Engineering implementation of a hybrid optical correlator using SLMs (original) (raw)

Experimental implementation of a Wiener filter in a hybrid digital--optical correlator

Optics Letters, 2001

We present the implementation of a clutter-tolerant filter in a hybrid correlator system. Wiener filters were mapped with a complex encoding technique onto a smectic A ‫ء‬ liquid-crystal spatial light modulator (SLM). The technique overcomes the problem of representing high-dynamic-range data on SLM's that have limited modulation capabilities. It also provides a compact image recognition system that is robust enough for many real-world applications. Experimental results are presented.

Implementation and performance considerations of hybrid digital/optical correlator configurations

Optical Pattern Recognition X, 1999

Two-dimensional correlation between a reference template and an input scene is a powerful pattern recognition technique but is demanding of computational power. Coherent optical correlators, exploiting the Fourier transforming properties of a lens and the capability to impart a phase modulation on a wavefront with an appropriate spatial light modulator (SLM), hold the promise of real-time implementation of two-dimensional correlation for realistic pattern recognition problems. However, their practical use has been delayed in many applications by the lack of availability of suitable SLM devices with the required speed and dynamic range, with different needs for input and frequency plane modulators. It is now possible to compute a two-dimensional Fourier transform at video-rates with various digital signal processing chip sets. Thus a hybrid correlator is proposed in which the input scene is digitally Fourier transformed at video-rate, and multiple templates searched during the next video frame interval by optical mixing and Fourier transformation at a speed at least two orders of magnitude faster than possible with digital methods. In this way, the input SLM is avoided and a precise spectrum is available for subsequent digital or optical mixing with the stored templates. The speed advantage over all-digital processing allows unconstrained pattern recognition problems to be tackled that require many template searches to match the input with a reference function. Different hybrid correlator configurations are considered, together with discussion of the various digital chip sets available to perform the videorate FFT, as well as the SLM devices currently available that are suitable as frequency domain phase modulators.

Adapting the input scene and the filter to the operating curves of the modulators in real time correlators

Algorithms, Devices, and Systems for Optical Information Processing Iii, 1999

In this paper we present some results on the research line of real-time correlation applied to optical pattern recognition. We present a real time optical correlator that uses two twisted nematic liquid crystal spatial light modulators (SLM). This kind of SLM produces phase and amplitude coupled modulation. Phase modulation is useful for the implementation of phase only filters (POF), but the coupled amplitude modulation affects its performance. We present a model to evaluate the response of the phase-only filter (POF) implemented on a modulator with a restricted modulation and we show results on the optimal implementation of POF on this restricted coding domain. The phase modulation is also used for the implementation of the scene by means of a phase-encoding algorithm. The performance of the phase-only filter has been improved for several performance criteria by the design of binary amplitude masks. We present a technique for the implementation of these optimized binary amplitude phase-only filters (BAPOF) using phase-mostly SLMs. Results obtained for the optimization of different criteria are presented. Finally, we present results on the application of these methods to color pattern recognition problems by a multichannel correlation.

Experimental Systems Implementation of a Hybrid Optical–Digital Correlator

Applied Optics, 1999

A high-speed hybrid optical-digital correlator system was designed, constructed, modeled, and demonstrated experimentally. This correlator is capable of operation at approximately 3000 correlations͞s. The input scene is digitized at a resolution of 512 ϫ 512 pixels and the phase information of the two-dimensional fast Fourier transform calculated and displayed in the correlator filter plane at normal video frame rates. High-fidelity reference template images are stored in a phase-conjugating optical memory placed at the nominal input plane of the correlator and reconstructed with a high-speed acousto-optic scanner; this allows for cross correlation of the entire reference data set with the input scene within one frame period. A high-speed CCD camera is used to capture the correlation-plane image, and rapid correlation-plane processing is achieved with a parallel processing architecture. A.-R. Pourzand, and M. Duelli were with the Institute of Microtechnology, University of Neuchâtel, Rue A-L Breguet 2, CH-2000, Neuchâtel, Switzerland. A. Grattarola and C. Braccini were with the

A multichannel optical correlator

Optics Communications, 1987

A multichannel parallel optical pattern recognition system is proposed. The synthesis of a large capacity matched filter is discussed. The technique uses a phase mask and telescopic arrangement for the mass filter construction. The processing capacity of the proposed optical correlator, which is over 400 times of a single channel system, is evaluated.

Compact optical correlator based on one phase-only spatial light modulator

Optics Letters, 2011

An optical correlator that utilizes one phase-only spatial light modulator (SLM) combined with a mirror is proposed and demonstrated. This system is compressed by displaying the input and filter pattern on different parts of the same SLM. The background noise is separated from the correlation signal by superimposing a high-frequency carrier with the filter pattern except in the zero-frequency regions, which will improve the signal-to-noise ratio in pattern recognition. Our architecture is compact and the cost is relatively low by utilizing only one SLM.

Computer-generated complex filter for an all-optical and a digital-optical hybrid correlator

Optical Engineering, 2002

We present results of a correlation filter utilising a computer generated hologram using an analogue ferroelectric liquid crystal spatial light modulator (SLM). The SLM amplitude modulates light and can induce a 0/π phase shift, which is equivalent to modulating along the real axis. Two pixels are combined into a macropixel using a phase detour technique enabling full complex modulation. The method is used as the filter for a conventional optical correlator and in a digital/optical hybrid correlator.