTMBvy8/view?usp=sharing

author: Ioannis
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: September 25, 2024, 02:39:52 pm
content: I am considering the buy of SML01 gennerator but has lines on the LCD. I guess it is a common problem for that model.Are there any replacement LCDs? Anyone know any source? Or is it repairable LCD?Thank you,Ioannis

author: KungFuJosh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 16, 2025, 08:19:50 pm
content: Has anybody had any luck finding the calibration software for this? "SML_SERV.EXE" is what's referred to in the service manual.The attached image is the only clue I found besides what's commonly referred to in some of the manuals.Thanks,Josh

author: engineergrosjean
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: May 25, 2025, 11:01:47 pm
content: Thanks a lot for the information about the PW and calibration. It worked fine with my SML-03. I thought I had really created a problem when I took out the battery to test the voltage.I have an old SMS generator and it came with all the schematics. I am not happy with R&S's secrecy now. Repair expenses are outrageous.

author: KungFuJosh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 26, 2025, 12:12:14 am
content: Quote from: engineergrosjean on May 25, 2025, 11:01:47 pmI have a thread for the SML series in the TE section:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/rohde-schwarz-sml-series-signal-generators-sml01-sml02-sml03-smv03/The latest firmware is there. I could add the service manuals too if you need them.It's not just a matter of R&S' modern security. These are old enough that even the employees don't remember (or weren't there long enough) to be able to help much.