SAR image data compression using a tree-structured wavelet transform

SAR image compression is very important in reducing the costs of data stora ge and transmission in relatively slow channels. In this paper, we propose a compression scheme driven by texture analysis, homogeneity mapping and sp eckle noise reduction within the wavelet framework. The image compressibili ty and interpretability are improved by incorporating speckle reduction int o the compression scheme. We begin with the classical set partitioning in h ierarchical trees (SPIHT) wavelet compression scheme, and modify it to cont rol the amount of speckle reduction, applying different encoding schemes to homogeneous and nonhomogeneous areas of the scene. The results compare fav orably with the conventional SPIHT wavelet and the JPEG compression methods .