Single-output multichannel pattern recognition using projection preprocessing

Multichannel pattern recognition based on the projection of the components of a multichannel image onto a vector followed by single-channel matched fi ltering is presented. The projection preprocessing reduces the multichannel information to a single channel, while most of the necessary information i s maintained. We describe the design of an optimal filter in terms of robus tness to additive noise. A phase-only filter obtained on the basis of the o ptimal filter can be used for optical pattern recognition. One advantage of the phase-only filter described here is its improved robustness to noise. Computer simulation results are provided to illustrate multichannel pattern recognition using the proposed method. (C) 2000 Society of Photo-Optical I nstrumentation Engineers. [S0091-3286(00)01608-1].