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Introduction

The Universal Auto Focus Plug-in allows manual and automatic control of a Auto Focus (AF) actuator. You select the actuator type, and then selects options as to limits and features to exercise the actuator.

It is assumed that you have general knowledge of DevWare and its plug-ins, as well as basic knowledge of AF actuators and methods.

Basic Operation

Here's what the plug-in looks like upon first launch within DevWare.

 

The Plug-in is organized by major functional areas, each separated by a line the runs the width of the plug-in.

Actuator and Focus Type Selection

The first area lets you select the actuator ("IC Driver"), the type of AF to use ("Focus Types"), as well as associated parameters.

  • IC Driver; this pull-down is populated based on the attached sensor. For example, if the sensor has an Internal VCM then that driver will be available.
    Use the pull-down to select the actuator type of the attached module.
    Note: there is no method of auto-detecting the actuator type - you must know this.
  • Focus Types; this pull-down allows you to select the plug-in function.
    Note: fields will be enabled/disabled based on your selection - these are described below.
    • Manual; allows for manual movement of the actuator via the slider bar.
    • Auto - Full Scan; will automatically find the best focus position thru the range as defined by "Min" and "Max".
      This is the simplest method of finding the best focus position, but takes longer as it checks all available positions.
    • Auto - Fast Focus; will do a curve-fit to find the best focus position starting at "Min".
      It works by moving the lens and keeping track of the Sharpness scores; once the score goes up and then starts going down, it stops and using the scores produces a "curve" and selects the top of the curve.
    • IC Driver Direct Reg Access; allows you to access actuator register(s).
    • Capture Frames; starting at "Min" and ending at "Max", position the actuator and capture an image for the number in "1st Scan".
    • PDAF; uses the Phase Differential method to find the best focus position.
      Only works with sensors that have PDAF enabled, and requires tuning within DevWare's PDAF dialog - those instructions are not included here.
  • Steps - 1st Scan; sets the number of steps used for Full Scan, Fast Focus, and Capture Frames.
  • Steps - 2nd Scan; set the number of steps used after Full Scan or Fast Focus finds the initial focal position.
    This provides a faster method of find the very best focus position taking the 1st Scan results and doing additional steps surrounding it.
  • Steps - Macro Mode; for Full Scan and Fast Focus, sets the initial position not a "Min" but at the "Macro" position.
    For times when the module is very close to subject - avoids trying focus positions that are known not to be the best Sharpness score.
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