An efficient paradigm for wavelet‐based image processing using cellular neural networks

We propose a novel paradigm for cellular neural networks (CNNs), which enables the user to simultaneously calculate up to four subband images and to implement the integrated wavelet decomposition and a subsequent function into a single CNN. Two sets of experiments were designated to test the performance of the paradigm. In the first set of experiments, the effects of seven different wavelet filters and five feature extractors were studied in the extraction of critical features from the down‐sampled low‐low subband image using the paradigm. Among them, the combination of DB53 wavelet filter and the r=2 halftoning processor was determined to be most appropriate for low‐resolution applications. The second set of experiments demonstrated the capacity of the paradigm in the extraction of features from multi‐subband images. CNN edge detectors were embedded in a two‐subband digital wavelet transformation processor to extract the horizontal and vertical line features from the LH and HL subband images, respectively. A CNN logic OR operator proceeds to combine the results from the two subband line‐edge detectors. The proposed edge detector is capable of delineating more subtle details than using typical CNN edge detector alone, and is more robust in dealing with low‐contrast images than traditional edge detectors. The results demonstrate the proposed paradigm as a powerful and efficient scheme for image processing using CNN. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.