Ultrafast Robust Optical Correlator

To address the Strategic Capabilities Office’s need for a high-throughput photonic processor for artificial intelligence/machine learning programs, Intellisense Systems, Inc. (Intellisense) proposes to develop a new Ultrafast Robust Optical Correlator (UROC) based on Intellisense’s previously demonstrated Real-time Holographic Optical Correlator (RHOC) approach. The UROC system will build upon the demonstrated RHOC approach with a new high-throughput phase-only spatial light modulator (POSLM) design based on a state-of-the-art digital micromirror device (DMD) with temporal multiplexing using high-speed laser diode (LD) switching. The innovation in the use of a DMD-based POSLM design allows improvement in the correlator performance in terms of throughput with potentiality of =100k frames per second (fps) at =8k imagery resolution. Using the latest photonic technologies (LD, CMOS/CCD sensors, FPGA electronics), UROC will be miniature in size, light weight, consume low power, and generate low heat. The digital nature of the DMD also allows on-chip binarization of input images without the need for prefiltering and provides a one-step interference process. In this direct-to-Phase II, Intellisense will improve upon the demonstrated RHOC architecture with a new DMD-based POSLM to design, develop the UROC prototype, demonstrate performance of >2.5k fps and imagery with resolution >2k pixels (>20× the 1990 capability), provide all required deliverables, produce studies addressing =100k fps throughput and =8k imagery resolution, and address counter-adversarial issues.