An Automatic Wavelet-based Nonlinear Image

Enhancement Technique for Aerial Imagery



Recently we proposed a wavelet-based dynamic range

compression algorithm to improve the visual quality of digital

images captured in the high dynamic range scenes with nonuniform

lighting conditions. The fast image enhancement

algorithm which provides dynamic range compression preserving

the local contrast and tonal rendition is a very good candidate in

aerial imagery applications such as image interpretation for

defense and security tasks. This algorithm can further be applied

to video streaming for aviation safety. In this paper the latest

version of the proposed algorithm which is able to enhance aerial

images so that the enhanced images are better then direct human

observation, is presented. The results obtained by applying the

algorithm to numerous aerial images show strong robustness and

high image quality.