AXC-BM3DF G2 | SETUP & USER GUIDE
DOCUMENTATION IS UNDER DEVELOPMENT. IF YOU HAVE RECIEVED YOUR UNIT AND SEE THIS MESSAGE, PLEASE BE AWARE THE INSTRUCTIONS ON THIS PAGE ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE. IF YOU NEED ANY ASSISTANCE PLEASE CONTACT US VIA OUR WEBSITE FORM OR DIRECT MESSAGE US VIA OUR SOCIAL MEDIA. THANK YOU. -07/11/2022
This page details how to setup the AXC-BM3DF G2, including how to rig it to your camera, different ways to power the AXC-BM3DF G2, interfacing with the Nucleus Nano Motor, connecting to the built in web applications and performing lens calibration.
Do not power AXC-BM3DF G2 with power source greater than 5 volts. Do not power AXC-BM3DF G2 through both the Micro-USB Port and the USB-C port on the 3D focus (only choose 1 method).
AXONCINE IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DAMAGE CAUSED BY IMPROPER USAGE.
Parts Needed:
- AXC-BM3DF G2
- DJI 3D Focus Module ( not included. )
- Tilta Nucleus Nano Motor ( not included. )
- 1x USB-C to USB-C Cable ( not included. )
- 1x 2.5mm TRRS Cable ( included. )
- Various hardware for rigging/mounting to your camera. ( not included. )
Included in the bag:
When you receive your order you will find these item's in the bag:
- AXC-BM3DF G2
- 2.5mm TRRS Cable ( length specified at time of purchase. )
- 1/4"-20 Bolt
- Setup Instruction Card
Overview:
The AXC-BM3DF G2 is a compact wireless control module that act's as the brain of the entire system. It interfaces with both the DJI 3D Focus Module and the Tilta Nucleus Nano and communicates with them in realtime to obtain distance information and control lens focus through the motor.
- USB-C Port ( for 3D Focus Module Only! )
- 2.5mm TRRS Port ( for Tilta Nucleus Nano Motor Only! )
- Micro-USB Port ( For power Only! )
- Power LED Indicator ( RED )
- Status LED Indicator ( RGB )
- Reset Button ( BLACK )
- Action Button ( GREEN )
- 1/4" Mounting Hole
Preface - LiDAR / Time of Flight Sensor:
For the best results using this system it is important to understand how the 3D Focus Module is working at a fundamental level.
DJI 3D Focus Module at it's core is a distance measurement device. It does this by emitting infrared light and recording the time it takes for that emitted light to bounce off an object and return back to the sensor.
Think of it as a flashlight that you aim towards a subject, some of that light will bounce off that subject which the sensor will compute as a distance value.
3D Focus Module has a field of view ( FOV ) of ~15° which the sensor operates within, anything outside of this FOV will not be measured. The 3D Focus Module also operates within a specific distance range that is between ~30cm to 10m.
Please refer to the DJI 3D Focus Module documentation for more specific information regarding it's operating parameters. DJI_RONIN_3D_Focus_System_User_Guide.pdf (djicdn.com)
Setup Demonstration:
Rigging:
To start, the user must decide on a location for the 3D Focus Module. It is recommended that it be mounted on the camera/cage, center with the lens mount and in line with the focal plane. It is also recommended that the 3D Focus Module not be placed too far away from the optical path; which means the 3D Focus Module should not be too high above or below the camera, as it will affect the area the 3D Focus Module is measuring and it will not be aligned with the center of the camera frame as the user would expect.
User should also consider adding a very small degree of tilt to the 3D Focus Module, such that it be better aimed at the projected center of frame. This is not necessary and most instances where the 3D Focus Module is mounted parallel to the optical path will suffice; at the cost of less focus accuracy when dealing with subjects at a very close distance.
The AXC-BM3DF G2 can be mounted via 1/4"-20 bolt wherever convenient for the user.
Powering:
Users have two options for power:
A: for this option, the DJI 3D Focus Module & the AXC-BM3DF G2 is powered through secondary USB-C port on the side of the DJI 3D Focus Module. NOTE: for this option it is important to use a power source / power cable that does not transmit any auxiliary data on it's port as it will interfere with the data connection between the AXC-BM3DF G2 and the 3D Focus Module.
B: for this option, the Micro-USB port of the AXC-BM3DF G2 is used to power both itself and the 3D Focus Module.
CHOOSE ONLY 1 OF THESE METHODS. A or B DO NOT CHOOSE BOTH AS IT CAN CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE CONNECTED DEVICES.
Interfacing with the Motor:
The AXC-BM3DF G2 connects to the Tilta Nucleus Nano Motor using the included 2.5mm TRRS Cable. This cable is strictly for data communication and does not provide any power between the AXC-BM3DF G2 or the motor.
User must choose their own method of powering the Tilta Nucleus Nano Motor. If possible it is recommended to use a power supply for the Tilta Nucleus Nano Motor that can provide greater than 5V as this will increase the torque of the motor and overall improve the responsiveness for larger/stiffer lenses.
First Use:
Upon first powering the AXC-BM3DF G2, there should display two LED indicators. The power indicator LED will be solid red to indicate that the device is receiving power. The status indicator LED is a multi-color RGB LED that is used to display the various states and conditions of the devices.
STATUS LED STATES:
- SOLID LED ( GREEN, TEAL, YELLOW, MAGENTA, BLUE )
- This indicates normal operation where the color will dictate which lens profile is chosen. The Focus Assist Application is turned OFF.
- BREATHING LED ( GREEN, TEAL, YELLOW, MAGENTA, BLUE )
- This indicates normal operation where the color will dictate which lens profile is chosen. The Focus Assist Application is turned ON.
- BREATHING WHITE LED
- This indicates the device is in setup mode. The built-in web application can be accessed via the WiFi network.
- FAST BLINKING RED LED ( LIDAR CONNECTION WARNING )
- This indicates the device cannot communicate with the 3D Focus Module. Please check the cable / connection. This can be disabled in the configuration page of the setup application.
- SLOW BLINKING RED LED ( MOTOR CONNECITON WARNING )
- This indicates the device cannot communicate with the Tilta Nucleus Nano Motor. Please check the cable / connection. This can be disabled in the configuration page of the setup application.
Connecting to the WiFi Network:
The AXC-BM3DF G2 features a built in WiFi network which is used for configuration and extended functionality. Users can access the built-in web application(s) via a smartphone, laptop or even a desktop.
The AXC-BM3DF G2 has a unique WiFi network name and password. The WiFi network name will follow a pattern as such: "AXC-BM3DFG2-****" ( where the last 4 alphanumeric characters are a unique identifier for the device. )
The WiFi password for each device is a combination of a static word "AXONCINE" + those last 4 alphanumeric characters. For example the password for the network that is listed below would be:
WiFi Network Name: "AXC-BM3DFG2-45FD"
WiFI Network Password: "AXONCINE45FD"
Focus Assist Application:
The Focus Assist Application can be enabled by holding down the action button for ~3 seconds. When the status indicator changes from being a solid color to a breathing color, the Focus Assist Application has been enabled.
The Focus Assist application is an integrated web application that can be accessed by connecting the AXC-BM3DF G2's built-in WiFi connection.
Once connected to the AXC-BM3DF G2's WiFi network, user should visit this url: 10.0.0.1 via a web browser of their choice.
It is recommended to add this page to the homescreen or bookmark for ease of access later on.
The Focus Assist Application's primary function is to display distance readings from the 3D Focus Module in real-time. Valid distance readings will be displayed in WHITE text, where distance readings that exceed the usable range of the sensor will be displayed in ORANGE and show "OOR" for "Out-of-Range".
DOUBLE-TAP the distance text to increase the size.
TAP the Settings in the bottom right hand corner to open the Settings drawer. Here you can adjust the distance units from "METRIC" to "IMPERIAL". You can change the update frequency of the distance readings from 1-30 fps and you can also enable/pause the readings entirely.