OPERATING MANUAL

MHS-5200A Series
dual-channel DDS signal generator
Zhengzhou Ming Wo Electronic Technology Co., Ltd.
Investor Road, New District, Zhengzhou City,
Henan Province No. 96
Tel: 0371-86106382
Fax: 0371-86106382
Website: www.mhinstek.com
E-mail: sales@mhinstek.com
All rights reserved

May 2015

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Contents
1 Introduction 3
1.1 Instrument characteristics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
1.2 Model description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
1.3 Technical specications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
1.3.1 Key parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
1.3.2 Detailed specications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

2 Instrument Description 7
2.1 External description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
2.2 Front panel keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
2.3 Instrument display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

3 Operating Instructions 9
3.1 Unpacking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
3.2 Startup sequence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
3.3 Operating instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
3.3.1 Selecting CH1 waveform . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
3.3.2 Setting CH1 frequency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
3.3.3 Setting CH1 output amplitude . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
3.3.4 Setting CH1 voltage oset . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
3.3.5 Setting CH1 duty cycle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
3.3.6 Adjusting phase dierence between channels . . . . . . 12
3.3.7 Setting the display unit of frequency . . . . . . . . . . 12
3.3.8 Tracking function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
3.3.9 External signal input port selection . . . . . . . . . . . 13
3.3.10 Measurement function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
3.3.11 Sweep function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
3.3.12 Parameter storage and loading . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
3.3.13 Calibration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

4 Instrument control software 15

5 Care and maintenance 15

6 Warranty and service 16

A Instrument internals 17

B MHS-5200A serial protocol 17

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1 Introduction
MHS-5200A series Direct Digital Synthesis (DDS) instrument generates ana-
log and digital signals in a 0..25MHz frequency range. It can also measure
various waveform parameters. It provides a great test and measurement
solution to electronic engineers and technicians in teaching and research lab-
oratories, and production facilities.
This instrument is designed around two large scale integrated circuits:
a high-speed FPGA and a microcontroller unit. The internal circuitry uses
surface mount technology for greatly enhanced noise immunity and service
life. Display interface uses a 16x2 character LCD display, divided into two
lines. The top line shows the current frequency, while the following line
displays additional parameters and settings, corresponding to the front panel
key selections.

1.1 Instrument characteristics

Direct digital synthesis (DDS) technology, FPGA design, low power
consumption

Dual output, with adjustable phase dierential

Linear and logarithmic sweep function, with up to 600 seconds duration

Selectable output waveform: sine, triangle, square wave, rising and

falling sawtooth, variable duty cycle pulse, plus 16 sets of arbitrary
waveform customized by the user

Total of 10 sets of instrument parameters M0 .. M9 (M0 is the default

set on power-up)

Output voltage up to 15Vp-p below 12MHz, up to 8Vp-p above 12MHz

Sophisticated -20dB attenuator enables amplitude resolution of 1mV

+/- 120% DC bias function

Pulse duty cycle adjustment, accurate to 0.1%

Four variable phase dierence TTL outputs

Measurement capability. Possible measurements are: frequency, pe-

riod, positive and negative pulse width, duty cycle and counting func-
tion

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 Four optional frequency measurement gate times, which strike a bal-
ance between speed and accuracy

All parametric EQ calibration can be performed by internal procedures

Powerful communications features. Completely open communications

protocol allows development of third-party applications

When connected to the PC, the computer can be used to control the
instrument. The user can edit arbitrary output waveforms, and down-
load it to the instrument

The instrument can be equipped with an additional power module,

to enable the signal output amplitude of 30Vpp, and the maximum
output current of 1A

1.2 Model description

This series of instruments includes four models, dierentiated by the maxi-
mum frequency of the output sine wave:

MHS-5200-06M sinusoidal signals at frequencies up to 6MHz

MHS-5200-12M sinusoidal signals at frequencies up to 12MHz

MHS-5200-20M sinusoidal signals at frequencies up to 20MHz

MHS-5200-25M sinusoidal signals at frequencies up to 25MHz

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1.3 Technical specifications
1.3.1 Key parameters
Sine wave MHS-5200-06M 0Hz..6MHz
MHS-5200-12M 0Hz..12MHz
MHS-5200-20M 0Hz..20MHz
Frequency Range
MHS-5200-25M 0Hz..25MHz
Square wave 0Hz..6MHz
Triangle wave 0Hz..6MHz
Sawtooth 0Hz..6MHz
Arbitrary waveform 0Hz..6MHz
TTL digital signal 0Hz..6MHz
Output modulation Frequency sweep
Waveform types Sine, square, triangle,
sawtooth, TTL digital signal
wave, Arbitrary
Waveform Length 1024 points
Sampling rate 200MSa/s
Waveform amplitude 8bits
resolution
Minimum frequency 10mHz
resolution
Frequency error 510-6
Frequency stability 110-6
Amplitude range 15mVp-p..15Vp-p (<12MHz)
(peak to peak) 15mVp-p..8Vp-p (> 12MHz)
Output impedance 50 10%
Amplitude 1mVp-p (-20dB attenuation)
resolution 10mVp-p (no attenuation)
Amplitude stability 0.5% (per 5 hours)
Amplitude error 1%+10mV (frequency
1KHz, 15 Vp-p)
Oset range -120% .. +120% (bias voltage
and signal amplitude ratio)
Bias resolution 1.00%
Phase range 0 .. 359
Phase resolution 1

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1.3.2 Detailed specifications
Sine wave Harmonic content 40dBc (below 1MHz),
35dBc (1MHz .. 20MHz)
Distortion <0.8% (20Hz .. 20KHz)
Rise time 20ns
Square
Overshoot 10%
wave
Duty cycle adjustment 0% .. 99.9%
range
Rise time 20ns
TTL Low level <0.3V
High level 1V ..7.5V
Arbitrary No. of waveforms 16 stored waveforms
waveform Memory depth/group 1KB/16 groups
Scan mode Linear sweep, log sweep
Scan Scan time 1s .. 600s
Scan range Adjustable sweep settings
10s 0.1Hz - 60MHz
1s 1Hz - 60MHz
Frequency range (for
0.1s 10Hz - 60MHz
several selectable gate
0.01s 100Hz - 60MHz
times)
External
Input voltage range 0.5Vp-p .. 20Vp-p
measure-
Counting range 0 - 4294967295
ments
Counting Manual
Positive and negative 10ns resolution, range 10s
pulse width
Period 20ns resolution, range 20s
Duty Cycle 0.1% resolution, measuring range from
0.1% to 99.9%
Source selection Ext.IN input (AC signal)
TTL_IN input (digital signal)
Memory Quantity 10
banks Location M0 to M9
Interface type USB serial port
Interface Baud rate 57600bps
Protocol Line oriented commands, non-proprietary
Power DC 5V
supply
Dimensions LengthWidthHeight 18019071mm
Weight Unit 546g

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2 Instrument Description
2.1 External description
MHS-5200A external appearance and user interface is described in Figure 1.

1 LCD1602 LCD 7 CH2 output connector

2 Status Indicator 8 Power switch
3 Operation buttons 9 5VDC power input
4 Rotary knob selector 10 USB connector
5 Ext.In input connector 11 TTL input / output connector
6 CH1 output connector

Figure 1: MHS-5200A external layout

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2.2 Front panel keys
The instrument front panel keys are described in Figure 2. There are six
physical membrane keys: ve function keys, and a shift key that introduces
a secondary operation for the other keys.

Move the cursor left, or change the current

parameter value

Move the cursor right, or change the current

parameter value

Next menu selection

Previous menu selection

Conrmation button; also, changes the parameter in

the current menu selection

Channel selector. Channel setting reected by

CH1/CH2 LED indicator

Focus select between the rst and second display

line, as indicated by the Asymbol

Waveform shape selection

Waveform amplitude adjustment

Output enable/disable; status is indicated by the red

front panel OUT LED

Figure 2: Front panel user controls

2.3 Instrument display

LCD front panel display, shown in Figure 3, indicates the current frequency
setting in the top line. The second line displays current operation and pa-
rameter values.

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 1 Frequency display
2 Selected menu operation / parameter display

Figure 3: Front panel display

The A symbol indicates which values will be modied by the arrow

keys and the adjustment knob. In multi-digit parameter values, the current
selected digit is indicated by an underline.

3 Operating Instructions
3.1 Unpacking
When you get a new MHS-5200A Series dual-channel DDS signal generator,
it is recommended that you follow these steps to inspect the instrument.

1. Check for transportation damage to the shipping box and packing ma-
terials. If there is serious damage, keep them until the machine and
accessories have passed the acceptance test.

2. Check the complete contents of the box. If the contents do not match
the following list or if the instrument is damaged, contact your dealer
or manufacturer.

MHS-5200A Series dual-channel DDS signal generator

5VDC Power Adapter
USB cable
Signal coaxial cable, 2pc
User Manual and Windows software on CD

3. Check the instrument for damage. If it is damaged or not working

properly, or fails performance tests, please contact your dealer or man-
ufacturer.

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3.2 Startup sequence
1. Connect the provided 5V DC power supply and turn on the instrument
using the back panel power switch.
2. Initially, the LCD displays the instrument model and version number
(e.g. MHS-5225A R4.10), company name (e.g. MingHe (c) 2015) and
serial number of the instrument (e.g. P/N: 52A0123).
3. After startup, the instrument enables the output and activates the
front panel user interface.

3.3 Operating instructions

This section will detail how to operate the instrument using front panel keys,
the rotary selector and the LCD display.
One of two green front panel LED indicators, CH1 and CH2, will be
lit, to indicate which channels parameters are being changed. The selected
channel can be changed by the front panel key .
The A indicator on the LCD display shows which parameter is being
changed. Initially, it is in the rst display line, and the arrow keys and rotary
knob change the signal frequency value. The PgUp/PgDn keys change the
second line to display the values of other instrument parameters, but those
values cannot be changed unless the A indicator is moved to the second line,
e.g. by pressing the key.
The primary functions, signal waveform and amplitude (Sec. 3.3.1 and
3.3.2), have their own key selectors; other functions are selected by moving
through the menu selections by the PgUp and PgDn keys, in the following

order:
WAVE AMPL OFFS DUTY PHASE TRACE FREQ-UNIT
INVERT BURST MSR-SEL MSR-MODE GATE-TIME
measurement result SET SWEEP FREQ1 SET SWEEP FREQ2
SWEEP TIME SWEEP MODE SWEEP SAVE LOAD

3.3.1 Selecting CH1 waveform

Press the button and adjust the output waveform type by turning
the ADJUST knob. Available waveforms are: sine, square, triangle, rising

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sawtooth, descending sawtooth and 16 arbitrary waveforms, preloaded by the
manufacturer. Each of those arbitrary 16 waveforms can also be downloaded
from the connected PC host by the user.1

3.3.2 Setting CH1 frequency

When the Aindicator is in the rst line, use the left/right arrow keys to
move the cursor to the appropriate decimal digit and turn the "ADJUST"
knob to adjust the frequency of the output waveform.

3.3.3 Setting CH1 output amplitude

Press the signal amplitude key , move the cursor to the appropriate
decimal digit and turn the "ADJUST" knob to adjust the peak-to-peak signal
amplitude of the output waveform, as shown below:2

In the default range setting function mode, the maximum amplitude is

15V, and the minimum amplitude is 0.15V; the incremental step value is
0.01V (10mV).
The -20dB output attenuator may be selected by pressing the button.
With attenuation, the output signal has a maximum value of 1.500V, the
minimum value of 0.015V, and the minimum step is 0.001V (1mV).

1
The original manual claims that Long key press restores the original set of waveforms
but I am unable to replicate that
2
The original instructions have the picture as shown here, but recent instruments show
*AMPL: in the second line, which makes more sense.

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3.3.4 Setting CH1 voltage offset
Change the mode to bias adjustment, and move the cursor to the desired
digit, then turn the "ADJUST" knob to adjust the oset parameter.

3.3.5 Setting CH1 duty cycle

Change the mode to adjust the duty cycle, move the cursor to the desired
decimal digit, then turn the "ADJUST" knob to adjust the duty cycle pa-
rameter.

3.3.6 Adjusting phase difference between channels

Change the mode to adjust the phase, move the cursor to the desired decimal
position , then turn the "ADJUST" knob to adjust the phase parameter.3

3.3.7 Setting the display unit of frequency

Change the mode to adjust the frequency units of the display, and then select
the frequency units of Hz, kHz, or MHz.

3
The phase difference only makes sense if CH1 and CH2 output the same frequency.

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3.3.8 Tracking function
Tracking function is used to synchronize the frequency of CH2 to CH1. The
amplitude and duty cycle can also be tracked.
Select the tracking option, and then select TRACE ON or OFF with the
button. When the tracking function is turned on, output frequency of
channel CH2 automatically tracks the frequency of channel CH1. Also, if
CH1 and CH2 amplitude is the same before turning tracing on, amplitude
tracking feature is turned on. If the duty cycle is the same in both channels,
CH1 and CH2 duty cycle will also be automatically tracked.

3.3.9 External signal input port selection

Select the input port selection mode, and switch the input port selection to
Ext.IN for front panel AC signal input, or to TTL.IN for rear panel TTL
input.

3.3.10 Measurement function

Several parameters of the input signal can be measured.

Choose the measurement mode selection, and then turn the knob or
click the button to switch the measured quantity:

FREQ F= frequency
COUNTR C= count
POS-PW H= positive (logical high) period
NEG-PW L= negative (logical low) period
PERIOD T= time period
DUTY DUTY= duty cycle (percent)

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 Proceed to gate time selection menu, and choose one of available gate
times: 10s, 1s, 0.1s, or 0.01s. Dierent gate times trade o frequency
measurement accuracy and measurement speed.

Proceed to next menu; the instrument display will show input mea-
surement results.

3.3.11 Sweep function

Select the initial sweep frequency settings function, and then adjust
the start frequency, e.g. 5kHz as shown below:

Next, select the nal sweep frequency function, and then adjust the
nal frequency, e.g. 10kHz as shown below:

Next, select the sweep time setting mode, and rotate "ADJUST" knob
to adjust the sweep time between 1s and 600s, e.g. to 10s as shown
below:

Next, enter the sweep mode selection screen, and choose between LINE
(linear frequency sweep) and LOG (logarithmic sweep).

Finally, enter the sweep control page, then press the OK key to turn on
or turn o sweep function. Subsequent OK button presses will pause
and continue the scan.

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3.3.12 Parameter storage and loading
To save parameters for later use, select the parameter save function,
then rotate "ADJUST" knob to adjust the save location. This instru-
ment has a total of 10 parameter storage locations, M0-M9. On power
on, the instrument loads parameter set M0.

To restore saved parameters, chose the parameter load function, and

rotate the "ADJUST" knob to adjust the location to one of the 10
available saved sets, M0-M9. On power on, the instrument loads pa-
rameter set M0.

3.3.13 Calibration
Calibration function is performed at the factory. Please consult the factory
if calibration is required.

4 Instrument control software

The instrument is provided with large and somehow unwieldy Windows con-
trol software. An alternative portable PyQt control program mhdds will be
developed.

5 Care and maintenance

1. Make sure to use the provided DC5V power adapter;

2. The instrument display LCD module is fragile and needs to be pro-

tected from mechanical and chemical damage. Clean by gently wiping
with a soft cloth.

3. The working temperature is -10..50 , Storage temperature -20..70 ,

in a dry environment.

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 4. Do not attempt to disassemble the equipment, destroying the package
will void the warranty. There are no user-serviceable parts inside;
repairs are to be done only by authorized repair outlets or by returning
the item to the factory.

5. Do not allow lighted candles, liquid-lled containers, corrosive chemi-

cals and other unsafe items to be placed on the surface of the instru-
ment, so as not to cause damage to the instrument.

6. The instrument is a fragile and sensitive electronic equipment; do not

scratch, touch, press or bump. Avoid child play with this instrument.

7. Do not move the instrument to avoid severe irreparable damage to the

internal circuit when the instrument is working properly.

8. If the above conditions were observed, and the instrument still does not
work after cycling the power o and on, please contact your supplier.

6 Warranty and service

Thank you for purchasing Ming Wo electronic products. To maximize the
use of your new product features, we recommend you take the following few
simple steps:

Read the instructions for safe and ecient use.

Read the warranty terms and conditions.

Warranty conditions:
Instrument is warrantied for a period of one year from the shipment date.
During the warranty period, the company will repair or replace equipment
selected according to the situation. For service, please send the product
to the company.
The following conditions are not covered under warranty:

User operation or improper maintenance

using the software or user interface to provide their own

unauthorized modication to the instrument

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A Instrument internals

1. LCMX02-1200HC lattice FPGA

2. STM8S00 controller

3. R-2R resistor ladder DAC

4. LM358 opamps

5. AD603AR variable gain output ampliers

6. 74HC140 TTL driver

7. CH340G USB-serial interface

Figure 4: MHS-5200A main circuit board

B MHS-5200A serial protocol

This information is from Al Williams work at
https://github.com/wd5gnr/mhs5200a
The manufacturer claims that the communication protocol is open and non-
proprietary, but as of July 2015 this is the only known description.

MHS5200A shows up as normal serial port (e.g., /dev/ttyUSBx on Linux,

COM port on Windows), The communication settings are:

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 baud rate 57600

data formatting 8/n/1

hardware handshake

\n Unix line terminator, but the program also accepts the CRLF pair

Manufacturer-provided software initiates the communication with the device

with the following commands (presumably to probe dierent device types in
the future):

: clear any pending command

:r1c returns :r1c323 (corresponding to rmware 3.23; other versions have

been observed up to v.4.10)

:r2c returns :r2c015 (last digits of P/N?)

:r0c returns :r0c52A (model #? 5200A?)

If you get an echo of <CRLF>### that probably is an error indication

Cmd Description Returns Notes

:r0c Read model # :r0c52A Start up
:r1c Read Prod # :r1c323 Start up
:r2c Read FW (3.23) :r2c015 Start up
:sXf Write frequency for channel X ok
:rXf Read frequency for channel X :rXfNNNNNNNN
:sXwN Select waveform N for channel X ok N: 0=sine, 1=square,
2=tri, 3=up, 4=dn,
100=arb0 ..
115=arb15 (also
accepts 32 .. 47)
:rXw Read wave type :rXwNN NN=0004 as above,
3247 for arb0..15
:sXd Write Duty cycle for chan X ok
:rXd Read Duty cycle for chan X :rXdNNN
:sXo Write oset for chan X ok Note: 0%=120
:rXo Read oset for chan X :rXoNNN Note 0%=120
:sXp Write phase for chan X ok
:rXp Read phase for chan X :rXpNNN

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:sXy Set atten for chan X ok 1=0db 0=20db
:rXy Read atten for chan X :rXyN
:sXa Set amplitude for chan X ok
:rXa Read amplitude for chan X :rXaNNNN
:sXb Set chan X on or o ok 1=on,0=o
:rXb Read chan X on or o :rXbN
:s3b Set trace on or o ok 1=on 0=o
:r3b Read trace on or o status :r3b
:s4b Select ext in or ttl ok 0=ext 1=ttl
:r4b Read ext in or ttl :r4bN
:r0e Read freq/count value :r0eXXXXXXX Depends on selected
reading type
:sNg Set gate value ok 0=(1s), 1=(10s),
2=(.01s), 3=(.1s)
:r1g Read gate value :rNg See above
:s3f Set Sweep Start ok
:r3f Read Sweep Start :r3fNNNNNNNN NN
:s4f Set Sweep End ok
:r4f Read Sweep End :r4fNNNNNNNN NN
:s7bN Set Line/log ok N=1 for lin,0 for log
:r7b Read line/log :r7bN
:s8bN Start Stop sweep ok N=0 for stop,1 for
start
:r8b Read sweep state :rb8N
:aXN Set arbitrary waveform data ok There are 16 arbitrary
waveforms, X=0..F.
Each one is described
by 1024 samples in 16
slices, numbered
N=0..F. Each slice
contains 64
comma-separated
8-bit samples valued
0..255 with 125 as the
nominal center.
:s9b Turn on/o power amp ok If equipped;
0=o,1=on
:r9b Read amp status :r9bN

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:r1m Read counter/frequency mode :rNm N=Mode (see below)
:s1m Set mode to counter ok
:s0m Set mode to freq ok
:s2m Set mode to + pulse width ok
:s3m Set mode to pulse width ok
:s4m Set mode to period ok
:s5m Set mode duty cycle ok
:s5tN Set sweep time ok N is sweep time
:s6bN Run ok 0=stop, 1=run only
aects counter mode
:r6b Read run state :r6bN
:s5b1 Reset counter ok
:r5b Read reset status :r5bN

Functions still unknown:

Reading back arbitrary storage (if even possible)

Setting or loading stored setups

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