1. General Safety Summary
Review the following safety precautions carefully before operating the device to avoid any personal injuries or damages to the device and any products connected to it. To avoid potential hazards, use the device only as specified by this user's guide.
To Avoid Fire or Personal Injury:
- Connect and Disconnect Properly: Do not connect or disconnect probes or test leads while they are connected to a voltage source.
- Connect and Disconnect Properly: Connect the probe output to the measurement device before connecting the probe to the circuit under test. Disconnect the probe input and the probe reference lead from the circuit under test before disconnecting the probe from the measurement device.
- Observe All Terminal Ratings: To avoid fire or shock hazard, observe all ratings and markings on the product. Consult the product manual for further ratings information before making connections to the product.
- Use Proper Probe: To avoid shock hazard, use a properly rated probe for your measurement.
- Avoid Circuit or Wire Exposure: Do not touch exposed connections and components when power is on.
- Do Not Operate With Suspected Failures: If suspected damage occurs with the device, have it inspected by qualified service personnel before further operations.
- Provide Proper Ventilation: Refer to the installation instructions for proper ventilation of the device.
- Do not operate in Wet/Damp Conditions.
- Do not operate in an Explosive Atmosphere.
- Keep Product Surfaces Clean and Dry.
2. Setup
2.1 Package Contents
The SDS220S Digital Oscilloscope package typically includes the following items. Please verify all components are present upon unboxing:
- OWON SDS220S Digital Oscilloscope Unit
- Power Cord
- User Manual (PDF available online: OWON SDS220S User Manual PDF)
- USB Cable
- Probes (2x)
- Probe Adjustment Tool
- BNC Cable (for SDS210S, 215S, 220S models)

Figure 2.1: Included Accessories
2.2 Product Structure Overview
Familiarize yourself with the main components and controls of the oscilloscope:

Figure 2.2: Front and Rear Panel Layout
- Button and Knob Control Area: For adjusting settings and navigating menus.
- Oscilloscope Signal Input Port (CH1, CH2): BNC connectors for probe input.
- Signal Generator Output Port: BNC connector for arbitrary waveform output.
- Probe Compensation: 5V/1kHz signal output for probe calibration.
- USB Host Interface: Insert a USB drive to save or retrieve data.
- Power Switch: Turns the device on/off.
- Function Keys: Context-sensitive buttons for various operations.
- USB Device Interface: Used to connect to a PC for data transmission.
- Power Socket: For connecting the power cord.
- Foldable Handle & Stand: For portability and convenient viewing angle.
- Ventilation Holes: Ensure proper airflow for cooling.
2.3 Power Connection
Connect the provided power cord to the power socket on the rear panel of the oscilloscope and then to a suitable AC power outlet. Ensure the power switch is in the 'Off' position before connecting the power cord. The device operates within a voltage range of 100V-240V, 50/60Hz.
2.4 Probe Connection
Connect the oscilloscope probes to the CH1 and CH2 input ports. Ensure the probes are securely fastened. For accurate measurements, it is recommended to perform probe compensation before use.
2.5 PC Communication
The SDS220S supports communication with a PC via its USB Device interface. This allows for remote control, data transfer, and secondary development using SCPI and LabVIEW functions. Free computer software and programming development demos are available from OWON.
3. Operating Instructions
3.1 Powering On/Off
- To power on, press the Power Switch located on the front panel.
- To power off, press the Power Switch again.
3.2 Display Overview
The oscilloscope features a 7-inch TFT LCD display with 800*480 pixels resolution. It offers a clear view of all signals and screen information, including a zoom function for detailed signal observation. The device also supports dual theme display to adapt to different lighting conditions for clear visualization.

Figure 3.1: 7-inch TFT LCD Display
3.3 Oscilloscope Functions
The SDS220S is a dual-channel digital oscilloscope with a 200MHz bandwidth and a 1GSa/s real-time sampling rate. It features a 20M record length for capturing long waveforms.
Automatic Waveform Measurements
The device supports 30 types of automatic waveform measurements, covering time values, counts, delay and phase values, amplitude values, and more.

Figure 3.2: Automatic Waveform Measurements and X-Y Mode
Cursor Measurement
The cursor function enables precise measurement of both X-axis (time) and Y-axis (voltage) values of the waveform. It supports all auto-measurement parameters.

Figure 3.3: Cursor Measurement Interface
Save / Recall
You can save and recall various data formats, including waveforms, reference waveforms, CSV files, and images for comparative analysis.

Figure 3.4: Save/Recall Interface
X-Y Mode
The X-Y mode provides a three-screen display for easy phase and component characteristic testing.
6-digit High-precision Frequency Counter
The oscilloscope's built-in frequency counter accurately measures input signals using CH1 or CH2 as the measurement source with a 6-digit display.
FFT Spectrum Analysis
FFT converts time-domain signals into frequency-domain components, helping you measure harmonics, distortion, noise, and vibration in your system.

Figure 3.5: Frequency Counter and FFT Spectrum Analysis
3.4 25MHz Arbitrary Waveform Generator (AWG)
The SDS220S includes a built-in 25MHz Arbitrary Waveform Generator. This feature allows you to generate various waveforms for testing purposes.
- Max output frequency: 25MHz
- Real-time sample rate: 125MSa/s
- Arbitrary waveform length: 8K
- Output amplitude: 5 mVpp to 3 Vpp (50Ω)

Figure 3.6: Arbitrary Waveform Generator Output
4. Maintenance
4.1 Cleaning
To maintain the performance and longevity of your oscilloscope, keep its surfaces clean and dry. Use a soft, damp cloth for cleaning. Avoid abrasive cleaners or solvents that could damage the casing or screen.
4.2 Battery Information
The device is powered by an 18650 lithium battery and can be charged via a Type-C port. Ensure the battery is charged regularly for optimal performance and avoid deep discharge.
Video 4.1: OWON HDS120 Handheld Oscilloscope Multimeter (demonstrates features like automatic gear switching for test pens, waveform automatic measurement, dual theme display, 18650 lithium battery, and Type-C charging port, which are relevant to general OWON device operation and maintenance).
5. Troubleshooting
If you encounter any issues with your OWON SDS220S Digital Oscilloscope, consider the following general troubleshooting steps:
- No Power: Ensure the power cord is securely connected and the power outlet is functional. Check the battery charge level if operating on battery power.
- No Signal Display: Verify that probes are correctly connected to both the oscilloscope and the circuit under test. Check probe settings (e.g., 1X/10X attenuation). Ensure the input signal is within the oscilloscope's measurement range.
- Unstable Waveform: Adjust the trigger settings (level, mode, source) to stabilize the waveform. Check for proper grounding.
- Incorrect Measurements: Perform probe compensation. Verify the correct measurement parameters are selected.
- Device Malfunction: If you suspect damage or a serious malfunction, discontinue use and contact qualified service personnel for inspection and repair. Do not attempt to repair the device yourself.
6. Specifications
The following table outlines the key specifications for the OWON SDS220S Digital Oscilloscope:
| Feature | Specification (SDS220S) |
|---|---|
| Bandwidth | 200MHz |
| Sample Rate | 1GSa/S |
| Acquisition Mode | Normal, Peak Detect, Averaging |
| Input Coupling | DC, AC, Ground |
| Input Impedance | 1MΩ±2%, in parallel with 20 pF±5 pF |
| Probe Attenuation Factor | 1X, 10X, 100X, 1000X |
| Record Length | 20M |
| Horizontal Scale (s/div) | 2 ns/div - 1000 s/div, step by 1 - 2 - 5 |
| Vertical Sensitivity | 2 mV/div - 10 V/div |
| Automatic Measurement | Period, Frequency, Mean, PK-PK, RMS, Max, Min, Top Base, Amplitude, Overshoot, Preshoot, Rise Time, Fall Time, +PulseWidth, -PulseWidth, +Duty Cycle, -Duty Cycle, Delay A→B↑, Delay A→B↓, Cycle RMS, Cursor RMS, Screen Duty, Phase, +PulseCount, -PulseCount, RiseEdgeCnt, FallEdgeCnt, Area, and Cycle Area. |
| Waveform Math | +, -, ×, ÷, FFT |
| Waveform Storage | 16 waveforms |
| Lissajous's Bandwidth | Full bandwidth |
| Lissajous's Phase Difference | ±3 degrees |
| Trigger Type | Edge, Video |
| Communication Interface | USB Host and Device |
| Frequency Counter | 6-digit |
| Waveform Generator Specifications | |
| Standard Waveforms | Sine wave, square wave, ramp wave, pulse wave, arbitrary wave |
| Arbitrary Waveforms | Sinc, exponential rise, exponential decline, Gaussian, more than 160 kinds |
| Sine Frequency | 0.1Hz - 25MHz |
| Square Frequency | 0.1Hz - 10MHz |
| Ramp Frequency | 0.1Hz - 1MHz |
| Arbitrary Waveform Frequency | 0.1Hz - 5MHz |
| Sample rate | 125MSa/s |
| Amplitude (50Ω) | 0.005Vpp ~ 3Vpp |
| DC Offset Range | ±1(3V) (high resistance) |
| Channel Form | 1 |
| Waveform Length | 8K |
| Vertical Resolution | 14 bit |
| General | |
| Display | 7 inch (800*480) LCD |
| Dimension (L x H x D) | 301mm × 152mm × 70 mm |
| Weight | ≈1.1kg |
Specifications subject to change without prior notice.
7. User Tips
- Always ensure your probes are properly calibrated for accurate readings.
- Utilize the 20M record length to capture transient events or long-duration signals for detailed analysis.
- Experiment with the 30 automatic measurement types to quickly characterize your waveforms.
- When using the arbitrary waveform generator, ensure the output amplitude and frequency are suitable for the circuit under test.
- Take advantage of the USB host interface to save screenshots or waveform data for documentation and further analysis on a computer.
- For remote control and advanced analysis, explore the SCPI commands and LabVIEW functions provided by OWON.
8. Warranty and Support
For detailed warranty information, technical support, and service inquiries, please refer to the official OWON documentation or contact your local distributor. The comprehensive user manual in PDF format can be found at: OWON SDS220S User Manual PDF.





