A SYSTEM FOR CORRELATING OBJECT REPORTS UTILIZING CONNECTIONIST ARCHITECTURE

A correlation processor (22) for solving large correlation problems involving multi-dimensional data (12, 16, 20). The system correlates vectors in a first set with vectors in a second set. The system includes a plurality of input devices (24) for accepting the entities (16) in the second set of data (14). Also, a set of processing elements (26) are included for producing a correlation output signal that is a first predetermined function of its inputs. A set of variable strength interconnections (28) couple each of the input devices (24) to each of the processing elements (26) through a connection having a strength that is a second predetermined function of the first set of multi-dimensional data (12), wherein the weighted connection (28) to each processing element (26) is proportional to one of the entities in the first set of multi-dimensional data. A controller (48) is provided for assigning each of the entities (16) in the second set (14) to one of the entities in the first set based on a comparison of the correlation signals from the processing element (26). The system requires minimal algorithm development, minimal software development and minimal preprocessing. It can be implemented using current hardware technology at a reasonable cost to provide real-time solution to multi-dimensional correlation problems.