Start-up focus failure post initial move

I’m a little confused when at the start of a sequence, after the initial slew, the system initiates an auto-focus routine before plate solving.

But initially, the system, moves the focuser from the initial focus point, which is in focus, to a point well away from this initial setting, and then loops through trying to get focus, but fails, eventually it then returns to its initial starting point, and carries on plate solving ??

SGPro 3.1.0.457

Windows 10 Pro

.Net 4.7.2

Ascom 6.1.SP1

[04/09/20 20:54:07.181][INFO][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] Auto focus data
[04/09/20 20:54:07.181][INFO][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] - Data Points: 11
[04/09/20 20:54:07.181][INFO][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] - Step Size: 150
[04/09/20 20:54:07.181][INFO][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] - Current Position: 6307
[04/09/20 20:54:07.181][INFO][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] - Initial Move Position: 7057
[04/09/20 20:54:07.181][INFO][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] - Panic Move Position: 6307
[04/09/20 20:54:07.212][INFO][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] No AF darks found…
[04/09/20 20:54:07.214][INFO][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] Moving focuser to next position (7057)…
[04/09/20 20:54:07.214][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] MoveFocuserAbs: Start, move to 7057…
[04/09/20 20:54:07.215][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] ASCOM Focuser: MoveSync - start…
[04/09/20 20:54:07.216][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] Focuser moving to 7057
[04/09/20 20:54:07.251][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] Focuser move call complete
[04/09/20 20:54:07.252][DEBUG][Move Monitor Thread][SQ;AF;] ASCOM Focuser: Move monitor thread is started…
[04/09/20 20:54:14.306][DEBUG][Move Monitor Thread][SQ;AF;] ASCOM Focuser: Move monitor thread -> movement complete
[04/09/20 20:54:15.323][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] ASCOM Focuser: MoveSync - Focuser reports it is done moving, continuing…
[04/09/20 20:54:15.323][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] MoveFocuserAbs: End, move complete, at 7057…
[04/09/20 20:54:15.323][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] Calculating step metric…
[04/09/20 20:54:15.325][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] Taking auto focus frame(s)…
[04/09/20 20:54:15.327][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] ASCOM camera: Capturing auto focus frame…
[04/09/20 20:54:15.327][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] ASCOM: AF Binning: 1x1…
[04/09/20 20:54:15.327][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] ASCOM: AF Exposure length: 6 seconds…
[04/09/20 20:54:15.327][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] ASCOM: AF Exposure DL speed: HIGH
[04/09/20 20:54:15.334][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] SetAscomGain to 139
[04/09/20 20:54:15.335][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] Camera gain set to 139
[04/09/20 20:54:15.335][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] SetAscomHighSpeed…
[04/09/20 20:54:15.336][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] Cannot set readout speed, not supported by camera…
[04/09/20 20:54:15.390][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] ASCOM Camera: exposure started, waiting…
[04/09/20 20:54:21.402][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] ASCOM Camera: exposure complete, waiting for camera to report image ready…
[04/09/20 20:54:22.681][INFO][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] ASCOM Camera read image data took .75 seconds
[04/09/20 20:54:22.688][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] SaveFileAscom: Start…
[04/09/20 20:54:22.688][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] SaveFileAscom: Checking image data…
[04/09/20 20:54:22.688][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] SaveFileAscom: Create normal preview bitmap…
[04/09/20 20:54:22.696][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] SaveFileAscom: Locking preview bits…
[04/09/20 20:54:22.696][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] SaveFileAscom: Starting byte traversal…
[04/09/20 20:54:22.697][TRACE][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] SaveFileAscom: Row padding -> 0
[04/09/20 20:54:22.864][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] SaveFileAscom: Unlocking preview bits…
[04/09/20 20:54:22.864][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] SaveFileAscom: Done
[04/09/20 20:54:22.989][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] SaveFileBmp16: Locking bitmap for disk write…
[04/09/20 20:54:22.989][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] SaveFileBmp16: Opening file stream…
[04/09/20 20:54:23.013][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] SaveFileBmp16: Writing FITS headers…
[04/09/20 20:54:23.015][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] SaveFileBmp16: Traversing and persisting bitmap data…
[04/09/20 20:54:30.198][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] SaveFileBmp16: FITS block fill…
[04/09/20 20:54:30.198][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] SaveFileBmp16: Unlocking bitmap…
[04/09/20 20:54:30.198][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] SaveFileBmp16: Closing file stream
[04/09/20 20:54:30.245][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] Internal Interface: Set Preview…
[04/09/20 20:54:30.245][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] Display image preview using asynch task…
[04/09/20 20:54:30.608][DEBUG][Main Thread][SQ;AF;] --> Find stars (normal)
[04/09/20 20:54:30.885][DEBUG][Main Thread][SQ;AF;] AF frame was too large… downsample = 0.5…
[04/09/20 20:54:33.494][DEBUG][Main Thread][SQ;AF;] Star detection using min star size of 2px…
[04/09/20 20:54:33.494][DEBUG][Main Thread][SQ;AF;] Star detection using max star size of 40px…
[04/09/20 20:54:33.553][DEBUG][Main Thread][SQ;AF;] Find stars took: 2945 ms…
[04/09/20 20:54:33.554][DEBUG][Main Thread][SQ;AF;] Star list contains 5 stars…
[04/09/20 20:54:33.554][DEBUG][Main Thread][SQ;AF;] Calculating HFR with sample size: 4
[04/09/20 20:54:33.898][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] Auto focus HFR calculated at: 5.07
[04/09/20 20:54:34.911][INFO][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] Incremental Fit Result (1): quality=%; a=0; b=0; c=0;
[04/09/20 20:54:34.913][INFO][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] Moving focuser to next position (6907)…
[04/09/20 20:54:34.913][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] MoveFocuserAbs: Start, move to 6907…
[04/09/20 20:54:34.913][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] ASCOM Focuser: MoveSync - start…
[04/09/20 20:54:34.913][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] Focuser moving to 6907
[04/09/20 20:54:34.956][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] Focuser move call complete
[04/09/20 20:54:34.956][DEBUG][Move Monitor Thread][SQ;AF;] ASCOM Focuser: Move monitor thread is started…
[04/09/20 20:54:36.982][DEBUG][Move Monitor Thread][SQ;AF;] ASCOM Focuser: Move monitor thread -> movement complete
[04/09/20 20:54:38.062][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] ASCOM Focuser: MoveSync - Focuser reports it is done moving, continuing…
[04/09/20 20:54:38.062][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] MoveFocuserAbs: End, move complete, at 6907…
[04/09/20 20:54:38.062][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] Calculating step metric…
[04/09/20 20:54:38.062][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] Taking auto focus frame(s)…
[04/09/20 20:54:38.064][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] ASCOM camera: Capturing auto focus frame…
[04/09/20 20:54:38.064][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] ASCOM: AF Binning: 1x1…
[04/09/20 20:54:38.064][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] ASCOM: AF Exposure length: 6 seconds…
[04/09/20 20:54:38.064][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] ASCOM: AF Exposure DL speed: HIGH
[04/09/20 20:54:38.065][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] SetAscomGain to 139
[04/09/20 20:54:38.066][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] Camera gain set to 139
[04/09/20 20:54:38.066][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] SetAscomHighSpeed…
[04/09/20 20:54:38.066][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] Cannot set readout speed, not supported by camera…
[04/09/20 20:54:38.066][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] ASCOM Camera: exposure started, waiting…
[04/09/20 20:54:44.078][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] ASCOM Camera: exposure complete, waiting for camera to report image ready…
[04/09/20 20:54:45.336][INFO][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] ASCOM Camera read image data took .75 seconds
[04/09/20 20:54:45.340][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] SaveFileAscom: Start…
[04/09/20 20:54:45.340][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] SaveFileAscom: Checking image data…
[04/09/20 20:54:45.340][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] SaveFileAscom: Create normal preview bitmap…
[04/09/20 20:54:45.347][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] SaveFileAscom: Locking preview bits…
[04/09/20 20:54:45.347][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] SaveFileAscom: Starting byte traversal…
[04/09/20 20:54:45.347][TRACE][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] SaveFileAscom: Row padding -> 0
[04/09/20 20:54:45.520][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] SaveFileAscom: Unlocking preview bits…
[04/09/20 20:54:45.520][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] SaveFileAscom: Done
[04/09/20 20:54:45.520][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] SaveFileBmp16: Locking bitmap for disk write…
[04/09/20 20:54:45.520][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] SaveFileBmp16: Opening file stream…
[04/09/20 20:54:45.607][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] SaveFileBmp16: Writing FITS headers…
[04/09/20 20:54:45.607][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] SaveFileBmp16: Traversing and persisting bitmap data…
[04/09/20 20:54:52.669][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] SaveFileBmp16: FITS block fill…
[04/09/20 20:54:52.669][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] SaveFileBmp16: Unlocking bitmap…
[04/09/20 20:54:52.669][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] SaveFileBmp16: Closing file stream
[04/09/20 20:54:52.743][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] Internal Interface: Set Preview…
[04/09/20 20:54:52.743][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] Display image preview using asynch task…
[04/09/20 20:54:53.252][DEBUG][Main Thread][SQ;AF;] --> Find stars (normal)
[04/09/20 20:54:53.355][DEBUG][Main Thread][SQ;AF;] AF frame was too large… downsample = 0.5…
[04/09/20 20:54:55.576][DEBUG][Main Thread][SQ;AF;] Star detection using min star size of 2px…
[04/09/20 20:54:55.576][DEBUG][Main Thread][SQ;AF;] Star detection using max star size of 40px…
[04/09/20 20:54:55.810][DEBUG][Main Thread][SQ;AF;] Find stars took: 2557 ms…
[04/09/20 20:54:55.810][DEBUG][Main Thread][SQ;AF;] Star list contains 6 stars…
[04/09/20 20:54:55.810][DEBUG][Main Thread][SQ;AF;] Calculating HFR with sample size: 4
[04/09/20 20:54:56.446][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] Auto focus HFR calculated at: 6.37
[04/09/20 20:54:57.450][INFO][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] Incremental Fit Result (2): quality=%; a=0; b=0; c=0;
[04/09/20 20:54:57.451][INFO][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] Moving focuser to next position (6757)…
[04/09/20 20:54:57.451][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] MoveFocuserAbs: Start, move to 6757…
[04/09/20 20:54:57.451][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] ASCOM Focuser: MoveSync - start…
[04/09/20 20:54:57.451][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] Focuser moving to 6757
[04/09/20 20:54:57.499][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] Focuser move call complete
[04/09/20 20:54:57.499][DEBUG][Move Monitor Thread][SQ;AF;] ASCOM Focuser: Move monitor thread is started…
[04/09/20 20:54:59.526][DEBUG][Move Monitor Thread][SQ;AF;] ASCOM Focuser: Move monitor thread -> movement complete
[04/09/20 20:55:00.605][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] ASCOM Focuser: MoveSync - Focuser reports it is done moving, continuing…
[04/09/20 20:55:00.605][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] MoveFocuserAbs: End, move complete, at 6757…
[04/09/20 20:55:00.605][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] Calculating step metric…
[04/09/20 20:55:00.605][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] Taking auto focus frame(s)…
[04/09/20 20:55:00.608][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] ASCOM camera: Capturing auto focus frame…
[04/09/20 20:55:00.608][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] ASCOM: AF Binning: 1x1…
[04/09/20 20:55:00.608][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] ASCOM: AF Exposure length: 6 seconds…
[04/09/20 20:55:00.608][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] ASCOM: AF Exposure DL speed: HIGH
[04/09/20 20:55:00.609][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] SetAscomGain to 139
[04/09/20 20:55:00.610][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] Camera gain set to 139
[04/09/20 20:55:00.610][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] SetAscomHighSpeed…
[04/09/20 20:55:00.610][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] Cannot set readout speed, not supported by camera…
[04/09/20 20:55:00.610][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] ASCOM Camera: exposure started, waiting…
[04/09/20 20:55:06.626][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] ASCOM Camera: exposure complete, waiting for camera to report image ready…
[04/09/20 20:55:07.868][INFO][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] ASCOM Camera read image data took .73 seconds
[04/09/20 20:55:07.871][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] SaveFileAscom: Start…
[04/09/20 20:55:07.871][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] SaveFileAscom: Checking image data…
[04/09/20 20:55:07.871][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] SaveFileAscom: Create normal preview bitmap…
[04/09/20 20:55:07.878][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] SaveFileAscom: Locking preview bits…
[04/09/20 20:55:07.878][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] SaveFileAscom: Starting byte traversal…
[04/09/20 20:55:07.878][TRACE][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] SaveFileAscom: Row padding -> 0
[04/09/20 20:55:08.044][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] SaveFileAscom: Unlocking preview bits…
[04/09/20 20:55:08.045][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] SaveFileAscom: Done
[04/09/20 20:55:08.045][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] SaveFileBmp16: Locking bitmap for disk write…
[04/09/20 20:55:08.045][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] SaveFileBmp16: Opening file stream…
[04/09/20 20:55:08.110][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] SaveFileBmp16: Writing FITS headers…
[04/09/20 20:55:08.110][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] SaveFileBmp16: Traversing and persisting bitmap data…
[04/09/20 20:55:14.639][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] SaveFileBmp16: FITS block fill…
[04/09/20 20:55:14.639][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] SaveFileBmp16: Unlocking bitmap…
[04/09/20 20:55:14.639][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] SaveFileBmp16: Closing file stream
[04/09/20 20:55:14.675][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] Internal Interface: Set Preview…
[04/09/20 20:55:14.675][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] Display image preview using asynch task…
[04/09/20 20:55:15.183][DEBUG][Main Thread][SQ;AF;] --> Find stars (normal)
[04/09/20 20:55:15.290][DEBUG][Main Thread][SQ;AF;] AF frame was too large… downsample = 0.5…
[04/09/20 20:55:17.703][DEBUG][Main Thread][SQ;AF;] Star detection using min star size of 2px…
[04/09/20 20:55:17.703][DEBUG][Main Thread][SQ;AF;] Star detection using max star size of 40px…
[04/09/20 20:55:17.779][DEBUG][Main Thread][SQ;AF;] Find stars took: 2596 ms…
[04/09/20 20:55:17.779][DEBUG][Main Thread][SQ;AF;] Star list contains 7 stars…
[04/09/20 20:55:17.779][DEBUG][Main Thread][SQ;AF;] Calculating HFR with sample size: 4
[04/09/20 20:55:18.414][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] Auto focus HFR calculated at: 7.79
[04/09/20 20:55:19.419][INFO][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] Incremental Fit Result (3): quality=%; a=0; b=0; c=0;
[04/09/20 20:55:19.420][INFO][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] Moving focuser to next position (6607)…
[04/09/20 20:55:19.420][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] MoveFocuserAbs: Start, move to 6607…
[04/09/20 20:55:19.420][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] ASCOM Focuser: MoveSync - start…
[04/09/20 20:55:19.420][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] Focuser moving to 6607
[04/09/20 20:55:19.462][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] Focuser move call complete
[04/09/20 20:55:19.463][DEBUG][Move Monitor Thread][SQ;AF;] ASCOM Focuser: Move monitor thread is started…
[04/09/20 20:55:21.490][DEBUG][Move Monitor Thread][SQ;AF;] ASCOM Focuser: Move monitor thread -> movement complete
[04/09/20 20:55:22.549][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] ASCOM Focuser: MoveSync - Focuser reports it is done moving, continuing…
[04/09/20 20:55:22.549][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] MoveFocuserAbs: End, move complete, at 6607…
[04/09/20 20:55:22.549][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] Calculating step metric…
[04/09/20 20:55:22.549][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] Taking auto focus frame(s)…
[04/09/20 20:55:22.550][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] ASCOM camera: Capturing auto focus frame…
[04/09/20 20:55:22.550][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] ASCOM: AF Binning: 1x1…
[04/09/20 20:55:22.550][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] ASCOM: AF Exposure length: 6 seconds…
[04/09/20 20:55:22.550][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] ASCOM: AF Exposure DL speed: HIGH
[04/09/20 20:55:22.551][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] SetAscomGain to 139
[04/09/20 20:55:22.552][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] Camera gain set to 139
[04/09/20 20:55:22.552][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] SetAscomHighSpeed…
[04/09/20 20:55:22.552][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] Cannot set readout speed, not supported by camera…
[04/09/20 20:55:22.552][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] ASCOM Camera: exposure started, waiting…
[04/09/20 20:55:28.565][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] ASCOM Camera: exposure complete, waiting for camera to report image ready…
[04/09/20 20:55:29.836][INFO][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] ASCOM Camera read image data took .76 seconds
[04/09/20 20:55:29.839][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] SaveFileAscom: Start…
[04/09/20 20:55:29.839][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] SaveFileAscom: Checking image data…
[04/09/20 20:55:29.839][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] SaveFileAscom: Create normal preview bitmap…
[04/09/20 20:55:29.846][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] SaveFileAscom: Locking preview bits…
[04/09/20 20:55:29.846][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] SaveFileAscom: Starting byte traversal…
[04/09/20 20:55:29.846][TRACE][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] SaveFileAscom: Row padding -> 0
[04/09/20 20:55:30.015][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] SaveFileAscom: Unlocking preview bits…
[04/09/20 20:55:30.015][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] SaveFileAscom: Done
[04/09/20 20:55:30.015][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] SaveFileBmp16: Locking bitmap for disk write…
[04/09/20 20:55:30.015][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] SaveFileBmp16: Opening file stream…
[04/09/20 20:55:30.224][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] SaveFileBmp16: Writing FITS headers…
[04/09/20 20:55:30.224][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] SaveFileBmp16: Traversing and persisting bitmap data…
[04/09/20 20:55:36.584][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] SaveFileBmp16: FITS block fill…
[04/09/20 20:55:36.584][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] SaveFileBmp16: Unlocking bitmap…
[04/09/20 20:55:36.584][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] SaveFileBmp16: Closing file stream
[04/09/20 20:55:36.651][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] Internal Interface: Set Preview…
[04/09/20 20:55:36.651][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] Display image preview using asynch task…
[04/09/20 20:55:37.092][DEBUG][Main Thread][SQ;AF;] --> Find stars (normal)
[04/09/20 20:55:37.184][DEBUG][Main Thread][SQ;AF;] AF frame was too large… downsample = 0.5…
[04/09/20 20:55:39.240][DEBUG][Main Thread][SQ;AF;] Star detection using min star size of 2px…
[04/09/20 20:55:39.240][DEBUG][Main Thread][SQ;AF;] Star detection using max star size of 40px…
[04/09/20 20:55:39.341][DEBUG][Main Thread][SQ;AF;] Find stars took: 2249 ms…
[04/09/20 20:55:39.341][DEBUG][Main Thread][SQ;AF;] Star list contains 11 stars…
[04/09/20 20:55:39.341][DEBUG][Main Thread][SQ;AF;] Calculating HFR with sample size: 4
[04/09/20 20:55:39.953][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] Auto focus HFR calculated at: 11.82
[04/09/20 20:55:40.960][INFO][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] Incremental Fit Result (4): quality=99%; a=30.3333333333333; b=-428.921333333333; c=1521.444463;
[04/09/20 20:55:40.960][INFO][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] Detected focus getting worse! Shifting auto focus range
[04/09/20 20:55:40.961][DEBUG][Main Thread][SQ;AF;] Adding sequence level notification: Cannot find focus point, assuming focus is outward, adjusting smart focus range…
[04/09/20 20:55:40.989][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] Sending Notification: Warning - Cannot find focus point, assuming focus is outward, adjusting smart focus range…
[04/09/20 20:55:40.989][WARN][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] Focus is asymmetric. Centering on best position 7057 and reattempting. Fit Quality 99%
[04/09/20 20:55:40.989][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] MoveFocuserAbs: Start, move to 7057…
[04/09/20 20:55:40.989][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] ASCOM Focuser: MoveSync - start…
[04/09/20 20:55:40.989][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] Focuser moving to 7057
[04/09/20 20:55:41.031][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] Focuser move call complete
[04/09/20 20:55:41.031][DEBUG][Move Monitor Thread][SQ;AF;] ASCOM Focuser: Move monitor thread is started…
[04/09/20 20:55:45.080][DEBUG][Move Monitor Thread][SQ;AF;] ASCOM Focuser: Move monitor thread -> movement complete
[04/09/20 20:55:46.139][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] ASCOM Focuser: MoveSync - Focuser reports it is done moving, continuing…
[04/09/20 20:55:46.139][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] MoveFocuserAbs: End, move complete, at 7057…
[04/09/20 20:55:46.139][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] Emit AFPack screenshot: Points: 4; Final: True

[04/09/20 20:59:57.534][INFO][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] Detected focus getting worse! Shifting auto focus range
[04/09/20 20:59:57.534][DEBUG][Main Thread][SQ;AF;] Adding sequence level notification: Cannot find focus point, assuming focus is outward, adjusting smart focus range…
[04/09/20 20:59:57.556][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] Sending Notification: Warning - Cannot find focus point, assuming focus is outward, adjusting smart focus range…
[04/09/20 20:59:57.560][DEBUG][Main Thread][SQ;AF;] Adding sequence level notification: Focus cannot be determined. Moving to start position of 7057 to reattempt. Fit Quality 13%
[04/09/20 20:59:57.586][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] Sending Notification: Warning - Focus cannot be determined. Moving to start position of 7057 to reattempt. Fit Quality 13%
[04/09/20 20:59:57.586][WARN][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] Focus cannot be determined. Moving to start position of 7057 to reattempt. Fit Quality 13%
[04/09/20 20:59:57.586][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] MoveFocuserAbs: Start, move to 7057…
[04/09/20 20:59:57.586][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] ASCOM Focuser: MoveSync - start…
[04/09/20 20:59:57.586][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] Focuser moving to 7057
[04/09/20 20:59:57.627][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] Focuser move call complete
[04/09/20 20:59:57.627][DEBUG][Move Monitor Thread][SQ;AF;] ASCOM Focuser: Move monitor thread is started…
[04/09/20 21:00:04.709][DEBUG][Move Monitor Thread][SQ;AF;] ASCOM Focuser: Move monitor thread -> movement complete
[04/09/20 21:00:05.713][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] ASCOM Focuser: MoveSync - Focuser reports it is done moving, continuing…
[04/09/20 21:00:05.713][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] MoveFocuserAbs: End, move complete, at 7057…
[04/09/20 21:00:05.713][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] Emit AFPack screenshot: Points: 11; Final: True
[04/09/20 21:00:05.715][INFO][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] Auto focus data
[04/09/20 21:00:05.715][INFO][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] - Data Points: 11
[04/09/20 21:00:05.715][INFO][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] - Step Size: 150
[04/09/20 21:00:05.715][INFO][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] - Current Position: 7057
[04/09/20 21:00:05.715][INFO][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] - Initial Move Position: 7807
[04/09/20 21:00:05.715][INFO][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] - Panic Move Position: 6307
[04/09/20 21:00:05.768][INFO][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] No AF darks found…
[04/09/20 21:00:05.770][INFO][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] Moving focuser to next position (7807)…
[04/09/20 21:00:05.770][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] MoveFocuserAbs: Start, move to 7807…
[04/09/20 21:00:05.770][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] ASCOM Focuser: MoveSync - start…
[04/09/20 21:00:05.770][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] Focuser moving to 7807
[04/09/20 21:00:05.802][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] Focuser move call complete
[04/09/20 21:00:05.802][DEBUG][Move Monitor Thread][SQ;AF;] ASCOM Focuser: Move monitor thread is started…
[04/09/20 21:00:12.833][DEBUG][Move Monitor Thread][SQ;AF;] ASCOM Focuser: Move monitor thread -> movement complete
[04/09/20 21:00:13.917][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] ASCOM Focuser: MoveSync - Focuser reports it is done moving, continuing…
[04/09/20 21:00:13.917][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] MoveFocuserAbs: End, move complete, at 7807…
[04/09/20 21:00:13.917][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] Calculating step metric…
[04/09/20 21:00:13.917][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] Taking auto focus frame(s)…
[04/09/20 21:00:13.918][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] ASCOM camera: Capturing auto focus frame…
[04/09/20 21:00:13.918][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] ASCOM: AF Binning: 1x1…
[04/09/20 21:00:13.918][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] ASCOM: AF Exposure length: 6 seconds…
[04/09/20 21:00:13.918][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] ASCOM: AF Exposure DL speed: HIGH
[04/09/20 21:00:13.919][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] SetAscomGain to 139
[04/09/20 21:00:13.920][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] Camera gain set to 139
[04/09/20 21:00:13.920][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] SetAscomHighSpeed…
[04/09/20 21:00:13.920][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] Cannot set readout speed, not supported by camera…
[04/09/20 21:00:13.920][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] ASCOM Camera: exposure started, waiting…
[04/09/20 21:00:15.923][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] ASCOM Camera: abort message received…
[04/09/20 21:00:15.924][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] ASCOM Camera: Attempting to abort exposure…
[04/09/20 21:00:15.924][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] ASCOM Camera AbortImage: Camera state is 2
[04/09/20 21:00:15.924][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] ASCOM Camera: Asking camera to abort…
[04/09/20 21:00:16.386][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] ASCOM Camera: Camera has acknowledged abort request…
[04/09/20 21:00:16.386][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] ASCOM Camera: Blocking until image is aborted…
[04/09/20 21:00:16.386][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] ASCOM Camera: Image is aborted…
[04/09/20 21:00:16.388][INFO][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] AF abort requested
[04/09/20 21:00:16.389][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] Auto focus (finally): closing dialog…
[04/09/20 21:00:16.398][DEBUG][Focuser Thread][SQ;AF;] SGM_FOCUSER_MOVE_ABS message received…
[04/09/20 21:00:16.398][DEBUG][Focuser Thread][SQ;AF;] Focuser moving to 6307
[04/09/20 21:00:16.439][DEBUG][Focuser Thread][SQ;AF;] Focuser move call complete
[04/09/20 21:00:16.439][DEBUG][Move Monitor Thread][SQ;AF;] ASCOM Focuser: Move monitor thread is started…
[04/09/20 21:00:16.714][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] Auto focus complete…
[04/09/20 21:00:16.723][DEBUG][Camera Thread][SQ;] SGM_FOCUSER_AUTO_FOCUS complete…

Hi,

You say that your system is in good focus, at position 6307, at the start of your AF run, but the HFD values reported during the run do not seem to bear this out,

  1. The scope moves out to position 7057 and SGP reports HFR at 5.07 using 5 stars

  2. Scope moves inwards to position 6907 and SGP reports HFR at 6.37 using 6 stars

  3. Scope moves inwards to position 6757 and SGP reports HFR at 7.79 using 7 stars

  4. Scope moves inwards to position 6607 and SGP reports HFR at 11.83 using 11 stars

  5. At this point [04/09/20 20:55:40.960], SGP decides the focus is getting worse and I assume using Smart Focus rules, decides to move the scope back to 7057 (where lowest HFR was reported) ready to start a new AF reun.

  6. SGP then moves scope outwards to 7807 and at [04/09/20 21:00:13.920] reports that a new exposure has been started.

  7. This exposure does not get completed as at [04/09/20 21:00:15.923] the log records that the AF exposure was aborted.

I am unclear what triggered this abort request. It is only 2 seconds after the 6 second exposure was initiated so I assume it was requested via the UI. SGP then requests that the scope is returned to the original start point of 6307.

Because the AF rerun was aborted we do not know if the rerun would or would not have found a better focus point (lower HFR value than that originally reported) of 5.07 at position 7057, but I guess your kowledge of your system must be the guide here.

Based on the worsening trend of HFR values obtained during the AF run I think SGP was trying to do the right thing, assuming that you have Smart Focus enabled.

The only odd thing I see based on my experience is that SGP was reporting more star detections as the scope based on HFR values was moving inwards but away from best focus. I can only assume that that thin cloud perhaps obscured the initial AF exposures.

Regards

Mike

As Mike says the data in the logfile suggests the scope was not in focus when the AF run began, as the HFR value increases.

Mike, the log message

[04/09/20 21:00:16.388][INFO][Camera Thread][SQ;AF;] AF abort requested

means that the user aborted the run from the GUI.

Dr_Ju_Ju, next time I suggest to let the AF sequence play out, without aborting. Also, if you attach an complete logfile it is easier to analyse what happend.

Mikael

In order to facilitate the focussing procedure you should decrease the number of data points and the step size as well. In your case, the following settings will produce a better result:

Number of data points: 9
Step size: 110 steps

Bernd

P.S.: I just discovered that the original post is one year old. Unlikely that the answers are still interesting…

Many thanks to everyone who has looked at this & offered suggestions, but as I posted this a year ago, a lot of water (i.e. software, configurations, etc.), has now gone under the bridge, I have now resolved my issues, with the latest auto-focus routines in 3.2.0.613 etc. now working as expected…

Julian

Ah, I guess we got carried away and didnt pay attention to the date of the thread! :slight_smile: Good to hear all is well Julian, good luck with your imaging!

Mikael