Scene matching using photon-limited images

Abstract

A method for scene matching at low-light levels is analyzed. In this method photon-limited images are cross correlated with a classical intensity reference scene to provide an estimate of the high-light-level cross-correlation function. Expressions for the probability density function and characteristic function of the correlation signal are given for general input scenes and reference images. The theory of hypothesis testing is used to calculate the probabilities of detection and false alarm. The recognition capabilities of the method are illustrated with a simple example.