Code Clustering for Universal Image Coding and Other Implications

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The goal of this project is to develop reasonable complexity, source independent coding algorithms. Source independent algorithms are crucial to the design of robust systems for applications such as image coding and mobile communications. In applications of this type, the statistics of the source and channel in operation are typically unknown a priori, and the performance of the strategy employed is sensitive to those unknown statistics. The approach taken is the two-stage approach developed in the source coding literature. Given a space of possible sources and a particular coding strategy (e.g., VQ, DCT-based transform codes, etc.), for each source in the space there exists an optimal code. Designing a single code is equivalent to quantizing the space of possible codes to 0 bits; the entire space of optimal codes is approximated by a single code that does well on average across the data. The two-stage coding literature demonstrates that in general we should quantize the space of possible codes more finely. Some of the rate should be spent on describing which code, in a family of codes, should be used on the source in operation. Specific projects being completed in this research include the development of a universal DCT code compatible with existing JPEG and MPEG image and video coding standards, a universal KLT code, a universal wavelet packet code, and a universal channel code. The main objectives of the education plan are to develop and maintain an exciting atmosphere of active learning for undergraduate and graduate students. This objective is being accomplished through innovative programs geared at helping students to participate fully in their own education and by developing an atmosphere that encourages the maximum possible exchange between students, faculty, and members of local industry.