Edge-Detector Resolution Improvement by Image Interpolation

Most step-edge detectors are designed to detect locally straight edge-segments which can be isolated within the operator kernel. While it can easily be demonstrated that a cross-sectional support of at least 4 pixels is required for the unambiguous detection of a stepedge, edges which cannot be isolated within windows having this width can nevertheless be resolved. This is achieved by preceding the stepedge detection process by image-intensity interpolation. Although resolution can be improved in this fashion, the step-edge position and intensity estimates thus determined may be subject to systematic biases. Also, the higher resolution performance is accompanied by lower robustness to noise.