Microcomputer-based programmable optical correlator for automatic pattern recognition and identification

Abstract

A microcomputer-based programmable optical correlator (MPOC) is proposed for automatic pattern recognition and identification. A programmable magneto-optic spatial light modulator and a liquid-crystal light value are used to perform a real-time joint-transform correlation operation. Since the proposed MPOC consists of a microcomputer and an optical processing system, it has the advantage of real-time programmable processing capability for large space-bandwidth-product information. The basic theory and a feasibility study of the technique are given.