Variogram-based method for contrast measurement

We present a technique for determining the contrast of an intensity distribution in the presence of additive noise and other effects, such as undesired local amplitude or offset variations. The method is based on the variogram function. It just requires the measurement of the variogram at only four points and, as a consequence, it is very fast. The proposed technique is compared with other standard techniques, showing a reduction in the error of the contrast measurement.