NovaOS for the MHO984
The Rigol MHO984 is an 800 MHz, 4-channel, 12-bit, 4 GSa/s oscilloscope. It is the 800 MHz model of the MHO900. NovaOS is our own operating system for the MHO900 series, independent of Rigol: Linux 6.12 and an acquisition engine written from scratch, run in place of the stock Android 7.1, with Rigol's firmware kept installed beside it.
CH1Rigol MHO984 specifications
| Rigol's figure | MHO984 | Data sheet |
|---|---|---|
| Max. analog bandwidth (50 Ω, -3 dB) | 800 MHz (single-channel and half-channel); 400 MHz (all-channel) | p. 9 |
| Max. analog bandwidth (1 MΩ, -3 dB) | 500 MHz (single-channel and half-channel); 400 MHz (all-channel) | p. 9 |
| Calculated rising time under 50 Ω (10%-90%, typical) | 437 ps | p. 9 |
| No. of analog channels | 4 | p. 9 |
| Max. real-time sample rate | 4 GSa/s (single-channel), 2 GSa/s (half-channel), 1 GSa/s (all-channel) | p. 9 |
| Max. memory depth | Standard: 100 Mpts (single-channel); 50 Mpts (half-channel); 25 Mpts (all-channel). Optional: 500 Mpts (single-channel); 250 Mpts (half-channel); 125 Mpts (all-channel) | p. 10 |
| Input impedance | 50 Ω ± 1%, 1 MΩ ± 1% | p. 10 |
| Vertical resolution | 12-bit (4,096 digitalizing levels) | p. 10 |
| Function/arbitrary waveform generator (AFG) | 2-Channel, 100 MHz, 1 GSa/s (Opt.); 2-Channel, 50 MHz, 1 GSa/s (Opt.) | p. 9 |
| Display | 7-inch multi-touch screen, 1024*600 | p. 10 |
Rigol's own figures, copied from its MHO900 Series Data Sheet; each links to the page it is on.
CH2NovaOS on the MHO984
NovaOS has not yet run on an MHO984. It is built for the whole MHO900 series, which shares one platform with the MHO934 it is developed on: a Rockchip RK3399, an acquisition FPGA and two interleaved 12-bit converters. We confirm each model on a real unit before calling it supported. If you own an MHO984 and would try it, tell us on NovaOS's EEVblog thread.
The MHO900 has two generator channels. NovaOS runs both, with a Bode plot on either, on our MHO934.
What NovaOS changes, measured on our MHO934 against Rigol's firmware on the same unit: the time to the scope screen, the waveform rate, the analysis and the decoders. MHO900 with NovaOS · core and add-ons against stock · MHO900 hardware.
CH3MHO984 and NovaOS
The MHO984 ships with Rigol's own system, Android 7.1 on Linux 4.4. NovaOS is a separate operating system: it installs beside Rigol's firmware and leaves it installed, one tap away, and it never writes the scope's bootloader, its calibration or your files. NovaOS is independent software, not made, endorsed or supported by Rigol.
NovaOS is not an MHO984 hack or unlock. It uses no option codes, licence files or patches to Rigol's software: its own engine drives the FPGA and front end directly. What an MHO984 does under NovaOS we will state once NovaOS has run on one. More in the FAQ.
Download NovaOS: when it opens, and how the install works.
CH4MHO984 on a network
We found several ways the stock firmware is exposed on a network, and we are reporting them to Rigol first; the details will be published once Rigol has had time to respond. Until then, keep a scope running the stock firmware off networks you do not trust.
NovaOS keeps SSH off unless you turn it on, and then takes only your keys; its web pages use HTTPS and a password set on each unit; and it sends nothing unless you turn that on. Our disclosure policy and how NovaOS is secured.
Other models
DHO802 · DHO804 · DHO812 · DHO814 · DHO914 / DHO914S · DHO924 / DHO924S · MHO934 · MHO954 · every instrument