Fast normalized cross-correlation for measuring distance to objects using optic flow, applied for helicopter obstacle detection

The fast normalized cross-correlation (NCC) calculation method presented here features low computational requirements, which makes it suitable for being implemented in real time onboard micro-controllers with very few resources. This was adapted making distance measurements, using a high speed optic flow sensor operating at 20m?s. An application of this study is to develop proof concept an innovative fixed the tip helicopter’s blade (from Airbus Helicopter) measure various obstacles (wall, cliff...) azimuthal plane (rotor plane) during hovering flight. Due its small size, developed paper can also be Micro aerial vehicles (MAVs). requires less memory than reference method, expense some extra arithmetical operations, but still significantly lighter classical NCC method. algorithm implementing real-time robotic applications presented. Experimental results confirm efficiency highly time-saving