Multispectral image fusion for improved RGB representation based on perceptual attributes

Abstract

A pixel‐level fusion technique for RGB representation of multispectral images is proposed. The technique results in highly correlated RGB components, a fact which occurs in natural colour images and is strictly related to the colour perception attributes of the human eye. Accordingly, specific properties for the covariance matrix of the final RGB image are demanded. Mutual information is employed as an objective criterion for quality refinement. The method provides dimensionality reduction, while the resulting RGB colour image is perceptually of high quality. Comparisons with existing techniques are carried out using both subjective and objective measures.