Tutorial. DS213 Oscilloscope

MiniDSO DS213 DSO tutorial

[@oscarcrespo9365]

Thank you for taking the time sharing the operation on how to set up the mini oscilloscope DS213 Sr.

[@scrappy7571]

Thank you so much. I purchased this a year ago, and it did not come with any user manuals. At the time there was no info on the web or you tube, so I tossed it in a drawer. Now I can finally adjust it and use it!!

[@bskarpa]

Very informative, thank you very much. I just got mine in today and I love this little guy. I hope to learn more about it and how to use it before buying a more expensive one.

[@ydonl]

Very helpful - thank you! I wanted to understand the user interface before I decide whether to buy one. You made it easy to see what it would be like to use it.

[@anthonvanderneut]

That's nice, technical information and ASMR in one go.

[@stoyanchaushev4725]

Very very very well presented lesson. Superb and slow diction, without unnecessary explanations, but everything important is shown, superb picture. I watched the video more than 10 times and I will watch it again and recommend it to friends and acquaintances.

[@k7iq]

Sure glad I found this video. I tried to use their manual to understand how to move around the menus but it was not obvious at all. Just now found that but only after watching this video.... (wheel) A Adjust/Change Option (wheel) B Cursor, movible from A to U (YES, Spelling error, but no big deal) That appears to be the only place they show this in their manual. Thank YOU Alejandro !

[@BorisZech]

Fantastic intro, thanks!

[@TheOleHermit]

Okay, you got me. Had to have it. Just ordered one.😎

[@Arfonzo]

Muy muy muy buena explicación y clase de manejo de este osciloscopio gigante en miniatura. Echo en falta como calibrarlo. Un 10 para ti. Gracias por tu tiempo. Un saludo

[@itxapgum717]

Has encontrado la forma de calibar?

[@raymondmetcalf9110]

Good i formative tutorial as it is my first scope so i will have good iformatio for future refere ce. Thats Great

[@uwebehring4163]

Hi Alejandro, very good structured tutorial! I just bought this DSO. Is it possible to download the collected data (CSV) to a PC? BR Uwe

[@roopi67]

Great job at explaining the interface in a thorough and concise manner, better than the user manual! You probably aware of the bug in the current firmware, that's probably why you wisely didn't show analogue triggering less than 20us ;) Really hoping minidso come out with a new firmware VERY soon to fix this. As great as this scope is it is presently practically useless for capturing triggers above 100khz, the trace goes blank and does other weird things :(

[@alejandroalonsopuig]

I didn't know about the bug you mentioned, but I will test it. This video was just a video tutorial, not a scope test. This is why I do not talk much about the real limits of the oscilloscope. I am thinking anyway on doing a video comparison between DS211, DS212 and DS213, trying to explain for what works is adequate each of them based on their real limits. Thanks for your comments.

[@roopi67]

If by any luck you don't have the bug then maybe you have older firmware, would suggest you stay with that firmware and skip this current one: www.minidso.com/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=3339&extra=page%3D1&mobile=2 This is 'taste' of whatyou will expect to see with the bug (there was another thread explaining it better at for shorter intervals but can't find it now): www.minidso.com/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=3518&extra=page%3D1&mobile=2 It would be interesting to see if you experience anything like this on your ds213. I don't believe it's a limitation of this scope, its just faulty software. It's predecessor DS203 was a great scope that had no problems triggering at shorter intervals, even without the wildcat firmware :)

[@alejandroalonsopuig]

@@roopi67 although the oscilloscope is new, It has firmware v1.20, that is not the last one as you say. I am testing it at 10Mhz and trigger works well. Therefore probably is what you mention about new firmware versions. I would suggest you to contact MiniDSO to report the bug or load v1.20

[@roopi67]

@@alejandroalonsopuig Ah okay. The only firmware available to download is 1.22, I wish I didn't upgrade to it now I'm stuck with it until they come out with new. There has been someone who asked for downgrade 1.20 firmware on the forum, but minidso representative responded that 1.20 had even more bugs than 1.22, strange that yours don't exhibit them?! I will post asking them to hurry their update or atleast make available 1.20, thanks!

[@roopi67]

Here's the other forum link explaining the problem very similar to what I'm experiencing, the trace seems to end at T0: www.minidso.com/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=3356&extra=page%3D2&mobile=2 But strange they say they're using 1.20... same as yours

[@ozzymandius666]

Excellent, thank-you. I look forward to the community making some FFT firmware mods. How well does it work at 10Mz analog signals?

[@alejandroalonsopuig]

Michael Bishop I did some tests and the scope could sample pure sinusoidal signals of 10Mhz. I found some amplitude attenuation, but I could not clearly tell if it was due to the scope, the probes or my signal generator

[@agustipadrosrios1073]

In theory, if BW is around 15MHz, the maximum input signal you should analyze would be around 7-9MHz; higher frequencies, near the maximum input BW of the OSC would result in signal attenuation.

[@paulrudman1349]

I've had one of these for a year and I thought it was rubbish, but now I see I just wasn't setting it properly!

[@fafynajjar3254]

Hi, I have question you inserted a converter connector inside the signal out, what is this converter connector?? Is it TS9?

[@AntonKhrapov]

Hi, I have this scope and it won't save any settings. I'm wondering if I have deleted some hidden file or something... Could you please check what's on the internal drive, including all hidden stuff?

[@sh06un1s]

Nice video! I can definitely see myself using this as my main reference. Just wanted to ask if you've found a way to switch between x1 and x10 probe modes. My ds213 was shipped with 2 switchable x1-x10 probes and I'm questioning why they were included if the functionality doesn't exist for them. Maybe that's coming in a later firmware update?

[@alejandroalonsopuig]

Thank you. Yes, I didn't find it either...

[@sh06un1s]

@@alejandroalonsopuig Thanks for the reply. That's great to know. I think I'll make an enquiry about this on their site when I find some time.

[@jackieo555]

For anyone still looking at the answer. The newest firmware 1.27 has 1x and 10x mode, it is part of the AC/DC mode selection. The menu now shows [AC/DC/AC10/DC10/Off]

[@sh06un1s]

@@jackieo555 Thanks for the update. I'll have to check this out.

[@jair5882]

Dear Alejandro, Thanks for your nice speak during the explanation. After saved the files, which program I should use for open and analise the waves? Have you a video handling the DSO213 with a computer?

[@alejandroalonsopuig]

I am afraid I didn't use that files so far.

[@erikpoephoofd]

Is it a CSV file? You can use Python for performing FFT among other things. I've done this before.

[@beemweh]

I have a question regarding saving CSV Files. And I cannot write at the minidso.com forum because all controls are chinese...managed to create an account but haven't been successful posting anything there. Tet scenario square wave 100Hz at digital input timebase set to 2ms. When I save a csv file it has 149 lines for the cycle instead of 5 lines that it should have IMHO - I have no experience with Oscilloscopes, but the Timebase 2mS in the header would indicate for me 1 line per 2 mS Somebody have a clue?

[@cyphrsphyr]

If you can possibly help....how would i download the newest firmware for the DS213 i somehow erased the firmware from the device and its asking for anew i attempted to use the 1.24 link: www.minidso.com/forumdownload/DS213%20APP%202.14%20FPGA018.zip ....and the device isnt retaining the information thanks

[@Sizzlik]

Im a little confused about the max voltage, as the manual states 40V max but at another place it says 400V with 10x? So what happens if i use a good probe (rated for 600V), set the probe to 10x, set the ds213 to AC 10x and probe a 240V wall outlet? Will i destroy the scope? I dont understand how the 10x works..does it limit the power or does it just divide whats shown on the display by 10?

[@alejandroalonsopuig]

a 10x probe divides by 10 the measured voltage. Thus, if you put 240v at the tip of the probe, you get 24v at the oscilloscope end. You also need to configure the input channel of the oscilloscope to 10x, so values are correctly shown at the screen (240v instead of only 24v). Anyway, take care measuring high voltages, and do not souch any metalic part of the scope, as the ground of the prove is connected to a high voltage source, and this voltage might go through your fingers to your feet and then to the ground. You do not like that. Ussually for this kind of measurements you better use a transformer.

[@bskarpa]

My DS213 came not working. Says FPGA configuration Error. Did yours day that when you just bought it?

[@alejandroalonsopuig]

No, it didn't. I suggest you contact seller or distributor. It should be under warranty.

[@dacodadacoda7648]

What happens if you use a digital signal on an analog channel?

[@alejandroalonsopuig]

An analog channel allows you to see analog and digital signals

[@oscarpeters1351]

could this scope be used to measure mains 230V?

[@alejandroalonsopuig]

Yes, but using the prove in 10x impedance position

[@dennothemenno8900]

Could this unit be used for testing automotive sensors etc?

[@alejandroalonsopuig]

I do not know much about automotive sensors. May be other people who read this could answere. This device is just an oscilloscope. If other oscilloscopes could be used for such purpose, then this one presumably too.

[@dennothemenno8900]

@@alejandroalonsopuig thanks.

[@hamburgelbstrand5748]

Is it possible to flash the "wildcat" firmware?

[@alejandroalonsopuig]

I suggest you ask in the product forum. Link below. Good luck. minidso.com/forum.php?mod=forumdisplay&fid=87&mobile=2

[@gkmaia38]

can you do X/Y plotting on it?

[@alejandroalonsopuig]

I didn't find how. I guess is not possible.

[@user-mq5jt4kd1f]

Please tell a type of connector adapter you are using.

[@alejandroalonsopuig]

It is an MCX to BNC connector. You do not need it for the probes included, but you would need it if you use common BNC probes. You could find them at any electronics shop or amazon, aliexpress... € 1,41 | BNC Female Jack To MCX Male Plug RF Adapter Connector For GPS Antenna TV-Tuner a.aliexpress.com/_msPdLwH

[@user-mq5jt4kd1f]

@@alejandroalonsopuig great! Thanks for Ali link. It's the final target I need!

[@user-mq5jt4kd1f]

@@alejandroalonsopuig about "probes included" I know of course) I want to use common and ususal probes with ds213 and so I need adapter. Thanks once more!

[@ernestoporras]

¿En dónde puedo conseguir el adaptador para BNC?

[@alejandroalonsopuig]

En tiendas de electrónica, ebay e incluso amazon seguramente. Yo no recuerdo dónde lo compré.

[@Jayfort23]

can i use that in vehicle?

[@alejandroalonsopuig]

From my point of view it depends on what you want to measure. It is a basic oscilloscope. Many people use it for automotive. Just keep in mind it measure voltage variations, not current.

[@Jayfort23]

ok, thank you