A simplified correlation index is proposed to be used in real-time pulse shape recognition systems. This index is similar to the classic Pearson's correlation coefficient, but it can be efficiently implemented in FPGA devices with far fewer logic resources and excellent performance. Numerical simulations with synthetic data and comparisons with the Pearson's correlation show the suitability of the proposed index in applications such as the discrimination and counting of pulses with a predefined shape. Superior performance is evident in signal-to-noise ratio scenarios close to unity. FPGA implementation of Person's method and the proposed correlation index have been successfully tested and the main results are summarized.
Keywords: FPGA; SoC; correlation; digital pulse processing; digital signal processing; hardware algorithms; noise reduction; pattern recognition; pulse counting; pulse shape recognition.