Significance map-based adaptive wavelet zerotree codec (SMAWZ)

Abstract

This paper presents a wavelet based codec (SMAWZ) that uses the most important features of the SPIHT algorithm (zero-trees) while eliminating all concepts that are incompatible with a reduced hardware environment. This is done by replacing dynamic list structures with static maps (significance maps) which leads to a simpler and spacially oriented coefficient scan order. Additionally, extensions such as wavelet packet support and object based coding are included.