Siglent SDS814X HD Introduction

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This is the content required for an introduction to our Siglent SDS814X HD digital storage oscilloscope — reading this does NOT replace the mandatory session with a tutor! It will make the session a lot quicker ;-)

If you need this introduction, please reach out to the electronics tutors via Slack or ask during opening hours. You must have a basic understanding of oscilloscopes and electronics; if you're unfamiliar with oscilloscopes, please read the manual and review basic oscilloscope usage.

Make sure you have read the machine's manual (available in the machine info box) before your introduction.

Safety

Personal protection

There is no requirement for eye protection or gloves during normal oscilloscope use. However, handling sensitive electronics requires an **ESD wrist strap** and a static‑safe workstation – this protects both the oscilloscope and your circuit from electrostatic discharge:contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}.

Dangers and precautions

Danger	Precautions
Electric shock from hazardous voltages or improper grounding	Always plug the oscilloscope’s three‑pronged power cord into a properly grounded outlet and ensure the device under test shares the same ground:contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}:contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}. Never remove or bypass the ground pin on the power cord:contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}. When measuring circuits with more than 30 V RMS (>42 V pk) from earth ground, connect the oscilloscope chassis to earth ground using the supplied grounding wire to prevent electrical shock:contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}. Do not float the oscilloscope or attempt differential measurements with standard probes at hazardous voltages; use appropriate high‑voltage differential probes to maintain operator safety:contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}.

Apart from the electric shock hazard described above, there are no significant direct injury risks when operating this oscilloscope. The other safety notes in this introduction (e.g. ESD and overdriving inputs) protect the equipment and the device under test, not the operator.

Grounding and electrical safety

Always plug the oscilloscope’s three‑pronged power cord into a properly grounded outlet. Properly grounding the oscilloscope protects you from hazardous shock and ensures accurate measurements:contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}.
The oscilloscope must share the same ground as the circuit you are testing. Do **not** circumvent or remove the ground pin on the power cord:contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}.
Before connecting probes, set the vertical scale to its maximum setting to avoid overdriving the inputs; never exceed the maximum input voltage specified on the front panel or in the manual:contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}.
Wear an ESD wrist strap and work on a static‑safe workstation when handling sensitive circuits. Electrostatic discharge can damage oscilloscope inputs and the devices under test:contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}.
Discharge any coaxial cables or test fixtures before connecting them to the oscilloscope:contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}.
Keep the oscilloscope’s ventilation openings clear and allow adequate clearance for cooling. Do not cover the ventilation holes:contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}.

Handling and maintenance

Use the provided passive probes (Siglent PP510) and inspect connectors for damage. Avoid bending cables or twisting connectors and use the connector savers if available:contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}.
Perform regular self‑calibration (signal path compensation) when ambient temperature changes by more than 5 °C or at least once per week:contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}.
Clean the oscilloscope’s connectors and case with appropriate materials (compressed air and isopropyl alcohol) and never allow fluids into the connectors:contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14}.
Transport the oscilloscope carefully using both hands; avoid lifting it by the front panel and use proper packaging when moving or shipping:contentReference[oaicite:15]{index=15}.

Device overview

The Siglent SDS814X HD is a four‑channel digital storage oscilloscope with 12‑bit vertical resolution and 100 MHz bandwidth:contentReference[oaicite:16]{index=16}. It uses Siglent’s SPO technology with a waveform capture rate up to 120 000 wfms/s in normal mode and 500 000 wfms/s in sequence mode:contentReference[oaicite:17]{index=17}. Key hardware features include:

**Channels & bandwidth:** 4 analog channels, 100 MHz bandwidth (2-channel and 4‑channel series models differ in bandwidth; SDS814X HD belongs to the 4‑channel 100 MHz series):contentReference[oaicite:18]{index=18}.
**High‑resolution acquisition:** 12‑bit ADCs with sample rates up to 2 GSa/s and record lengths up to 100 Mpts; the front‑end noise floor is as low as 70 µV rms:contentReference[oaicite:19]{index=19}.
**Trigger and decoding:** Digital trigger system with edge, slope, pulse‑width, window, runt, interval, dropout, pattern, video (HDTV), qualified, nth‑edge, delay, and setup/hold triggers:contentReference[oaicite:20]{index=20}. Built‑in serial bus trigger and decoder supports I²C, SPI, UART, CAN and LIN protocols:contentReference[oaicite:21]{index=21}.
**Display and interfaces:** A 7″ TFT‑LCD capacitive touch screen with 1024 × 600 resolution; supports multi‑touch gestures and can also be controlled via USB keyboard and mouse:contentReference[oaicite:22]{index=22}. Two USB‑A ports allow you to connect storage devices; a rear RJ45 Ethernet port provides remote control via a web browser:contentReference[oaicite:23]{index=23}, and the built‑in web server supports SCPI commands:contentReference[oaicite:24]{index=24}.
**Analysis tools:** Up to four math traces with 2 Mpt FFT, addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, integration, differentiation and square‑root; search and navigate functions; history waveform recording; mask test with user‑defined masks; bode plot and power analysis:contentReference[oaicite:25]{index=25}.
**Optional features:** Sixteen digital channels (via the SDS800XHD‑16LA logic probe and option):contentReference[oaicite:26]{index=26} and a one‑channel 25 MHz arbitrary waveform generator module:contentReference[oaicite:27]{index=27}.

Getting started

Your tutor will demonstrate each of the following steps. Read through them ahead of time to familiarise yourself with the process and reduce the time needed for your introduction.

Preparation and power‑up

**Ground yourself and the instrument.** Plug the oscilloscope into a grounded outlet and wear an ESD strap. Ensure the instrument shares ground with the device under test:contentReference[oaicite:28]{index=28}.
**Power on.** Use the front‑panel power switch to turn on the oscilloscope. Allow the device to boot and complete its self‑test.
**Reset or default setup.** Press the DEFAULT or AUTOSET button to restore the oscilloscope to a known configuration (if available):contentReference[oaicite:29]{index=29}. This ensures standard settings for controls and avoids unexpected behaviour.
**Self‑calibration.** Navigate to the Utilities menu and run “Self‑Cal” or “Signal Path Compensation.” This calibrates the analog channels for accurate measurements:contentReference[oaicite:30]{index=30}.

Connecting and compensating probes

**Select the channel and vertical scale.** Press the CH 1 button to enable channel 1. Set the volts/div knob and the vertical position to mid‑range:contentReference[oaicite:31]{index=31}.
**Attach the probe.** Connect the passive probe’s BNC connector to the channel input. Attach the ground lead clip to a known ground on the oscilloscope or reference terminal:contentReference[oaicite:32]{index=32}.
**Compensate the probe.** Connect the probe tip to the scope’s built‑in square‑wave reference output. Adjust the probe’s compensation capacitor until the displayed square wave has flat tops and bottoms:contentReference[oaicite:33]{index=33}. Repeat this for each channel.

Basic measurements

**Time base and triggering:** Adjust the horizontal time/div knob to set the time scale; adjust the trigger level and trigger mode (Auto, Normal, Single) as needed:contentReference[oaicite:34]{index=34}. For repetitive signals, AUTOSET can help to automatically adjust time base, vertical scale and trigger.
**Voltage measurements:** Use the cursors or built‑in measurement functions to display peak‑to‑peak voltage, RMS voltage, frequency and other parameters:contentReference[oaicite:35]{index=35}.
**Multiple channels:** Enable additional channels (CH 2–CH 4) to compare signals and measure phase differences or timing relationships. Use the Math menu to subtract signals or calculate FFTs:contentReference[oaicite:36]{index=36}.
**Digital channels and serial decoding (optional):** If the logic‑analyzer module is installed, use the digital inputs to capture up to 16 logic channels and decode I²C, SPI, UART, CAN or LIN protocols:contentReference[oaicite:37]{index=37}. The Serial menu allows you to assign channels and view decoded data.

Saving and exporting data

Insert a USB flash drive into one of the front USB ports. Use the Save/Recall menu to save waveform snapshots, setups or CSV data for further analysis.
For remote operation, connect an Ethernet cable to the RJ45 port. Open a web browser and enter the oscilloscope’s IP address to access the built‑in web server, which allows live control, screen capture and file transfers:contentReference[oaicite:38]{index=38}.
For automation, use SCPI commands over USB or LAN. A programming guide and examples are available on Siglent’s website:contentReference[oaicite:39]{index=39}.

Demonstration

During your introduction, the tutor will guide you through:

**Operating the front panel:** Navigating menus via the touch screen and knobs, selecting channels and adjusting vertical/horizontal scales.
**Using triggers:** Setting edge, pulse width and other trigger types to capture stable waveforms.
**Performing measurements:** Using automatic measurement functions, cursors and math operations.
**Serial decoding and logic analysis:** Setting up the digital channels (if available), assigning thresholds and interpreting decoded data.
**Remote control and data export:** Accessing the web interface, saving screenshots and exporting waveforms.

Feel free to ask questions, try different signals and explore the scope’s menus. Understanding the controls and features will help you use the oscilloscope effectively and avoid damaging it or your circuits.