Modified SPIHT Algorithm for Wavelet Packet Image Coding

This paper introduces a new implementation of wavelet packet decomposition which is combined with SPIHT (Set Partitioning in Hierarchical Trees) compression scheme. We provide the analysis of the problems arising from the application of zero tree quantization based algorithms (such as SPIHT) to wavelet packet transform coefficients. We established the generalized parent-child relationships for wavelet packets, providing complete tree structures for SPIHT. The proposed algorithm can be used for both wavelet dyadic and Wavelet Packet decomposition (WP-SPIHT). An extensive evaluation of the algorithm was performed and it has been shown that WP-SPIHT significantly outperforms base-line SPIHT coder for texture images. For these images the suboptimal WP cost-function enables good enough energy compaction that is efficiently exploited by the WP-SPIHT.