Two-dimensional wavelet processor

An optical implementation of the two-dimensional (2-D) wavelet transform and inverse wavelet transform is performed in real time by the exploitation of a new multichannel system that processes the different daughter wavelets separately. The so-coined wavelet-processor system relies on a multichannel replication array generated that uses a Dammann grating and is able to handle every wavelet function. All channels process in parallel using a conventional 2-D correlator. Experimental results applying the Mexican-hat wavelet-decomposition technique are presented. (C) 1996 Optical Society of America