Optical Pattern Recognition for Missile Guidance.

Abstract

KEY WORDS (Continue on reverse sido If neressary and Identify INblock number)Coherence measure correlator, equalization correlator, liquid crystal, missile guidance, multi-sensor pattern recognition, normalized invariant moments, optical data processing, optical patterni recognition, photo-DKDP, spacevariant pattern recognition, spatial light modulators. ABSTRACT (Continue or, reverse side Of rnecoisary mod idtentify hy block ,n.Iihor)In the past year, our research on optical pattern recognlition COPR) for missile guidance has addressed three general areas: new OIT techniquies, OPR experiments on specific missile guidance problems and scenarios, and component evaluation and testing.In the area of component evaluation and testing, we have concentrated on 2-D spatial light modulators (SIM) with specific attention to the photo-DKDP, prom, and the liquid crystal light valve and to a general test and evaluation procedure for these devices. The major results of this program phase has been the development of a general SLM test and evaluation Our Il liorise test and eva lua tln p:' r;oram foind the photo-DKI)1' nnd -CCI) addressed SI.; worthy of ftirLtiro re;aic ri a rid de'velop,,ei,. DDIn the area of new OPR techniques, we have developed a v-1herence measure correlator, an equalization correlator, moment invariant hybrid correlaLor and an averaged filter correlator.Specific missile guidance scenarios pursued were OPR of multisensor and Infrared imagery. The former has laid initial ground work for a future program in optical statistical and deterministic pattern recognition. The latter has initiated a generalized approach to OPR using hyperspace formulations and linear combinations of orthonormal basis functions. In the past year, our research on OPR for missile guidance has concentrated on three general areas:(1) component evaluation, (2) new OPR techniques, and (3) demonstration of OPR on several specific missile guidance data bases.As the most critical OPR system components we correctly choose the 2-D real-time and reusable SLM. In the course of the past year, we have performed in house evaluation of the liquid crystal light valve (LCLV) and the photo-DKDP SLMs. The results of our general SLM program are summarized in chapter 2. In this paper, we address the general test and evaluation procedure to be used for * 'these components. Such an effort is vital if comparisons and fair evaluations of the diverse candidate SLMs are to be possible. Many detailed experimentswere performed on the photo-DKDP SLM in many theoretical studies of this device were performed in conjunction with researchers in France. The results of these tests are summarized in chapter 3. We found this SLM to be one of the most promising ones, with considerable development research possible that should result in a viable device. The results of our in house evaluation of several LCLV SLMs are included in chapter 2. The major flaw in this SLM appears to.be its spatially varying nonuniformity of response due to small differences in the thickness of the L...