That modification may actually explain the improved performance of the later instruments.
Maybe there's some feed-through in the mixer that's compensated that way? Anyway, I always had the impression that on my DSA815 the noise floor is round about 10dB better than what's shown in Dave's TG tutorial and other videos. One very funny detail is that apparently some of the 1st LO signal is coupled to the 1st mixer output through a low pass filter. Input protection also seems to have been "beefed up" a little. But now there are many "permanent adjustment points", as it seems mostly for impedance matching, all throughout the areas where frequencies >500MHz are processed. As far as I can tell, the VCOs were kept practically unchanged. Actually, the RF input section and the 1st mixer had been modified excessively and some other sections as well. I intend to "poke around" in my DSA815 a little to experiment with the FRAM and once open, I couldn't resist to peek into the RF section as well (didn't open that so far) - guess I was surprised to find something considerably different from the design shown in Dave's teardown video and the associated photos. FYI - All older DSA815's/TG (with Boot loader 00.01.02, 00.01.03) are all working fine as is with this Firmware upgrade. If you have a Newer DSA815 with Boot loader version 00.01.04 then be sure to at least read post's (Reply #) 786, 787, and 790 ( * -> may very well be a potential fix for the newer DSA815s). Edit: I Do Not have the newer version DSA815 that TurboTom (Thomas) describes in his post below (Reply #786).
#RIGOL DSA815 DATASHEET FULL#
See my previous post (Reply #784) to see the full System and Firmware Information after doing the FW upgrade.
#RIGOL DSA815 DATASHEET DOWNLOAD#
Then Download > DSA815 Firmware_00.01.17.00.04 V00.01.17 -Added the SSC fuction -Cleared the LAN communication trouble -Resolve the front panel switch control problem Yes, it is safe to install, and all options are still there for all the older DSA815's with Boot loader 00.01.02 and. There is new Firmware available for the DSA815: DSA815 Firmware_00.01.17.00.04 To get this you can go to > Then go to > Spectrum Analyzer.