Tektronix TDS2CM to TDS2MM Hack

In this video, I hack a Tektronix TDS2CM Communications Module to upgrade it to a TDS2MM Maths Module.
**If anyone has any firmware versions of the TDS200 scopes or these addon modules, that are not on Tekwiki, please send me a copy!**
Parts used:
AT27C040-70 - PROM Chip
IS62C1024AL-35 - 1Mb, 128K x 8 RAM Chip
Links to Tekwiki (For firmware files):
w140.com/tekwi...
w140.com/tekwi...
Link to EEVBlog forum thread:
www.eevblog.co...

[@robokpl]

that worked very well, thanks man, memory avainable on ebay (from germany), and ram from aliexpress, now my old tds210 have new usefull function

[@NearFarMedia]

Glad it helped!

[@brettschacher8644]

Nice, I just recently acquired a 210 that is needing a new screen. I'm not much on using a scope, been a long time since I went to school for any of this and forgot most if not all of it. Anyhow, while scanning over stuff about these designs I found the module upgrade. My new scope had NO module installed in it when I got it so when I ordered the screen I also ordered the USB version of the MM. I'm eagerly waiting for the screen and module to arrive so I can see just what I'm getting. As I scan over the net for stuff to hack on these I found the LED backlight replacement for the CCFL I guess. Maybe I'll get lucky and get one of those instead of another CCFL part. The one I have still works but never having seen 1 of these scopes before I have nothing to compare to. Being the USB version it should have all the latest bells and whistles. If not, I want to send off for whatever is needed to fix it to this level. At least once the scope is back together the upgrade can be done from outside the main case. Tektronix obviously had something in mind for the future when they released these.

[@edvinkarlsson1292]

Nice work! Just got myself a used TDS210 for 30$ with the CM module. Does anybody know if you can buy the chips pre-programmed?

[@stevent3450]

Good Job as usual 🥰

[@danblankenship5744]

There is now a new option. There is a new board available that has a USB port for around $50 on eBay.

[@NearFarMedia]

I have seen that, looks interesting and not too expensive. The USB feature is really handy compared to finding a computer with a serial port, or using a USB-Serial adapter.

[@danblankenship5744]

@@NearFarMedia I am glad I found this video. I had no idea that my scope had these options. My 4-channel scope (TDS-224) didn't include this extension board and these features were sorely missed, so it was on the shelf. Finding this new USB option was the best answer I found. I got this new board, drilled a hole in the cover for the USB port, and simply slid this upgrade into place. There were no software upgrades needed for my model, plug-n-go. I love the additional math features and having an easy way to save files to my PC. This scope has a new place on my bench and the 2-channel is back on the shelf.

[@bobweiram6321]

I have a TDS-1012B. Can I use the board?

[@t1d100]

Nice Project.

[@markvault9980]

good job!! i need ask something, whtas hardware for read and write eeprom you use and software??

[@eeengineer8851]

Curious if one were to swap out the RAM IC w/o changing the firmware one will it still work? Going to assume the reverse would not as the firmware needs that larger RAM. The reason would be to make sure that went well before now swapping out the firmware. Sometimes changing several things at once and if one step goes bad, you don't know which one!

[@NearFarMedia]

I would assume it would work with a larger capacity RAM chip, it just wouldn't use the entire capacity. If you try it, let us know! :)

[@gorak9000]

Usually publishing this stuff too widely is what leads to there being better protections against these sorts of "upgrades" in the next version of the firmware, or the next generation of the products. Usually best to keep this stuff quiet and in places where it's at least not search-engine-findable

[@nerddub]

This isn't magic , there's no proprietary hardware being defeated, this is equivalent to dumping firmware into a battery ID EEPROM so 3rd party batteries can be used in devices, albeit this adds a feature to the software. The solution is never to take away the knowledge.

[@NearFarMedia]

This hardware is decades old now. Replacing a few chips on an add-on board that hasn't been sold for 20 years isn't going to influence the business practices of Tektronix regarding their current products.......

[@matthyne4379]

I really want to know where you get your flux from ?

[@NearFarMedia]

I just use Hakko brand rosin flux, sometimes straight from the bottle using the brush like nail polish, or in a Hakko flux pen.