Image data compression: A review

With the continuing growth of modern communications technology, demand for image transmission and storage is increasing rapidly. Advances in computer technology for mass storage and digital processing have paved the way for implementing advanced data compression techniques to improve the efficiency of transmission and storage of images. In this paper a large variety of algorithms for image data compression are considered. Starting with simple techniques of sampling and pulse code modulation (PCM), state of the art algorithms for two-dimensional data transmission are reviewed. Topics covered include differential PCM (DPCM) and predictive coding, transform coding, hybrid coding, interframe coding, adaptive techniques, and applications. Effects of channel errors and other miscellaneous related topics are also considered. While most of the examples and image models have been specialized for visual images, the techniques discussed here could be easily adapted more generally for multidimensional data compression. Our emphasis here is on fundamentals of the various techniques. A comprehensive bibliography with comments is included for a reader interested in further details of the theoretical and experimental results discussed here.