Optical time-domain analog pattern correlator for high-speed real-time image recognition
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 5, 2026

Time Multiplexing Super Resolving Technique for Imaging from a Moving Platform
Published on: February 12, 2014
Sang Hyup Kim1, Keisuke Goda, Ali Fard
1Photonics Laboratory, Electrical Engineering Department, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095, USA.
Abstract:
The speed of image processing is limited by image acquisition circuitry. While optical pattern recognition techniques can reduce the computational burden on digital image processing, their image correlation rates are typically low due to the use of spatial optical elements. Here we report a method that overcomes this limitation and enables fast real-time analog image recognition at a record correlation rate of 36.7 MHz--1000 times higher rates than conventional methods. This technique seamlessly performs image acquisition, correlation, and signal integration all optically in the time domain before analog-to-digital conversion by virtue of optical space-to-time mapping.
Related Concept Videos
Linear Approximation in Time Domain
For a simple pendulum with a mass evenly distributed along its length and the center of mass located at half the pendulum's length, the...
Imaging Biological Samples with Optical Microscopy
In optical microscopy, the specimen to be viewed is placed on a glass slide and clipped on the stage...
Phase Contrast and Differential Interference Contrast Microscopy
In-phase-contrast microscopes, interference between light directly passing through a cell and light refracted by cellular components is used to create high-contrast, high-resolution images without staining. It is the oldest and simplest type of microscope that creates an image by altering the wavelengths of light rays passing through the specimen. Altered wavelength paths are created using an annular stop in the condenser. The annular stop produces a hollow cone of...
Fast Fourier Transform
The computational efficiency of the FFT becomes...
