Abstract

In a joint transform correlator (JTC), the reference image and input objects are located at the input plane of a coherent processor. The corresponding joint power spectrum (JPS) is modulated by carrier spatial frequencies determined by the separation between the images. By Fourier transforming the JPS, the cross-correlation functions between the reference image and input objects can be obtained. We discuss the effects of binarization of the JPS on a JTC. It has been shown that binarization of the JPS is applicable to single-input object cases. However, the binarization is in general not applicable to multiobject problems. A computer simulation is used to analyze the effects due to fringe binarization in both noiseless and noisy circumstances. The results show that binarization of the multiobject joint power spectrum generates false and missing correlation peaks.

© 1988 Optical Society of America