Contrast vs noise effects on Image quality

Research output: Contribution to journalConference articlepeer-review

Abstract

Low noise images are contrast-limited, and image restoration techniques can improve resolution significantly. However, as noise level increases, resolution improvements via image processing become more limited because image restoration increases noise. This research attempts to construct a reliable quantitative means of characterizing the perceptual difference between target and background. A method is suggested for evaluating the extent to which it is possible to discriminate an object which has merged with its surroundings, in noise-limited and contrast limited images, i.e., how hard it would be for an observer to recognize the object against various backgrounds as a function of noise level. The suggested model wifi be a first order model to begin with, using a regular barchart with additive uncorrelated Gaussian noise degraded by standard atmospheric blurring filters. The second phase wifi comprise a model dealing with higher-order images. This computational model relates the detectability or distinctness of the object to measurable parameters. It also must characterize human perceptual response, i.e. the model must develop metrics which are highly correlated to the ease or difficulty which the human observer experiences in discerning the target from its background. This requirement can be fulfilled only by conducting psychophysical experiments quantitatively comparing the perceptual evaluations of the observers with the results of the mathematical model.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)231-241
Number of pages11
JournalProceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
Volume2829
DOIs
StatePublished - 21 Nov 1996
EventAirborne Reconnaissance XX 1996 - Denver, United States
Duration: 4 Aug 19969 Aug 1996

Keywords

  • Contrast- A nd noise-limited imaging systems
  • Image restoration
  • Psychophysical experiments

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Computer Science Applications
  • Applied Mathematics
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

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