Change detection of remote sensing images through DT-CWT and MRF

Image change detection uses an algorithm that is based on multiscale analysis and Markov Random Field (MRF) model. The algorithm is widely used owing to time-frequency wavelet characteristics and the good expression to spatial correlation of the MRF model. To address the significant loss of high-frequency information during noise reduction and pixel independence in change detection of multiscale remote sensing images, this paper proposes an unsupervised change detection algorithm based on the combined dual-tree complex wavelet transform (DT-CWT) and MRF. The algorithm can be divided into the following steps. First, to enhance detail expression and objective image edges, the difference image is decomposed on a multiscale by DT-CWT. Second, the change characteristics in high-frequency regions are extracted by setting the high-frequency components of the first layer to zero and performing MRF segmentation to the other levels. Third, the high- and low-frequency sub-bands of each layer are reconstructed, and the maximum a posteriori probability is estimated by the Iterative Condition Model (ICM) based on the K-means segmentation algorithm, which fully obtains the correlation between pixels. Finally, the segmentation results of each layer are fused to obtain the mask of the final change detection result. To verify the effectiveness and stability of the proposed algorithm, the DT-CWT-Bayes, MRF-Bayes, DWT-MRF-Bayes methods, and the proposed algorithm are comparatively tested and analyzed. The contrast experiment proves that compared with the other methods, the proposed method produces change detection results for edges that subjectively look smoother and more delicate with less noise. In addition, as shown in the table of evaluation indices of the four change detection methods, the proposed method has the least total number of errors and the highest accuracy rate. Thus, the proposed method balances the reduction of tiny spots and noise and the retention of high frequency information. Moreover, the proposed method has high precision for change detection and predominant robust properties. The proposed algorithm fully uses the multidirectional expression, anisotropy, and multiscale properties of DT-CWT, which helps the expression and analysis of image information. In addition, the extraction of the change characteristics in high-frequency regions based on the segmentation algorithm of ICM better balances between noise reduction and retention of high frequency information. Finally, the final iteration and segmentation based on the MRF segmentation algorithm determines the correlation between pixels with considerably reduced false alarm rates while avoiding the influence of registration error. However, the proposed algorithm takes more time due to the existence of some iterative processes. © 2017, Science Press. All right reserved.