Three dimensional binocular correlator

Abstract

A three dimensional binocular correlator is disclosed in which additive/differential discrimination can be provided by combining and comparing two optical inputs of different aspect angular views of a target of interest onto one matched filter. This technical approach records more information on a dual exposure matched filter which denotes two different aspect angular views of the same target, to allow better and more effective target discrimination, and also provides three dimensional information on the target. The binocular correlator can differentially monitor the signal strength of the signal outputs from the two transforms, which can provide a feedback signal for such control measures as a course correction or for robotic control. The signal strengths of the transforms can be compared, for the same output levels, to confirm that they recognize the same target, and the dual outputs thereof can increase the combined correlation signal strength by 3 db. A tri-state logic approach could also be utilized to provide discrimination under multitarget scenarios for improved performance.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.