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0001 <?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?> 0002 <sect1 id="ekos-focus"> 0003 <title>Focus</title> 0004 0005 <indexterm> 0006 <primary>Tools</primary> 0007 0008 <secondary>Ekos</secondary> 0009 0010 <tertiary>Focus</tertiary> 0011 </indexterm> 0012 0013 <sect2 id="focus-theory"> 0014 <title>Theory Of Operation</title> 0015 0016 <screenshot> 0017 <screeninfo> Ekos Focus </screeninfo> 0018 0019 <mediaobject> 0020 <imageobject> 0021 <imagedata fileref="ekos_focus.png" format="PNG" width="75%"/> 0022 </imageobject> 0023 0024 <textobject> 0025 <phrase>Ekos Focus</phrase> 0026 </textobject> 0027 </mediaobject> 0028 </screenshot> 0029 0030 <para> In order to focus an image, Ekos needs to establish a numerical 0031 method for gauging how <emphasis>good</emphasis> your focus is. It's easy 0032 when you look at an image and can see it as 0033 <emphasis>unfocused</emphasis>, as the human eye is very good at detecting 0034 that, but <emphasis>how</emphasis> can Ekos possibly know that? </para> 0035 0036 <para> The most tried and tested method is Half-Flux-Radius (HFR), which is a 0037 measure of the width in pixels counting from the center of the star until 0038 the accumulated intensity is half of the total flux of the star. As you move 0039 closer to the point of optimum focus, so the HFR gets smaller, reaching a 0040 minimum at the point of focus before increasing as you start to move away 0041 from focus. HFR has been used on lots of different types of equipment and has 0042 proved to be stable in a wide range of circumstances. </para> 0043 0044 <para> In addition to HFR, Ekos supports other focus measures, including 0045 an adjusted HFR measure, FWHM, Number of Stars and Fourier Power. It is 0046 recommended to start with HFR and when the user has become proficient in 0047 focusing their equipment, to try the other measures. </para> 0048 0049 <para> After Ekos processes an image, it selects either a single star and 0050 starts measuring its HFR, or it selects a set of stars matching the 0051 criteria that have been set and calculates an average HFR. It can 0052 automatically select stars, or you can select a single star manually. It 0053 is recommended to allow Ekos to select a set of stars. </para> 0054 0055 <para> Ekos supports 4 different focus algorithms: Linear 1 Pass, Linear, 0056 Iterative, Polynomial. Linear 1 Pass is the recommended algorithm. </para> 0057 0058 <itemizedlist> 0059 <listitem> 0060 <para> <emphasis role="bold">Linear 1 Pass</emphasis>: In the Linear 1 0061 Pass algorithm, Ekos establishes a V-Curve and fits a curve to the data 0062 to find the focus solution. It then moves to the calculated minimum. 0063 Key features include: </para> 0064 0065 <itemizedlist> 0066 <listitem> 0067 <para> The algorithm compensates for focuser backlash. </para> 0068 </listitem> 0069 0070 <listitem> 0071 <para> The algorithm is fast, taking 1 pass to identify optimum 0072 focus. </para> 0073 </listitem> 0074 0075 <listitem> 0076 <para> The algorithm uses more sophisticated curve fitting to 0077 pinpoint the optimum focus position. </para> 0078 </listitem> 0079 0080 <listitem> 0081 <para> The algorithm is highly configurable with user control over 0082 many parameters like step size, number of steps and how to deal with 0083 outliers in the datapoints. </para> 0084 </listitem> 0085 </itemizedlist> 0086 <para> Providing the focuser behaves in a repeatable way, i.e. when commanded 0087 to go to position X, it always goes to the same position, then this algorithm 0088 will be the best to use.</para> 0089 </listitem> 0090 0091 <listitem> 0092 <para> <emphasis role="bold">Linear</emphasis>: In the Linear 0093 algorithm, Ekos steps outward from its starting point then moves 0094 inward taking regular datapoints through the point of optimum focus 0095 and then further inward, to draw a V-Curve. It then fits a quadratic 0096 curve to the datapoints and calculates the point of optimum focus. It 0097 then moves out again past the point of optimum focus, halves the 0098 stepsize and moves in again for a second pass. It looks to follow the 0099 curve from the first pass and find the minimum HFR. Due to randomness 0100 in the HFR measurements it uses the % tolerance to help decide when it 0101 has found a solution. Key features include: </para> 0102 0103 <itemizedlist> 0104 <listitem> 0105 <para> The algorithm compensates for focuser backlash. </para> 0106 </listitem> 0107 0108 <listitem> 0109 <para> The algorithm is slow, taking 2 passes to identify optimum 0110 focus. </para> 0111 </listitem> 0112 0113 <listitem> 0114 <para> The algorithm uses curve fitting to pinpoint the optimum 0115 focus position in pass 1, but then uses % Tolerance to try to stop 0116 as close as possible to this HFR on pass 2. </para> 0117 </listitem> 0118 0119 <listitem> 0120 <para> The algorithm is highly configurable with user control over 0121 many parameters like step size and number of steps. </para> 0122 </listitem> 0123 </itemizedlist> 0124 <para> If the focuser behaves in an inconsistent way, i.e. when commanded 0125 to go to position X, there is variability in the position it goes to, then 0126 this algorithm will be the best to use as it has some built in tolerance 0127 for this variability.</para> 0128 </listitem> 0129 0130 <listitem> 0131 <para> <emphasis role="bold">Iterative</emphasis>: In the Iterative 0132 algorithm, Ekos operates iteratively by moving in discrete steps, 0133 decided initially by the user-configurable step size and later by the 0134 slope of the V-Curve, to get closer to the optimal focus position 0135 where it then changes gears and performs smaller, finer moves to reach 0136 the optimal focus. The focus process stops when the measured HFR is 0137 within the configurable tolerance of the minimum recorded HFR in the 0138 process. In other words, whenever the process starts searching for a 0139 solution within a narrowly limited range, it checks if the current HFR 0140 is within % difference compared to the minimum HFR recorded, and if 0141 this condition is met then the Autofocus process is considered 0142 successful. The default value is set to 1% and is sufficient for most 0143 situations. The Step options specify the number of initial ticks the 0144 focuser has to move. If the image is severely out of focus, we set the 0145 step size high (i.e. greater than 250). On the other hand, if the 0146 focus is close to optimal focus, we set the step size to a more 0147 reasonable range (less than 50). It takes trial and error to find the 0148 best starting tick, but Ekos only uses that for the first focus 0149 motion, as all subsequent motions depend on the V-Curve slope 0150 calculations. Key features include:</para> 0151 0152 <itemizedlist> 0153 <listitem> 0154 <para> The algorithm relies on the focuser having well controlled 0155 backlash. </para> 0156 </listitem> 0157 0158 <listitem> 0159 <para> The algorithm can be fast using a minimum number of steps. 0160 </para> 0161 </listitem> 0162 0163 <listitem> 0164 <para> The algorithm works on a "good enough" paradigm whereby it 0165 stops when the HFR is within % Tolerance of the perceived minimum. 0166 </para> 0167 </listitem> 0168 </itemizedlist> 0169 </listitem> 0170 0171 <listitem> 0172 <para> <emphasis role="bold">Polynomial</emphasis>: In the Polynomial 0173 algorithm, the process starts off in Iterative mode, but once we cross 0174 to the other side of the V-Curve (once HFR values start increasing 0175 again after decreasing for a while), then Ekos performs quadratic 0176 curve fitting to find a solution that predicts the minimum possible 0177 HFR position. Key features include:</para> 0178 0179 <itemizedlist> 0180 <listitem> 0181 <para> The algorithm relies on the focuser having well controlled 0182 backlash. </para> 0183 </listitem> 0184 0185 <listitem> 0186 <para> The algorithm can be fast using a minimum number of steps. 0187 </para> 0188 </listitem> 0189 0190 <listitem> 0191 <para> The algorithm uses curve fitting to pinpoint the optimum 0192 focus position. </para> 0193 </listitem> 0194 </itemizedlist> 0195 </listitem> 0196 </itemizedlist> 0197 </sect2> 0198 0199 <sect2 id="optical-train-group"> 0200 <title>Optical Train Group</title> 0201 0202 <screenshot> 0203 <screeninfo> Optical Train </screeninfo> 0204 0205 <mediaobject> 0206 <imageobject> 0207 <imagedata fileref="optical_train_group.png" format="PNG" 0208 width="50%"/> 0209 </imageobject> 0210 0211 <textobject> 0212 <phrase>Optical Train Settings</phrase> 0213 </textobject> 0214 </mediaobject> 0215 </screenshot> 0216 0217 <para> The Optical Train group displays the currently selected Optical 0218 Train. By default this will be the primary imaging train, but other trains 0219 can be selected. The group consists of:</para> 0220 0221 <itemizedlist> 0222 <listitem> 0223 <para> <guibutton>Train</guibutton>: The Optical Train currently in 0224 use by the Focus tab. Hover the mouse over this field for a more 0225 detailed description of the selected train.</para> 0226 </listitem> 0227 0228 <listitem> 0229 <para> <guibutton>Edit Button</guibutton>: Brings up the Optical Train 0230 dialog to view and potentially change the optical trains.</para> 0231 </listitem> 0232 </itemizedlist> 0233 0234 <para> Focus parameters are saved per Optical Train automatically.</para> 0235 </sect2> 0236 0237 <sect2 id="focus-focuser-group"> 0238 <title>Focuser Group</title> 0239 0240 <screenshot> 0241 <screeninfo> Focuser Settings </screeninfo> 0242 0243 <mediaobject> 0244 <imageobject> 0245 <imagedata fileref="focuser_group.png" format="PNG" width="50%"/> 0246 </imageobject> 0247 0248 <textobject> 0249 <phrase>Focuser Settings</phrase> 0250 </textobject> 0251 </mediaobject> 0252 </screenshot> 0253 0254 <para> All INDI-compatible focusers are supported. It is recommended to 0255 use <emphasis role="bold">absolute</emphasis> focusers for the best 0256 results since their absolute position is known on power up. In INDI, the 0257 focuser <emphasis>zero</emphasis> position is when the drawtube is 0258 <emphasis role="bold">fully retracted</emphasis>. When focusing 0259 <emphasis>outwards</emphasis>, the focuser position increases, while it 0260 decreases when focusing <emphasis>inwards</emphasis>. The following 0261 focuser types are supported: </para> 0262 0263 <itemizedlist> 0264 <listitem> 0265 <para> <emphasis role="bold">Absolute</emphasis>: Absolute Position 0266 Focusers such as RoboFocus, MoonLite, ASI ZWO </para> 0267 </listitem> 0268 0269 <listitem> 0270 <para> <emphasis role="bold">Relative</emphasis>: Relative Position 0271 Focusers. </para> 0272 </listitem> 0273 0274 <listitem> 0275 <para> <emphasis role="bold">Time Based</emphasis>: Time based 0276 focusers with no position feedback that adjust focus position by 0277 moving for a certain amount of time. </para> 0278 </listitem> 0279 </itemizedlist> 0280 0281 <para> The <guibutton>Focuser</guibutton> field contains the focuser in the 0282 attached Optical Train. </para> 0283 0284 <para> For absolute and relative focusers, the step size is in units of 0285 <emphasis>ticks</emphasis> and for simple, or time based, focusers, the 0286 step size is in <emphasis>milliseconds</emphasis>. The 0287 <guibutton>In</guibutton> and <guibutton>Out</guibutton> buttons can then 0288 be used to move the focuser by the number of ticks defined in the 0289 <guibutton>Initial Step Size</guibutton> field in the 0290 <link linkend="focus-mechanics">Mechanics</link> tab.</para> 0291 0292 <para> The Steps fields has 2 parts:</para> 0293 <itemizedlist> 0294 <listitem> 0295 <para> <emphasis role="bold">Left Hand Steps</emphasis>: Current focuser position. This is 0296 output only and is updated as the focuser moves to reflect the current position.</para> 0297 </listitem> 0298 0299 <listitem> 0300 <para> <emphasis role="bold">Right Hand Steps</emphasis>: This is input and allows the user 0301 to enter a desired position. When the <guibutton>Goto</guibutton> button is pressed, the 0302 focuser is moved from its current position to the position indicated in this field. </para> 0303 </listitem> 0304 </itemizedlist> 0305 0306 <para> On startup, the Left Hand Steps will show the current focuser position. The Right Hand Steps 0307 field is defaulted from the Optical Train saved settings. This is useful, for example, if 0308 you have several Optical Trains that use the same focuser but solve at different positions. In 0309 this case, the Right Hand Steps will contain the last persisted value for this field for 0310 the selected Optical Train. So, after swapping equipment and selecting the Optical Train, if the 0311 user presses the <guibutton>Goto</guibutton> button then the focuser will be moved to a 0312 good place to start focusing from.</para> 0313 0314 <para> The <guibutton>Goto Focus Position</guibutton> button moves the 0315 focuser to the position in the righthand Steps field. </para> 0316 0317 <para> The <guibutton>Stop Focuser Motion</guibutton> button stops the 0318 in-progress focuser motion. </para> 0319 0320 <para> The <guibutton>Auto Focus</guibutton> button starts an Autofocus 0321 run. The <guibutton>Stop</guibutton> button is used to stop the run. 0322 </para> 0323 0324 <para> The <guibutton>Capture Image</guibutton> button will take a frame 0325 based on the current settings in the <link linkend="focus-ccd-filter-wheel"> 0326 Camera & Filter Wheel Group</link>. The <guibutton>Start Framing</guibutton> 0327 button will start repeatedly capturing frames until the 0328 <guibutton>Stop</guibutton> button is pressed. </para> 0329 0330 <para> Some of the focus algorithms will attempt to cope with being 0331 started away from the point of optimum focus, but for predictable results, 0332 it is best to start from a position of being approximately in focus. For 0333 first time setup, <guibutton>Start Framing</guibutton> can be used along 0334 with the <guibutton>In</guibutton> and <guibutton>Out</guibutton> buttons 0335 to adjust the focus position to roughly minimize the HFR of the stars in 0336 the captured images. When Framing is used in this way, the <link 0337 linkend="focus-v-curve">V-Curve</link> graph changes to show a time series 0338 of frames and their associated HFRs. This makes the framing process much 0339 easier to perform.</para> 0340 0341 <para> If you are completely new to astronomy, it is always a good idea to 0342 get familiar with your equipment in daylight. This includes getting the 0343 approximate focus position on a distant object. This will provide a good 0344 starting position for focusing on stars when nighttime comes.</para> 0345 </sect2> 0346 0347 <sect2 id="focus-ccd-filter-wheel"> 0348 <title>Camera & Filter Wheel Group</title> 0349 0350 <screenshot> 0351 <screeninfo> Focus Camera & Filter Wheel Group </screeninfo> 0352 0353 <mediaobject> 0354 <imageobject> 0355 <imagedata fileref="focus_ccdfw_group.png" format="PNG" width="50%"/> 0356 </imageobject> 0357 0358 <textobject> 0359 <phrase>Focus Camera & Filter Wheel Group</phrase> 0360 </textobject> 0361 </mediaobject> 0362 </screenshot> 0363 0364 <para> This section of parameters deals with the Camera and Filter 0365 settings to use when focusing.</para> 0366 0367 <para> The top row of controls allows CCD parameters to be set.</para> 0368 0369 <itemizedlist> 0370 <listitem> 0371 <para> <guilabel>Exp</guilabel>: The exposure time in seconds.</para> 0372 </listitem> 0373 0374 <listitem> 0375 <para> The <guibutton>Toggle Full Screen</guibutton> button pops the 0376 window displaying the focus frame out to a separate window. Pressing 0377 it again returns it within the focus window.</para> 0378 </listitem> 0379 0380 <listitem> 0381 <para> The <guibutton>Show in FITS Viewer</guibutton> button pops-up a 0382 separate FITS Viewer window to display the focus frame, in addition to 0383 the focus frame displayed within the focus window.</para> 0384 </listitem> 0385 0386 <listitem> 0387 <para> The <guibutton>Live Video</guibutton> button brings up the 0388 associated popup.</para> 0389 </listitem> 0390 </itemizedlist> 0391 0392 <para> The next row of controls allows Camera parameters to be set. Choose 0393 a value from the binning dropdown and then set either the camera gain or 0394 ISO.</para> 0395 0396 <itemizedlist> 0397 <listitem> 0398 <para> <guilabel>Binning</guilabel>: Increasing the binning will 0399 change the image scale as well as resulting in brighter pixels. It is 0400 generally only worth binning above 1x1 if your image scale is oversampled 0401 where the increase in image scale does not lead to a loss of resolution. 0402 If you wish to increase star brightness try increasing the exposure 0403 and / or gain. If you are unsure bin 1x1.</para> 0404 </listitem> 0405 0406 <listitem> 0407 <para> <guilabel>Gain</guilabel>: Set the Gain for the Camera being 0408 used to focus. The value needs to be high enough to give a clear star 0409 pattern but not so high as to create too much noise to interfere with 0410 the focus operation. Some experimentation will be required to find an 0411 optimum value. If you are unsure where to start try unity gain for 0412 your camera and adjust from there.</para> 0413 </listitem> 0414 0415 <listitem> 0416 <para> <guilabel>ISO</guilabel>: Set the ISO for the Camera being used 0417 to focus. Some experimentation will be required to find an optimum 0418 value.</para> 0419 </listitem> 0420 </itemizedlist> 0421 0422 <para> The third row of controls deals with the Temperature Source and 0423 Filter, if there is one:</para> 0424 0425 <itemizedlist> 0426 <listitem> 0427 <para> <guilabel>TS</guilabel>: Select the temperature source from the 0428 dropdown. Underneath are displayed the current temperature from the 0429 selected temperature source and the change in temperature between when 0430 the last successful Autofocus run completed and the current 0431 temperature. It is common practice to redo focus after significant 0432 temperature changes that alter the telescope's focus point.</para> 0433 </listitem> 0434 0435 <listitem> 0436 <para> <guilabel>Filter</guilabel>: Select the filter to use.</para> 0437 0438 <para>To start focusing it will probably be easier to select the 0439 filter that allows the most light through, for example the Lum filter. 0440 Click the filter icon <inlinemediaobject><imageobject><imagedata 0441 fileref="view-filter.png" format="PNG"/></imageobject></inlinemediaobject> 0442 to launch the <link linkend="focus-filter-settings">Filter Settings</link> 0443 popup. This allows a number of parameters to be set per filter to be used during 0444 an Autofocus run.</para> 0445 </listitem> 0446 0447 <listitem> 0448 <para> <guibutton>Reset</guibutton> button will reset the focusing 0449 subframe to full frame.</para> 0450 </listitem> 0451 </itemizedlist> 0452 </sect2> 0453 0454 <sect2 id="focus-tools"> 0455 <title>Tools Group</title> 0456 0457 <screenshot> 0458 <screeninfo> Focus Tools Group </screeninfo> 0459 0460 <mediaobject> 0461 <imageobject> 0462 <imagedata fileref="focus_tools_group.png" format="PNG" width="50%"/> 0463 </imageobject> 0464 0465 <textobject> 0466 <phrase>Focus Tools Group</phrase> 0467 </textobject> 0468 </mediaobject> 0469 </screenshot> 0470 0471 <para> This section describes the focus tools that are currently available.</para> 0472 0473 <itemizedlist> 0474 <listitem> 0475 <para> The <guibutton>Aberration Inspector</guibutton> button starts an 0476 <link linkend="focus-aberration-inspector">Aberration Inspector</link> run. 0477 The <guibutton>Stop</guibutton> button can be used to stop the run. 0478 </para> 0479 </listitem> 0480 <listitem> 0481 <para> The <guibutton>CFZ</guibutton> button launches the 0482 <link linkend="focus-cfz">Critical Focus Zone</link> tool. 0483 </para> 0484 </listitem> 0485 <listitem> 0486 <para> The <guibutton>Advisor</guibutton> button launches the 0487 <link linkend="focus-advisor">Focus Advisor</link> tool. 0488 </para> 0489 </listitem> 0490 </itemizedlist> 0491 </sect2> 0492 0493 <sect2 id="focus-options"> 0494 <title>Focus Options</title> 0495 0496 <screenshot> 0497 <screeninfo> Focus Options </screeninfo> 0498 0499 <mediaobject> 0500 <imageobject> 0501 <imagedata fileref="focus_options.png" format="PNG" width="50%"/> 0502 </imageobject> 0503 0504 <textobject> 0505 <phrase>Focus Options</phrase> 0506 </textobject> 0507 </mediaobject> 0508 </screenshot> 0509 0510 <para>Parameters to configure Focus are accessed by pressing the <guibutton>Options...</guibutton> 0511 button. This launches the Options dialog with three panes:</para> 0512 0513 <itemizedlist> 0514 <listitem> 0515 <para><link linkend="focus-settings">Settings</link>: These are general Focus settings.</para> 0516 </listitem> 0517 <listitem> 0518 <para><link linkend="focus-process">Process</link>: Parameters associated with the Autofocus process.</para> 0519 </listitem> 0520 <listitem> 0521 <para><link linkend="focus-mechanics">Mechanics</link>: Parameters associated with the focuser mechanics.</para> 0522 </listitem> 0523 </itemizedlist> 0524 0525 <para>The parameters are stored for each Optical Train. This allows different configurations to be stored for 0526 different equipment. Parameters are stored when they are changed, so on startup the last used configuration for 0527 the selected Optical Train is loaded.</para> 0528 0529 <sect3 id="focus-settings"> 0530 <title>Focus Settings</title> 0531 0532 <screenshot> 0533 <screeninfo> Focus Settings </screeninfo> 0534 0535 <mediaobject> 0536 <imageobject> 0537 <imagedata fileref="focus_settings.png" format="PNG" width="50%"/> 0538 </imageobject> 0539 0540 <textobject> 0541 <phrase>Focus Settings</phrase> 0542 </textobject> 0543 </mediaobject> 0544 </screenshot> 0545 0546 <para>General section parameters:</para> 0547 <itemizedlist> 0548 <listitem> 0549 <para> <guilabel>Auto Select Star</guilabel>: This setting is only relevant if 0550 <guilabel>Sub Frame</guilabel> is selected. In this case if <guilabel>Auto Select Star</guilabel> 0551 is selected then Ekos will select the star to use for focus; otherwise 0552 the user will have to manually select the star using FitsViewer.</para> 0553 </listitem> 0554 0555 <listitem> 0556 <para> <guilabel>Suspend Guiding</guilabel>: Set this option to 0557 suspend guiding during an Autofocus run. The purpose of this 0558 is to prevent guiding from having problems with defocused stars during 0559 the focus process where, for example, the guide scope is attached to the 0560 main telescope using an OAG.</para> 0561 </listitem> 0562 0563 <listitem> 0564 <para> <guilabel>Dark Frame</guilabel>: Check this option to perform 0565 dark-frame subtraction. This option can be useful in noisy images, 0566 where a pretaken dark is subtracted from the focus image before 0567 further processing.</para> 0568 0569 <para> If hot pixels are causing problems with focus, select Dark Frames and 0570 either setup a regular Master Dark frame or a Defect Map.</para> 0571 0572 <para> Dark frames are used by Focus, Alignment and Guiding. See the 0573 Dark Library feature within the <link linkend="ekos-capture">Capture 0574 Module</link> for more details on how to setup Dark Frames.</para> 0575 </listitem> 0576 0577 <listitem> 0578 <para> <guilabel>Full Field</guilabel>: Select to use the full field of 0579 the camera. In this mode, focus will automatically select multiple stars for 0580 use in an Autofocus run. The alternative to this is <guilabel>Sub Frame</guilabel>.</para> 0581 </listitem> 0582 0583 <listitem> 0584 <para> <guilabel>Sub Frame</guilabel>: Select to use a single star for the 0585 Autofocus process. The alternative to this is <guilabel>Full Field</guilabel> where 0586 multiple stars will be used by Autofocus. Depending on the setting of 0587 <guilabel>Auto Select Star</guilabel> either the user or Ekos will select the star.</para> 0588 </listitem> 0589 0590 <listitem> 0591 <para> <guilabel>Box</guilabel>: Sets the box size used to enclose the 0592 focus star when using <emphasis role="bold">Sub Frame</emphasis>. 0593 Increase if you have very large stars. For Bahtinov focus the box size 0594 can be increased even more to better enclose the Bahtinov diffraction 0595 pattern.</para> 0596 </listitem> 0597 0598 <listitem> 0599 <para> <guilabel>Display Units</guilabel>: Select the units for display on the Autofocus V-Curve 0600 when HFR or FWHM is selected. <emphasis role="bold">Pixels</emphasis> 0601 and <emphasis role="bold">Arc Seconds</emphasis> are supported.</para> 0602 </listitem> 0603 0604 <listitem> 0605 <para> <guilabel>Guide Settle</guilabel>: This option is used in conjunction 0606 with <guilabel>Suspend Guiding</guilabel>. It allows any vibrations in 0607 the optical train to settle by waiting this many seconds after the 0608 Autofocus process has completed, before restarting guiding.</para> 0609 </listitem> 0610 </itemizedlist> 0611 0612 <para>Mask Section Parameters:</para> 0613 0614 <para>These controls relate to <emphasis role="bold">Masking Options</emphasis> 0615 to be used when in <guilabel>Full Field</guilabel> mode. The effect of Masking Options can be seen in the 0616 <link linkend="focus-display">FITS Viewer</link>.</para> 0617 <itemizedlist> 0618 <listitem> 0619 <para> <guilabel>Use all stars for focusing</guilabel>: Select this option 0620 if all stars of the field should be considered for focusing.</para> 0621 </listitem> 0622 0623 <listitem> 0624 <para> <guilabel>Ring Mask</guilabel>: This option provides two input fields 0625 that together define a doughnut over the FOV of the camera. Stars falling 0626 outside of the doughnut are discounted from processing. Setting an inner 0627 value above 0% causes stars in the centre of the FOV to be discarded. This 0628 could be useful to avoid using stars in the target of the image (for example 0629 a galaxy) for focusing purposes. Setting an outer value below 100% 0630 causes stars in the edges of the FOV to be discarded during focusing. 0631 This could be useful if you do not have a flat field out to the edges 0632 of your FOV.</para> 0633 </listitem> 0634 0635 <listitem> 0636 <para> <guilabel>Mosaic Mask</guilabel>: A 3x3 mosaic is composed with tiles 0637 from the image center, its corners and from the edges. This option is useful 0638 if you want to inspect the optics performance - you might know this from the 0639 PixInsight Aberration Inspector script. The tile size can be configured in 0640 percent of the frame width, with the spacer value specifying the space between 0641 the tiles.</para> 0642 <para> There are four use-cases for the Mosaic Mask: 0643 <itemizedlist> 0644 <listitem> 0645 <para> Checking focus in all parts of the sensor: The mask allows an easy 0646 visual inspection and comparisons of stars in the center, corners and edges 0647 of the sensor. This is especially useful for optics that show aberration if 0648 the focus is not 100% met.</para> 0649 </listitem> 0650 <listitem> 0651 <para>Correcting image tilt: especially large sensors are very sensitive to 0652 incorrect distance and tilting of the sensor. In such cases, the image 0653 shows aberration, especially in the image corners. If all corners show the same 0654 effect, the distance needs to be corrected. If the aberrations in the corners 0655 differ, this is typically the result of a tilted sensor.</para> 0656 </listitem> 0657 <listitem> 0658 <para>Collimating Newtonians: inspecting frames in a defocused state is typically 0659 used for collimating Newtonians. See, for example, Tommy Nawratil's 0660 <ulink url="https://teleskop-austria.at/information/pdf/JUS_Photonewton_Collimation_Primer_EN.pdf"> 0661 The Photonewton Collimation Primer</ulink> for more details.</para> 0662 </listitem> 0663 <listitem> 0664 <para>Running the <link linkend="focus-aberration-inspector">Aberration Inspector</link> tool.</para> 0665 </listitem> 0666 </itemizedlist></para> 0667 </listitem> 0668 </itemizedlist> 0669 0670 <para>Adaptive Focus Parameters:</para> 0671 0672 <para> The next set of controls relate to <emphasis role="bold">Adaptive Focus</emphasis>. 0673 The idea here is to keep the telescope focused by adapting the focuser position based on changes 0674 in environmental conditions without having to perform a full Autofocus run. See the 0675 <link linkend="focus-adaptive">Adaptive Focus</link> section for more details.</para> 0676 0677 <para> For example, as temperature changes during an imaging session so the focus 0678 point will change. By sampling the temperature between subframes it is possible to 0679 firstly calculate the change in temperature and then to convert this to a number of 0680 ticks of focuser movement to apply between subframes.</para> 0681 0682 <para> In order to use <emphasis role="bold">Adaptive Focus</emphasis> it is necessary 0683 to setup some data for your system. In particular you need to tell Ekos how many ticks (and 0684 in which direction) to move the focuser when the environmental conditions change. This is 0685 covered in the <link linkend="focus-filter-settings">Filter Settings</link> popup. The 0686 popup is launched by clicking the filter icon <inlinemediaobject><imageobject><imagedata 0687 fileref="view-filter.png" format="PNG"/></imageobject></inlinemediaobject>.</para> 0688 0689 <para> The following controls are available: 0690 <itemizedlist> 0691 <listitem> 0692 <para> <guilabel>Adaptive Focus</guilabel>: Select this option to activate 0693 <emphasis role="bold">Adaptive Focus</emphasis>.</para> 0694 </listitem> 0695 0696 <listitem> 0697 <para> <guilabel>Min Move</guilabel>: The minimum Adaptive Focus movement allowed.</para> 0698 </listitem> 0699 0700 <listitem> 0701 <para> <guilabel>Adapt Start Pos</guilabel>: Check to allow Adaptive Focus to calculate the 0702 start position for an Autofocus run. The starting position is the last good solve position for 0703 the selected filter, adapted for environmental changes.</para> 0704 0705 <para> For example, if the current focuser position is 1000, temperature = 4C, and if the Red 0706 filter is selected (last good focus position for Red is 990 @ 5C and Ekos is configured to move 0707 +3 <guilabel>Ticks / °C</guilabel>). Then, if Adapt Start Pos is off, 0708 Autofocus will start at 1000. If Adapt Start Pos is on, Autofocus will start at 990 + (5 - 4) * 3 0709 = 993.</para> 0710 0711 <para> This feature is useful to ensure that Autofocus starts from close to the focus point 0712 which will mean a more symmetric V-curve. It is particularly useful when changing between filters 0713 which have large differences in focus points.</para> 0714 0715 <para> It is possible to use this feature on its own without Adaptive Focus. Just set the checkbox 0716 and leave the ticks per degree C set to zero. This way the Autofocus start position will be 0717 filter dependent and will start each Autofocus run at the focus point of the last successful 0718 Autofocus run for that filter.</para> 0719 </listitem> 0720 0721 <listitem> 0722 <para> <guilabel>Max Total Move</guilabel>: The maximum total focuser movement that 0723 Adaptive Focus is allowed in the observing session. The purpose of this is as a "dead man's 0724 handle" on Adaptive Focus in case it runs away. For example, if the temperature source fails 0725 and returns bad temperature readings whilst the equipment is unattended, this could result in 0726 Adaptive Focus attempting to make large focuser movements.</para> 0727 0728 <para> If the Max Total Move is reached then <guilabel>Adaptive Focus</guilabel> is unchecked 0729 until manually re-checked by the user.</para> 0730 </listitem> 0731 </itemizedlist> 0732 </para> 0733 </sect3> 0734 0735 <sect3 id="focus-process"> 0736 <title>Focus Process</title> 0737 0738 <screenshot> 0739 <screeninfo> Focus Process </screeninfo> 0740 0741 <mediaobject> 0742 <imageobject> 0743 <imagedata fileref="focus_process.png" format="PNG" width="50%"/> 0744 </imageobject> 0745 0746 <textobject> 0747 <phrase>Focus Process</phrase> 0748 </textobject> 0749 </mediaobject> 0750 </screenshot> 0751 0752 <para>Focus Process Parameters:</para> 0753 0754 <itemizedlist> 0755 <listitem> 0756 <para> <guilabel>Detection</guilabel>: Select star detection 0757 algorithm. Each algorithm has its strengths and weaknesses. It is 0758 recommended to use SEP, unless you have a specialized 0759 use. The following are available:</para> 0760 0761 <itemizedlist> 0762 <listitem> 0763 <para> <emphasis role="bold">SEP</emphasis>: Source Extraction and 0764 Photometry built in library. This is the default value.</para> 0765 </listitem> 0766 0767 <listitem> 0768 <para> <emphasis role="bold">Centroid</emphasis>: An extraction 0769 method based on estimating star mass around signal peaks.</para> 0770 </listitem> 0771 0772 <listitem> 0773 <para> <emphasis role="bold">Gradient</emphasis>: A single source 0774 extraction model based on the Sobel filter. </para> 0775 </listitem> 0776 0777 <listitem> 0778 <para> <emphasis role="bold">Threshold</emphasis>: A single source 0779 detection algorithm based on pixel values. </para> 0780 </listitem> 0781 0782 <listitem> 0783 <para> <emphasis role="bold">Bahtinov</emphasis>: This detection 0784 method can be used when using a Bahtinov mask for focusing. First 0785 take an image, then select the star to focus on. A new image will 0786 be taken and the diffraction pattern will be analysed. Three lines 0787 will be displayed on the diffraction pattern showing how well the 0788 pattern is recognized and how good the image is in focus. When the 0789 pattern is not well recognized, the <emphasis>Num. of 0790 rows</emphasis> parameter can be adjusted to improve recognition. 0791 The line with the circles at each end is a magnified indicator for 0792 the focus. The shorter the line, the better the image is in 0793 focus.</para> 0794 </listitem> 0795 </itemizedlist> 0796 </listitem> 0797 0798 <listitem> 0799 <para> <guilabel>SEP Profile</guilabel>: If the star detection 0800 algorithm is set to <emphasis>SEP</emphasis>, then choose a parameter 0801 profile to use with the algorithm. It is recommended to use the 0802 default 1-Focus-Default profile as a starting point.</para> 0803 </listitem> 0804 0805 <listitem> 0806 <para> <guilabel>Algorithm</guilabel>: Select the Autofocus process 0807 algorithm: </para> 0808 0809 <itemizedlist> 0810 <listitem> 0811 <para> <emphasis role="bold">Linear 1 Pass</emphasis>: This is the 0812 recommended algorithm. In this algorithm, Ekos establishes a V-Curve 0813 and fits a curve to the data to find the focus solution. It then moves 0814 to the calculated solution.</para> 0815 0816 <para> This algorithm supports the older style Quadratic curve 0817 type as well as the newer <link 0818 linkend="Levenberg-Marquardt">Levenberg-Marquardt Solver</link> 0819 for Hyperbolic and Parabolic curves. It will also weight the 0820 datapoints in the curve fitting process if <guilabel>Use Weights</guilabel> 0821 is checked and run a refinement process if <guilabel>Refine Curve Fit 0822 </guilabel> is selected.</para> 0823 </listitem> 0824 0825 <listitem> 0826 <para> <emphasis role="bold">Linear</emphasis>: This algorithm 0827 builds a V-Curve with approximately <emphasis role="bold">Out step 0828 Multiple</emphasis> steps on each side of the minimum. Having 0829 built the V-Curve it then fits a quadratic equation to the curve 0830 (parabolic shape) and uses this to calculate the focuser position 0831 giving the minimum HFR. Having identified the minimum it then 0832 performs a 2nd pass halving the step size, recreating the curve 0833 from the 1st pass. It attempts to stop within <emphasis 0834 role="bold">Tolerance</emphasis> of the minimum HFR calculated 0835 during the 1st pass.</para> 0836 </listitem> 0837 0838 <listitem> 0839 <para> <emphasis role="bold">Iterative</emphasis>: Moves focuser 0840 by discreet steps initially decided by the step size. Once a curve 0841 slope is calculated, further step sizes are calculated to reach an 0842 optimal solution. The algorithm stops when the measured HFR is 0843 within <emphasis role="bold">Tolerance</emphasis> of the minimum 0844 HFR recorded in the procedure.</para> 0845 </listitem> 0846 0847 <listitem> 0848 <para> <emphasis role="bold">Polynomial</emphasis>: Starts with 0849 the iterative method. Upon crossing to the other side of the 0850 V-Curve, polynomial fitting coefficients along with possible 0851 minimum solution are calculated. This algorithm can be faster than 0852 a purely iterative approach given a good data set.</para> 0853 </listitem> 0854 </itemizedlist> 0855 </listitem> 0856 0857 <listitem> 0858 <para> <guilabel>Curve Fit</guilabel>: The type of curve to fit to the datapoints. </para> 0859 <itemizedlist> 0860 <listitem> 0861 <para> <emphasis role="bold">Hyperbola</emphasis>: Fits a Hyperbola using a non-linear least squares 0862 algorithm supplied by GSL (GNU Science Library). See <link 0863 linkend="Levenberg-Marquardt">Levenberg-Marquardt Solver</link> for more details.</para> 0864 0865 <para> This is the recommended option.</para> 0866 </listitem> 0867 0868 <listitem> 0869 <para> <emphasis role="bold">Parabola</emphasis>: Fits a Parabola using a non-linear least squares 0870 algorithm supplied by GSL (GNU Science Library). See <link 0871 linkend="Levenberg-Marquardt">Levenberg-Marquardt Solver</link> for more details.</para> 0872 </listitem> 0873 0874 <listitem> 0875 <para> <emphasis role="bold">Quadratic</emphasis>: Uses a quadratic equation using a linear style least 0876 squares algorithm supplied by GSL (GNU Science Library). This is, in effect, a parabolic curve.</para> 0877 0878 <para> It is no longer recommended to use this curve.</para> 0879 </listitem> 0880 </itemizedlist> 0881 </listitem> 0882 0883 <listitem> 0884 <para> <guilabel>Measure</guilabel>: Select Measure to use in the focus process. 0885 The following are available:</para> 0886 0887 <itemizedlist> 0888 <listitem> 0889 <para> <emphasis role="bold">HFR</emphasis>: Half Flux Radius (HFR) is the 0890 recommended measure. When a star is detected, Ekos will calculate the HFR for 0891 the star. This is the radius of an imaginary circle, centered on the star 0892 center, that encloses half the star's total flux.</para> 0893 0894 <para>The point of best focus corresponds to the minimum HFR.</para> 0895 </listitem> 0896 0897 <listitem> 0898 <para> <emphasis role="bold">HFR Adj</emphasis>: This feature 0899 uses a brightness adjusted HFR calculation to take account of the fact that the HFR for 0900 brighter stars is larger than for smaller stars.</para> 0901 0902 <para> The algorithm adjusts the value of the measured HFR, usually upwards, so the HFRs obtained 0903 by the HFR Adj method will be higher than the measured HFR values. This does not mean that you are 0904 getting worse results by using HFR Adj, simply that the measure is different.</para> 0905 0906 <para> When using this Measure it is usual to get smaller error bars on the datapoints when 0907 <guilabel>Use Weights</guilabel> is selected.</para> 0908 0909 <para>The point of best focus corresponds to the minimum adjusted HFR.</para> 0910 </listitem> 0911 0912 <listitem> 0913 <para> <emphasis role="bold">FWHM</emphasis>: This feature fits 0914 a Gaussian surface to each star and uses that to calculate the Full Width Half Maximum 0915 (FWHM) of the star. The FWHM is the width of an circle (or ellipse) centered on the star center 0916 reaching the edge of the star at half its maximum intensity.</para> 0917 0918 <para>The point of best focus corresponds to the minimum FWHM.</para> 0919 0920 <para>Expect the FWHM to be approximately twice the HFR of a star.</para> 0921 </listitem> 0922 0923 <listitem> 0924 <para> <emphasis role="bold"># Stars</emphasis>: This feature 0925 calculates the number of stars in the image and uses this number as the focus measure. 0926 The idea is that as you move nearer focus so more stars become detectable.</para> 0927 0928 <para> The advantage of this Measure is that it is very simple and does not require 0929 algorithms to calculate HFRs or FWHMs.</para> 0930 0931 <para>The point of best focus corresponds to a maximum number of stars.</para> 0932 </listitem> 0933 0934 <listitem> 0935 <para> <emphasis role="bold">Fourier</emphasis>: Fourier takes a Fourier transform of the 0936 image and calculates the image power in frequency space. The assumption is that for an astronomical 0937 image of stars and background, the stars will be gaussians. Under a Fourier 0938 transform, a gaussian transforms to another gaussian; but wider stars transform to narrower 0939 gaussians in frequency space, and vice-versa. So, at focus, summing up the contents in 0940 frequency space, which is in effect a measure of power, will be a maximum.</para> 0941 0942 <para>This follows the main idea suggested by Tan and Schulz in their paper: 0943 <ulink url="https://arxiv.org/pdf/2201.12466.pdf">A Fourier method for the determination of focus 0944 for telescopes with stars</ulink>. Please note that this paper makes other processing suggestions 0945 beyond the idea of using Fourier Transforms that are not included within Ekos</para> 0946 0947 <para> This is a relatively new method in the Astro Community, and does not require star detection. 0948 Tan and Schulz report good results with both amateur and professional telescopes.</para> 0949 </listitem> 0950 </itemizedlist> 0951 </listitem> 0952 0953 <listitem> 0954 <para> <guilabel>PSF</guilabel>: If <guilabel>Measure</guilabel> is set to FWHM, then the PSF 0955 widget can be selected for use in fitting a surface to the star. At present just Gaussian is 0956 supported.</para> 0957 </listitem> 0958 0959 <listitem> 0960 <para> <guilabel>Use Weights</guilabel>: This is only available with the Linear 1 Pass focus algorithm 0961 and Curve Fits of Hyperbola and Parabola. It requires Full Field to be selected. The option calculates 0962 the standard deviation of star Measure and uses the square of this (mathematically the variance) as a 0963 weighting in the curve fitting process. The advantage of this is that datapoints with less reliable data 0964 and therefore larger HFR standard deviations will be given less weight than more reliable datapoints. If 0965 this option is unchecked, and for all other curve fitting where the option is not allowed, all datapoints 0966 are given equal weight in the curve fitting process.</para> 0967 0968 <para> The standard deviation is drawn on the V-Curve for each datapoint as an error bar.</para> 0969 0970 <para> It is recommended to check this option.</para> 0971 0972 <para> See the <link linkend="Levenberg-Marquardt">Levenberg-Marquardt Solver</link> for more details.</para> 0973 </listitem> 0974 0975 <listitem> 0976 <para> <guilabel>R² Limit</guilabel>: This is only available with the Linear 1 Pass focus algorithm 0977 and Curve Fits of Hyperbola and Parabola. As part of the Linear 1 Pass algorithm, the degree to which the 0978 curve fits the datapoints, or <link linkend="Coefficient_of_Determination">Coefficient of Determination, 0979 R²</link>, is calculated. This option allows a minimum acceptable value of R² to be defined that is compared 0980 to the value obtained from the curve fitting process. If the minimum value has not been achieved then 0981 Autofocus will rerun. Only one rerun will be performed and even if the minimum R² has not been met the 0982 second time, the Autofocus run will still be deemed successful.</para> 0983 0984 <para> Experiment to find an appropriate value but a good starting point would be 0.8 or 0.9</para> 0985 </listitem> 0986 0987 <listitem> 0988 <para> <guilabel>Refine Curve Fit</guilabel>: This option is only available with the Linear 0989 1 Pass focus algorithm and Curve Fits of Hyperbola and Parabola. If this option is checked then at the end 0990 of the sweep of datapoints, Ekos fits a curve and measures the R². It then applies Peirce's Criterion 0991 based on Gould's methodology for outlier identification. See <ulink 0992 url="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peirce%27s_criterion">Peirce's Criterion</ulink> for details incl 0993 Peirce's original paper and Gould's paper which are both referenced in the notes. If Peirce's Criterion 0994 detects 1 or more outliers then another curve fit is attempted with the outliers removed. Again the R² 0995 is calculated and compared with the original curve fit R². If the R² is better, then the latest run is used, 0996 if not, the original curve fit (with the outliers included) is used.</para> 0997 0998 <para> Outliers are clearly marked on the V-Curve with an X through the datapoint.</para> 0999 1000 <para> It is recommended to check this option.</para> 1001 </listitem> 1002 1003 <listitem> 1004 <para> <guilabel>Average over</guilabel>: Number of frames to capture at each datapoint. It is usually 1005 sensible to start with 1 but increasing this will result in an averaging process for the star Measure 1006 selected.</para> 1007 </listitem> 1008 1009 <listitem> 1010 <warning> 1011 <para><guilabel>Donut Buster</guilabel>: This is an experimental feature and should be used with caution. The 1012 intention of Donut Buster is to improve focusing for telescopes with central 1013 obstructions that create donut shaped stars when defocused. In future it is likely that more functionality 1014 will be developed for Donut Buster. In this release the functionality is aimed at data collection in order 1015 to research methods of improving focus.</para> 1016 </warning> 1017 </listitem> 1018 <listitem> 1019 <warning> 1020 <para> <guilabel>Time Dilation Factor</guilabel>: This is an experimental feature of Donut Buster and should be 1021 used with caution. This feature scales the exposure time during Autofocus from the Exposure value entered in the 1022 Exposure field for the furthest datapoints from focus. Datapoints near focus are taken with an unscaled exposure. 1023 For example, if Focus is setup with an Exposure of 2s and Time Dilation Factor is set to 4, then when Autofocus 1024 moves out to take its first datapoint, an exposure of 2s * 4 = 8s is used. On each successive datapoint the 1025 exposure is reduced down to 2s around the point of optimum focus. As the focuser moves through focus, so the 1026 exposure is scaled upwards to 8s for the last datapoint.</para> 1027 <para> The purpose of this feature is to increase the brightness of out of focus datapoints which will be dimmer than 1028 in-focus datapoints and therefore harder for star detection to resolve from the background noise.</para> 1029 <para> This feature assumes Autofocus is run from near to optimum focus.</para> 1030 </warning> 1031 </listitem> 1032 1033 <listitem> 1034 <para> If <guilabel>Detection</guilabel> is set to Threshold then the following additional field is 1035 available:</para> 1036 <itemizedlist> 1037 <listitem> 1038 <para> <guilabel>Threshold</guilabel>: This contains a percentage value used for star detection using the 1039 <emphasis>Threshold</emphasis> detection algorithm. Increase to restrict the centroid to bright 1040 cores. Decrease to enclose fuzzy stars.</para> 1041 </listitem> 1042 </itemizedlist> 1043 </listitem> 1044 1045 <listitem> 1046 <para> If <guilabel>Detection</guilabel> is set to Bahtinov then the following additional widgets are 1047 available:</para> 1048 <itemizedlist> 1049 <listitem> 1050 <para> <guilabel>Num. of rows</guilabel>: The number of lines displayed on screen when using a 1051 Bahtinov mask.</para> 1052 </listitem> 1053 1054 <listitem> 1055 <para> <guilabel>Sigma</guilabel>: The sigma of the gaussian blur applied to the image before applying 1056 Bahtinov edge detection.</para> 1057 </listitem> 1058 1059 <listitem> 1060 <para> <guilabel>Kernel Size</guilabel>: The kernel size of the gaussian blur applied to the image 1061 before applying Bahtinov edge detection.</para> 1062 </listitem> 1063 </itemizedlist> 1064 </listitem> 1065 1066 <listitem> 1067 <para> If <guilabel>Algorithm</guilabel> is set to Linear or Iterative then the following additional widget is 1068 available:</para> 1069 <itemizedlist> 1070 <listitem> 1071 <para> <guilabel>Tolerance</guilabel>: The tolerance percentage value is used to help decide when the 1072 Autofocus process stops. During the Autofocus process, HFR values are recorded, and once the focuser is close to an 1073 optimal position, it starts measuring HFRs against the minimum recorded HFR in the session and stops 1074 whenever a measured HFR value is within % difference of the minimum recorded HFR. Decrease the value to 1075 narrow the optimal focus point solution radius. Increase to expand solution radius. </para> 1076 1077 <warning> 1078 <para> Setting the Tolerance value too low might result in a repetitive loop and would most likely result in a 1079 failed Autofocus process. </para> 1080 </warning> 1081 </listitem> 1082 </itemizedlist> 1083 </listitem> 1084 </itemizedlist> 1085 </sect3> 1086 1087 <sect3 id="focus-mechanics"> 1088 <title>Focus Mechanics</title> 1089 1090 <screenshot> 1091 <screeninfo> Focus Mechanics </screeninfo> 1092 1093 <mediaobject> 1094 <imageobject> 1095 <imagedata fileref="focus_mechanics.png" format="PNG" width="50%"/> 1096 </imageobject> 1097 1098 <textobject> 1099 <phrase>Focus Mechanics</phrase> 1100 </textobject> 1101 </mediaobject> 1102 </screenshot> 1103 1104 <para> Focus Mechanics Parameters:</para> 1105 1106 <itemizedlist> 1107 <listitem> 1108 <para> <guilabel>Walk</guilabel>: This specifies the way Autofocus will "walk" inwards through its 1109 sweep to produce the V-Curve from which the focus solution will be calculated.</para> 1110 1111 <para> The following are available: 1112 <itemizedlist> 1113 <listitem> 1114 <para> <emphasis role="bold">Classic</emphasis>: This is the recommended setting. The inward sweep 1115 follows a series of steps of equal size (<guilabel>Initial Step Size</guilabel>). The algorithm includes 1116 logic to determine when to stop that makes the exact number of steps unpredictable but it will be about 1117 2 * (<guilabel>Out Step Multiple</guilabel>) + 1.</para> 1118 <para> This Walk is tolerant of curve fitting failures in the last step where it will take a further 1119 step and try again to solve. It is also somewhat tolerant of not being started near to focus so is a good 1120 choice for the initial Autofocus run.</para> 1121 <para> Because of the "tolerance" of this Walk to less than perfect setup it is a conservative option 1122 to chose, but comes at the expense of extra steps and therefore extra time in the Autofocus process.</para> 1123 </listitem> 1124 1125 <listitem> 1126 <para> <emphasis role="bold">Fixed Steps</emphasis>: This feature is available in the Linear 1 Pass 1127 <guilabel>Algorithm</guilabel>. It is quite similar to Classic but <guilabel>Fixed Steps</guilabel> 1128 is used to control the total number of steps taken.</para> 1129 <para> This algorithm is more predicable than Classic in that it takes a definite number of steps (so 1130 will be faster), but is less tolerant of issues curve fitting the last data point and needs to be 1131 started near to focus.</para> 1132 <para> When selected, the <guilabel>Out Steps Multiple</guilabel> is replaced by 1133 <guilabel>Fixed Steps:</guilabel> 1134 <screenshot> 1135 <screeninfo> Focus Mechanics </screeninfo> 1136 <mediaobject> <imageobject> <imagedata fileref="focus_mechanics1.png" format="PNG" width="50%"/> 1137 </imageobject><textobject><phrase>Focus Mechanics</phrase></textobject></mediaobject> 1138 </screenshot> 1139 </para> 1140 </listitem> 1141 <listitem> 1142 <para> <emphasis role="bold">CFZ Shuffle</emphasis>: This feature is available in the Linear 1 Pass 1143 <guilabel>Algorithm</guilabel>. It is a variation on Fixed Steps so the comments on that Walk are 1144 applicable here as well.</para> 1145 1146 <para> The difference between CFZ Shuffle and Fixed Steps is that near the center of the sweep (which 1147 should be around the Critical Focus Zone (CFZ)) the algorithm takes steps of half the specified size.</para> 1148 </listitem> 1149 </itemizedlist> 1150 </para> 1151 </listitem> 1152 1153 <listitem> 1154 <para> <guilabel>Focuser Settle</guilabel>: The number of seconds to wait, after moving the focuser, before 1155 starting the next capture. The purpose is to stop any vibrations in the optical train from affecting 1156 the next frame.</para> 1157 </listitem> 1158 1159 <listitem> 1160 <para> <guilabel>Initial Step size</guilabel>: This sets the step size to be used by various focus algorithms. 1161 For absolute and relative focusers this is the number of ticks; for timer based focusers this is the number of 1162 milliseconds.</para> 1163 </listitem> 1164 1165 <listitem> 1166 <para> <guilabel>Out Step Multiple</guilabel>: Used by the Linear and Linear 1 Pass focus algorithms in the 1167 Classic walk, this parameter specifies the initial number of outward steps the focuser takes at the start of 1168 an Autofocus run.</para> 1169 </listitem> 1170 1171 <listitem> 1172 <para> <guilabel>Number Steps</guilabel>: Used by the Linear 1 Pass algorithm in the Fixed Steps and CFZ 1173 Shuffle walks, this parameter specifies the total number of steps the focuser takes to create the V-Curve in 1174 an Autofocus run.</para> 1175 </listitem> 1176 1177 <listitem> 1178 <para> <guilabel>Max Travel</guilabel>: Puts bounds on the amount of travel from the current focuser position 1179 that is permitted by the Autofocus algorithms. The purpose is to protect the focuser from travelling too far 1180 and potentially damaging itself. On the other hand, the value needs to be big enough to allow sufficient focuser 1181 motion to permit the auto focus runs to complete.</para> 1182 </listitem> 1183 1184 <listitem> 1185 <para> <guilabel>Max Step Size</guilabel>: Used by the Iterative algorithm to limit the maximum step size that 1186 can be used.</para> 1187 </listitem> 1188 1189 <listitem> 1190 <para> <guilabel>Driver Backlash</guilabel>: See the section on <link linkend="focus-backlash">Backlash</link>.</para> 1191 1192 <para>There are 2 schemes that can be used:</para> 1193 1194 <itemizedlist> 1195 <listitem> 1196 <para>Set <guilabel>Driver Backlash</guilabel> to 0 to switch it off and deal with Backlash elsewhere.</para> 1197 </listitem> 1198 1199 <listitem> 1200 <para>Set <guilabel>Driver Backlash</guilabel> > 0 to use Driver Backlash to manage Backlash in the device driver. Note 1201 that this field is only editable if the device driver supports Backlash.</para> 1202 <para>This is the same data field that is displayed in the Indi Control Panel for the focuser device. It can be set 1203 in either place.</para> 1204 </listitem> 1205 </itemizedlist> 1206 </listitem> 1207 1208 <listitem> 1209 <para> <guilabel>AF Overscan</guilabel>: See the section on <link linkend="focus-backlash">Backlash</link>.</para> 1210 1211 <para> There are 2 schemes that can be used:</para> 1212 <itemizedlist> 1213 <listitem> 1214 <para> Set <guilabel>AF Overscan</guilabel> to 0 to switch it off and deal with Backlash elsewhere.</para> 1215 </listitem> 1216 1217 <listitem> 1218 <para> Set <guilabel>AF Overscan</guilabel> > 0 to have the Focus module manage Backlash.</para> 1219 </listitem> 1220 </itemizedlist> 1221 </listitem> 1222 1223 <listitem> 1224 <para> <guilabel>Capture Timeout</guilabel>: The amount of time in seconds to wait for a captured image to be received before 1225 declaring a timeout. This should only be triggered if there are problems with the camera during the Focus process so set this 1226 to a high enough value that it will not occur during normal operation.</para> 1227 </listitem> 1228 1229 <listitem> 1230 <para> <guilabel>Motion Timeout</guilabel>: The amount of time in seconds to wait for the focuser to move to the requested position 1231 before declaring a timeout. This should only be triggered if there are problems with the focuser during the Focus process so set this 1232 to a high enough value that it will not occur during normal operation.</para> 1233 </listitem> 1234 </itemizedlist> 1235 </sect3> 1236 </sect2> 1237 1238 <sect2 id="focus-cfz"> 1239 <title>Focus Critical Focus Zone (CFZ)</title> 1240 1241 <screenshot> 1242 <screeninfo> Focus CFZ </screeninfo> 1243 1244 <mediaobject> 1245 <imageobject> 1246 <imagedata fileref="focus_cfz_classic.png" format="PNG" width="50%"/> 1247 </imageobject> 1248 1249 <textobject> 1250 <phrase>Focus CFZ</phrase> 1251 </textobject> 1252 </mediaobject> 1253 </screenshot> 1254 1255 <para>Focus CFZ Parameters:</para> 1256 1257 <itemizedlist> 1258 <listitem> 1259 <para> <guilabel>Algorithm</guilabel>: This specifies the Critical Focus Zone (CFZ) algorithm. The purpose of this is 1260 to calculate the CFZ for the equipment attached in the Optical Train. It is not necessary to use this functionality 1261 in order to successfully focus, but it provides useful information if correctly configured.</para> 1262 1263 <para> It requires some knowledge to configure it correctly. There is plenty of information available on the internet.</para> 1264 1265 <para> The idea of the CFZ dialog is that it starts with data from the Optical Train used in the Focus tab and uses that to 1266 calculate the CFZ. The user can adjust parameters to do "what-if" scenarios to see how it affects the CFZ. Clicking the 1267 <guilabel>Reset to OT</guilabel> button resets any adjusted parameters to the Optical Train values.</para> 1268 1269 <para> If the <guilabel>Display</guilabel> box is checked then the CFZ is drawn on the V-Curve after Autofocus 1270 successfully completes. 1271 <screenshot> 1272 <screeninfo> Focus Mechanics </screeninfo> 1273 <mediaobject> <imageobject> <imagedata fileref="focus_cfz_moustache.png" format="PNG" width="50%"/> 1274 </imageobject><textobject><phrase>Focus Mechanics</phrase></textobject></mediaobject> 1275 </screenshot></para> 1276 <para> It is necessary to specify the <guilabel>Step Size</guilabel> parameter which specifies in microns how far one tick 1277 moves the focal plane. For refractors there is usually a 1-to-1 relationship between moving the focuser which moves the 1278 telescope draw-tube mechanism and the focal plane movement. For other types of telescope the relationship is likely to be 1279 more complex. Refer to details of your telescope / manufacturer for this information.</para> 1280 1281 <para> The following algorithms are available: 1282 <itemizedlist> 1283 <listitem> 1284 <para> <emphasis role="bold">Classic</emphasis>: This is the recommended setting. The equation used is displayed 1285 in the top right of the dialog and is the equation most commonly seen on the internet. The equation comes from a 1286 linear optics treatment using the Airy Disc and is acknowledged to have limitations. For this reason it includes 1287 a "tolerance" factor that can be adjusted by the user. For example, in the often quoted “In Perfect Focus” article 1288 by Don Goldman and Barry Megdal in Sky & Telescope 2010 they suggest setting t=1/3.</para> 1289 </listitem> 1290 1291 <listitem> 1292 <para> <emphasis role="bold">Wavefront</emphasis>: The equation used is displayed in the top right of the dialog. 1293 The equation comes from a wavefront approach to the CFZ. Again, it has limitations and again, for this reason it 1294 includes a "tolerance" factor that can be adjusted by the user. 1295 <screenshot> 1296 <screeninfo> Focus Mechanics </screeninfo> 1297 <mediaobject> <imageobject> <imagedata fileref="focus_cfz_wavefront.png" format="PNG" width="50%"/> 1298 </imageobject><textobject><phrase>Focus Mechanics</phrase></textobject></mediaobject> 1299 </screenshot> 1300 </para> 1301 </listitem> 1302 1303 <listitem> 1304 <para> <emphasis role="bold">Gold</emphasis>: This method is based on work done by Gold Astro and presented 1305 <ulink url="https://www.goldastro.com/goldfocus/ncfz.php">here</ulink>.</para> 1306 <screenshot> 1307 <screeninfo> Focus Mechanics </screeninfo> 1308 <mediaobject> <imageobject> <imagedata fileref="focus_cfz_gold.png" format="PNG" width="50%"/> 1309 </imageobject><textobject><phrase>Focus Mechanics</phrase></textobject></mediaobject> 1310 </screenshot> 1311 </listitem> 1312 </itemizedlist> 1313 </para> 1314 </listitem> 1315 1316 <listitem> 1317 <para> <guilabel>Tolerance</guilabel>: This is used by Classic and Wavefront algorithms and is a scaling factor 1318 between 0 and 1.</para> 1319 <para> For the Classic algorithm, Goldman and Megdal suggest 1/3.</para> 1320 <para> For the Wavefront algorithm, some have suggested 1/3 or even 1/10.</para> 1321 </listitem> 1322 1323 <listitem> 1324 <para> <guilabel>Tolerance (τ)</guilabel>: This is used by the Gold algorithm and is a focus tolerance as a percentage of 1325 total seeing. The Gold website suggests 3-5% for a good focuser or 1-2% for a top quality focuser. See the 1326 <ulink url="https://www.goldastro.com/goldfocus/ncfz.php">Gold Astro website</ulink> for more details.</para> 1327 </listitem> 1328 1329 <listitem> 1330 <para> <guilabel>Display</guilabel>: Check this box to display the calculated CFZ on the V-Curve after a 1331 successful Autofocus run. It is displayed as a yellow moustache.</para> 1332 </listitem> 1333 1334 <listitem> 1335 <para> <guilabel>Reset to OT</guilabel>: Press this button to reset any parameters to values defaulted from the 1336 currently connected Optical Train.</para> 1337 </listitem> 1338 1339 <listitem> 1340 <para> <guilabel>Wavelength (λ)</guilabel>: This is the light wavelength to use. It is defaulted from the currently used 1341 filter. Remember to set this up in <link linkend="focus-filter-settings">Filter Settings</link> for your filters.</para> 1342 </listitem> 1343 1344 <listitem> 1345 <para> <guilabel>Aperture (A)</guilabel>: This is the aperture of the telescope in mm. It is defaulted from the 1346 currently connected Optical Train.</para> 1347 </listitem> 1348 1349 <listitem> 1350 <para> <guilabel>Focal Ratio (f)</guilabel>: This is the focal ratio of the telescope. It is defaulted from the 1351 currently connected Optical Train.</para> 1352 </listitem> 1353 1354 <listitem> 1355 <para> <guilabel>FWHM (θ)</guilabel>: This is used by the Gold Algorithm and is the total seeing. This is the combined 1356 contribution of the diffraction limit of your telescope and the astronomical seeing. The 1357 <ulink url="https://www.goldastro.com/goldfocus/ncfz.php">Gold Astro website</ulink> describes how you might approximate 1358 the total once you have values for the individual contributions.</para> 1359 </listitem> 1360 1361 <listitem> 1362 <para> <guilabel>CFZ</guilabel>: This is calculated CFZ in microns and in ticks.</para> 1363 </listitem> 1364 1365 <listitem> 1366 <para> <guilabel>Step Size</guilabel>: This must be input by the user (as it cannot be calculated by Ekos). It relates how far 1367 1 tick moves the focal plane in microns. </para> 1368 <para> For a refractor this is how far the drawtube moves when the focuser is moved by 1 tick. You might be able to get this 1369 value from the specification of your focuser (how many ticks for a complete revolution of your focuser) and the thread pitch of 1370 your telescope drawtube along with any gearing involved.</para> 1371 <para> Alternatively, you can measure how far the drawtube moves from end to end (be careful not to force the drawtube) with 1372 a set of calipers or a ruler. By subtracting the furthest "in" position (in ticks) from the furthest "out" position (in ticks) you 1373 have how many ticks moved the drawtube the distance you measured. From this you can calculate the distance in microns a single 1374 tick moves the drawtube.</para> 1375 <para> Other types of telescope will have other ways to adjust the focal plane, for example, by moving the primary or 1376 secondary mirrors. You will need to either get the Step Size from the documentation for your equipment or work out how to 1377 measure it in a way that are consistent with that described above.</para> 1378 </listitem> 1379 1380 <listitem> 1381 <para> <guilabel>CFZ Camera</guilabel>: The pixel size of the camera attached via the Optical Train may have a limiting 1382 effect on the CFZ. So an equivalent CFZ for the attached camera is calculated assuming a Nyquist 2* limit.</para> 1383 </listitem> 1384 1385 <listitem> 1386 <para> <guilabel>Final CFZ</guilabel>: This is the larger of the CFZ calculated using the selected algorithm for the specified 1387 parameter and the <guilabel>CFZ Camera</guilabel>. It is the display value and is, in effect, the CFZ of your equipment.</para> 1388 </listitem> 1389 1390 </itemizedlist> 1391 </sect2> 1392 1393 1394 <sect2 id="focus-advisor"> 1395 <title>Focus Advisor</title> 1396 1397 <screenshot> 1398 <screeninfo> Focus Advisor </screeninfo> 1399 1400 <mediaobject> 1401 <imageobject> 1402 <imagedata fileref="focus_advisor.png" format="PNG" width="33%"/> 1403 </imageobject> 1404 1405 <textobject> 1406 <phrase>Focus Advisor</phrase> 1407 </textobject> 1408 </mediaobject> 1409 </screenshot> 1410 1411 <para> This is the Focus Advisor dialog. It is a feature to assist with management of focus parameters.</para> 1412 1413 <para> The purpose of Focus Advisor is to help people struggling to use the Focus module within Ekos. The Focus module is 1414 functionally rich and contains a lot of parameters that need to be set self-consistently to achieve good results. Focus 1415 Advisor is designed to help with basic parameter setup that should achieve focus. It is not designed to achieve the best possible 1416 focus for your equipment; you will have to experiment with your setup to achieve that. But Focus Advisor provides a place to 1417 start that experimentation.</para> 1418 1419 <para> So Focus Advisor is aimed towards the less experienced users.</para> 1420 <para> If Focus Advisor does not appear to give good results on your setup why not start a discussion on the forum so it can 1421 be enhanced to give better results in the future. This way it will build over time to be more useful.</para> 1422 <para> When you click on Focus Advisor it works out a series of parameter recommendations based on the Optical 1423 Train you are using in Focus.</para> 1424 <para> At the top of the dialog it displays information about the connected Optical Train. Then it displays 6 lines relating 1425 to various sets of parameters used within Focus. Against each line is a checkbox to update the associated Focus fields 1426 with Focus Advisor's recommendations.</para> 1427 <para> Focus parameters are broken into the following groupings:</para> 1428 1429 <itemizedlist> 1430 <listitem> 1431 <para> <guilabel>Step Size</guilabel>: This is the suggested focus step size to use. This is a critical parameter. It is 1432 defaulted from the Critical Focus Zone (CFZ) dialog. So the first thing to do is set this dialog up and get a reasonable value 1433 for the CFZ. Alternatively, if you know a reasonable value for your equipment from other sources you can just enter that.</para> 1434 </listitem> 1435 1436 <listitem> 1437 <para> <guilabel>Out Step Multiple</guilabel>: This is the suggested outward step multiple to use.</para> 1438 </listitem> 1439 1440 <listitem> 1441 <para> <guilabel>Camera & Filter Wheel Parameters</guilabel>: This sets the parameters in the 1442 <link linkend="focus-ccd-filter-wheel">CCD & Filter Wheel</link> section of the Focus screen. By hovering the mouse over this 1443 label you can see in the tooltip what values Focus Advisor is recommending.</para> 1444 </listitem> 1445 1446 <listitem> 1447 <para> <guilabel>Settings Parameters</guilabel>: This sets the parameters in 1448 <link linkend="focus-settings">Focus Settings</link>. By hovering the mouse over this 1449 label you can see in the tooltip what values Focus Advisor is recommending.</para> 1450 </listitem> 1451 1452 <listitem> 1453 <para> <guilabel>Process Parameters</guilabel>: This sets the parameters in 1454 <link linkend="focus-process">Focus Process</link>. By hovering the mouse over this 1455 label you can see in the tooltip what values Focus Advisor is recommending.</para> 1456 </listitem> 1457 1458 <listitem> 1459 <para> <guilabel>Mechanics Parameters</guilabel>: This sets the parameters in 1460 <link linkend="focus-mechanics">Focus Mechanics</link>. By hovering the mouse over this 1461 label you can see in the tooltip what values Focus Advisor is recommending.</para> 1462 </listitem> 1463 1464 <listitem> 1465 <para> <guilabel>Help</guilabel>: Press this button to get help on using Focus Advisor.</para> 1466 </listitem> 1467 1468 <listitem> 1469 <para> <guilabel>Update Params</guilabel>: Press this button to accept the Focus Advisor recommendations and update 1470 the Focus parameters where the associated <guilabel>Update</guilabel> checkbox is checked..</para> 1471 </listitem> 1472 1473 </itemizedlist> 1474 </sect2> 1475 1476 <sect2 id="focus-filter-settings"> 1477 <title>Filter Settings</title> 1478 1479 <screenshot> 1480 <screeninfo> 1481 Filter Queue 1482 </screeninfo> 1483 <mediaobject> 1484 <imageobject> 1485 <imagedata fileref="filter_settings.png" format="PNG" width="50%"/> 1486 </imageobject> 1487 <textobject> 1488 <phrase>Filter Queue</phrase> 1489 </textobject> 1490 </mediaobject> 1491 </screenshot> 1492 1493 <para> Click the filter icon <inlinemediaobject><imageobject><imagedata fileref="view-filter.png" format="PNG"/></imageobject> 1494 </inlinemediaobject> from either Capture or Focus to open the filter settings dialog. This popup allows the user to 1495 configure data associated with each filter, and used for various functions within the system.</para> 1496 1497 <para> Focusing with different filters can be done in one of three ways within Ekos.</para> 1498 1499 <itemizedlist> 1500 <listitem> 1501 <para> <emphasis role="bold">Direct Autofocus</emphasis>: When Capture changes to this filter it is possible to automatically 1502 refocus this filter. The exposure to use for the selected filter is taken from the <guilabel>Exposure</guilabel> field. This 1503 allows, for example, narrowband filters to use a longer exposure than broadband filters during Autofocus.</para> 1504 1505 <para> Check <guilabel>Auto Focus</guilabel> to use the filter in this way.</para> 1506 </listitem> 1507 1508 <listitem> 1509 <para> <emphasis role="bold">Autofocus on Lock Filter</emphasis>: It is possible to specify a Lock filter to use when it is 1510 required to focus this filter. For example, if the Ha filter is used and an Autofocus run required, it is possible to run 1511 Autofocus using the Lum filter and then, when complete, adjust the focus position by an Offset value corresponding to the 1512 predetermined focus difference between the Lum and Ha filters (100 ticks in this example). This is useful when, for example, 1513 it is difficult to focus some filters directly without excessively long exposure times. Note that this locked filter approach 1514 may also be used in the <link linkend="ekos-align">Alignment Module</link> whenever it performs a capture for astrometry.</para> 1515 1516 <para> To use a filter in this way, check <guilabel>Auto Focus</guilabel>, specify the <guilabel>Lock Filter</guilabel> to use 1517 and make sure that the Offsets for this filter and the <guilabel>Lock Filter</guilabel> are set.</para> 1518 </listitem> 1519 1520 <listitem> 1521 <para> <emphasis role="bold">Use Offsets</emphasis>: It is possible to use filter offsets to adjust focus when swapping 1522 between filters, without running Autofocus. This requires some setup work ahead of time but has the advantage of 1523 reducing the number of Autofocus runs and therefore reducing the time spent autofocusing.</para> 1524 1525 <para> In order to use this feature it is necessary to work out the relative focus position between all filters that you 1526 wish to use this functionality for. For example, if Lum and Red have the same focus position (they are parfocal) but Green 1527 focuses 300 ticks further out than Lum (or Red) then setup Offsets for Lum, Red and Green as 0, 0, 300 as shown above. If a 1528 sequence is created to take 10 subframes of Lum, then 10 Red, then 10 Green, then at the start, since Lum has 1529 <guilabel>Auto Focus</guilabel> checked, an Autofocus will be run on Lum and the 10 subs taken. Capture will then switch 1530 filters to Red. Since Red has <guilabel>Auto Focus</guilabel> unchecked no Autofocus will happen and Ekos will look to the 1531 Offsets between Red and Lum. In this case 0 - 0 = 0. So the focuser will not be moved and Capture will take 10 subs of Red. 1532 Then Capture will swap from Red to Green. Again, Green has <guilabel>Auto Focus</guilabel> unchecked no Autofocus will happen 1533 and Ekos will look to the Offsets between Green and Red. In this case 300 - 0 = 300. So Focus will adjust the focus position 1534 by +300 (move the focuser out by 300 ticks). Capture will then take the 10 Green subs.</para> 1535 1536 <para> To use a filter in this way, uncheck <guilabel>Auto Focus</guilabel> and make sure that the Offsets for this filter 1537 and all other filters that can precede this filter in a sequence are set.</para> 1538 1539 <para> The Offsets can either be worked out by running Autofocus with different filters and manually calculating the relative 1540 offsets and entering them into the table or by using the <link linkend="build-filter-offsets">Build Offsets</link> tool.</para> 1541 </listitem> 1542 </itemizedlist> 1543 1544 <para> 1545 Configure settings for each filter in the table: 1546 </para> 1547 <orderedlist> 1548 <listitem> 1549 <para><guilabel>Filter</guilabel>: Filter Name.</para> 1550 </listitem> 1551 <listitem> 1552 <para><guilabel>Exposure</guilabel>: Set exposure time (in seconds) to be used when performing Autofocus on this filter. 1553 By default, it is set to 1 second.</para> 1554 </listitem> 1555 <listitem> 1556 <para><guilabel>Offset</guilabel>: Set relative offsets. Ekos will command a focus offset change if there is a 1557 difference between the current and target filter offsets. For example, given the values in the example image, if the 1558 current filter is set to <emphasis>Red</emphasis> and next filter is <emphasis>Green</emphasis>, then Ekos shall 1559 command the focuser to Focus In by +300 ticks. Relative positive focus offsets denote Focus Out while negative 1560 values denote Focus In.</para> 1561 </listitem> 1562 <listitem> 1563 <para><guilabel>Auto Focus</guilabel>: Check this option to perform AutoFocus whenever the filter is changed 1564 to this filter.</para> 1565 </listitem> 1566 <listitem> 1567 <para><guilabel>Lock Filter</guilabel>: Set which filter should be set and <emphasis>locked</emphasis> when 1568 performing autofocus for this filter. "--" indicates no Lock Filter. It is not allowed to next filters more than 1569 1 deep, i.e. Red cannot be locked to Blue which is itself locked to Green. A filter cannot be locked to itself.</para> 1570 </listitem> 1571 <listitem> 1572 <para><guilabel>Last AF Solution</guilabel>: The last successful Autofocus position. Under normal operation Ekos will 1573 automatically update this field.</para> 1574 </listitem> 1575 <listitem> 1576 <para><guilabel>Last AF Temp (°C)</guilabel>: The temperature of the <guilabel>Last AF Solution</guilabel>. Under 1577 normal operation Ekos will automatically update this field.</para> 1578 </listitem> 1579 <listitem> 1580 <para><guilabel>Last AF Alt (°Alt)</guilabel>: The altitude of the <guilabel>Last AF Solution</guilabel>. Under 1581 normal operation Ekos will automatically update this field.</para> 1582 </listitem> 1583 <listitem> 1584 <para><guilabel>Ticks / °C</guilabel>: The number of ticks to move the focuser when the temperature changes by 1°C. 1585 For example, if focus moves out by 5 ticks when temperature increases by 1°C, set this field to 5. If focus moves 1586 in by 5 ticks when temperature increases by 1°C, set this field to -5.</para> 1587 </listitem> 1588 <listitem> 1589 <para><guilabel>Ticks / °Alt</guilabel>: The number of ticks to move the focuser when the altitude changes by 1°Alt. 1590 For example, if focus moves out by 0.5 tick when altitude increases by 1°Alt, set this field to 0.5. If focus moves in 1591 by 0.5 tick when altitude increases by 1°Alt, set this field to -0.5.</para> 1592 </listitem> 1593 <listitem> 1594 <para><guilabel>Wavelength</guilabel>: The center of the passband of the filter in nanometers. This is used in 1595 some Critical Focus Zone (CFZ) calculations in Focus.</para> 1596 </listitem> 1597 </orderedlist> 1598 1599 <para>In addition to the data table, the following controls are available at the bottom of the popup:</para> 1600 <itemizedlist> 1601 <listitem> 1602 <para><guilabel>Build Offsets</guilabel>: Press the <guibutton>Build Offsets</guibutton> button to launch the 1603 <link linkend="build-filter-offsets">Build Offsets</link> popup.</para> 1604 </listitem> 1605 <listitem> 1606 <para><guilabel>Capture flats at the same focus as lights</guilabel>: When checked, flats will be taken at the 1607 <guilabel>Last AF Solution</guilabel> focuser position.</para> 1608 </listitem> 1609 </itemizedlist> 1610 1611 <para>Let's take an example. If we have a capture sequence starting with Lum -> Red -> Green -> Blue -> Sii -> Ha -> Oiii 1612 using the setup in the Filter Settings popup:</para> 1613 <itemizedlist> 1614 <listitem> 1615 <para>Lum: The Lum filter is configured to Autofocus initially so an Autofocus run is performed, then the Lum sequence 1616 runs.</para> 1617 </listitem> 1618 <listitem> 1619 <para>Red: The Red filter is not configured for Autofocus and has an Offset of 0. So when the Red sequence starts, 1620 there is no Autofocus run and the relative Offset between Lum and Red is 0, so the focuser is not moved.</para> 1621 </listitem> 1622 <listitem> 1623 <para>Green: The Green filter is not configured for Autofocus and has an Offset of 300. So when the Green sequence 1624 starts, there is no Autofocus run and the relative Offset between Red and Green is 300 - 0 = +300, so the focuser moves 1625 out by 300.</para> 1626 </listitem> 1627 <listitem> 1628 <para>Blue: The Blue filter is not configured for Autofocus and has an Offset of 0. So when the Blue sequence starts, 1629 there is no Autofocus run and the relative Offset between Green and Blue is 0 - 300 = -300, so the focuser moves in 1630 by 300.</para> 1631 </listitem> 1632 <listitem> 1633 <para>Sii: The Sii filter is configured for Autofocus, is locked to Lum and has an Offset of 0. So when the Sii sequence 1634 starts, there is an Autofocus run on Lum and the relative Offset between Lum and Sii is 0 - 0 = 0, so the focuser moves 1635 to the Lum Autofocus run solution.</para> 1636 </listitem> 1637 <listitem> 1638 <para>Ha: The Ha filter is configured for Autofocus, is locked to Lum and has an Offset of 100. So when the Ha sequence 1639 starts, there is an Autofocus run on Lum and the relative Offset between Lum and Ha is 100 - 0 = +100, so the focuser 1640 moves to the Lum Autofocus run solution then out by 100.</para> 1641 </listitem> 1642 <listitem> 1643 <para>Oiii: The Oiii filter is configured for Autofocus, is locked to Lum and has an Offset of -100. So when the Oiii 1644 sequence starts, there is an Autofocus run on Lum and the relative Offset between Lum and Oiii is -100 - 0 = -100, so 1645 the focuser moves to the Lum Autofocus run solution then in by 100.</para> 1646 </listitem> 1647 </itemizedlist> 1648 </sect2> 1649 1650 1651 <sect2 id="build-filter-offsets"> 1652 <title>Build Offsets</title> 1653 1654 <screenshot> 1655 <screeninfo> 1656 Build Filter Offsets 1657 </screeninfo> 1658 <mediaobject> 1659 <imageobject> 1660 <imagedata fileref="build_filter_offsets.png" format="PNG" width="33%"/> 1661 </imageobject> 1662 <textobject> 1663 <phrase>Build Filter Offsets</phrase> 1664 </textobject> 1665 </mediaobject> 1666 </screenshot> 1667 1668 <para> 1669 Click the <guilabel>Build Offsets</guilabel> button on the <link linkend="focus-filter-settings">Filter Settings</link> 1670 popup to launch the Build Offsets tool. Filter Offsets can either be entered manually into the table 1671 in the Filter Settings popup or this tool can be used to assist in creating them. 1672 </para> 1673 <para> 1674 <emphasis>Note: This utility should not be run during an imaging session as it takes exclusive control of the 1675 Focus process whilst it is running.</emphasis> 1676 </para> 1677 <para> 1678 To start with, configure settings for each filter in the table in the Filter Settings popup and then launch 1679 Build Filter Offsets. The popup is launched with a table of data with the following columns. 1680 </para> 1681 <itemizedlist> 1682 <listitem> 1683 <para> 1684 <guilabel>Filter</guilabel>: Filter Name. The first filter has an "*" after the filter name, "Lum *" in the above example. 1685 This means that Lum is the reference filter against which offsets for other filters will be measured. Double click another 1686 Filter Name to make that filter the reference filter. 1687 </para> 1688 </listitem> 1689 <listitem> 1690 <para> 1691 <guilabel>Offset</guilabel>: The current offset. 1692 </para> 1693 </listitem> 1694 <listitem> 1695 <para> 1696 <guilabel>Lock Filter</guilabel>: The current Lock filter. 1697 </para> 1698 </listitem> 1699 <listitem> 1700 <para> 1701 <guilabel># Focus Runs</guilabel>: The number of focus runs for this filter. The default is 5. 1702 To exclude a filter from the process set this field to zero. Note, the reference filter must have at least 1 run. 1703 </para> 1704 </listitem> 1705 </itemizedlist> 1706 <para> 1707 When the <guilabel># Focus Runs</guilabel> have been configured press the <guilabel>Run</guilabel> 1708 button to start the automated process. 1709 </para> 1710 <para> 1711 Press the <guilabel>Stop</guilabel> button to stop the process at any time. 1712 </para> 1713 <para> 1714 Toggle the <guilabel>Adapt Focus</guilabel> checkbox at any point in the processing to switch between measured Autofocus results 1715 and results after Adaptive Focus adjustments have been applied. See the <link linkend="focus-adaptive">Adaptive Focus</link> section 1716 for more details on what Adaptive Focus is. 1717 </para> 1718 <para> 1719 Let's take an example where we have 7 filters: Lum, Red, Green, Blue, Sii, Ha and Oiii. The 8th slot in the filter wheel is marked 1720 as Blank. The process has completed 5 runs for all filters, 0 for Blank (effectively excluding Blank from the process). In this 1721 case 8 extra columns have been created in the table. 1722 </para> 1723 <screenshot> 1724 <screeninfo> 1725 Build Filter Offsets 1726 </screeninfo> 1727 <mediaobject> 1728 <imageobject> 1729 <imagedata fileref="build_filter_offsets2.png" format="PNG" width="50%"/> 1730 </imageobject> 1731 <textobject> 1732 <phrase>Build Filter Offsets</phrase> 1733 </textobject> 1734 </mediaobject> 1735 </screenshot> 1736 <itemizedlist> 1737 <listitem> 1738 <para> 1739 AF Run 1-5: The maximum <guilabel># Focus Runs</guilabel> selected by the user is 5, so 5 columns 1740 have been created, 1 for each AF run solution. 1741 </para> 1742 </listitem> 1743 <listitem> 1744 <para> 1745 Average: The average (mean) of the AF solutions. 1746 </para> 1747 </listitem> 1748 <listitem> 1749 <para> 1750 New Offset: The offset calculated from the Lum filter. E.g. for Sii 36731 - 36743 = -12 1751 </para> 1752 </listitem> 1753 <listitem> 1754 <para> 1755 Save: Check to save the offset for this filter when the <guilabel>Save</guilabel> button is pressed. 1756 The default is to check these boxes but unchecking allows a value to be ignored whilst saving 1757 other filters. 1758 </para> 1759 </listitem> 1760 </itemizedlist> 1761 <para> 1762 At this stage, it is recommended to review the AF runs to make sure they are all good. For example, lets 1763 assume we are unhappy with the 2nd AF run on Oiii. In this case we could either:</para> 1764 <itemizedlist> 1765 <listitem> 1766 <para> Edit AF Run 2 and set the value to whatever value we want.</para> 1767 </listitem> 1768 <listitem> 1769 <para> Edit the New Offset column and set the value directly (bypassing the logic to calculate it).</para> 1770 </listitem> 1771 <listitem> 1772 <para> Discard the AF Run 2 by setting the value to 0 (see below). In this case, the Average and New Offset 1773 for Oiii is recalculated based on AF Runs 1, 3, 4, 5. In the example below the new Average and New Offsets are 1774 calculated and displayed.</para> 1775 </listitem> 1776 </itemizedlist> 1777 <screenshot> 1778 <screeninfo> 1779 Build Filter Offsets 1780 </screeninfo> 1781 <mediaobject> 1782 <imageobject> 1783 <imagedata fileref="build_filter_offsets3.png" format="PNG" width="50%"/> 1784 </imageobject> 1785 <textobject> 1786 <phrase>Build Filter Offsets</phrase> 1787 </textobject> 1788 </mediaobject> 1789 </screenshot> 1790 <para> 1791 After reviewing the results, the user can press: 1792 </para> 1793 <itemizedlist> 1794 <listitem> 1795 <para> 1796 Save: All filters where the <guilabel>Save</guilabel> checkbox is checked will have the New Offset 1797 value saved in Filter Offsets for use during the next imaging session. 1798 </para> 1799 </listitem> 1800 <listitem> 1801 <para> 1802 Close: The Build Filter Offsets tool is closed without saving any data. 1803 </para> 1804 </listitem> 1805 </itemizedlist> 1806 <para> 1807 If the <guilabel>Adapt Focus</guilabel> box is checked, the AF Runs are updated for Adaptive Focus. See the 1808 <link linkend="focus-adaptive">Adaptive Focus</link> section for more details on the theory of Adaptive Focus. The first AF run 1809 (in this example AF Run 1 on Lum) is the basis for the Adaptations. So the temperature and altitude of AF Run 1 on Lum is used as 1810 the basis for all the other AF Runs and the data is adapted back to what the AF solution would have been, had it been run at the 1811 temperature and altitude of AF Run 1 on Lum. 1812 </para> 1813 <para> 1814 In this example, Adaptive Focus is setup for Altitude adjustments on the Red filter only in Filter Settings. So the 1815 Adapted AF Run values are the same as the unadapted values for all the other filters. 1816 </para> 1817 1818 <screenshot> 1819 <screeninfo> 1820 Build Filter Offsets 1821 </screeninfo> 1822 <mediaobject> 1823 <imageobject> 1824 <imagedata fileref="build_filter_offsets4.png" format="PNG" width="50%"/> 1825 </imageobject> 1826 <textobject> 1827 <phrase>Build Filter Offsets</phrase> 1828 </textobject> 1829 </mediaobject> 1830 </screenshot> 1831 <para> 1832 If you hover the mouse over an AF Run it will show a tooltip Adaptive Focus Explainer. In the example, the mouse is hovering over 1833 AF Run 1 on Red. The 1st row of the Explainer shows the measured Autofocus result for that run (36683), adaptations for Temperature (0.0C) and Altitude (0.2 degrees Alt). 1834 The 2nd row of the Explainer shows the Adaptations: 206 total, 0 temperature, 205.9 altitude. The 3rd row shows the Adapted Position 1835 of 36889. 1836 </para> 1837 <para> 1838 The user can toggle between Adapt Focus or raw values. Whichever values are displayed in the grid will be the values that are saved. 1839 </para> 1840 <para> 1841 Here are some tips for using this utility: 1842 <itemizedlist> 1843 <listitem><para> Start by making sure the area of the sky you are running Build Filter Offsets on works well for Autofocus. Aiming 1844 high in the sky will result in shooting through less atmosphere with smaller, tighter stars. Make sure there are enough stars in the 1845 frame. Avoid Meridian Flips during the process. Track the same area during the process so each run is using more or less the 1846 same set of stars. Although the facility to use Adapt Focus is available to adjust for environmental changes such as temperature 1847 and altitude try to minimise these changes over the course of running the utility by selecting an appropriate area 1848 of the sky.</para></listitem> 1849 1850 <listitem><para> Make sure your equipment is in thermal equilibrium before starting. Calculate roughly how long the utility will 1851 take which is the total number of AF runs * time for a single AF run. Try to make sure that the conditions will remain as 1852 consistent as possible during this time, e.g. there is enough time before dawn, the moon won't affect focusing of some images 1853 more than others, the target won't drop below your horizon during the process, etc.</para></listitem> 1854 1855 <listitem><para> Configure the utility for # Focus Runs (5 is a good start), reference filter (e.g. Lum) and Adapt Focus 1856 setting. Run the utility to completion.</para></listitem> 1857 1858 <listitem><para> Review the results. For each filter review each AF run looking for outliers. For each outlier decide what to 1859 do, e.g. remove from processing by setting to 0. If there are filters for which you are unhappy with the results, uncheck the 1860 Save checkbox for those filters.</para></listitem> 1861 1862 <listitem><para> When happy, press Save to save the filter offsets to Filter Settings for future use.</para></listitem> 1863 </itemizedlist> 1864 </para> 1865 </sect2> 1866 1867 <sect2 id="focus-display"> 1868 <title>Focus Display</title> 1869 1870 <screenshot> 1871 <screeninfo> Focus Display </screeninfo> 1872 1873 <mediaobject> 1874 <imageobject> 1875 <imagedata fileref="focus_display.png" format="PNG" width="50%"/> 1876 </imageobject> 1877 1878 <textobject> 1879 <phrase>Focus Display</phrase> 1880 </textobject> 1881 </mediaobject> 1882 </screenshot> 1883 1884 <para> The focus display, displays a FITS viewer window onto the frame 1885 taken during the focus process. If <guilabel>Ring Mask</guilabel> is selected, then the mask 1886 is drawn on the image. All the stars detected by Ekos based on the selected parameters, have their 1887 HFR value displayed next to the associated star (unless Measure is set to FWHM). </para> 1888 1889 <para> If <guilabel>Mosaic Mask</guilabel> has been selected then the FITS viewer displays the 1890 mosaic 3x3 grid showing the center, edges and sides as configured in the Mosaic Mask options. 1891 <screenshot><screeninfo> Focus Display Mosaic</screeninfo><mediaobject> 1892 <imageobject><imagedata fileref="focus_display_mosaic.png" format="PNG" width="50%"/></imageobject> 1893 <textobject><phrase>Focus Display Mosaic</phrase></textobject></mediaobject></screenshot></para> 1894 1895 <para> The window supports the following FITS viewer options (at the top 1896 of the window):</para> 1897 1898 <itemizedlist> 1899 <listitem> 1900 <para> <guibutton>Zoom In</guibutton> and <guibutton>Zoom 1901 Out</guibutton>.</para> 1902 </listitem> 1903 1904 <listitem> 1905 <para> <guibutton>Default Zoom</guibutton> and <guibutton>Zoom to 1906 Fit</guibutton>.</para> 1907 </listitem> 1908 1909 <listitem> 1910 <para> <guibutton>Toggle Stretch</guibutton>: Toggle screen stretch on 1911 or off.</para> 1912 </listitem> 1913 1914 <listitem> 1915 <para> <guibutton>Toggle Crosshairs</guibutton>: Toggle crosshairs on 1916 or off.</para> 1917 </listitem> 1918 1919 <listitem> 1920 <para> <guibutton>Toggle Gridlines</guibutton>: Toggle pixel gridlines 1921 on or off.</para> 1922 </listitem> 1923 1924 <listitem> 1925 <para> <guibutton>Toggle Stars</guibutton>: Toggle star detection on 1926 or off.</para> 1927 </listitem> 1928 1929 <listitem> 1930 <para> <guibutton>View Star Profile</guibutton>: Launches the View Star Profile dialog.</para> 1931 </listitem> 1932 </itemizedlist> 1933 </sect2> 1934 1935 <sect2 id="focus-v-curve"> 1936 <title>V-Curve</title> 1937 1938 <screenshot> 1939 <screeninfo> Focus V-Curve </screeninfo> 1940 1941 <mediaobject> 1942 <imageobject> 1943 <imagedata fileref="focus_vcurve.png" format="PNG" width="50%"/> 1944 </imageobject> 1945 1946 <textobject> 1947 <phrase>Focus V-Curve</phrase> 1948 </textobject> 1949 </mediaobject> 1950 </screenshot> 1951 1952 <para> The V-Curve displays focuser position (x-axis) versus focus Measure, e.g. Half-Flux-Radius (HFR) (y-axis). 1953 Each datapoint is drawn on the graph and represented by a circle with a number representing the datapoint. How many 1954 datapoints are taken and how the focuser moves is determined by the parameters chosen. </para> 1955 1956 <para> For certain algorithms, Ekos will also draw a curve of best fit through the datapoints. If <guilabel>Use Weights</guilabel> 1957 is selected then error bars are indicated on each datapoint that correspond to the standard deviation in measured value.</para> 1958 1959 <para> The units of the y-axis depend on the selected focus Measure. For example, for HFR, the y-axis will either be in Pixels 1960 or Arc seconds depending on how <guilabel>Display Units</guilabel> is set.</para> 1961 1962 <para> If <guilabel>Refine Curve Fit</guilabel> is selected, Focus will check for and potentially exclude outlying datapoints. 1963 In this case datapoints 1, 5 and 7 were excluded.</para> 1964 1965 <para> Under the V-Curve a number of parameters are displayed:</para> 1966 1967 <itemizedlist> 1968 <listitem> 1969 <para> <guilabel>HFR</guilabel>: Displays the star HFR for the most recent datapoint if relevant.</para> 1970 </listitem> 1971 1972 <listitem> 1973 <para> <guilabel>FWHM</guilabel>: Displays the star FWHM for the most recent datapoint if relevant.</para> 1974 </listitem> 1975 1976 <listitem> 1977 <para> <guilabel>Stars</guilabel>: The number of stars used for the most recent datapoint.</para> 1978 </listitem> 1979 1980 <listitem> 1981 <para> <guilabel>Iteration</guilabel>: The number of datapoints taken so far.</para> 1982 </listitem> 1983 1984 <listitem> 1985 <para> <guibutton>Relative Profile...</guibutton>: Invokes the <link linkend="focus-relative-profile">Relative Profile</link> 1986 popup.</para> 1987 </listitem> 1988 1989 <listitem> 1990 <para> <guibutton>Clear Data</guibutton>: Resets the V-Curve graph by clearing the displayed data.</para> 1991 </listitem> 1992 </itemizedlist> 1993 1994 <para> Here is a V-Curve when Measure is set to HFR Adj: 1995 <screenshot><screeninfo> V-Curve HFR Adj</screeninfo><mediaobject><imageobject> 1996 <imagedata fileref="focus_vcurve_hfradj.png" format="PNG" width="50%"/></imageobject><textobject> 1997 <phrase>Focus V-Curve HFR Adj</phrase></textobject></mediaobject></screenshot></para> 1998 1999 <para> Here is a V-Curve when Measure is set to FWHM: 2000 <screenshot><screeninfo> V-Curve FWHM</screeninfo><mediaobject><imageobject> 2001 <imagedata fileref="focus_vcurve_fwhm.png" format="PNG" width="50%"/></imageobject><textobject> 2002 <phrase>Focus V-Curve FWHM</phrase></textobject></mediaobject></screenshot></para> 2003 2004 <para> Here is a V-Curve when Measure is set to # Stars. In this case the Critical Focus Zone (CFZ) 2005 <guilabel>Display</guilabel> checkbox has been checked so the CFZ is displayed as well: 2006 <screenshot><screeninfo> V-Curve Num Stars</screeninfo><mediaobject><imageobject> 2007 <imagedata fileref="focus_vcurve_numstars.png" format="PNG" width="50%"/></imageobject><textobject> 2008 <phrase>Focus V-Curve Num Stars</phrase></textobject></mediaobject></screenshot></para> 2009 2010 <para> Here is a V-Curve when Measure is set to Fourier: 2011 <screenshot><screeninfo> V-Curve Fourier</screeninfo><mediaobject><imageobject> 2012 <imagedata fileref="focus_vcurve_fourier.png" format="PNG" width="50%"/></imageobject><textobject> 2013 <phrase>Focus V-Curve Fourier</phrase></textobject></mediaobject></screenshot></para> 2014 2015 <para> When Framing, the graph format changes to that of a "time series" where horizontal axis denotes the frame number. 2016 This is to aid you in the framing process as you can see how Measure, in this case HFR, changes between frames. </para> 2017 2018 <para> This is very useful, for example, when trying to get the system into approximate focus before starting an Autofocus run. 2019 In this case Framing is started and the Step In and Step Out buttons used to adjust focus and the effect on the V-Curve 2020 observed.</para> 2021 2022 <screenshot> 2023 <screeninfo> V-Curve as timeseries</screeninfo> 2024 2025 <mediaobject> 2026 <imageobject> 2027 <imagedata fileref="focus_vcurve_timeseries.png" format="PNG" 2028 width="50%"/> 2029 </imageobject> 2030 2031 <textobject> 2032 <phrase>Focus V-Curve Timeseries</phrase> 2033 </textobject> 2034 </mediaobject> 2035 </screenshot> 2036 </sect2> 2037 2038 <sect2 id="focus-relative-profile"> 2039 <title>Relative Profile</title> 2040 2041 <screenshot> 2042 <screeninfo> Focus Relative Profile </screeninfo> 2043 2044 <mediaobject> 2045 <imageobject> 2046 <imagedata fileref="focus_relative_profile.png" format="PNG" 2047 width="50%"/> 2048 </imageobject> 2049 2050 <textobject> 2051 <phrase>Focus Relative Profile</phrase> 2052 </textobject> 2053 </mediaobject> 2054 </screenshot> 2055 2056 <para> The relative profile is a graph that displays the relative HFR 2057 values plotted against each other. Lower HFR values correspond to narrower 2058 shapes and vice-versa. The solid red curve is the profile of the current 2059 HFR value, while the dotted green curve is for the previous HFR value. 2060 Finally, the magenta curve denotes the first measured HFR. This enables 2061 you to judge how well the Autofocus process improved the relative focus 2062 quality. </para> 2063 </sect2> 2064 2065 <sect2 id="How_to_Setup_for_an_Auto_Focus_Run"> 2066 <title>How to Setup for an Autofocus Run</title> 2067 2068 <para> The exact settings that work best for a given astronomical setup need to be worked out by the user using trial and error. 2069 A good place to start is the <link linkend="focus-advisor">Focus Advisor</link> section. Run Focus Advisor and accept its 2070 recommendations. It uses the Linear 1 Pass algorithm:</para> 2071 2072 <itemizedlist> 2073 <listitem> 2074 <para> Setup Backlash. See the <link linkend="focus-backlash">Backlash</link> section for more details.</para> 2075 </listitem> 2076 2077 <listitem> 2078 <para> Initial Step Size. This is a critical parameter. You may have an idea from other people with a similar setup. 2079 If not you can try setting it from the Critical Focus Zone (CFZ) for your equipment. See the 2080 <link linkend="focus-cfz">CFZ section</link> for more details.</para> 2081 </listitem> 2082 2083 <listitem> 2084 <para> Start near to focus by manually finding focus. Use the <guibutton>Start Framing</guibutton> option and manually adjust 2085 the focus to get to approximate focus.</para> 2086 </listitem> 2087 2088 <listitem> 2089 <para> Make sure you are finding enough stars. Increasing the exposure usually finds more stars (but makes the focus process 2090 longer).</para> 2091 </listitem> 2092 </itemizedlist> 2093 2094 <para> Run Autofocus. This is the sort of V-Curve you are after:</para> 2095 <screenshot><screeninfo> Good Focus Curve </screeninfo><mediaobject> 2096 <imageobject><imagedata fileref="focus_good_focus.png" format="PNG" width="50%"/></imageobject> 2097 <textobject><phrase>Good Focus Curve</phrase></textobject></mediaobject></screenshot> 2098 2099 <para> In contrast, the next picture shows an Initial Step Size that has been set too low. The HFR varies from about 0.78 to 0.72. 2100 Which gives a max / min just over 1. The other clue that this is a poor setup is that the Error Bar range is very large compared 2101 to HFR movement which means that the curve solver is drawing a curve through a lot of noise, which means the results will not be 2102 very accurate.</para> 2103 <screenshot><screeninfo> Bad Focus Curve </screeninfo><mediaobject><imageobject> 2104 <imagedata fileref="focus_bad_focus.png" format="PNG" width="50%"/></imageobject> 2105 <textobject><phrase>Bad Focus Curve</phrase></textobject></mediaobject></screenshot> 2106 </sect2> 2107 2108 <sect2 id="focus-backlash"> 2109 <title>Focuser Backlash</title> 2110 2111 <para>Backlash in the focuser setup is due to a combination of backlash in the electronic focuser itself (e.g. in the gearing 2112 mechanism), in the binding of the electronic focuser to the telescope drawtube, and in the telescope drawtube's mechanism. Thus, 2113 each setup will have its own backlash characteristic even if the same focuser is used.</para> 2114 2115 <para> It is important to have a clear strategy for dealing with Backlash and to setup Focus appropriately for the chosen 2116 strategy. It is best to have backlash managed in one place to avoid conflicts. Whilst it is possible to have backlash 2117 managed in multiple places (this has been done successfully) it is not recommended in general because it can lead to conflicts 2118 between software components and the focuser.</para> 2119 2120 <para> There are several ways to measure backlash in ticks. Consult the documentation on your focuser or use the internet 2121 including the Indi Forum.</para> 2122 2123 <para> There are several things to consider when working out how to deal with backlash: 2124 <itemizedlist> 2125 <listitem> 2126 <para> <emphasis role="bold">No Backlash</emphasis>: If you are fortunate enough to have a setup with no backlash then it would 2127 make sense to set <guilabel>Driver Backlash</guilabel> and <guilabel>AF Overscan</guilabel> off (set to zero).</para> 2128 </listitem> 2129 2130 <listitem> 2131 <para> <emphasis role="bold">Backlash Managed by Focuser</emphasis>: If your focuser had the ability to manage backlash itself 2132 then you can use this facility and turn <guilabel>Driver Backlash</guilabel> and <guilabel>AF Overscan</guilabel> off 2133 (set to zero). Alternatively, if it's possible, you could turn off the focuser's backlash facility and use either the 2134 Device Driver or AF Overscan to manage backlash.</para> 2135 </listitem> 2136 2137 <listitem> 2138 <para> <emphasis role="bold">Backlash Managed by Device Driver</emphasis>: If your device driver has the ability to 2139 manage backlash then you can use this facility and turn off <guilabel>AF Overscan</guilabel> (set to zero). Alternatively, 2140 you could turn off the device driver's backlash facility and set <guilabel>AF Overscan</guilabel>.</para> 2141 2142 <para> To know whether the device driver supports backlash, check the <guilabel>Driver Backlash</guilabel> field. 2143 If it is enabled and you can set values then the driver supports Backlash. If the field is disabled then the driver 2144 does not support Backlash.</para> 2145 </listitem> 2146 2147 <listitem> 2148 <para> <emphasis role="bold">AF Overscan</emphasis>: The Focus module can manage Backlash itself by over scanning 2149 outward motions by the value in the <guilabel>AF Overscan</guilabel> field. For example, if <guilabel>AF Overscan</guilabel> 2150 is set to 40 then whenever Focus moves the focuser outwards, it does this as a 2-step process. Firstly it moves the 2151 focuser 40 ticks past where it wants to end up; secondly it moves back in by 40 ticks.</para> 2152 2153 <para> The advantage of <guilabel>AF Overscan</guilabel> is that you do not need to know Backlash exactly, you just need 2154 to set the <guilabel>AF Overscan</guilabel> >= backlash. So, for example, if you measure backlash as around 60 ticks 2155 then you could set <guilabel>AF Overscan</guilabel> to 80.</para> 2156 2157 <para> <guilabel>AF Overscan</guilabel> is also useful where Backlash is not exactly predictable. For example, if Backlash 2158 measurements yield slightly different values, e.g. 61, 60, 59 ticks then by using <guilabel>AF Overscan</guilabel> this 2159 inconsistency can be effectively neutralised. Were you to use <guilabel>Focuser Backlash</guilabel> you would probably 2160 average the readings and set the value to 60. Sometimes this will correctly take up all the backlash; sometimes it will 2161 be a little short; and sometimes it will over correct.</para> 2162 2163 <para> All focuser movements managed by Focus will have <guilabel>AF Overscan</guilabel> applied, including Step Out, Goto, 2164 Autofocus runs, Adaptive Focus movements, Adapt Start Pos movements and Take flats at the same position as lights.</para> 2165 </listitem> 2166 </itemizedlist> 2167 </para> 2168 </sect2> 2169 2170 <sect2 id="focus-adaptive"> 2171 <title>Adaptive Focus</title> 2172 2173 <screenshot> 2174 <screeninfo> Adaptive Focus </screeninfo> 2175 2176 <mediaobject> 2177 <imageobject> 2178 <imagedata fileref="focus_adaptive_focus.png" format="PNG" width="50%"/> 2179 </imageobject> 2180 2181 <textobject> 2182 <phrase>Adaptive Focus</phrase> 2183 </textobject> 2184 </mediaobject> 2185 </screenshot> 2186 2187 <para> Ekos supports the concept of Adaptive Focus (AF). Without AF, a typical imaging plan would start 2188 with an Autofocus run then a sequence of subframes, then an Autofocus run, etc. The Autofocus runs would be triggered by 2189 a number of factors such as time, filter change, temperature change, etc. So basically as a sequence 2190 runs subframes are being taken slightly away from optimum focus until a threshold (e.g. temperature 2191 change) triggers an Autofocus run.</para> 2192 2193 <para> The idea of AF is to adjust focus as environmental factors change to try to take each subframe 2194 as close as possible to optimum focus. Ideally, the effect of Adaptive Focus is like performing an Autofocus run before 2195 each subframe but without the overhead of actually doing the run.</para> 2196 2197 <para> AF works as a complement to the various triggers for Autofocus that are available in Ekos now. So 2198 it is not necessary to change the Autofocus triggers when starting to use AF. Indeed, at the start, it is not recommended 2199 to relax Autofocus conditions when using AF. However, over time, as confidence grows in AF it would be possible to do less 2200 Autofocusing (and therefore more imaging). But either way, each subframe should be more in focus when using AF, providing 2201 it is setup correctly. </para> 2202 2203 <para> So how do you know if AF would be useful for your setup or not? Perhaps the simplest way would be to 2204 examine subframes just after an Autofocus and compare them with subframes just before the next Autofocus. Can you 2205 see a difference in focus? If you have a setup where the focus point is tolerant of environmental changes between 2206 Autofocus runs then AF may not add anything to your images; if however you have a setup that is sensitive to 2207 environmental changes and the frequency of Autofocus runs is a compromise between quality and imaging time then 2208 AF ought to improve the quality of your subframes.</para> 2209 2210 <para>AF currently supports two environmental dimensions: Temperature and Altitude (of the imaged target):</para> 2211 <itemizedlist> 2212 <listitem> 2213 <para> Temperature. All the components of the imaging system will be affected by changes in ambient temperature. 2214 The most obvious will be the telescope tube. Typically this will expand as temperature increases and contract as 2215 it decreases. This will affect the focus point. But also the optical path the light from the imaged target takes 2216 through the atmosphere and through the imaging components of the telescope will be affected by temperature and 2217 therefore will affect the focus point.</para> 2218 2219 <para> It is necessary to have a reliable source of temperature information available to the focus module in order 2220 to use the temperature feature of AF.</para> 2221 2222 <para> Where the temperature source is located is, of course, up to the user. Given the changes in temperature effect 2223 many components it is not obvious where the best location would be. Some experimentation may be required to get 2224 the best results but as a guide, the source should be near the imaging train but not near any heating effect of 2225 electrical equipment that would say, heat the temperature source but not the optical train. Consistency of location 2226 is likely to be important.</para> 2227 </listitem> 2228 2229 <listitem> 2230 <para> Altitude. Some users have reported that the focus point changes with the altitude of the target. This effect 2231 is likely to be smaller than the temperature effect and may be negligible for some setups.</para> 2232 </listitem> 2233 </itemizedlist> 2234 2235 <para> To use AF you need to work out firstly whether you want to adapt for Temperature, Altitude or both. If you are 2236 new to AF it is recommended to start with Temperature and once you have that working, determine whether your setup would 2237 benefit from adding Altitude.</para> 2238 2239 <para> The first step is to workout the <guilabel>Ticks / °C</guilabel> and/or <guilabel>Ticks / °Alt</guilabel> for your 2240 equipment. To do this there is an existing utility in Ekos whereby when Focus logging is enabled, in addition to adding focus 2241 messages to the debug log, every time an Autofocus run completes, information is written to a text file in a directory called 2242 focuslogs located in the same place as the debug logs directory. The files are called “autofocus-(datetime).txt”. The data 2243 written are: date, time, position, temperature, filter, HFR, altitude. This data will need to be analysed outside of Ekos to 2244 determine the <guilabel>Ticks / °C</guilabel> and if required the <guilabel>Ticks / °Alt</guilabel>.</para> 2245 2246 <para> Here is an example of a “autofocus-(datetime).txt” file: 2247 <screenshot> 2248 <screeninfo> Focus Autofocus Log </screeninfo> 2249 <mediaobject> <imageobject> <imagedata fileref="focus_autofocus_log.png" format="PNG" width="50%"/> 2250 </imageobject><textobject><phrase>Focus Autofocus Log</phrase></textobject></mediaobject> 2251 </screenshot></para> 2252 2253 <para> Currently Ekos supports a simple linear relationship between temperature, or altitude, and ticks. In the future, 2254 if there is demand, more sophisticated relationships could be supported. A linear relationship will deliver the majority 2255 of the benefit of AF and is fairly straight-forward to administer. More complex relationships could be more accurate but 2256 come with more complex administration. Note also that more complex focus point vs temperature relationships will likely 2257 be more or less linear for small changes in temperature.</para> 2258 2259 <para> A way to get a value for <guilabel>Ticks / °C</guilabel> would be to take the data from the 2260 autofocus-(datetime).txt files from a few nights of observing into a spreadsheet and graph focus position against temperature 2261 for each filter. Review the data and remove any outliers and plot a line of best fit. Use the line to get 2262 <guilabel>Ticks / °C</guilabel>. If you intend to adapt for altitude as well as temperature, then it would be better to use a 2263 set of data at similar altitude when calibrating temperature. Then it's possible to calculate the effect of Temperature and 2264 remove this from the data when calculating the effect of Altitude.</para> 2265 2266 <para> You will need to ensure that your focus position is repeatable at the same temperature and altitude and that there 2267 is no slipping of the focuser or uncompensated backlash. In addition, when calibrating it is better to avoid changing the 2268 optical train in a way that could change the focus position. If this is unavoidable and if the change affected the focus 2269 position then you will need to appropriately adjust the historical focus data so they can be compared.</para> 2270 2271 <para> A simple approach is to start with a small amount of data, say 1 night and use this to calculate, say the Ticks / 2272 degree C. Run with this and adjust it over time as you collect more data. A way to check how well AF is performing would be 2273 to use Analyze to review how AF had moved the focus over 1 hour. If things are spot on, then where ever AF had positioned 2274 the focuser after 1 hour would match the Autofocus result. Where there is a discrepancy, it will be because of randomness 2275 in the Autofocus result and miscalibration in the AF <guilabel>Ticks / °C</guilabel>. By doing this regularly you will build 2276 knowledge of your equipment and be able to fine tune AF. Below is a screenshot of Analyze configured for Focus where you can 2277 see how Focus position changes throughout the imaging session: 2278 <screenshot> 2279 <screeninfo> Focus Analyze </screeninfo> 2280 <mediaobject> <imageobject> <imagedata fileref="focus_analyze.png" format="PNG" width="50%"/> 2281 </imageobject><textobject><phrase>Focus Analyze</phrase></textobject></mediaobject> 2282 </screenshot></para> 2283 2284 <para> Once you have your data you can configure it in the <link linkend="focus-filter-settings">Filter Settings</link> 2285 popup. Then in Focus, switch on Adaptive Focus in <link linkend="focus-settings">Focus Settings</link>. At this 2286 point, when you run a sequence, Ekos will check after each subframe whether it needs to adapt the focuser position. If so, 2287 Focus will do that and then Capture will continue with the next Subframe.</para> 2288 2289 <para> The screenshot at the top of this section shows an example. <guilabel>Ticks / °C</guilabel> is set to 9. 2290 Autofocus ran and it solved at 36580 at 10C. Then a simple sequence of 5 subframes was run. The temperature was firstly set to 9C 2291 then to 8C. After each subframe completed, Ekos performed an adaptive focus run and where there was a temperature change it calculates 2292 the number of ticks to move the focuser. In this example, the focuser was moved inward by 9 ticks on 2 separate occasions, 2293 starting at 36580, before moving to 36571 and then to 36562 as shown on the Focus Tab in the Current Position widget and in 2294 the message box.</para> 2295 2296 <para> The Adaptive Focus concept has been built into the <link linkend="build-filter-offsets">Build Offsets</link> tool.</para> 2297 </sect2> 2298 2299 2300 <sect2 id="Coefficient_of_Determination"> 2301 <title>Coefficient of Determination, R²</title> 2302 2303 <para> The Coefficient of Determination, or R², is calculated in order to 2304 give a measure of how well the fitted curve matches the datapoints. More 2305 information is available <ulink 2306 url="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coefficient_of_determination">here</ulink>. 2307 This feature that is available for the Linear 1 Pass 2308 focus algorithm. In essence, R² gives a value between 0 and 1, with 1 2309 meaning a perfect fit where all datapoints sit on the curve, and 0 meaning 2310 that there is no correlation between the datapoints and the curve. The 2311 user should experiment with their equipment to see what values they can 2312 obtain, but as a guide, a value above, say 0.9 would be a good fit.</para> 2313 2314 <para> There is an option to set an “R² Limit” in 2315 <link linkend="focus-settings">Focus Settings</link> that is compared 2316 to the calculated R² after the auto focus run has completed. If the limit value 2317 has not been achieved, then the auto focus is rerun.</para> 2318 2319 <para> Setting an R² Limit could be useful for unattended observation if 2320 the focus run produces a bad result for a 1-off reason. Obviously if the 2321 reason is not transitory then rerunning will not improve anything.</para> 2322 2323 <para> If the R² Limit is not achieved and the focus process is rerun, and 2324 again fails to achieve the R² Limit, then the focus run is marked as 2325 successful to avoid the process getting stuck rerunning auto focus 2326 forever.</para> 2327 2328 <para> This feature is turned off by setting the R² Limit to 0.</para> 2329 </sect2> 2330 2331 <sect2 id="Levenberg-Marquardt"> 2332 <title>Levenberg–Marquardt Solver</title> 2333 2334 <para> The Levenberg-Marquardt (LM) algorithm is used to solve non-linear 2335 least squares problems. The GNU Science Library provides an implementation 2336 of the solver. These resources provide more details: </para> 2337 2338 <itemizedlist> 2339 <listitem> 2340 <para> 2341 <ulink url="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Levenberg–Marquardt_algorithm"/> 2342 </para> 2343 </listitem> 2344 2345 <listitem> 2346 <para> 2347 <ulink url="https://www.gnu.org/software/gsl/doc/html/nls.html"/> 2348 </para> 2349 </listitem> 2350 </itemizedlist> 2351 2352 <para> The Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm is a non-linear least-squares solver and 2353 thus suitable for many different equations. The basic idea is to adjust 2354 the equation y = f(x,P) so that the computed y values are as close as 2355 possible to the y values of the datapoints provided, so that the resultant 2356 curve fits the data as best as it can. P is a set of parameters that are 2357 varied by the solver in order to find the best fit. The solver measures 2358 how far away the curve is at each data point, squares the result and adds 2359 them all up. This is the number to be minimized, let's call it S. The 2360 solver is supplied with an initial guess for the parameters, P. It 2361 calculates S, makes an adjustment to P and calculates a new S1. Provided 2362 S1 < S then we are moving in the right direction. It iterates through 2363 the procedure until:</para> 2364 2365 <itemizedlist> 2366 <listitem> 2367 <para> the delta in S is less than a supplied limit (convergence has 2368 been reached), or</para> 2369 </listitem> 2370 2371 <listitem> 2372 <para> the maximum number of iterations has been reached, or</para> 2373 </listitem> 2374 2375 <listitem> 2376 <para> the solver encountered an error.</para> 2377 </listitem> 2378 </itemizedlist> 2379 2380 <para> The solver is capable of solving either an unweighted or weighted 2381 set of datapoints. In essence, an unweighted set of data gives equal 2382 weight to each datapoint when trying to fit a curve. An alternative is to 2383 weight each datapoint with a measure that corresponds to how accurate the 2384 measurement of the datapoint actually is. In our case this is the variance 2385 of star HFRs associated with the datapoint. The variance is the standard 2386 deviation squared.</para> 2387 2388 <para> Currently the solver is used to fit either a parabolic or a 2389 hyperbolic curve.</para> 2390 </sect2> 2391 2392 <sect2 id="focus-aberration-inspector"> 2393 <title>Aberration Inspector</title> 2394 2395 <screenshot> 2396 <screeninfo> Aberration Inspector </screeninfo> 2397 2398 <mediaobject> 2399 <imageobject> 2400 <imagedata fileref="aberration_inspector.png" format="PNG" width="75%"/> 2401 </imageobject> 2402 2403 <textobject> 2404 <phrase>Aberration Inspector</phrase> 2405 </textobject> 2406 </mediaobject> 2407 </screenshot> 2408 2409 <para>The Aberration Inspector is a tool that makes use of Autofocus to analyze backfocus and sensor tilt in the 2410 connected optical train.</para> 2411 <para>To run Aberration Inspector press the <guibutton>Aberration Inspector</guibutton> button. 2412 See <link linkend="focus-tools">Focus Tools</link> for more details. The following criteria must be met in 2413 order for the button to be active and the tool to work:</para> 2414 2415 <itemizedlist> 2416 <listitem> 2417 <para>The focuser must be an absolute focuser.</para> 2418 </listitem> 2419 2420 <listitem> 2421 <para>The focus algorithm must be Linear 1 Pass.</para> 2422 </listitem> 2423 2424 <listitem> 2425 <para>A mosaic mask must be applied.</para> 2426 </listitem> 2427 2428 <listitem> 2429 <para>Focuser step size needs to be setup. It is the number of microns the focal plane moves for 1 focuser tick. 2430 This is setup in the CFZ dialog. See the 2431 <link linkend="focus-cfz">CFZ section</link> for more details.</para> 2432 </listitem> 2433 2434 </itemizedlist> 2435 2436 <para>When the Inspector button is pressed, AutoFocus will run, but in addition, for each datapoint, extra information 2437 is captured for later use by Aberration Inspector. Once Autofocus completes, the Aberration Inspector dialog is 2438 displayed.</para> 2439 2440 <para>To initially setup to use the tool it is recommended to do the following:</para> 2441 2442 <itemizedlist> 2443 <listitem> 2444 <para>Point to a part of the sky where Autofocus solves well. Typically this would be high in the sky away from 2445 any obstacles. Choose somewhere with lots of stars such as the Milky Way. The reason this is more important 2446 for Aberration Inspector than Autofocus is that focus analysis needs to be performed for each tile in the mosaic. 2447 Therefore, it is important that each tile has enough stars to perform accurate Autofocus.</para> 2448 </listitem> 2449 2450 <listitem> 2451 <para>Run Autofocus a couple of times to ensure it is solving correctly and that you have a good set of 2452 stars in each mosaic tile. Whilst most focus parameters can be used it is recommended to use the 2453 parameters that work best for Autofocus with your equipment. The reason for this is that Aberration 2454 Inspector needs be focus solve each mosaic tile and not just the sensor as a whole.</para> 2455 </listitem> 2456 2457 <listitem> 2458 <para>A mosaic mask must be applied. Some experimentation will be required to set this up optimally for 2459 your equipment. The configuration parameter to adjust is the tile size which is the size of tile as a 2460 percentage of sensor width. The higher the percentage, the bigger each tile, e.g. for a 4:3 sensor using a 2461 tile size of 25% means each tile is 8% of the sensor's area. Using a tile size of 10% means each tile is 2462 1% of the sensor's area. The bigger the area the more stars will be present and the better the focus 2463 algorithm will solve. However, the purpose of the Aberration Inspector is to provide information 2464 on aberrations (backfocus and tilt) across the sensor, so ideally the information for each tile would be 2465 specific to as small an area as possible.</para> 2466 <para>The sweet spot for tile size is as small a value as possible that still contains enough stars to 2467 solve well in each tile.</para> 2468 </listitem> 2469 </itemizedlist> 2470 2471 <para>The Aberration Inspector can be used in conjunction with a device to adjust tilt and / or backfocus. The 2472 method to do this is an iterative approach, like for example, collimating a telescope. The steps are:</para> 2473 2474 <itemizedlist> 2475 <listitem> 2476 <para>Run the Aberration Inspector and obtain results.</para> 2477 </listitem> 2478 2479 <listitem> 2480 <para>Inspect the results and make sure they are good, e.g. number of stars in each tile is sufficient and 2481 the R² is acceptable for all relevant tiles.</para> 2482 </listitem> 2483 2484 <listitem> 2485 <para>Adjust tilt and / or backfocus using your device, based on Aberration Inspector results.</para> 2486 </listitem> 2487 2488 <listitem> 2489 <para>Re-run Aberration Inspector. It will launch another dialog. Check results as before. 2490 If the tilt and / or backfocus is getting better then the adjustment was made in the correct sense; 2491 if not reverse the sense and retry. Use the feedback from the previous adjustment for the next adjustment.</para> 2492 </listitem> 2493 </itemizedlist> 2494 2495 <para>Repeat the above process until the limit of sensitivity of the equipment is reached.</para> 2496 2497 <para>Note the amount of adjustment, e.g. how far to turn bolts, and the sense, clockwise or counter-clockwise, 2498 will vary by equipment and must be discovered by the user by trial and error. Always follow the recommendations of 2499 the tilt / backfocus device manufacturer.</para> 2500 2501 <para>Each time Aberration Inspector is run it launches a new dialog with the run number appended to the title. 2502 This way several runs can be performed and the results compared. Note, however, that the dialog holds a lot of 2503 data (roughly 10x the amount of a standard Autofocus run). The system resources associated with this are released 2504 when the dialog is closed. For this reason on lower powered machines, once the tool has been used, it is recommended 2505 to close all Aberration Inspector dialogs before imaging.</para> 2506 2507 <para>The following sections describe the sections of the Aberration Inspector dialog.</para> 2508 2509 <sect3 id="aberration-inspector-vcurve"> 2510 <title>Aberration Inspector V-Curve</title> 2511 2512 <screenshot> 2513 <screeninfo> Aberration Inspector V-Curve </screeninfo> 2514 2515 <mediaobject> 2516 <imageobject> 2517 <imagedata fileref="aberration_inspector_vcurve.png" format="PNG" width="50%"/> 2518 </imageobject> 2519 2520 <textobject> 2521 <phrase>Aberration Inspector V-Curve</phrase> 2522 </textobject> 2523 </mediaobject> 2524 </screenshot> 2525 2526 <para> At the top of the dialog are some controls, followed by the V-Curve. The controls are:</para> 2527 2528 <itemizedlist> 2529 <listitem> 2530 <para> <guilabel>Tiles</guilabel>: Three options are available:</para> 2531 <itemizedlist> 2532 <listitem> 2533 <para>All: All 9 tiles are displayed.</para> 2534 </listitem> 2535 <listitem> 2536 <para>Centre and outer corners: The centre and 4 corner tiles are displayed.</para> 2537 </listitem> 2538 <listitem> 2539 <para>Centre and inner diamond: The centre and 4 inner diamond tiles are displayed.</para> 2540 </listitem> 2541 </itemizedlist> 2542 </listitem> 2543 <listitem> 2544 <para> <guilabel>Labels</guilabel>: Checkbox toggles focus point labels on the V-Curve.</para> 2545 </listitem> 2546 <listitem> 2547 <para> <guilabel>CFZ</guilabel>: Checkbox toggles whether the CFZ moustache is displayed on the V-Curve.</para> 2548 </listitem> 2549 <listitem> 2550 <para> <guilabel>Optimise Tile Centres</guilabel>: If unchecked, the geometrical centre of the tile is used; 2551 if checked, the centre of the tile is calculated as an average of the star positions within the tile. 2552 Whilst theoretically more accurate to check this option, it is likely to have a significant impact only if the 2553 number of stars is small.</para> 2554 </listitem> 2555 <listitem> 2556 <para> <guilabel>Close</guilabel>: Close the Aberration Inspector dialog.</para> 2557 </listitem> 2558 </itemizedlist> 2559 2560 <para>The V-Curve is similar to the V-Curve on the main Focus tab, except each tile is represented by its own curve. 2561 The number of curves is determined by the setting of the <guilabel>Tiles</guilabel> combobox. The x-axis displays 2562 the focuser position and the y-axis the measure (e.g. HFR) used by Autofocus. Each curve has its own colour 2563 and 2 character identifier as displayed in the legend.</para> 2564 2565 <para>Hover the mouse over a curve minimum to see more information about that curve.</para> 2566 </sect3> 2567 2568 <sect3 id="aberration-inspector-table"> 2569 <title>Aberration Inspector Table</title> 2570 2571 <screenshot> 2572 <screeninfo> Aberration Inspector Table </screeninfo> 2573 2574 <mediaobject> 2575 <imageobject> 2576 <imagedata fileref="aberration_inspector_table.png" format="PNG" width="50%"/> 2577 </imageobject> 2578 2579 <textobject> 2580 <phrase>Aberration Inspector Table</phrase> 2581 </textobject> 2582 </mediaobject> 2583 </screenshot> 2584 2585 <para>The table displays information pertinent to each tile as selected by the 2586 <guilabel>Tiles</guilabel> setting.</para> 2587 2588 <para>A tooltip like graphic is displayed when the mouse is hovered over either of the leftmost 2 columns. 2589 The graphic displays a picture of the sensor scaled to the dimensions of the sensor. Overlayed on the 2590 sensor are the tiles as selected by the <guilabel>Tiles</guilabel> setting. The tiles are scaled 2591 appropriately for the tile settings. Each tile is labelled with the Tile Name and the tile corresponding 2592 to the row that the mouse is hovering over, is highlighted in the colour of that tile.</para> 2593 2594 <para>The following columns are displayed:</para> 2595 2596 <itemizedlist> 2597 <listitem> 2598 <para> <guilabel>Tile</guilabel>: The 1 or 2 character name of the tile, e.g. TL = Top Left, 2599 C = Centre, etc.</para> 2600 </listitem> 2601 <listitem> 2602 <para> <guilabel>Description</guilabel>: Tile Description, e.g. Top Left, Centre, etc.</para> 2603 </listitem> 2604 <listitem> 2605 <para> <guilabel>Solution</guilabel>: The focus solution. This matches the solution on the V_Curve.</para> 2606 </listitem> 2607 <listitem> 2608 <para> <guilabel>Delta (ticks)</guilabel>: This is the delta of the solution for the current table row 2609 from the solution of the Centre tile. The Delta of the Centre row will, of course, be zero.</para> 2610 </listitem> 2611 <listitem> 2612 <para> <guilabel>Delta (μm)</guilabel>: This is Delta (ticks) converted to microns using the step size 2613 in microns as specified in the CFZ Focus tab.</para> 2614 </listitem> 2615 <listitem> 2616 <para> <guilabel>Num Stars</guilabel>: This shows the min / max number of stars detected during the 2617 Autofocus run. Usually, the minimum number would be a far out of focus datapoint and the max number 2618 would be the in focus datapoint.</para> 2619 </listitem> 2620 <listitem> 2621 <para> <guilabel>R²</guilabel>: R-squared of the curve fit for this tile. See 2622 <link linkend="Coefficient_of_Determination">Coefficient of Determination</link> for more details.</para> 2623 </listitem> 2624 <listitem> 2625 <para> <guilabel>Exclude</guilabel>: Checkbox to include / exclude this tile in calculations. By 2626 default, if a tile has been curve fitted it will be included; if a tile was not curve fitted then 2627 it will be excluded. In addition, the user may decide that a particular tile may contain poor 2628 quality data, for example the R² is low; or the number of stars is low. In this case the Exclude 2629 can be checked and this row will be excluded from calculations. Note that by excluding some rows, 2630 some calculations may not be performed. If the Centre tile is excluded, no calculations can be 2631 performed.</para> 2632 2633 <para>Note that whilst it's possible to exclude tiles and still get calculated values, if the data 2634 is poor quality then it is recommended to rerun Aberration Inspector rather than persist with poor 2635 quality data.</para> 2636 </listitem> 2637 </itemizedlist> 2638 2639 <para>The recommended approach is to check the table for quality data and once achieved, move onto 2640 analysing the <link linkend="aberration-inspector-results">Aberration Inspector Results</link>.</para> 2641 </sect3> 2642 2643 <sect3 id="aberration-inspector-results"> 2644 <title>Aberration Inspector Results</title> 2645 2646 <screenshot> 2647 <screeninfo> Aberration Inspector Results </screeninfo> 2648 2649 <mediaobject> 2650 <imageobject> 2651 <imagedata fileref="aberration_inspector_results.png" format="PNG" width="50%"/> 2652 </imageobject> 2653 2654 <textobject> 2655 <phrase>Aberration Inspector Results</phrase> 2656 </textobject> 2657 </mediaobject> 2658 </screenshot> 2659 2660 <para>The calculation results are displayed in this section, based on the data displayed in the table:</para> 2661 2662 <itemizedlist> 2663 <listitem> 2664 <para> <guilabel>Backfocus Δ</guilabel>: This is the value of the Backfocus delta. The nearer to 2665 perfect backfocus, the lower the backfocus delta. Note that the Backfocus delta gives a clue as to 2666 how far out the Backfocus is, in terms of scale and direction, but is not the amount by which the 2667 sensor needs to be moved. The relationship between backfocus Delta and how far to move the sensor 2668 will vary with the equipment used, and needs to be worked out by the user.</para> 2669 2670 <para>The field gives the sense of the backfocus movement required to improve backfocus: either move 2671 the sensor nearer to the field flattener (telescope) or move it further away.</para> 2672 </listitem> 2673 <listitem> 2674 <para> <guilabel>Left-Right Tilt</guilabel>: Gives the Left to Right tilt in microns and as a 2675 percentage.</para> 2676 </listitem> 2677 <listitem> 2678 <para> <guilabel>Top-Bottom Tilt</guilabel>: Gives the Top to Bottom tilt in microns and as a 2679 percentage</para> 2680 </listitem> 2681 <listitem> 2682 <para> <guilabel>Total Tilt</guilabel>: The diagonal tilt in microns and as a percentage.</para> 2683 </listitem> 2684 </itemizedlist> 2685 2686 <para>The smaller the backfocus delta the nearer the sensor is to perfect backfocus. If the field flattner 2687 does not flatten the field all the way to the edges of the sensor then this will be visible by switching the 2688 Tiles option between "Centre and outer corners" and "Centre and inner diamond". If the backfocus delta results 2689 are consistent when the Tiles option is changed then this indicates that the field flattener is working to the 2690 corners of the sensor.</para> 2691 2692 <para>There will always be some backfocus delta at least because of noise in the observation data. The important 2693 thing is that when in focus, stars are circular in all parts of the sensor.</para> 2694 2695 <para>The smaller the tilt percentages, the nearer the sensor is to being flat to the plane of light from the 2696 flattener / telescope. As with backfocus delta, there is always going to be some noise in the data, which will 2697 present as tilt. The important thing is that when in focus the star sizes are consistent across all parts of the 2698 sensor.</para> 2699 2700 <para>Because of the nature of the backfocus delta and tilt calculations, one will affect the other so it will 2701 probably be better to try and adjust both together, in small increments, rather than trying to perfect one in 2702 isolation, before adjusting the other.</para> 2703 </sect3> 2704 2705 <sect3 id="aberration-inspector-3dgraphic"> 2706 <title>Aberration Inspector 3D Graphic</title> 2707 2708 <screenshot> 2709 <screeninfo> Aberration Inspector 3D Graphic </screeninfo> 2710 2711 <mediaobject> 2712 <imageobject> 2713 <imagedata fileref="aberration_inspector_3dgraphic.png" format="PNG" width="50%"/> 2714 </imageobject> 2715 2716 <textobject> 2717 <phrase>Aberration Inspector 3D Graphic</phrase> 2718 </textobject> 2719 </mediaobject> 2720 </screenshot> 2721 2722 <para>The 3D graphic displays the sensor tilted as per the 2723 <link linkend="aberration-inspector-results">Aberration Inspector Results</link>. To help 2724 visualise the Petzval surface (see <ulink 2725 url="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petzval_field_curvature">Petzval Field Curvature</ulink> for more details) 2726 of light coming out of the telescope and incident on the sensor the surface is also modelled. The higher the 2727 backfocus error, the more curved the Petzval surface.</para> 2728 2729 <para>The graphic can be zoomed and rotated using gestures. To zoom use pinch. To rotate use 2730 touch-and-move.</para> 2731 2732 <para>The graphic has a Simulation Mode that allows backfocus and tilt to be adjusted by the 2733 sliders. The effect on the sensor's tilt and Petzval surface is displayed in the graphic.</para> 2734 2735 <para>The following options are available for the graphic:</para> 2736 2737 <itemizedlist> 2738 <listitem> 2739 <para> <guilabel>Selection</guilabel>: The following options are available:</para> 2740 2741 <itemizedlist> 2742 <listitem> 2743 <para>None: No selection is possible.</para> 2744 </listitem> 2745 2746 <listitem> 2747 <para>Item: A datapoint may be selected and data values are displayed.</para> 2748 </listitem> 2749 2750 <listitem> 2751 <para>Slice: A 2D slice through the 3D graphic is displayed.</para> 2752 </listitem> 2753 </itemizedlist> 2754 2755 </listitem> 2756 <listitem> 2757 <para> <guilabel>Theme</guilabel>: A number of colour themes are available.</para> 2758 </listitem> 2759 2760 <listitem> 2761 <para> <guilabel>Labels</guilabel>: Checkbox to show / hide tile labels on the graphic.</para> 2762 </listitem> 2763 2764 <listitem> 2765 <para> <guilabel>Sensor</guilabel>: Checkbox to show / hide the sensor.</para> 2766 </listitem> 2767 2768 <listitem> 2769 <para> <guilabel>Petzval Wire</guilabel>: Checkbox to show / hide the Petzval surface as a graphic wire.</para> 2770 </listitem> 2771 2772 <listitem> 2773 <para> <guilabel>Petzval Surface</guilabel>: Checkbox to show / hide the Petzval surface.</para> 2774 </listitem> 2775 2776 <listitem> 2777 <para> <guilabel>Sim Mode</guilabel>: Checkbox to toggle Simulation Mode on / off. When off, the 2778 graphic displays the sensor and Petzval surface based on the calculated results of the Aberration Inspector 2779 run. When on, the sliders for Backfocus, Left-to-Right tilt and Top-to-Bottom tilt are activated, and these can be 2780 dragged by the user to adjust the graphic. Hover the mouse over each slider to see the tooltips describing what 2781 each slider does.</para> 2782 </listitem> 2783 </itemizedlist> 2784 2785 <para>The 3D graphic is not essential to using Aberration Inspector. All relevant information is displayed in the 2786 <link linkend="aberration-inspector-table">Table</link> and <link linkend="aberration-inspector-results">Results</link> 2787 sections of the dialog. Its purpose is to aid the user in understanding Aberration Inspector and to orient themselves 2788 with the information the tool provides.</para> 2789 </sect3> 2790 </sect2> 2791 </sect1>