SINGLE CHIP CORRELATION PROCESSOR

Detecting changes in two-dimensional scenery requires three essential components: detection/recognition of object, computation of relative motion, and fast, compact processors to carry out the required numerical calculations. Traditionally, most emphasis is placed on the first two software components. A problem is that processing large 2-D arrays is a complex task reireing board level hardware. An attractive alternative approach to simply considering improved software, is to reconsider the hardware in conjunction with software algorithms. We have recently conceived of a novel spectral processor based upon reduced bit depth logic. Originally developed as a means for very rapid calculations of frequency (Doppler) spectra for laser radar applications, it appears that the same type of hardware processor can be applied to image correlation, and hence detection of motion within images. We propose to carry out further analysis of this processor in Phase I, with particular emphasis on extending correlation calculations to two dimensions. we also plan to build a scaled-down 1-D processor in Phase I, in order to demonstrate the viability of carrying out full-scale development in Phase II.