Real-Time Holographic Optical Correlator

To address the Navy"s need for an optical correlator to filter sensor data streams searching for and automatically recognizing, classifying, and identifying multiple battlefield targets, Physical Optics Corporation (POC) proposes to develop a new Real-Time Holographic Optical Correlator (RHOC). This proposed automatic target recognition (ATR) system is based on a shift-invariant optical correlator combined with a volumetric holographic memory (VHM) for storage and fast optical retrieval of the multiple (thousands) templates of different targets of interest. This innovation in the compact optical correlator system design will enable the RHOC system to automatically recognize, classify, and identify multiple battlefield targets at input video rates or faster. Notably this system offers high speed, small size, low weight, and capability to check each frame of video against thousands of target templates, which directly addresses the PMA-281 Cruise Missile Command & Control and Joint Mission Planning Systems requirements. In Phase I, POC will demonstrate the feasibility of the RHOC system by developing the system design and analyzing its functionality and suitability for relevant UAS environments. In Phase II, POC plans to develop a prototype RHOC system, conduct validation and performance tests, and evaluate and modify the RHOC design based on the test results.