Image fusion algorithm using wavelet transform

A multisensor image fusion algorithm using wavelet transform is proposed in this paper. The principles of choosing high frequency and low frequency coefficients are discussed respectively. While choosing high frequency coefficients, we select these that have maximal absolute values and verify the consistency of these coefficients. When choosing the low frequency coefficients, we design three approaches. The first method is average method, which decreases the contrast of images in some degree. The second method is combination of average and selection proposed by Hurt, which uses average method and selective methods alternatively according to the match degree of two images. The third method is based on edges of images, selecting the pixels that might be on the edges possibly from original images. The algorithm is used to fuse several multi-focused images. The results show that this algorithm can preserve all useful information from primitive images and all targets in the fused image are very clear. However, if we choose low frequency coefficients by the third method, the effect of fused image is the best.