Rate-distortion optimized zerotree image coding using wavelet transforms

In this paper, we propose a new wavelet-based image coding algorithm that is derived by rate-distortion (R-D) optimization. Since conventional coding schemes using the tree structure have reduced coding performance in terms of rate-distortion theory, we apply an R-D optimized embedding operation into the algorithm of the set partitioning in hierarchical trees (SPIHT). In this paper, we also describe modified set partitioning and R-D optimized list scan methods. Experimental results show improved rate-quality performance of the proposed algorithm over the previous wavelet-based image coding algorithms.