Real-time tracking of moving objects by optical correlation

A low-contrast diffusely scattering object was identified and tracked in real-time by coherent optical correlation. The coherent input image is generated with a liquid crystal incoherent-to-coherent image transducer. A cast iron connecting rod (the test object) was tracked with an accuracy of 1 part in 130 over a 0.6-m distance while traveling at speeds up to 0.25 m/sec.