Using wavelet fusion approach at panchromatic imagery to achieve dynamic range compression

The image fusion technique is to maximize the information in images at same area or object taken by different sensors. It enhances unapparent features at each image and wildly applied at remote sensing, medical image, machine vision, and military identification. In remote sensing, the latest sensors usually provide 11-bit panchromatic data which compose more radiometric information; however the standard visual equipment can only produce 8-bit resolution content that limits the analysis of imagery on the screen or paper. This paper shows how to preserve the original 11-bit information after the DRA (Dynamic Range Adjustment) approaches and keep the output from color distortion during the following pan/multi-spectrum image fusion process. We propose a good dynamic range compression method converting the original IKONOS panchromatic image into high, low luminance and typical linear stretched images and using wavelet fusion to enhance the radiometric visualization and keeping good correlation with the multi-spectrum images in order to produce fine pan-sharpened product.