Wavelet-Based Image Compression
Wavelets were introduced as a signal processing tool in the late 1980s. Since then considerable attention has been given on the application of wavelets to Image compression (Woods & ONeil, 1986). Wavelet image coding follows a well-understood standard transform coding prototype (Lewis & Knowles, 1992). Foremost, the wavelet transform is applied on an image then the wavelet coefficients are quantized and later coded by applying lossless coding on the quantized coefficients. However, this transform gives a multi-resolution and multi-scale representation of the image. The wavelet transform uses wavelets of fixed energy to examine the transient, time-variant signals. A Wavelet is thus defined as an irregular mathematical function having limited duration effectively. The word ‘wavelet’ is used because it integrates to zero (Zhao et al., 2004).
One of the most crucial advantages of the wavelet is its ability to analyze the localized area of a large signal (Schelkens et al., 1999). Small wavelet can be used to isolate the fine details of the signal, and the large wavelet can identify the coarse details. Assume the sine wave generated in the real world by a noisy switch or power fluctuation with a small discontinuity which is hardly noticeable as shown in Figure 1. However, with the help of the wavelet coefficient plot, the exact location of the discontinuity can be found.
Figure 1. Sine wave with a small discontinuity
The wavelet transform (WT) of a signal is its time-frequency representation, and this transform does not change the information content of the signal. It is computed independently for different segments of the signal in time-domain at different frequencies. It gives good frequency resolution and poor time resolution at lower frequencies while at higher frequencies, it gives good time resolution and poor frequency resolution. The WT was developed to overcome the shortcomings of STFT (Sifuzzaman et al., 2009). The basis sine and wavelet waveform are shown in Figure 2.
Figure 2. Basis sine and wavelet waveforms (Kanth, 2013)
It can be seen intuitively that wavelet waveform might analyze the sharply changing signal better than a sine waveform, just as a fork handles some foods better than a spoon.
There are two types of Wavelet Transforms namely, Continous wavelet transform (CWT) and discrete wavelet transform and are explained below: