High-speed phase-shift computation using dynamic memory processing

Abstract

The conventional method of applying the arctangent operation at every picture element in an interferogram slows down the phase-shift technique. A method that precalculates and dynamically stores the phase combinations in the computer's random-access memory is introduced. The appropriate value is then mapped out based on input phase-shifted intensities. Performance tests on different types of processors reveal a two to seven times increase in computational speed using the method. © 1996 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers.