Abstract

We describe a nonlinear matched filter based image correlator that uses nonlinearity at the Fourier plane to threshold the linear matched filter function. The linear matched filter is expressed as a bandpass real function with amplitude and phase of the Fourier transform of the reference signal. The nonlinear matched filter is produced by applying the bandpass matched filter function to a kth law nonlinear device. The nonlinear matched filter is determined in terms of the nonlinear characteristics of the device. We have shown that the nonlinear matched filter can be considered as a sum of infinite harmonic terms.

© 1989 Optical Society of America